Club News

December 12, 2009

Year End Meeting of the AOCA December 6, 2008 8:30 am

Year End Meeting of the AOCA
December 12, 2009
09:15 am
Officers Present:

Darren Linn - President
Andy Guschke - V.-President
David Wilson - Treasurer
Kelli Hiaumet - Secretary

Others present:
Bruce Engstrom
Gary & Kathy Barnes
Keith Wilson
Bill Hiaumet

Treasurers Report:
David Wilson - Treas.

Total Assets $3009.00
Total Liabilities -

Total Net Assets $3009.00

Revenues:
Ind/Fam Membership Fees $435.00
Business Membership Fees $200.00
Club Membership Fees $ 80.00
Total Membership Fees $740.00

Expenses:
2008 Meeting Expenses $126.95
Website Charge $ 10.00
Membership Reminder $196.13
Ride Sponsorships $205.00
Total Expenses $538.08

Increase in Net Assets $201.92

David also supplied a list of Politician contact information for both Arkansas and Oklahoma residents, along with Forest Service personnel information for each Ranger District across Arkansas & Oklahoma.


Sec. Report:
Minutes were read and accepted as presented by Sec. Kelli Hiaumet.
President asked for each club present to discuss their years progress.
Bill Hiaumet - Arkansas Trail Blazers, reported that Chris Nichols of the ATBAC had written requests for and been granted appx. $124,000 in RTP funding to go into improvements for the Wolfpen Gap Trail area, and appx. $40,000 in RTP funds for improvements in the Poteau Mt. Area. The next meeting of the ATBAC will be January 9th at the ATBAC Clubhouse located at Camp Wolfcreek Springs. The project details for each area will be discussed and finalized by the club and the work will begin with the first item of business being the purchase of a Sutter 480 Trail Dozer with equipment and trailer for transport. The dozer will be donated to the Mena/Oden district of the USFS for trail maintenance. Other work will be graveling trail heads and trails, cribbing, hard surfacing water crossings.

It was reported also that other members of ATBAC were absent from the AOCA meeting to attend a Christmas parade in Hartford where legal access to gas and groceries is being sought for atv riders.

Bill also announced that the Trail Blazers are now a 501 C (3) organization.

The Arkansas Trail Blazers are a busy club and are looking forward to 2010 being a big year for them all over western Arkansas.

The Barnes' of the NW Arkansas Trail Riders reported that part of the Buckhorn Trail is now open and a new trail head is done. They were working on some new construction, but the ice storm delayed progress. They had contacted the local Ranger and were advised they weren't currently doing any work or taking any volunteers.


Andy reported on RTP grant money that had been awarded in various directions and that Little Rock got the majority of the available $500,000 to build a 160 acre ATV park on the river in downtown Little Rock. The funding was broken down into 30% going to motorized use, 30% to non-motorized and the remainder to multi use.

David reported that Rep Vic Snyder had informed him that the RTP funding had been included into the 2010 legislative budget and would be available for the next 5 years.

David Wilson reported that the AOAC had received $4000 in RTP funding to produce a brochure that will highlight public places to ride in Arkansas, and safety information. The brochures will be a tri fold publication placed at dealerships, riding parks, and possibly FS areas. Superlift corp in Hot Springs has offered to pay the "match" in return for advertising space in the brochure. They've also volunteered their graphic department to pretty up the publication for us.

David also reported that there will be improvements to the AOCA website soon to hopefully generate more interest in the AOCA and motorized trail riding. Webmaster Chris Nichols has reported he'll have more time soon to work on the site and it was decided that Bill Hiaumet would assist. We need to add more links and articles dealing with local trails and issues. Secretaries in each club should send in local items to the webmasters to include on the site.


Bruce Engstrom discussed the possibility of some funding being available through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. He was appointed to research further information and report back to Darren. Bruce was appointed as a Committee member and the ATV MAL.

Bill Hiaumet reported that the Mena/Polk Co. Chamber of Commerce along with the Mena A & P Commission, Mena City Council and the Polk Co. Quorum court had all passed resolutions to assist in the battle to keep the trails in the area open. They are working on a study in association with the Uof A in regard to atv tourism and it's effects on the local community and how closures would affect this. There has also been mention of hiring professional trail builders to access the trail system for problems and make recommendations for maintenance and repair to help alleviate problems with erosion and sedimentation. This is something that any community with public trails should be involved in.

There was much informal discussion in regard to the coming FS MVUM. David reported that he'd spoken with Ranger Jim Zornes of the Mena/Oden district in regard to the new rule . Ranger reported it was unknown when the new rule would be signed an made public. There is evidently much in-fighting within the FS as to what should be done. It's vital that we have supportive politicians. David suggested that Sen. Blanche Lincoln and the committee she heads , should hear from us regularly. There was much discussion as to the value of supportive politicians and our communication with them.

Darren spoke of the need to have more club events advertised through the AOCA website, and to advertize the AOCA at these events.

Decided to make a $100 donation to club events without a committee vote. Contact David Wilson.

Election of 2010 AOCA officers
President - Darren Linn
Treasurer - David Wilson
OHM - Pete Petrick
ATV - Bruce Engstrom
4x4 - Andy Tharp

Motion to adjourn at 11:51 am.


Kelli Hiaumet - Sec .

Jan. 1 2009

December 6, 2008

Year End Meeting of the AOCA December 6, 2008 8:30 am

Officers Present
Darren Linn President
David Wilson Treasurer
Radora Fairclough Secretary
Chris Nichols ATV MAL
Andy Guschke 4 x 4 MAL


Treasurer Report:
Balance $2,807.80
No Out Standing Expenses
Total Members Represented 465
220 paid memberships

Need to focus on business memberships.
Last years membership goal was exceeded.

Talked about need for a Trail Sustainability workshop in the Ozarks. Workshop helpful for trails and relationships with the Land Managers. David has built report with Big Piney District-might be a place for the workshop.

AOCA sponsored Poker Run at ATV Rally in October.

National Trail Symposium was successful, ATV Safety Institute paid for a safety class of 16.

Talked about getting grants and helping Clubs get grants:
Andy Guschke is on the RTP funding committee and thinks there will be around $500,000.00 available for motorized grants in 2009.
Blue Ribbon Coalition has information about grants for building trails.
Groups are getting up to $150,000.00 per year.
Andy Guschke will post any information he has and can find on how to get this money for all Clubs to apply.
Andy stated not many grants are being applied for therefore money is not being used and may be lost.

Fort Smith Club is working on the Buck Horn Trail project-We need to see if we can help them in any way. Need money, volunteers, help getting the project up to code and signed appropriately

Chris reported that Poteau Mountain will officially open 40 miles of trails.
Election Held:
Results: 2009 AOCA Officers
President Darren Linn
Vice President Andy Guschke
Treasurer David Wilson
Secretary Kelli Hiaumet
ATV MAL Ed Fulton
OHM MAL Jim Devereux
4X4 MAL Andy Tharp
Plans for Next Year:
Workshop in Ozarks-Planning Committee
Talk to Politicians-Become more aware of Bills in both States and National
Check on schedule for NEPA Studies-Can add trails at time of studies
Post about rides on Forest Service Web-Site (How much you enjoyed the rides)
Get involved in Arkansas Trail Days next fall.

Committees:

Communications-Chris will continue to update Web-site-send in information that needs to be posted.

Land Management-Collaboration Committee Ouachita District Projects agreed we need to be involved. Looking for ongoing projects and new projects.

Legislative-David Wilson Chair-Andy Guschke-Andy Tharp

Education-Bill Hiaumet Chair-Ed Fulton

Need Tri-Fold Brochure to promote AOCA
Need booths at anything related to trails and riding
Be aware of what is going on in legislative sessions




Meeting Adjourned
Group went riding on Mt. Magazine

Dec. 1, 2008

New Officers Elected

Congratulations are in order for:

Andy Guschke - Vice President

Secretary - Kelly Hiaumet

4wd Member-At-Large - Andy Tharp

OHM MAL - James Devereux

ATV MAL - Ed Fulton

Feb. 5, 2008

GOAL REACHED

On Feburary 4th 2008 we passed our first goal. We have over 50 paid members with over 200 represented. These members include buisnesses, clubs, family, and individual members. December first during the incorporation meeting one of the goals we setteled on was to have 50 members by March 1st, 2008. Congrats Guys!

Dec. 1, 2007

AOCA Incorporation Finalized

At this meeting the AOCA finalized the incorporation papers and elected its new officials. Congratulations are in order for:

Darren Linn - President

Pete Petrick - Vice President

Treasurer - David Wilson

Secretary - Radora Fairclough

4wd Member-At-Large - Andy Guschke

OHM MAL - Gregg Newsom

ATV MAL - Chris Nichols

Aug. 12, 2007

NOHVCC Workshop

On this date, different enthusiasts of the OHV community came together in order to help fight for one of our many common problems. During this meeting the idea of the AOCA was born.