Michigan Snowmobile Association MSA

[polarisrider1]

Not here to shove this down any ones throat. But MSA needs your support. This site has the loyal sledders on it. Sure many are from other states but you are Welcome with open arms to join and support YOUR sport/recreation/hobby.
I know for a fact we would not have the trail system we do if it wasn't for them and the local clubs and businesses that support the industry. You may feel it is an added expense and it is.... but the gain is worth every penny. I have been a "Life Member" since 1985 and a member since 1982 when 3 groups formed MSA. I have seen the changes and they have been great. Bridges, groomers, land use negotiations, trails opened and trails saved. There is so much more. MSA fights (works with) in Lansing to keep OUR sport together for US. They need your support. Lansing (politicians) only understand numbers. (Squeaky wheel gets the grease). Join today. www.msasnow.org

 

[russholio]

Life member here as well (since sometime in the late 90's/early 00's) and I second PR1's words. Well-said.

I know many MSA officials personally and I can tell you they work tirelessly and selflessly on our behalf year 'round. There is no such thing as the "off-season" for them.

If you can't or don't want to join, at least please consider purchasing your Michigan trail permit(s) from MSA. $1 from each permit sold goes to the vendor who sold it.

 

[garyl62]

Interesting info on their web site. I'll join as well, but just wondering how this works with MI clubs. I joined a club this year and I know in WI part of the dues goes to the state association. Does anything like that happen here? Regardless of the answer, I'll still sign up, but just trying to understand the whole picture.

 

[russholio]

Thanks, Gary! I don't know the answer to your question so I asked it of some of the officials and I hope to have an answer for you shortly.

 

[polarisrider1]

Interesting info on their web site. I'll join as well, but just wondering how this works with MI clubs. I joined a club this year and I know in WI part of the dues goes to the state association. Does anything like that happen here? Regardless of the answer, I'll still sign up, but just trying to understand the whole picture.

MSA is our state association. 100% goes towards our passion in one form or another. MSA is the main group that represents all the clubs and riders at the state level. They meet with the DEQ, DNR, and the law makers amongst other activities. Snowmobile safety for kids, Don't drink and ride are other issues they support. And by all means support the businesses that support MSA such as Krupp's and others.

 

[russholio]

Gary, here's the answer I was given:

"Guess that would depend on which club... those that are 100% clubs incorporate MSA dues into their own dues structure, but those that are not MSA clubs or 100% aren't obligated to send dues to MSA."

I left it in his words because I'm not sure what he means by "100% clubs". He did say one of the other people I posed the question to would be able to elaborate on it so when she answers hopefully I'll have more clarification.

 

[ezra]

same deal in MN MNUSA gets 10 bucks of the dues u pay to your club .if already a member in a MN club and u join a different club in that yr U only pay club dues to second club not the 10 u already gave to MNUSA.
then it gets more complicated.
if u join a extra club in your existing network say north west u only pay the club dues not the north west trail dues because u already payed that in your first
but if join a club in south west trails
u pay club dues and southwest trail dues
most states are the same deal.
I am in more than a hand full.
btw just got home from 9hrs of marking

 

[Woodtic]

There is a reason they went from 30,000 members to 6800. Are there members doing great things for snowmobiling?absolutely . Are they transparent with with all the funds they receive ? heck no. Are they a professional lobbyist ? Yes. If the volunteer clubs don't want anything to do with them,why would an individual sledder ? Not here to stir chit, this is at least a 10 million dollar industry for the state of Mi. I'm sorry! I don't feel the need to donate any more. The tax money we as sledders alone spend should cover paying off politicians. If you feel good sending them 25 large,god bless you. I'm done with that. I choose to help out the clubs directly! I get a lot more satisfaction knowing where my $ goes.

 

[opt8low]

If you can't or don't want to join, at least please consider purchasing your Michigan trail permit(s) from MSA. $1 from each permit sold goes to the vendor who sold it.

I would be happy to buy my trail permits from the MSA, but there website will not add trail permits to your cart. Hard to purchase if you can't add to your cart. I have tried to purchase within Chrome and IE with no luck. I know just call them, well some of us just can't take time to call and or send email to get permits sent to us. Make it easy and they will sell them. Hopefully they get it fixed soon.

Oh well.... Rant off.....


Dana

 

[polarismike]

I do the 3 year plan, and always get a trail sticker, even though I sometimes only ride 100 miles a year in Michigan. It is not about what is good for YOU as an individual, but what is good for the sport as a WHOLE. It is the principal of this that matters. If sledders don't band together and start supporting these organizations, trails and our hobby will suffer. It is that simple, there is power in numbers. Sure there are flaws with anything, but you have to look at the big picture. Support the clubs and organizations that are out there working for your hobby.

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I would be happy to buy my trail permits from the MSA, but there website will not add trail permits to your cart. Hard to purchase if you can't add to your cart. I have tried to purchase within Chrome and IE with no luck. I know just call them, well some of us just can't take time to call and or send email to get permits sent to us. Make it easy and they will sell them. Hopefully they get it fixed soon.

Oh well.... Rant off.....


Dana

Dana, you have to click on the green sticker and then it will bring up a new window where you can add it to the cart. Good point though, it is confusing. Took me a couple trys.

 

[ezra]

There is a reason they went from 30,000 members to 6800.

WOW that is bad with out seeing any facts but those it sure looks bad from the out side looking in.
as someone involved in MNUSA if those numbers started popping off
I could see nothing short of a full dismemberment and a full rebuild from the ground up to cure all tentacles of the cancer killing it.
but just like our state even 30000 is pathetic knowing just how many sleds there are in the state of MI.
if it is true U are down to 6800 how can the lights be on? that is what 68000 a yr that wont even cover a part time lobbyist. add to that a full time employee have to have 1 to run day to day 365 at the low end that is 1/2 of the budget.
yep I would say time to clean house

 

[polarisrider1]

WOW that is bad with out seeing any facts but those it sure looks bad from the out side looking in.
as someone involved in MNUSA if those numbers started popping off
I could see nothing short of a full dismemberment and a full rebuild from the ground up to cure all tentacles of the cancer killing it.
but just like our state even 30000 is pathetic knowing just how many sleds there are in the state of MI.
if it is true U are down to 6800 how can the lights be on? that is what 68000 a yr that wont even cover a part time lobbyist. add to that a full time employee have to have 1 to run day to day 365 at the low end that is 1/2 of the budget.
yep I would say time to clean house

His numbers are totally off. The membership is down but nothing like he made up. Take a look at the list of club memberships and you will see the support. Remember Michigan is coming out of tough times. Paying for food has come first for many. As the flow of money in our pockets increases so does things like memberships and donations.
Also take note of the commercial members list on the web site.

 

[russholio]

Dana, thanks for trying. Hopefully the solution Polarismike found works for you. Mike, thanks for ordering!

 

[russholio]

Also.....while MSA does indeed do its share of lobbying, I would not call them "professional lobbyists" by any stretch of the imagination. They are just every day Joes from all walks of life, just like everybody here, who love snowmobiling and are willing to make great sacrifices for its betterment in Michigan.

 

[polarisrider1]

I usually buy my permit at the MSA booth at Novi. The club I belonged to folded many years ago due in part of urban sprawl and lack of new volunteers. This year I ordered it by mail along with my order for my life membership jacket and discounted Snogoer subscription.

 

[Woodtic]

There is a good thread on this subject over on HCS. Over 100 posts. A lot of good info from past and current members.

 

[Hoosier]

There is a lot of discussion over at HCS - seems centered on poor grooming around Gaylord and Munising and around how funds are allocated among different areas or clubs. In general it seems like Michigan trail conditiona/grooming is a lot better than it was 10-15 years ago, even with the increase in higher-powered, larger lug sleds.

I imagine there is still probably a lot of lingering resentment from the large increase in trail permit costs from a few years back.

 

[whitedust]

There is a lot of discussion over at HCS - seems centered on poor grooming around Gaylord and Munising and around how funds are allocated among different areas or clubs. In general it seems like Michigan trail conditiona/grooming is a lot better than it was 10-15 years ago, even with the increase in higher-powered, larger lug sleds.

I imagine there is still probably a lot of lingering resentment from the large increase in trail permit costs from a few years back.

The ever popular removing of trail signs did not do much for them either.

 

[russholio]

In general it seems like Michigan trail conditiona/grooming is a lot better than it was 10-15 years ago, even with the increase in higher-powered, larger lug sleds.

That is most definitely true.

Woodtic (or anybody else who has read it), if you could provide a link to the thread I would appreciate it as I would like to read it. I did a search on HCS but it came up empty.

 

[ezra]

That is most definitely true.

Woodtic (or anybody else who has read it), if you could provide a link to the thread I would appreciate it as I would like to read it. I did a search on HCS but it came up empty.

there are many on the subject spent some time looking over them this AM.
in the HCS forums under Michigan

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more than 1 thread so try this

http://www.hardcoresledder.com/forums/286-michigan/