OVER 8800 MILES OF TRAILS
SNOWDRIFTERS and the ISSA Iowa State Snowmobile Association James Willey, President
SNOWDRIFTERS A 100% ISSA Snowmobile Club
SNOWDRIFTERS A 100% ISSA Snowmobile Club THANK YOU!
SNOWDRIFTERS A 100% ISSA Snowmobile Club Personal goal as Iowa State Snowmobile Association President
Personal goal as Iowa State Snowmobile Association President Every Iowa Snowmobile Club as a 100% ISSA Snowmobile Club
Personal goal as Iowa State Snowmobile Association President Every Iowa Snowmobile Club as a 100% ISSA Snowmobile Club It did not happen
Personal goal as Iowa State Snowmobile Association President Every Iowa Snowmobile Club as a 100% ISSA Snowmobile Club WHY NOT?!?
Every Iowa Snowmobile Club as a 100% ISSA Snowmobile Club WHY NOT?!?
Who is the ISSA? During the late l960’s and early 1970’s, our country experienced a dramatic explosion in the number of snowmobiles operating in the Snowbelt. The State soon discovered a new source of revenue and developed a registration process and required all machines to be registered. This new found revenue was directed into the State General Fund. As the number of snowmobiles increased, so did the regulations placed on their operation. In mid 1973 a group of “forward thinking” individuals realized that if snowmobiling was to be a viable winter recreational opportunity in Iowa, a statewide snowmobile organization was going to be a necessity. Hence, the birth of the Iowa State Snowmobile Association (ISSA) on November 28, 1973 when a Certificate of Incorporation was issued by the Iowa Secretary of State. 1973 73
Who is the ISSA? Region Boundaries were developed, Region Directors were selected and the Official Publication of the Association was created The first annual convention was held in Fort Dodge on March 22, 1975 with over 400 members in attendance. The keynote speaker for the convention was Mr. Roy Downing, a representative of the Iowa Conservation Department (Now known as the Iowa Department of Natural Resources). Mr. Downing became the first administrator for the newly developed Snowmobile Trail Fund maintained by the DNR. Mr. Downing held this position for a number of years. Presently his son David Downing holds this position and ISSA has been able to work closely with him and his staff. ISSA Members and legislators worked together to get “Snowmobile Friendly” legislation passed.
Who is the ISSA? In about a week, the 2014 ISSA Convention will observe the 41 st year of the ISSA representing snowmobiling interests in Iowa. Today, the primary mission of the ISSA is to: • Provide communication lines to and from the 58 Iowa Snowmobile Clubs for mutual benefit • Represent the interests of Iowa Snowmobilers to the Iowa DNR and Iowa Legislators • Ensure Iowa Snowmobile clubs receive the groomers, groomer fuel, trail signs, and other resources to build, maintain and groom Iowa Snowmobile trails • Ensure a favorable environment for landowners to allow use of their land for state snowmobile trails • Represent Iowa at national events and organizations • Keep Iowa Snowmobiling viable
ISSA Background • Founded in 1973 - 40 th Anniversary Year • 3000 Families with 10,000 Members • 29,000 Registered Snowmobiles • 60 ISSA Clubs Across Iowa • American Council of Snowmobile Associations • International Snowmobile Council
How does it work? The ISSA Region Directors and assistants are the lifeblood of the ISSA. Charged with the responsibility to represent the clubs of their regions and to ensure communication between the ISSA and the clubs, they are critical to the mission and success of the ISSA. The ISSA officers are elected by the board to serve for a time, but cannot accomplish anything without the hard work and support of the directors and assistants.
Member Benefits • Representation at Local, State & Federal Government • Marked Trails, Maps, Phone Aps. • Youth Scholarship Program • State Convention & Annual Meeting • Accidental Death Insurance • Iowa Snowmobiler Magazine in season • Club Trips & Events In/Out State
Snowmobile Trails • 8,000 Miles of Marked Trails in Iowa 6% Multi-Purpose Trails o 39% Road Ditches o 55% Private Grounds o • Local Clubs Operate 50 Groomers o Groom 1,000’s miles weekly o Volunteer operators log over 5,000 hours per season o Groomer fuel $60,000+
The Farmers’ Almanac
Volunteers • ISSA Member Clubs Contribute Over 18,000 Hours • Clubs raised over $80,000 Annually for Charities • Trail Signs mark hazards, street crossings, turns, etc. Volunteers Sign each Trail every year o Sign Costs run $30-$50,000 per year o • Snowmobile Safety Volunteers Conduct Local Safety Classes o Over 700 Children Certified in 2012 o
Funding • Snowmobile Program is funded by snowmobilers • Registration fees $450,000 • Trail Permits $300,000 • Recreational Trails Program $240,000 RTP funded through 18.5 cents Fed tax on off-road fuel o 45% of $210 million goes to RTP, split between states o RTP Distribution 30% non-motorized, 30% motorized, 40% o other/combination.
Snowmobile Friendly Communities The ISSA has established a program for Iowa communities to be designated as "snowmobile friendly." The vision is for Iowa communities and local snowmobile clubs to partner together and establish "snowmobile friendly communities" where the club and community work together to set parameters, establish access, and initiate communication channels to promote winter recreation and tourism for Iowa communities and opportunities for snowmobilers to safely and enjoyably access those communities. In order for a city, town or area community to be deemed “snowmobile friendly” it will have agreed to a partnership between the local snowmobile club, community, businesses and law enforcement.
Snowmobile Friendly Communities The goal is to promote Iowa Winter Tourism by assisting with snowmobile access to the community for local residents to access state snowmobile primary and secondary trails, and to allow access for snowmobilers visiting their community to visit the community’s restaurants, hotels, fuel stops, repair facilities, and other businesses. The local snowmobile club will be available to work with community leaders to establish and maintain trails to access the community and will partner with local law enforcement and emergency services to provide assistance for search and rescue, emergency transportation, and law enforcement assistance when needed. Snowmobile Friendly Communities will be promoted in ISSA information and publications, and will be positioned to enjoy the significant economic impact that snowmobiling brings to communities which welcome them.
Snowmobile Friendly Communities Club Criteria • Each participating club must be an ISSA affiliated club with 100% club membership in the ISSA. • Each participating club must be a member of the community chamber of commerce and/or convention and visitors bureau if available, and meet regularly with the local community authorities, officials and leaders. • Club representatives must be present at local civic meetings on a regular basis. • Each participating club must promote snowmobile safety and provide snowmobile safety training for youth.
Snowmobile Friendly Communities Community Criteria • Each participating community must be connected to an ISSA affiliated club well-maintained snowmobile trail. • Each participating community must allow snowmobile access to businesses for food, fuel, lodging, shopping, repairs, etc. • Each participating community must allow snowmobiling residents to access designated snowmobile routes within the community. Where possible, the community will designate trails though the community planned to have adequate snow cover by not plowing trail routes or allowing trails where plowing does not occur, such as through city parks, alleys, etc. Where possible, the snowmobile club will groom the designated trails. • Community businesses will support snowmobile club and local trails, offering snowmobile club maps and community information readily available to snowmobilers. • Each participating community will promote snowmobiling in community brochures and in media outreach to the snowmobiling community and participate in the promotion of snowmobile tourism.
Snowmobile Friendly Communities Snowmobile Friendly community’s will be promoted in ISSA information and publications, and will be positioned to enjoy the significant economic impact that snowmobiling brings to communities which welcome them. The communities which are awarded the designation will be presented with a certificate from the local snowmobile club, the ISSA and the DNR recognizing their status. Each community will be given two metal signs to post at the roads entering the community, and the community will be allowed to purchase additional signs as needed.
Economic Impact • Snowmobiling in Iowa Generates over $80 Million in Total Sales and Transactions o $27.9 Million in Personal Income o Supports over 1100 Jobs in Iowa o • Snowmobilers ride over 15.2 Million Miles in Iowa • Snowmobilers Support Local Business • Volunteer 1000’s hours per year Working on Trails • Raise $1,000’s for Local & National Charities
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