13 replies to this topic

[Skip]

Recently the following allegation was made by an anonymous individual regarding activity at the June NHSA Board of Directors meeting:


…I heard last year that the nhsa would not help snowmobile clubs in financial trouble, but this year they made an exception by giving the Crotched Mt. Ridge Runners a $5000.00 loan to pay their back taxes. If this club couldn't pay their taxes who thinks they will pay back a loan? I guess it helps when your club has a member on the nhsa board of directors. will the loan terms be posted so the members of the nhsa whos money is being spent can see what interest will be paid and what the time line is for
payback and what will happen if the club does not pay it back?...


In order to set the record straight, the following facts are what actually occurred at the meeting in question;

During the meeting a County Director informed the Board that after 38 years in existence and with 61 miles of trails, his Club was considering dissolving. The Club in question had been working with the IRS in reference to Non-Profit IRS reporting compliance. During that process, on April 26th of this year, the IRS fined the Club $2,238.25 and began assessing a daily penalty fee until the Club satisfied the judgment. The Club did not have enough money in its treasury to satisfy the fine or the growing penalty and therefore would most likely dissolve.

At no time did this Director ask for a loan or any financial assistance from the NHSA. He was simply informing the Board of the predicament that his Club faced.

During new business a different Board member brought the issue back before the Board for discussion. No one wanted to see a 38 year old Club be dissolved. There was much discussion about what would be needed to make the Club whole and prevent its demise. It was decided that Roger Wright, our resident IRS Club compliance expert, would immediately consult with the Club over its issues with the IRS. We were also aware that the Club had filed an appeal with the IRS. But with daily fines accumulating time for resolution was of the essence. It was also widely accepted and discussed that a fundamental duty of the NHSA is to protect and assist it’s member Clubs whenever and wherever possible. No legal precedent was being set, and the members present felt that each and any request should be handled on its merits on a case by case basis.

A motion was passed granting, if necessary, a one year no interest loan of not more than $5000 if after investigation by Roger Wright such a loan was necessary.

No loan was ever made. Several days after the meeting the IRS notified the Club in question that the penalty and subsequent daily fees had been waived. This Club had acted within its best ability, made the appropriate filings with the IRS and had also found the NHSA willing to provide an appropriate temporary safety net to keep the Club in existence. An excellent example of the NHSA Board of Directors responding quickly and appropriately to a Club and its members in need.

As always a call to your County Director, The NHSA Executive Director or a member of the Executive Board can quickly squash rumors and provide the facts of the decisions and discussions occurring at the monthly NHSA Board of Directors meetings!

[denny @ 45thParallelCabins]

Is there a reason you didn't just answer this question where it was posted? I don't understand dragging it over here. Is this now the offical NHSA communication site? For the record I'm glad the NHSA was able to help a club in need. I'm sure over the last 4-5 years said club has had to give NHSA plenty of money. Its nice to see NHSA doing something positive for snowmobiling clubs.

[Skip]

denny, on 07 July 2010 - 05:11 PM, said:

Is there a reason you didn't just answer this question where it was posted? I don't understand dragging it over here. Is this now the offical NHSA communication site? For the record I'm glad the NHSA was able to help a club in need. I'm sure over the last 4-5 years said club has had to give NHSA plenty of money. Its nice to see NHSA doing something positive for snowmobiling clubs.

Excellent and fair question Denny.

I find this site to be much more family friendly and much more read, especially in the off season, then other snowmobile sites. This was confirmed to me when informally polling individuals at both the Ride-In and the Annual Meeting.

Additionally I am aware that due to some of the content on other sites, many of the people that read or contribute here no longer do so at those other sites. While posting over there may garner some appropriate and/or inappropriate debate, I don't want the message to get lost in the foolishness. I know that the administrators here will allow a fair amount of latitude, but will also end debate when appropriate. That guarantee and attention to detail does not exist anywhere else.

Additionally Rob, with John's assistance, has been very gracious to allow us a pinned thread on this site and I will repay their kindness by posting relevant and applicable news here. As you also know that the other moderators/administrators here truly have the best interest of the sport at the forefront of their concerns, and I trust their judgement in fairly moderating this thread. Hopefully it will increase interest and additional traffic to be directed here.

Finally when appropriate I will post timely news or respond to rumor and innuendo, when necessary and whatever the source, through this particular thread.

There is no gag order at the NHSA. I have been tasked, along with the new incoming Vice President, to explore and develop additional means of electronic communication to connect with our membership. This thread is one first step in that direction.

This website has proven time and again to be a positive means of communication for snowmobilers in the State of New Hampshire and will be the initial chosen method of communication via this particular thread.

In closing I know your compliment about the NHSA being positive in this matter will be well appreciated. Being on the Board gives me a front row seat to the many positive things that occur all year, via the hard work and devotion of the Board of directors, Staff and State Agency representatives. I was completely blind to all the good that goes on in Tilton, and hopefully I can lift the veil on many of those achievements via occasional contributions to this website.

If nothing else, thanks for reading this thread and taking time to offer constructive comments...

[bs0861]

Hi Skip,

Thanks for your time explaining about the loan. I also think it is a good thing that we can help a club in good standing.

I do have something else that I am not clear on. I do not understand the NHSA’s decision to revoke David Copeland’s membership. In your own words,” There is no gag order at the NHSA. I have been tasked, along with the new incoming Vice President, to explore and develop additional means of electronic communication to connect with our membership”.

I am not one of the members that are trashing the board, I am a member that is concerned about Rockingham County not having representation. Back to the loan topic, what if the same problem hit a club in Rockingham County? Who would be there to let the board know they were in trouble?

I feel as though my vote does not count. I feel as though my club as well as others elected Dave in good faith just to have Dave tossed from the association.

Again, no agenda, just concerned,

Thanks for your time explaining in such detail Skip, the information has never flowed so well at the NHSA.

[Skip]

bs0861, on 14 July 2010 - 06:41 PM, said:

Hi Skip,

Thanks for your time explaining about the loan. I also think it is a good thing that we can help a club in good standing.

I do have something else that I am not clear on. I do not understand the NHSA’s decision to revoke David Copeland’s membership. In your own words,” There is no gag order at the NHSA. I have been tasked, along with the new incoming Vice President, to explore and develop additional means of electronic communication to connect with our membership”.

I am not one of the members that are trashing the board, I am a member that is concerned about Rockingham County not having representation. Back to the loan topic, what if the same problem hit a club in Rockingham County? Who would be there to let the board know they were in trouble?

I feel as though my vote does not count. I feel as though my club as well as others elected Dave in good faith just to have Dave tossed from the association.

Again, no agenda, just concerned,

Thanks for your time explaining in such detail Skip, the information has never flowed so well at the NHSA.

Thanks for the kinds words!

I really think a lot of the credit for the positive direction the NHSA continues to move in is because of Terry Callum's and the help he gets from Gail & Phyllis in the office, and especially of the hard work of the current board of directors. Additionally I know of no one that has contributed more statewide to the success of sledding as has Roger Wright, the Sullivan County Director and current Chair of the Grass Drags. The success of the 'Drags continues, and folks are going to be blown away by this year's work as done by Roger and Craig Mayo!

I am extremely lucky to be on the Executive Board at this time...

As for your other concern, the abscense of a Director does not preclude a Club President, officer or any member from contacting the Office or the Board direct with a concern. It happens all the time, usually at monthly meetings where there is consistently a president or officer or two from various Clubs in attendance to share concerns and ideas directly with the Board.

Finally, the information flow will continue to expand via the NHSA website, the Snowtraveller and other venues such as this particular website. We continue to explore Facebook & Twitter as possible venues to push out important news & announcements on a real time basis.

Anyways, its a great time to be invovlved and a pleasure to serve in Tilton!

[RK-SXViper]

Skip, on 14 July 2010 - 07:43 PM, said:

Thanks for the kinds words!

I really think a lot of the credit for the positive direction the NHSA continues to move in is because of Terry Callum's and the help he gets from Gail & Phyllis in the office, and especially of the hard work of the current board of directors. Additionally I know of no one that has contributed more statewide to the success of sledding as has Roger Wright, the Sullivan County Director and current Chair of the Grass Drags. The success of the 'Drags continues, and folks are going to be blown away by this year's work as done by Roger and Craig Mayo!

I am extremely lucky to be on the Executive Board at this time...

As for your other concern, the abscense of a Director does not preclude a Club President, officer or any member from contacting the Office or the Board direct with a concern. It happens all the time, usually at monthly meetings where there is consistently a president or officer or two from various Clubs in attendance to share concerns and ideas directly with the Board.

Finally, the information flow will continue to expand via the NHSA website, the Snowtraveller and other venues such as this particular website. We continue to explore Facebook & Twitter as possible venues to push out important news & announcements on a real time basis.

Anyways, its a great time to be invovlved and a pleasure to serve in Tilton!

Skip
Let me start off by saying that I mean no disrespect, but it seams that your replys to questions are very long and seem to evade some of the questions asked. There was NO rumor of a loan, it was indeed a fact that it was offered just NOT needed (simple answer). Also in your long reply to BS0861 you only answered half the question (how clubs can contact the BOD without a county director), where's the answer to why Daves membership was revoked? There is no pending legal issues, the courts dismissed the case, so why can't we be told the simple TRUTH? I don't want to read a novel, just the answer to the question.
Thanks
Rob

Edited by RK-SXViper, 15 July 2010 - 08:50 AM.

[RK-SXViper]

Skip
I'm glad NHSA is starting to use the internet to keep members informed (Facebook and Twitter). Since this now becoming an information site can you please answer the question that myself and many others want to know? I see you've been on here several times in the last 2 day's and I'm sure you've read the post, so please give us the straight TRUTH. Thanks in advance for your time.
Rob

[RK-SXViper]

I guess the silence speeks for itself, nobody in Tilton can man up and tell the truth. Typical POLITICIANS, if they can't dazzle you with diamonds they'll baffle you with BULL&%@T!!!!!

[Yamiblue]

Once again I dont understand WHY the NHSA doesnt make ALL meeting minutes PUBLIC RECORD....Wouldnt it stop all this BS of rumor and inuendo.And save Skip alot of typing and explaining.I just dont get why everything is so secretive when there is a reasonable explanation available....MAKE ALL MEETING MINUTES AVAILABLE TO THE MEMBERS 8

Edited by Yamiblue, 17 July 2010 - 03:22 PM.

[ckf]

Yamiblue, on 17 July 2010 - 03:18 PM, said:

Once again I dont understand WHY the NHSA doesnt make ALL meeting minutes PUBLIC RECORD....Wouldnt it stop all this BS of rumor and inuendo.And save Skip alot of typing and explaining.I just dont get why everything is so secretive when there is a reasonable explanation available....MAKE ALL MEETING MINUTES AVAILABLE TO THE MEMBERS 8

The NHSA has done a lot better job of getting information to it's members over the past few years. Hopefully we will see the minutes posted in the near future.

[Skip]

John & Yammi...you raise good points about the minutes and ask questions that others have raised.

Let me take a moment and explain how the minutes are formatted and processed by me, and ultimately corrected and accepted by the Board.

I am by no means the best Secretary in the world, but I do my best to keep an accurate record of the meeting. Of primary importance to me, because of possible financial and legal impact, is to record all motions and the votes of the body in as accurate matter as possible.

That said, the general conversation that consumes most of the meeting, sometimes hours of it, are generalized and reflect the perception of the author - in this case me. No two people see the same event equally, even if you are the recording secretary. An hour of interesting debate and conversation will most likely only produce a few paragraphs by me.

Also, the flow path of the minutes are important. I take hand written notes at the meeting, sometimes assisted by a didgital tape recorder I usually have. After the meeting I record, and sometime before the next monthly meeting, I submit an unapproved draft to the NHSA Office via email. The office then in turn transmits the unapproved minutes to each Director and the Board for their review prior to the next monthly meeting. At the next mnthly meeting, under the Secretary's report, the Director and the Board are free (and often do) offer suggestion, corrections and clarification to the unapproved minutes. I note these changes and if the Board votes in the affirmative I will correct the unapproved minutes sometime in the days after the meeting. I will then submit the "approved" minutes in email format back to the NHSA Office. The Office will then email the approved minutes to the Board and retain a copy for their records. Once again, depending on my schedule the approved minutes could be ready in a day or two, or it may be several weeks before I get them back to the office, but always before the next monthly meeting.

Minutes will not be released until they are approved for obvious reasons. So, the approved minutes may not actually be available for release until 5 or 6 weeks after the actual meeting took place.

I do my best to turn them around as soon as possible, but some months are quicker than others.

Once the approved minutes have been transmitted, they are available for review at the NHSA Office. Additionally, any County Director is free to communicate them to interested members, some Directors having a list they deal with each month.

Currently the minutes are not posted on-line for the general public to review. Remember, we are at times a political lobbying group and within the general meeting sensitive material could be recorded that folks not friendly to the snowmobiling community could use against us. I can think of one excellent example that happened recently, so obviously I won't post details here but will gladly relate the example to anyone wishing to contact me off line.

I believe there may be a mechanism during the review process to redact sensitive material to allow general release of the minutes, possibly via the NHSA website or an email list. I am exploring this along with the Vice President and hope to have a fair resolution to this sensitive issue sometime this summer. Remeber however that a decision of this magnitude will require the permission of the entire Board. It is not a decision the VP or I can or should make on our own.

I know...if you are still with me God bless you!

Finally, for obvious reasons the limited time we meet in Executive session results in those minutes being sealed until and when the Board votes to release those minutes.

Nothing is being hidden, the minutes are available through a number of sources they are just not published regularly in an open forum to the general public.

I hear your concerns, as do other members of the Board. It is an issue that is being discussed and investigated and hopefully we will have some movement on the issue, either way, prior to the upcoming season...

[Yamiblue]

Thanx Skip

[dirt dummy]

You Skipped Rob's question.

[RK-SXViper]

dirt dummy, on 18 July 2010 - 04:02 PM, said:

You Skipped Rob's question.

I noticed that too. I guess my question isn't worthy of a reply? I don't know why but I'm starting to feel like a mushroom!!