I think you would get more volunteers if you specified what you need. If people can read a list of things that need to be done, they can put a finger on one and say "I can do that". Where as an open ended "we need help" is vague. For an example, look at how many people show up for fence builds, clean up days and trail marking.
That is part of it for sure. I know that communication is a huge issue for any organization. That is one of the board positions that needs to be filled. We need someone for PR. Basically they would be posting updates on lawsuits, travel plans, events and such. Not a lot of time required but it would be a huge help. Open positions are listed later in this post.
Where the greens have it right is a parent organization, with the kids working under it....Sierra->SUWA. We sem to have too many different agendas among ourselves. USA-all, BRC, U4wda, etc, and then there are the other small association and funds like RR4W and other. And then there are the ATV, 2 wheeler, Mtn bike, climbing access advocates.....Too little money spread out too many places....
I think you give the other side too much credit. "Organized crime is not that organized." The Sierra CLub is not the parent of SUWA. It is all perception. I know this because of my background in marketing. They have done a much better job of marketing. The message (as false as it is) appears more cohesive because they have the money to pay people.
USAALL should be the voice for all the folks that enjoy motorized access to public lands. Yea, waaaayyy to many organizations, Not enough money.
Just a quick outline for those of you reading this thread that don't understand all the acronyms.
BRC is Blue Ribbon Collision. They work with all OHV groups across the US in legal channels prime-marly. There focus is spread across all of the various OHV types. Everything from Jeeps to Snowmobiles the petal bikes. They are great at what they do but they have the whole nation to deal with.
USA-ALL is the Utah specific version of BRC. They work on all types of OHV issues throughout Utah. Also very good at maximizing bang for the buck with a limited budget. But they address OHV in general terms. Off-road travel for ATV's and Snow machines take the majority of their efforts. As so they should that is where the majority of their money comes from.
U4WDA is the Utah four wheel drive association. We focus on issues that involve full size off-road travel. We support both BRC and USA-ALL both monetarily and through our promotion efforts. We also organize many land use events and act as a comunication tool between the 4x4 clubs and land managers.
Then we get into all the 4x4 clubs and their efforts, ATV clubs etc...
The point is that everyone has the their own priorities, Their own focus and their own goals. While the goals overlap they are not exactly the same. My neighbor could care less about Rattlesnake and Constrictor as long as he can still take his quads out to 5 Mile Pass and drive around. I want those kept open because a dirt road is boring to me, I like to try to tip over. So no one group cannot represent everyones needs completely. Support them all or pick one but understand that the larger goal is the same and they all do good work. Sorry if it is confusing.
Okay what can I do to help? Meat is right we need a list and some direction to get started.
Open positions on the U4WDA board:
Public Relations and Communications Director. As explain above we need help getting the word out.
Membership Director. Process and mail out new member packets as well as reminder letters to expiring members.
United Four Wheel Drive Association Delegate.
Filled! Keep in touch with the national organization and repot back at the monthly meetings.
Land Use Director. Coordinate and record land use efforts.
Webmaster. Do web stuff. Update the U4 site.
Quartermaster. Keep track of banners, T's and such.
None of these positions require much time. Maybe 2 hours a week. Lots of on the job training available.
Are there any meetings in the southern part of the state?
Or up north? North davis or Weber county?
We always have a conference call for all the meetings. We also have Vp's in every corner of the state. Most of the on the round work is done by member clubs. Which is what U4 is made up of. So one meeting a month and wheeling the rest not too hard.
I don't want this to turn into a ***** session thread. I am trying to solicit truthful answers to simple question. While nobody is perfect we are all volunteers and we do our best. Your level of involvement is completely up to you but you should know it is not as difficult or time consuming as one might think.
I was hesitant at get involved at first. Unsure of how I would be received. Not certain of how I could help. I have been involved for about a year. I look to the other members on the board for support. U4WDA is a great group of people. The whole experience has been extremely rewarding.
