Online Membership Update

[dubba 7]

NHSA ANNOUNCEMENT

The snow is definitely enhancing winter for all of us but the extremely cold weather is challenging many of you to accomplish the finishing touches on the trail system. We applaud all of your efforts in the daily maintenance and repairs that you provide to this amazing trail system that NH has to offer the snowmobile enthusiasts. I am reaching out to presidents of member clubs with an update on the recent events at the Association. Included in this correspondence is a document that is an agreement between the NH Attorney General’s Office and NHSA referred to as “Assurance of Discontinuance.” Dating back in September and November of 2016, the State received complaints against NHSA particularly relating to the operation of the Association’s online membership program as “allegedly violating state antitrust laws and state consumer protection laws.” These complaints enacted an investigation from the state with the subject matter particularly focused on “alleged price fixing conduct, and related unfair method of competition and unfair or deceptive practices.”  Even though the Association was not presented the actual complaints, the Executive Board and Board of Directors voted and approved to hire council and meet with the Attorney General’s Departments of Charitable Trusts and Antitrust Divisions to discuss, research, negotiate and develop a plan for the betterment of the Association and its consumers. On behalf of myself and the entire board of NHSA, we are excited to announce that negotiations with the NH Attorney General’s office have been completed. In this process, we have furthered a positive working relationship with the Attorney General’s office to better the future business endeavors of the Association. In order to resolve allegations, the Executive Board and the Attorney General’s office met one final meeting on January 2, 2018 to draft an amicable agreement for the future business of the Association as a whole. With this in mind, this agreement opens many new doors for the Association and its member clubs. A Special Meeting of the Board of Directors, Executive Board and Past Presidents took place on January 8, 2018 for the sole purpose to present the Attorney General’s “Assurance of Discontinuance.” The document was reviewed, discussed and voted on with a supportive unanimous vote of approval. Effective immediately, member clubs that choose to utilize the NHSA online membership program have access to the Association’s “Online Membership User Agreement” being distributed in this correspondence, available on the Association’s website and if requested via mailings. This “User Agreement” is critical for the Association’s membership program to be accessible to participating clubs as it will provide contractual information such as clubs fees, contact information, and permission for the association to collect dues on behalf of the club including donations. Once the Association receives a completed “User Agreement,” the online membership program will be reinstated for the club’s members to access directly online. Additionally, in the very near future, the Association will address the remaining stipulations set forth in the agreement through methods such as enhancing the current business plan, expanding the current standards of operating procedures, and proposing a restructure of the bylaws. If you have any questions feel free to contact me via email at nhsapresident@gmail.com Beth Horvath-Palmer, NHSA President Download Assurance of Discontinuance Download NHSA Online Membership User Agreement

[WINNOCTURN 60]

 

YOU HAVE TO READ THIS. IT SPELLS OUT WHAT THE AG FOUND. IT AINT PRETTY! 

Download Assurance of Discontinuance

Additionally, in the very near future, the Association will address the remaining stipulations set forth in the agreement through methods such as enhancing the current business plan, expanding the current standards of operating procedures, and proposing a restructure of the bylaws.

 

Edited January 11, 2018 by WINNOCTURN

[dubba 7]

I’m guessing the restructure of the bylaws will be interesting 

[rivercat 119]

I’m going to TRY to shed some prospective 

so it’s been in the past nearly $100 (in state) to enjoy the “privledge” of riding a snowmobile OFF your own property

lets THINK of how many directions tat money goes 

join a club and the club uses it for 

insurance, equipment, fuel, repairs. trail projects that are self funded, And club administration postage, news letters etc 

When you go to register and $3 goes to the agent with the rest going to be divided between fish and game for 

Staff , law enforcement, search and rescue, printing and providing our decals ,their equipment,  insurance, admin 

and then some goes to NH BOT for staff, admin, signs, their own equipment and the Grant in aide program that is our life blood ,,,

so is that really all we need ???? 

 

Or might it be a a good idea to have a common “ASSOCIATION “for clubs? 

A condiut for communication for clubs 

training for club “administration “ and groomer operators 

a brick and mortar office with full time staff ? 

To host numerous committee meetings 

including grass drag, Easter seals, trail masters meeting, insurance committee, scollarship, trails, legislative, and more as well as meet with officials from fish and game snd NH BOT each month to bring info Back  to clubs 

the ability to organize for group insurance 

an attorney to monitor all bills and possible law changes that could affect our ability to ride 

 

Now in my THIRD year as a director I’m anything but s NHSA enthusiast,, HOWEVER I am appalled to realize there are people “enjoying” the trails that do not realize how integral an “ASSOCIATION” truly is, that’s supported ( in every way) by snowmobilers 

 

[Saluda 110]

11 hours ago, WINNOCTURN said:

 

YOU HAVE TO READ THIS. IT SPELLS OUT WHAT THE AG FOUND. IT AINT PRETTY! 

Download Assurance of Discontinuance

Additionally, in the very near future, the Association will address the remaining stipulations set forth in the agreement through methods such as enhancing the current business plan, expanding the current standards of operating procedures, and proposing a restructure of the bylaws.

 

Thanks for that link.

[Saluda 110]

24 minutes ago, rivercat said:

Now in my THIRD year as a director I’m anything but a NHSA enthusiast,, HOWEVER I am appalled to realize there are people “enjoying” the trails that do not realize how integral an “ASSOCIATION” truly is, that’s supported ( in every way) by snowmobilers. 

 

I realize the importance of such an association, but can not support the present NHSA "in every way". They've got to make some changes and hopefully quickly.

[rivercat 119]

15 minutes ago, Saluda said:

I realize the importance of such an association, but can not support the present NHSA "in every way". They've got to make some changes and hopefully quickly.

Ummmm?? Have you talked with your county director about the changes you feel  you need to have brought forward?? 

And also try to understand ,, any change ultimately becomes a vote of the directors representing each county ,, do you attend your county meetings ?? 

Even if your county feels they have a valid change to be brought forward  ,,, it’s STILL a board vote from each  County Director,, or could require a vote at the annual meeting by the membership 

 

as a director do i I think our association does “things” in the exact priority that I would do them ??? HELL NO !!  But I am not the only “say” ,,, nor am I the final “say” 

it comes down to rolling up the sleeves and WORKING with the consensus,, 

Did I feel that the mindset of 100% “forced” membership was right??? 

NO I DID NOT 

Did I have the corrective answers or solution??

NO I DID NOT 

Do I feel the current process going forward is “Just and correct” 

I ABSOLUTELY DO!

[Saluda 110]

I do not hesitate to make my feelings known. Have gone directly to NHSA in the past (many times) and will not hesitate to do so in the future. Have also attended meetings. 

The organization can improve or wither, I hope improve.

 

Edited January 11, 2018 by Saluda

[jhwentworth 307]

This is an excerpt from the NHSA web site. I won't offer any editorial comment.

 "......... the Executive Board and Board of Directors voted and approved to shut down the online membership system and meet with the Attorney General’s Departments of Charitable Trusts and Consumer Protection Divisions to develop a plan for the betterment of the association and its consumers.

The NHSA is excited to announce that an agreement with the Attorney General’s office has been officially signed. With this agreement, NHSA clubs have the ability to set the price of their own membership dues, have access to membership sales through an online market hosted by NHSA, and can provide their members the option to receive the benefits that NHSA has to offer within their own memberships, including but not limited to the organization’s Sno-Traveler magazine, news blasts, educational seminars, and up to date information related to snowmobiling. Ultimately, this agreement allows the NHSA to once again offer online club memberships which will enhance a club’s ability to sell their memberships with less work and greater outreach.

“This agreement opens many new doors for the NHSA and its member clubs.” said Beth Horvath-Palmer, President of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association.

Edited January 11, 2018 by jhwentworth

[ckf 297]

48 minutes ago, jhwentworth said:

This is an excerpt from the NHSA web site. I won't offer any editorial comment.

 "......... the Executive Board and Board of Directors voted and approved to shut down the online membership system and meet with the Attorney General’s Departments of Charitable Trusts and Consumer Protection Divisions to develop a plan for the betterment of the association and its consumers.

The NHSA is excited to announce that an agreement with the Attorney General’s office has been officially signed. With this agreement, NHSA clubs have the ability to set the price of their own membership dues, have access to membership sales through an online market hosted by NHSA, and can provide their members the option to receive the benefits that NHSA has to offer within their own memberships, including but not limited to the organization’s Sno-Traveler magazine, news blasts, educational seminars, and up to date information related to snowmobiling. Ultimately, this agreement allows the NHSA to once again offer online club memberships which will enhance a club’s ability to sell their memberships with less work and greater outreach.

“This agreement opens many new doors for the NHSA and its member clubs.” said Beth Horvath-Palmer, President of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association.

Why no comment? That's what this site is for

[PolarisCobra 132]

This is a slap on the hand for the NHSA for sure. Seems to me that all the things people have complained about, forcing a uniform price, making everyone a NHSA member being the most obvious are out the window. 

I hope the results of all of this are good for the sport.

If the result is that most people simply join the club with the lowest price, don't check the 'join NHSA' box, take their $30 discount and run, it will not be good for the sport across the state. 

[Skip 263]

3 hours ago, rivercat said:

"...Now in my THIRD year as a director I’m anything but s NHSA enthusiast,, HOWEVER I am appalled to realize there are people “enjoying” the trails that do not realize how integral an “ASSOCIATION” truly is, that’s supported ( in every way) by snowmobilers..."

When an association (or any business) can force its customers to belong, and then force the price, their is no incentive for that organization to market itself to its customer base. Those of us that have insisted for years that the forced membership and dues were illegal and led to an organization that no longer marketed itself to its membership have been vindicated.

Now the Board needs to accept the AG's findings and reinvent itself so that folks what to join, and know what the benefits of joining are. Otherwise, the NHSA will see a significant drop in membership and along with it member dues.

I think it is well past time for some of the LONG time sitting board members to step aside and let new blood in. I also think that a rewrite of the bylaws that significantly reduces the influence of the past presidents is very long overdue.

Finally, a rethink must be done on how the annual meetings are conducted so members believe that attending actually has an influence on the direction the Association is taking.

Truly the AG's decision is a significant win for the snowmobiler in NH. Now we need to see if the new administration and the present board actually take this information to heart and invoke long overdue changes that many have fought for over the past decade!

 

 

[jhwentworth 307]

1 hour ago, ckf said:

Why no comment? That's what this site is for

Let's say that it appears to be an fine example of a positive spin on a negative event. I'm reminded of the old joke about a newspaper reporter asking President Lincoln's wife about their evening at Ford Theater: "Other than that, Mrs Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?"  

 

What's done is past and can't be changed.  Let's wait to look at any further repercussions from this agreement, and, more importantly, the reaction from NHSA. If I were creating a mission statement for NHSA it would start with a definition of who is my customer, and I believe that their customer should be the folks out there riding sleds and paying for registrations and club dues. Even though it might be in their best interests, you can't force people to join a club. The state can force people to buy a registration to ride the trails. Most of the money that supports sledding in NH comes from those people, and that makes them the customer.

 

[Skip 263]

27 minutes ago, jhwentworth said:

Let's say that it appears to be an fine example of a positive spin on a negative event. I'm reminded of the old joke about a newspaper reporter asking President Lincoln's wife about their evening at Ford Theater: "Other than that, Mrs Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?"  

 

What's done is past and can't be changed.  Let's wait to look at any further repercussions from this agreement, and, more importantly, the reaction from NHSA. If I were creating a mission statement for NHSA it would start with a definition of who is my customer, and I believe that their customer should be the folks out there riding sleds and paying for registrations and club dues. Even though it might be in their best interests, you can't force people to join a club. The state can force people to buy a registration to ride the trails. Most of the money that supports sledding in NH comes from those people, and that makes them the customer.

 

Well said. And let me add one more point. Even though it is sacred territory. It is well past time the Association at the Tilton level scale WAY back on the office time and effort spent on Easter Seals. Easter Seals would be better served by working with a county, or perhaps a group of clubs. But I was mortified at my time spent in Tilton representing a non-profit organization that was spending a significant portion of its time that should be devoted to its own mission (assisting and promoting sledding in NH) instead using all of its limited resources raising money for another non-profit. In my time in Tilton there was meeting after meeting where no actual time was devoted to sledding issues, but entire meetings were devoted to Easter Seals, the Grass Drags or both. I understand the fascination with the Grass Drags, especially by certain past presidents and several board members that profited handsomely from their ties to the Drags. But in my humble opinion when a non-profit loses focus on its mission by concentrating too much effort on fund raising for another non-profit, something needs to change.

[RK-SXViper 144]

Skip I'd really like to hear your opinions on what by-laws should be changed and what the new language should be. I totally agree that the association needs to spend more time selling itself and promoting the GOOD things it does and can do for the sport. I'd like to see the clubs have the ability to add ALL members (NHSA and non NHSA) to the club side of the portal. This would provide a central numbering system for F&G and it would also give NHSA an exact list of who they need to be selling them selves to. The people who join NHSA do so every year, some because they think they have to and others because they want to, but until you really know who you target audience is you have no way of knowing if the $ spent promoting yourself has any real conversion. Sales rule #1 = know your audience!

[ckf 297]

It's even making the  news here in Vermont. http://www.wcax.com/content/news/Agreement-reached-on-NH-Snowmobile-Association-website-468783413.html

[metaluc 26]

Kudos to the activists that pushed the issues, against great resistance, took abuse, yet prevailed to effect the initiation of change.

 

[Skip 263]

2 hours ago, RK-SXViper said:

Skip I'd really like to hear your opinions on what by-laws should be changed and what the new language should be. 

I’m going to look at my copy over the weekend and offer some ideas.

However, the influence of the past presidents need to be severely curtailed. Much of the legal issues and bad choices that got the Association to this point can be squarely blamed on them.

Also, there needs to be a mechanism to turn the board over on a regular basis, and impediments put in place to prevent a new slate of executive officers need to be removed:

Additionally the routine practice of the backroom meetings of the so called “executive board” need to be stopped, especially when these meetings result in financial decisions not decided on or ever brought to the full board.

some more to come...but these things always stuck in my craw!

[jhwentworth 307]

Come on guys, the NHSA has a history of hiding the bylaws, the budget, and all financial dealings. All of these things should be on the NHSA web site. An average dues-payer should be able to see what these guys are spending their dues on without hiring a lawyer or driving to Tilton.

[slord 17]

5 hours ago, Skip said:

Well said. And let me add one more point. Even though it is sacred territory. It is well past time the Association at the Tilton level scale WAY back on the office time and effort spent on Easter Seals. Easter Seals would be better served by working with a county, or perhaps a group of clubs. But I was mortified at my time spent in Tilton representing a non-profit organization that was spending a significant portion of its time that should be devoted to its own mission (assisting and promoting sledding in NH) instead using all of its limited resources raising money for another non-profit. In my time in Tilton there was meeting after meeting where no actual time was devoted to sledding issues, but entire meetings were devoted to Easter Seals, the Grass Drags or both. I understand the fascination with the Grass Drags, especially by certain past presidents and several board members that profited handsomely from their ties to the Drags. But in my humble opinion when a non-profit loses focus on its mission by concentrating too much effort on fund raising for another non-profit, something needs to change.

Right on Point!

[RK-SXViper 144]

3 hours ago, Skip said:

I’m going to look at my copy over the weekend and offer some ideas.

However, the influence of the past presidents need to be severely curtailed. Much of the legal issues and bad choices that got the Association to this point can be squarely blamed on them.

Also, there needs to be a mechanism to turn the board over on a regular basis, and impediments put in place to prevent a new slate of executive officers need to be removed:

Additionally the routine practice of the backroom meetings of the so called “executive board” need to be stopped, especially when these meetings result in financial decisions not decided on or ever brought to the full board.

some more to come...but these things always stuck in my craw!

Skip I value your opinion and will take your suggestions to the board so please let me know your thoughts. I'm only one voice in the room, but its funny that the AG agreed with what I've been saying to the board for the last two years.

[Rock On 78]

18 hours ago, Skip said:

Well said. And let me add one more point. Even though it is sacred territory. It is well past time the Association at the Tilton level scale WAY back on the office time and effort spent on Easter Seals. Easter Seals would be better served by working with a county, or perhaps a group of clubs. But I was mortified at my time spent in Tilton representing a non-profit organization that was spending a significant portion of its time that should be devoted to its own mission (assisting and promoting sledding in NH) instead using all of its limited resources raising money for another non-profit. In my time in Tilton there was meeting after meeting where no actual time was devoted to sledding issues, but entire meetings were devoted to Easter Seals, the Grass Drags or both. I understand the fascination with the Grass Drags, especially by certain past presidents and several board members that profited handsomely from their ties to the Drags. But in my humble opinion when a non-profit loses focus on its mission by concentrating too much effort on fund raising for another non-profit, something needs to change.

I agree with you 110% I have been saying for years enough with Easter Seals!! I realize it is for a good cause but why not hold an event like this to raise money for snowmobiling. Not to mention that the amount of people that attend this has been declining for years. That is all our county director cares about and talks about is "Easter Seals" I have stopped going to county meetings waste of my time! Time to refocus NHSA towards snowmobiling!!

[Freedom Rider 209]

Please take notice of Quote by AG Anti Trust lawyer regarding how they were price fixing

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Freedom Rider

[John Mercier 36]

So now they can get the portal up and running...

And instead of forcing anyone going through the portal to be an Association member, they will just charge a $10 transaction fee.

The problem of clubs trying to run to the lowest cost membership will still be present.

And the issue of clubs using lesser membership advertising will still exist.

 

 

 

[WINNOCTURN 60]

 

20 Clubs participate in NHSA Online Membership Program as of 1/14/18

Question of the $10.00 FEE?DUES??? is open to debate. If you go through the process of joining online when you get to "CASH" out the $2.00 processing Fee is still applied?

$10.00 are you joining NHSA with out knowing it? 

 

CLUB NAME				County
Belmont Bogie Busters				Belknap
Alexandria Ledge Climbers				Grafton
Baker River Valley SMC				Grafton
Boarder Riders SMC				Hillsborough
Brookline Ice Breakers				Hillsborough
Chesterfield Snowmobiler				Cheshire
Crescent Lake Region Snowmobilers				Sullivan
Evergreen Valley SMC				Strafford
Kearsarge Mountain SMC				Merrimack
Milan All Weather Riders SMC				Coos
Manadnock Trailblazers				Cheshire
Newfields Snow Riders				Rockingham
Presidential Range Riders				Coos
Ridge Skippers				Cheshire
Shugah Valley Riders				Sullivan
Sutton Ridge Runners				Merrimack
Twin Mountain SMC				Coos
West Moreland Snow Belters				Cheshire
White Mountain Trail Club				Carroll
Winchester Trial Riders				Cheshire