J_E_SUMMIT
RIP, Fallen Sledder
Half of Houston would probably like to join the ABC...
As long as it were a "no Homers club" if you get my drift.
I know exactly what you mean!
Half of Houston would probably like to join the ABC...
As long as it were a "no Homers club" if you get my drift.
Yes, it is hard for people to see the "big picture"! Another point that the BCSF does not handle well is a Provincial Race circuit instead of a "highway" specific or "area specific" circuit. Seems to me, all the resources are isolated to the north and it is only to keep the status quoe and not to really advance the sport throughout the province.
Well the ABC started by various directors trying within the BCSF to make changes and got voted down or maybe "run out of dodge"! They had good intentions but rattled a few feathers (maybe not enough BrewHouse) and maybe tempers flared. The disgruntled directors left and started ABC Snow. I don't think there would ever be a union, so to speak.
It is my understanding that the government goes to the BCSF but that got side tracked with the position the BCSF took with regards to the "off road coalition". That is what has been set in place to set up a process for registration, licensing, and insuring ORV's so that BC is sort of like the rest of the country.
As I said earlier.........only in BC
When the government is looking into provincial issue Ex. Caribou do they look at BCSF or ABC for direction? Is the BCSF the reconized rep for snowmobilers in BC?
Seems that the province would be better represented by 1 group.
Now the BIG QUESTION. What would be needed to mix them together?? Sit down talk or a referee? Gun fight or just a good bar fight?? Just kidding
So, does the Canadian Congress let both federations represent BC?
The words have been changed and changed; trail pass, trail permit, membership, and the club membership decal that is issued by the BCSF or ABCSnow does not apply for individual club's who charge for grooming.
As I said earlier, if the provincial organizations would be more concerned with "club" needs rather than "office" needs, the individual clubs would be able to get monies from the provincial organizations to run grooming programs and we maybe have a system like other places in Canada.
In Fernie, we run our club as a business and it works; SnowCat paid for, mogul master paid for, tow truck paid for, and all that with no help from the provincial organization. Right now, we can only afford to groom 2 days/week but if we ran the trail pass vendors a little more we could afford 3 days/ week.
So, yes, in the case of the FSA we don't honour any other club passes as that cuts into our revenue and other than being "nice guys" we get nothing in return.
One of the reason's that the ABC is so strong is that the BCSF wouldn't help most clubs with land use or any other government related issues. The government might go to the BCSF, but all the BCSF does is pass the buck down to the local club's volunteer executives. I guess the paid employees of the BCSF are too busy holding their chairs down too actually help?
not sure what office tasks you are talking about with ABC. Currently it is Strictly VOLUNTEER run with a few computers in VOLUNTEERS houses. A simple phone call and I get all the help I need with club matters, im sorry, but I cant say enough good about this organization and more clubs are joining everyday
maybe you should run for a director spot if you would like to see a change as volunteers are always needed and I know you are active in your club
So, how does one compare the value for the dollar spent? If I look at a club that belongs to ABC and then look at a club that belongs to the other guys...which organization gives you the better value for the dollar?
Hi Curtis.
Clearly the programs and benefits offered by the BCSF can not be handled by VOLUNTEERS. Whereas the minimal prorgrams and benefits of ABC can easily be handled by their dedicated volunteers. I don't question your opinion on how good the ABC organization is, however, the 'untruths' currently being communicated out there about the BCSF are based on personal agendas and are clearly dividing the snowmobile community.
Regards,
Erin Hart
BCSF - Vice President
I promised myself I'd stay out of this, but that statement was just too far over the edge, and I actually resent it. All I can say is; BULLSHITE! As the past land use coordinator for one of the BC clubs very heavily involved in Caribou issues I can personally say the BCSF, and particularly Les Auston (the one you just took the shot at!) were always there when we needed them. Les spends countless hours lobbying behind the scenes with government and fighting for YOUR access. Maybe he should be more vocal publicly so sledders like you can see what he's doing, but that's not the way he operates and wouldn't achieve some of the results most of us don't even know about. He was the only one that wayed in on snowmobilers behalf when areas started getting lost around Trout Lake.....and they didn't even have a club at the time, much less a BCSF club! And before anyone spouts off again about having a payed representative versus ABC's volunteers.....no volunteer could afford to put in the time and effort for free that Les has! While we're at it....we managed to keep all roads and cutblocks, and most of our high quality basins open on the east side of the Purcell mountain range. ABC gave away everything but two powerline rights of way and a couple of lakes on the west side, without even consulting us on what areas we use. Thank you very much for nothing ABC!
Damn! I didn't want to go there! Sorry Erin, I couldn't be as diplomatic as you.
I promised myself I'd stay out of this, but that statement was just too far over the edge, and I actually resent it. All I can say is; BULLSHITE! As the past land use coordinator for one of the BC clubs very heavily involved in Caribou issues I can personally say the BCSF, and particularly Les Auston (the one you just took the shot at!) were always there when we needed them. Les spends countless hours lobbying behind the scenes with government and fighting for YOUR access. Maybe he should be more vocal publicly so sledders like you can see what he's doing, but that's not the way he operates and wouldn't achieve some of the results most of us don't even know about. He was the only one that wayed in on snowmobilers behalf when areas started getting lost around Trout Lake.....and they didn't even have a club at the time, much less a BCSF club! And before anyone spouts off again about having a payed representative versus ABC's volunteers.....no volunteer could afford to put in the time and effort for free that Les has! While we're at it....we managed to keep all roads and cutblocks, and most of our high quality basins open on the east side of the Purcell mountain range. ABC gave away everything but two powerline rights of way and a couple of lakes on the west side, without even consulting us on what areas we use. Thank you very much for nothing ABC!
Damn! I didn't want to go there! Sorry Erin, I couldn't be as diplomatic as you.
Interesting comment.
Seems you have no idea what you are talking about as both the Houston and Burns Lake club have a good relationship and share a cabin together and are strong BCSF supporters.
Are you a member of either club? Should I have the Exec of either club phone you to discuss?
Regards,
Erin Hart
BCSF - Vice-President
Ok is it fair to say its a regional thing ABC for Valemount, McBride, Blue River and BCSF for Revy, Sicamouse, Salmon Arm ? If thats what it is seems kinda fawked up creating confusion and questions are not the way to further the sport. Like I said before loose the ego's and the hurt feelers and move forward to benefit the sport not just your club and your federation.
I can't see why we can't have two recognizable organizations. I can tell you right now, Greenpeace, Sierra Club, Heli-skiiers, and all the "enemies" of our sport aren't allied into one stupid super group.
Two clubs in one region wouldn't happen, so it's not like there is an overlap. Maybe if those ministers were pestered by twice as many different people with the same concerns, it'd look like there was more of us?
Also, if you want, you could tie this into my last post. But I won't.
Yeah your prob right 2 million riders that represent 27 billion dollars a year aren't much of a collective voice.:d