Bingo.
Anybody who has been to an MSA convention or Ride-in recently (I have been to both) knows that the membership by and large is made up of an older crowd. The older crowd cannot and will not be able to carry the torch forever. It is crucial to recruit new blood into the organization (this is true of ANY organization). It does little good to preach to the current membership the need for continued support and continually ask for donations. We know what MSA does, how hard they work, and why they are beneficial -- they need to convey that message to those who DON'T know or are on the fence. It's time to think outside the box. And I see forums such as this as an easy and cost-effective way of delivering the message to a large body of snowmobilers. Are there some obstacles? Sure. But with adequate rules and moderating, I don't think it would turn into the free-for-all that some would predict (that IS why we have rules and moderating, right?). Even if it proved to NOT be successful, there is little, if any cost involved to at least try.
If membership numbers are declining or have declined to the extent that some have posted, then it's clear that new approaches must at least be explored. Scare tactics aren't enough and won't cut it. Without new blood, the organization is doomed.
And for the record, I am a life member and fully support MSA. I know many of the club officials personally and am friends with many. I certainly don't mean any of this as a criticism of the job they're doing or of their intents. I'm simply suggesting that maybe it's time to consider other avenues of marketing the organization.