21 replies to this topic

[robertca]

just read this paragraph posted on the OFSC site......makes you wonder???

 

 

 

Volunteering: Regardless, many of the results are instructive. For example, almost 78% of respondents do not volunteer for a snowmobile club. This finding certainly supports the observation that clubs are chronically short of volunteer help. Given that organized snowmobiling depends on volunteers, this also begs the question: What can be done to help recruit more snowmobilers to lend a hand, even occasionally? If only 22% of riders are willing to volunteer, what does that mean for our collective future in snowmobiling?

 

 

 

[Old Papa Smurf]

Unfortunately, a lot of us are hundreds of miles from the club we support, I wish there was a way to do more.

[saddlebagger]

Yes 3 hour drive for me

[mojo750]

I stake trails where I live and buy my permit from a club up north where I have a hunt camp.  Yes, its a little frustrating that some years I only see the stakes when I put them out and then again when I pull them in the spring but.... Someone's gotta do it right?

[John Bartley]

Volunteering takes many forms.  I pay my trial dues to my local.  It's where I ride.  I have a sawmill.  I have cut Spruce logs into  2"x2"  for trail markers  and sign posts for them and will again on request.  I supplied the logs, the mill and the labour for free and delivered them.  I am not shown as a volunteer and that's ok with me.

[Kbar]

I have checked off that I was willing to volunteer every year for the last 5.  I buy 2 permits and choose 2 different regions so I only check off to volunteer for the one close to where I live as the other is where I grew up.

Not once has the club contacted me to ask if I was willing to help.  I have had to contact them.  So even for me only half my permit sales I choose to volunteer.  And I know a bunch that do the same.

The club often doesn't post that they are doing work or need help and I don't hear about it until after the work is done when they post pictures on Facebook.

I want to help when I am available and not working but I'm also not going to send a message to them weekly as I also have kids and a life.

Edited by Kbar, 16 January 2021 - 10:16 AM.

[windsurfnut]

I have checked off that I was willing to volunteer every year for the last 5.  I buy 2 permits and choose 2 different regions so I only check off to volunteer for the one close to where I live as the other is where I grew up.

Not once has the club contacted me to ask if I was willing to help.  I have had to contact them.  So even for me only half my permit sales I choose to volunteer.  And I know a bunch that do the same.

The club often doesn't post that they are doing work or need help and I don't hear about it until after the work is done when they post pictures on Facebook.

I want to help when I am available and not working but I'm also not going to send a message to them weekly as I also have kids and a life.

Similarly, I've also checked willing to volunteer the last few years.  Reached out to  2 local clubs, one has never responded after email and phone messages left, the other sent me a volunteering form and I never heard from them again.  

So now, just before the season starts I run a few of the local trails with my ATV and chainsaw and just try to do some preliminary clearing. 

[DooRod]

Same here. Been checking the box for years. In many ways the clubs are still small groups that keep to themselves, until it's time to lash out at us when we complain. 

[cod7893]

ya i am also willing to help they just need to give me a call or text. i also dont see that they need help till the work has been done and posted on facebook 

[crxski]

Communication is key. They have an app. They can use that platform to ask for help in certain areas for brush cleaning. They can even ask that people with chain saw certs only and others. One days to do the work get it done move on to another area. I would love to move brush take my boys in the bush on the atv bring a lunch etc...But they won't. Someone said its an old boys club. Maybe they were right.

Edited by crxski, 20 January 2021 - 06:45 PM.

[cod7893]

Ya that is what I have heard aswell

[Mill]

Maybe an incentive for first time volunteers under 25 yrs of age.

25-35% off of a pass for certain amount of dedicated volunteer hrs.

Its all about getting young people to walk thru the door, build relationships, a sense of pride and ownership of the trails.

Some will become lifelong volunteers some maybe a year or two.

I believe the model is outdated. Need to organize into a larger, organized powerful organization with lobby abilities and financial backing.

This scattered independent club approach is not efficient.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[crxski]

Maybe an incentive for first time volunteers under 25 yrs of age.

25-35% off of a pass for certain amount of dedicated volunteer hrs.

Its all about getting young people to walk thru the door, build relationships, a sense of pride and ownership of the trails.

Some will become lifelong volunteers some maybe a year or two.

I believe the model is outdated. Need to organize into a larger, organized powerful organization with lobby abilities and financial backing.

This scattered independent club approach is not efficient.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

To me 8 hours free pass to all who help logged official hours. I'm amazed they don't give them passes already. I know some people are paid in the north maybe that's why.

[windsurfnut]

Seems like its more of a problem to get into the old boys club then to incentivize volunteering.  I'm happy to pay my (early) fees for passes.  I just want to contribute, not looking for a free ride.  Bring my own ATV, chainsaw and gas.

As you mention above, what better time to bring my boys out who are just getting into snowmobiling to help, pack a lunch..make a day of it between our seasons.

[John Bartley]

Seems like its more of a problem to get into the old boys club then to incentivize volunteering.  I'm happy to pay my (early) fees for passes.  I just want to contribute, not looking for a free ride.  Bring my own ATV, chainsaw and gas.

As you mention above, what better time to bring my boys out who are just getting into snowmobiling to help, pack a lunch..make a day of it between our seasons.

This ^^^