Message From the Executive Director
Headquarters Headlines
T Beginning GPS trail inventory for Phase II of Navigational Signage Project of trails on private land in seven counties in the PA snow belt to extend our Phase I project through a grant award from PA DCNR T Providing webcams to two more snowmobile clubs through our Tourism Marketing Grant from PA DCED, making a total of four webcam images now being streamed through the PSSA website, www.pasnow.org so you can see real-time snow conditions throughout the state. T Coordinating a PSSA member discount program with participating PSSA member businesses (more information in another article) T Providing the 2012 PA Powersports Show with the help of our generous sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and promoter T Promoting club and business events through our website, Facebook page, and tourism channels T Monitoring issues and sending out alerts when necessary at federal, state, regional, and sometimes local levels T Outreach and presentation to promote snowmobiling, clubs and PSSA to community leaders in Potter County through a grant from the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association T Granting $1,500 in Snow Angel grants and distributing $3,400 this past holiday season to children and families in need, through the generous donations from you, our members New projects to be undertaken in 2013 include: T 2013 Mini-Grants: We were recently awarded a $60,000 grant from DCNR to fund more mini-grant projects. Watch for a call for applications next fall. T Phase III Navigational Signage – GPS and Inventory Project: We were awarded a $35,000 to GPS trails on private land in 14 more counties, reaching to the New Jersey border T Updated Economic Impact Study: We were awarded a grant from the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association to conduct another study. Please watch for information to complete our survey. Your responses are essential in helping us convey of the importance of snowmobiling in PA. T Website enhancements. Stay tuned. And, of course, our ongoing projects will continue, such as: T Our 23rd annual “Snow Angel Campaign” to build our Snow Angel Fund: The PSSA Snow Angel Fund helps to assist children with medical or physical problems with their special expenses. Any PSSA member or club may request assistance for a child under the age of 18 at any time. Just send a letter or email to your regional director or the PSSA office describing the problem and how they will benefit from the assistance. T Annual membership conference on April 6, 2013 in State College. SAVE THIS DATE and come for educational sessions, statewide updates, awards luncheon, and give your input. PSSA will reserve a few rooms in case you wish to arrive Friday, April 5th. Details and a registration form will appear in the February Keystone Snowmobiler. This is a great time to exchange ideas and gain useful information from other clubs and members from other areas of the state. T Monitor and send alerts as warranted regarding snowmobiling issues at regional and state levels, as well as the national level through our membership in the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) T Continue to provide our assistance in efforts to acquire new, rerouted and connecting trails: Liz Krug reported in last month’s issue about trail activity taking place throughout the state. In this issue, see DCNR Trail System information for the 2012-2013 riding season from David Yeager from the DCNR Bureau of Forestry, Recreation Section,. PSSA and club members continue to work together with DCNR and gas companies in efforts to minimize temporary changes to the trail system that resulted from gas development. T Continue to provide our assistance in forming new clubs, conducting research, obtaining grants, marketing events and more. The 2012 memberships expired on December 31, 2012. If you have forgotten to renew, this will be your last issue of the Keystone Snowmobilerl. You may conveniently renew with a credit card through our website, www.pasnow.org and click on the “Join Now” button on our home page. The list of members is sent to the printer on or around the 10th of each month, so renew by then to ensure that your February issue will arrive. Renewal letters are in the mail if you prefer to renew by mail. There’s plenty of interesting reading in this issue, as usual! Enjoy, and remember to practice safe snowmobiling! Lori Elliott Executive Director
We are able to do these all of these things through our grant awards and your membership support! Many of you have already renewed your membership for 2013 and some have renewed at the Snow Burst, Storm, and Blizzard Premium Levels! THANK YOU! A heartfelt thank you also goes out to those of you who included donations.
There is a poignant article elsewhere in this issue, entitled “The Day the Snowmobiles Stopped” that causes the reader to pause and ponder what would happen if the state association wasn’t around anymore. This was written by a member of another state association and makes excellent points regarding what the associations provide to the snowmobiling community in their state.
