Sno-Traveler story

[jhwentworth 307]

Interesting story on page 5 of the new Sno-Traveler by NHSA treasurer Dan Weed.  He writes that club, and NHSA, dues haven't kept pace with today's costs. He gives some numbers on income, expenses, and membership levels last year and compares them to operating expenses. He also asks the question would it be unreasonable for club dues to be $55+ and NHSA dues to be $20+.

[John Mercier 36]

To make it work... they would need a change in legislation.

Besides the roughly $40 increase that he is suggesting, that change in legislation would leave open the gap in BoT and F&G operations.

When those numbers are added to the roughly $40, you definitely will hit the demand curve beyond a point of balance.

 

[CATRESERVE 248]

Clubs can charge anything they want (for their portion of the dues). If the NHSA amount changes that is a different story.  Unfortunately when people are looking for a club to join... many go with the cheaper ones.  God forbid if they join more than one club and volunteer any time! AND GOD FORGIVE IF WE TALK ABOUT IT...WE ARE PRICE FIXING! 

[John Mercier 36]

Since the Club Registration Incentive is set a $30 by legislation, charging $55 would be suicidal even if all the clubs complied.

 

[ljgomes 77]

NHSA is living in the past.   Snowmobile ownership has peaked and is slowly declining.  Clubs have had to tighten their belts and its time for NHSA to do the same.  They need to think about downsizing in a big way so more money stays with the clubs and is not spent by them.  NHOHVA is a good model to follow.  They are operating with a virtual office and quarterly meetings are held at schools or public buildings in various locations around the state.  All communications are done via the Internet.  The current system of county directors should be scrapped and replaced with direct input from the clubs.  They can outsource the grass drags, get rid of the SnoTraveler, dump the office, have staff members work out of their homes and the entire operation can be run on less than $100k per year using the profit from the Grass Drags.  No money at all from the clubs.