1. For those that were there what did you think about the content?
2. Did you learn anything new?
3. Feelings about the MSA?
4. Is the direction the MSA going, is it going in the direction you like?

I know people that were not there will peek in so figure these would be some questions (actually work with someone whom walked up to me and asked questions 1-3).


1. Content was great, it was a sit down meeting with 2 break out sessions into smaller groups. Everyone who was there was allowed to put in their 2 cents if they choose to speak up. Anything from accountability of the funds, communication to trail maintance, etc etc. Lets just say there are 5-6 big hitter topics and 30 more very important issues. There is alot more the just give a me a flat trail. Meeting went 4 hours and it could have gone on for 4 more.

2. Biggest lesson learned was how grant sponsers work, alot more to it than what was covered but we all got a pretty good fill in what it takes.

3. It changed the MSA being referred to as "they". Bill and Don are real people that truely want what is best and yes help from those that ride the trails, lakes, off trail is needed. The MSA is doing way more than the snowmobliers think they are.

4. The future looks great, to bad there was not a way to drop the hammer and it would be done 1 minute from now. It will be a battle and will take people getting involved. A donation is great and needed. Just need more to take the next step, you know the 80/10/10.

Big thanks to Rick and Paul getting this together. Hopefully we can get another one of these meetings in metro detroit that do not fall on a major sport event day. Just over 40 people were there (my count was 42). Got to put some faces to their board names also.

Definitely cool that those guys (board) came as far as they did just to meet with us and discuss pretty much whatever was on our minds.
Good info on how some things work, dispelled a couple myths for me, very approachable guys.

Rick, first time I've heard you talk outside our 'normal' meeting parameters... very well done! I was impressed with the think-tank verbiage and analysis... definitely top notch. Good hanging out with you, Bill and Don afterwards, too.

I agree with Mike on everything great meeting learned alot, put faces to the names. I think we all need to get on board with the MSA and pitch in with what ever we can to help our sport out. We have some big problems to work on and the MSA has alot fewer people in the office than I ever would have thought it is amazing they get done what they do with the limited man power. Hopefully we can get the lines of communication open and spread the info out faster and more accurate. Thanks to everyone who helped put this meeting on. Maybe next time we can get a bigger turn out with even more ideas to help us all out.

Thanks again

It was great to see everyone that showed up!! Thanks to those that cared enough about our sport to miss the Red Wing game....I know it sucked.

I am working on some post meeting stuff right now and will post up some info when I get a chance.

Thanks to Rick, Don, Karen, Jim, Jims Wife (sorry I forgot her name) Denny and David for making it happen here in S/E Michigan.

Uncle Buck and Trevorsmalley for the tables and chairs!!

Changes ARE going to happen and it's more important NOW to join the MSA then ever before!

Contact myself, a friend who is a member or the MSA about joining up, $20 gets you a membership so give it a try if; you don't feel it's worth it after a year don't renew. I believe with what is coming FOR the MSA members you're going to want to join before the snow flies again.

Edit: To include the table and chair thank you!

This meeting was long overdue. It was nice to see the MSA listen to our input so they can develop the strategic plan. I learned some more about grant sponsors, they listened to us, and we documented the issues. Over all a very productive format for the meeting. I would really like to see this association grow in membership by leaps and bounds. We have to put a stronghold on saving and improving our trails and the MSA officials are the guys and gals that represent us snowmobilers 365 days a year. They are definitely doing their job and focusing on continuous improvement.

If you are a member of this forum (HCS). And are reading this, there is no reason not to be a member. $20 for a year membership,$50 for a three year membership, no excuses. Like Paul said try it for one year.

With more members = more benefits for us sledders.
More for businesses.
More for everyone.

Win, win situation.

Join today!

Well put Trevor!

Thanks for the chairs and tables Uncle Buck and Trevor!!!!!!

I'd like to add if you want to join you can do it right online now.

www.msasnow.org/products.asp?cat=8

Thanks,
Paul

http://www.msasnow.org/Membership.htm

Twins with jugs (of oil)

That was FUNNY!!!

I thought it was a great meeting that was long overdue, also. First time that I have been able to understand some of the major issues facing MSA. Kinda knew some of the issues from heresay and reading info, but to have Don, Jim and the rest explain it clearly was great. I know there is a great deal of work that will need to be done, but give them credit for finally getting out to hear what the sledders think, and helping us to understand what they are doing. Money issues aside, there is a lot of politicking work that will need to be done in Lansing. It all comes down to communication in many forms. What we saw last nite was the first steps to making our state the best sledding destination! I'm all for it, but know it will take time and work. Maybe now we can see the SE Council taking the lead on getting more things organized and info out to the masses????

Good job Paul and Jordan on the MSA stickers, but where was the MSA website link? Thanks for the freebies, nonetheless! It was clear to them and those present that a new logo would be great. So, that may be an easy one to get going on as an association. Definitely need to show some progress as the year goes on, might be a great first place to start.

Gunner, YH & CKTB great hanging with ya yesterday... golf and redwings to boot! Perfect start to a "Summer sucks" kickoff! Charter Members / Board of Directors were in the house and the bar!!!!

ciao for now!

I believe the meeting was a great success. It was great hearing so many with such positive AND inquisitive comments. I also attended the Mackinaw City meeting in april, and while both were good, I think last night I got a bit more out of it. I think MSA is on it's way to being bigger than it ever has been.

My Wife "taped" the game for me. So like a dummy I sat awake a few more hours and watched the game. Even though I knew we won, the last couple seconds had be gripping the armrest on my chair! Like, the taped version had em losing or something?? DUH!

Great meeting you guys, looking forward to the next get together.

I also thought it was great success.Wish more would have attended. I also like how the MSA is wanting to hear what the people have to say. It was nice for them to come all this way for us.

I am glad I got to meet a few of you guy's on here and put faces with names!

Kevin

Sorry I didn't meet you Insanity... nice meeting you kev.

Thanks for putting this together. It sounds like it was a very informative meeting, for both hcs members and msa. I will be looking forward to Pauls recap.

Howdy Steve - the meeting was recorded and will be posted on you-tube. The link to it will be from the MSA website.



MSA

I DIDN'T GET A STICKER


I WANT MY STICKER!!!

I'll trade you my sticker for a stack of banquet tables!

Call Karen, she had them and I thought you would have gotten one.

You could have mine if you can't get another. It's in two pieces, but it'll work.

Great job guys. I'm no longer a resident of Michigan, but still belong to the MSA and ride in Michigan. I've known Bill for over 25 years and for as long as I can remember he has worked tirelessly for sledders in Michigan and around the country. Great to see all of you getting involved especially after the mess we had last season with grooming contracts. Sometimes working with the DNR is like pissing into the wind but we have to keep pushing to get things done. Again, thanks for all your efforts...Ed

hey now! COme ON!!! Take it EASY there oldtimer!

Who you callin' oldtimer, ya whippersnapper! :lmao:

Nice meeting you to Dennis ..........and also paul and uncleredbuck

Sorry I didn't get to meet any body else as I am a little shy!

Kevin

Backatcha "Hauler"....I saw you as the meeting was starting, then got sidetracked. If nothing else, perhaps the AOHL, next season. I got a score to settle with JJ.

I see from the comments here that many members learned a great deal about the MSA and their desire to listen to the many voices. My question is what changes did the MSA commit to making? Or was this something where they still need to digest the input and decide on what changes to make?

hi everyone, i(art) and my girlfriend(christy) were there. great meeting for us sledders in mich. if you know anyone that snowmobiles and are not a member of msa, try to talk them into joining. it will look better in lansing and washington the more people we have as members. thanks, art jr

They decided it's time to update their stickers to some 'cool' ones, because it was stated that everyone likes cool stickers. lol

Not so much directional changes as informing people how it all really works, and what they do for us. One change they want to work on is making sure the DNR is accountable for their costs. Our funds are constitutionally guaranteed and protected, but their admin costs are not.

The three major points of interests were.

1. Membership - HOW they need to get the numbers up so that the MSA stands stronger in Lansing.
We discussed what could increase membership and some of the ideas were, a member only message board, updated logo, new stickers that guys would want to put on their trucks and trailers to get the word out. Events that would target certain age groups not only the older crowd, Livining up the booth at shows to draw more potential members in.

2. Communication was the biggest thing using the internet to inform members of:
* HOT Legal issues that members should take action on.
* Teaching the public what exactly the MSA does in it's everyday duties.
* Defining the way certain programs work that handle our trail permit money.

3. Holding the DNR accountable for how THEY spend our money.

Those were the three main topics that we focused on voted on by the people there. We only had 4 hours and the first half was kind of a Q&A with Bill and Don.

Many other IMPORTANT topics were brought up and all written down. The MSA took every idea/suggestion with them back to Grand Rapids and Seney to work on.

The one thing I found was that the MSA isn't blowing smoke, they really are commited to taking this Association to the next level. Many topics were covered including ZERO TOLERANCE and soon hopefully will be up on You Tube to view. Bill Manson could have not explain ZT any better or clearer and I hope all those that dislike the program watch the little speech Bill put on as it SHOULD clear up the topic for ALL!

I will keep everyone posted on what is happening as I find stuff out!

Thanks for the interest......

Indeed. I was quite surprised and pleased, as Bill's viewpoint is NOT how it is portrayed to be. I had a nice long discussion with Bill about my POV on the focus of this campaign. Suffice to say, he made his/MSA's stance clear, I can certainly abide by his guidelines, and don't expect any future grief by other members on the issue.

Thanks for attending guys..As said I was not going to attend any meeting at this point I know someday I may..
I always pay my dues and have been a member for several years and talk to Karen then Bill at least once a year to thank them or express my view on topics...Bill some how always take time to talk...

Looks like they got the website updated with pics and info from our meeting.

Thanks Jim...BTW who is that ugly bastard who has that "Ohio" look to him??

J/K buddy thanks for the heads up I didn't see it yet.

Click to view attachment

The videos are on youtube now...

Entertaining bunch in SEMI...

*bump* again.

sure was a good time...too bad they didnt have the cameras going for the "after" meeting...

ya camera whore

learned from the best ya Heeb... btw... where is my shirt!!!!! lol

good times... good times...

Just wanted to say thanks to all who attended. The videos are a great source of info for those who missed the meeting. I planned on attending, but my daughter was testing for her green belt that evening and I wasn't gonna miss any of that. I watched all 19 vids posted and liked what I heard.

Does anybody know if the MSA is going to release some sort of timeline to it's members so we can monitor the progress? I think thier number one priority should be to revamp their website. (New logo, new layout, and the addition of a forum) They really need to capitalize on the power of the internet.

I look forward to seeing the changes.

ha, not me man...

ahem, fixed it for ya, ya impatient prick. soon

Oh great Heeb... u da man! and you DO make good omelets for breakfast! hehe