I was wondering how the membership felt about an increase in the TMA cost to provide for grooming three times a week. Many clubs do this now but aren't guaranteed payment. If we contracted for 3 times then any 4th time grooming would be the question mark. Clubs cant afford to grroom regularly on there own dime for very long.I havent run the numbers but i think the cost would be less then 10$ per tma. Please let me know how you feel about this and if the response is favorable we will see if we can make it happen.

For $10, I'm in -

Although, to be honest, I'll buy a TMA regaurdless of the price increase. But I'd be happier to pay the increase knowing the extra $$ will go to the clubs to support grooming.

X2

lots of complaining about TMA prices on other threads, but I would be happy to pay an increase. Obviously I would prefer that 100% of the increase went directly to the clubs who need to groom more often because of traffic. If VAST is going to take an administrative cut, then I would just rather give my club an additional 20 bucks to help defray the rising cost of fuel that probably won't come down anytime soon.

it would make more sense to pay it directly to the club in dues. id go for that...steve

If its goes where its intended.....absolutly!!!!

X2

I am a groomer operator for a small club and if (or when ) fuel goes to $5.00 a gallon, I can't see how any club can afford to groom when it will cost as much or slightly more in fuel costs to operate the groomer than you get paid a mile. Break downs and certainly the replacement costs will be any clubs financial downfall. Already some personnel at VAST have talked about another increase to cover the costs of fuel.
How much more can the membership bare?, But you can't groom at a loss either.
Suggestions have been made as to raising the state registration , as Vast gets 100% of this and there are more state registered sleds then VAST registered sleds so the increase becomes a bigger money maker by virtue of more people contributing .The main problem is it won't happen in time to help for this coming year.
I don't know what to think of the whole deal yet, i'll just have to wait and see .

DUHNIS

I heard in Feb from a reliable source that vast approved 3 time grooming Sorry I don"t have any details yet.

3 years ago...if you told me we'd be about $4.00 a gallon for diesel... I would have thought the same for this year..... But we're American's...and by nature "Tough"...we'll persevere!!!!!
Where there is a will...there is a way...and I have the will!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VAST hasn't approved 3 time grooming. If there is any money left over, in the grooming budget, there may be some money for the guys that ran 3 times, but nothing in stone.
There is discussion, in the trails committee, about the grooming payments, and the need to increase the amount paid per mile groomed.
We all know the fuel subsidy isn't enough.
The brutal fact is that TMA rates need to be increased to cover the cost of groomer operation.
An increase of $10 for registration and an increase of $5 in the early purchase TMA price would be reasonable and would still make early purchase a good deal.
It's still a good deal. The quality of our trails is worth the price.
Another option is to increase County/Club dues. That can be done at the local level and doesn't involve VAST approval. That allows Clubs in high use areas to charge additional amounts to cover added grooming expenses.
We had a great winter, but now the tough part begins.
An increase won't be popular, but when the groomer runs out of fuel and there is no money for more, well that won't be too popular either.
Clubs need to get inventive with fundraising and volunteerism has to increase.
I'm sure there will be some heated arguments concerning any increase, but costs aren't decreasing and the demand for grooming isn't either.
Now's the time to put on the thinking caps and come up with constructive ideas to carry us through the hard times.
Attend meetings. Become involved in the decision making process. Then you'll have your say and maybe have that one idea that'll make a difference
Have a great summer.

I paid $110 for 3550 smooth miles this winter!! Cant complaining about that. Obviously fuel prices are making the cost of everything rise.

well said Nailset47. Volunteerism around the calendar needs to rise not just to make clubs more money but to offset the distinct possibility of losing those critical individuals who already give 110% of their time and energy. Not having enough people to "take care of business", I believe, might be the death of VAST before high fuel costs will.

I'm sure everyone out there shops for groceries and gasoline... Have you noticed the price of milk, bread, eggs and GAS? - of course!
No one will be immune. We must pay if we wish to continue to play. No one likes to pay higher prices for anything but clearly the economics of the times dictate that we must be willing to grin and bear it if we want to continue to enjoy our sport in a quality way.
The trails may be smooth (thank to all the volunters who work hard) but hold on - it's going to be a bumpy ride!

I'll second that! Once VAST or the government gets there hands on the money who knows where it'll go.

Tom