Wow I need to get on here more often man have I missed some chit chat. First and foremost let me say I've renewed my membership continually since becoming one and will continue to do so. In fact I even a few days ago paid for and sent in memberships on the behalf of two of my relatives that don't even live remotely close to Utah just so they can be educated on Four Wheeling, all aspects. I got a lot of friends on here and on the BOD, at least I think I do, maybe I'm delusional though, who knows. I also understand that all BOD members are participating on a volunteer basis. It takes a lot of time away; at least it ought to, from family and other activities that you would rather be doing. If you haven't ever been part of such a board of any organization than you probably should before you criticize. I've been there...........many times so
In actuality service projects, RMP responses etc. should come from local clubs with U4 as an organization these local clubs look to for advice not leading them. Todd Adams
Buddy, you are making one really bad assumption. I'll submit to you that if the U4WDA didn't exist service projects would still continue on by the local clubs. Since I have been a member it is my believe that the association, past and present BOD only takes credit for the work of other clubs organizing their service projects. The BOD should develop a hit list of trails that are in danger of closing, and develop a "unified club effort" to help in what ever way possible to keep them open. I don't see that going on; I only see the assoc jumping on the coat tails of other clubs on this issue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Todd Adams
I know for a fact that all of the active local clubs realize the impact SRP’s hold for their future.
Wanna bet? One of the bigger and more active clubs in Utah had really no clue until just several months ago when I dropped one of them a note in regards to a major trip they were planning. The trip planner (whom plans 20 or so trips a year for several clubs) had no clue and scrambled for an answer. A phone call to the BLM and sure enough they had to alter their plans. I know my club the Wasatch Cruisers knows little to nothing about it. Even those clubs that are familiar with the SRP's are still confused, hell everybody is confused about the criteria for a permit. We've been discussing this in the past few days with a handful of major players, you'd be surprised what an issue this could become. I know for a fact 1/2 of your board members don't know the first things about SRP's, and your going to try and tell me its "fact" that all the clubs know. Just not the case Todd.
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You got to be joking Todd, I would consider myself to be active in land use issues more than most and can think of only a dozen or so folks that I'm aware of being more active one being you, and most definitely Kurt, & Don. The person Kurt was referring to above was me (thanks for the anonymity Kurt, but I don't need it). The truth is most folks individually could not possibly keep up with every single RMP let alone every single paragraph, that is why they need an Association that can make a collective effort, summarize it, then disseminate it on down to the general four wheeling public, hopefully in something such as the compass. Emails are nice but if other folks are anything like me on average at best guess I get over 400 emails in any given day both professional and personally. I'll submit to you that the vast majority of local club members couldn't even tell you what RMP stands for, literally. I find myself constantly explaining what RMP's, RS2477, & WSA's are to folks who are wanting to learn more. I may be mistaken because I read darn near every 4x4 rag out there but when was the last time if ever has any "expert", far from being me, wrote an article on RS2477 what it is, how it came to be, what's the controversy. Same goes with RMP's and WSA's. I had to do my own research on those subjects to figure out what an extremely limited few were talking about. I know many BOD members are frustrated on the lack of volunteers, I feel ya, I'm not sure I have an answer for that because I feel the same darn frustration trying to get volunteers for a simple clean up. It's amazing you have John Doe show up for every club run until it's the clean up run then he ghosts on you. I don't get it and probably never will.
Now here is the kicker, I distributed vs1 to a number of folks that I thought could influence the 4x4 trail system. Again if we don’t submit these routes to the state then they could be lost. No one but me made any suggestions back to State Parks and Recreation.
You know apparently you handed a disk to a friend of mine to give to me to Quote, look it over. No further guidance. I looked at that disk; there's no organization of it, and most importantly how is only 1 or 10 folks going to possibly validate all the trails in Utah. Do you realize that there are roughly 2,500 trails? That is an enormous task. I also would ask by us reviewing these disks how is that going to make something legal. Please explain that? I can tell you as of right now there are many counties that haven't submitted not one single RS2477 and they are the counties that are the most populated. Those that have submitted are missing an enormous amount of trails. This stuff takes time man. I'm only up to 280 some trails on Utah4x4club site and I've been at it now for 3 years.
Here are some suggestions:
1. Get the "expert", whoever that may be, to write a few articles in the Compass magazine to begin the education process of those that are not in the know; Start with basic RS2477, basic RMP, and basic WSA. Why WSA, because once it gets to that status we are really losing the fight.
2. Come up with a clear and concise agenda and publish it.
3. Save the money spent on T-shirts for NLPD and use it to develop, print, and distribute PPI's (Promotional Publicity Items) that will address what it is that the U4WDA is all about. Why do I need a T-shirt to show I helped out on something. This will help in the recruiting effort I'm certain of because there isn't a sole on here that has more experience in recruiting than me. If you select the info correctly to go into the PPI the organization will speak for itself and therefore more effort can be directed at more important issues.
4. People are inherited lazy and like things handed to them so do just that. Next compass magazine list all the POC's for voicing land use concerns; state and federal congressman, BLM Managers and such, put it out there for all to see. Show them how to make contact with these folks. Teach them what to address in their letters and emails. Don’t do it for them, but teach them.
5. There are 29 counties, unless I just miscounted, get 29 volunteers or better to review this CD that Todd is referring to. I would double up on the bigger trail counties such as Emery, Grand, and San Juan but before that please explain how this is going to make trails legal, because if that isn't fact I don't want to be wasting my precious time doing this for someones pet project.
Now what is the hardest part of item 5? Finding 29 folks who flat out know their stuff when it comes to mapping and has the tools in order to do it. Might be tougher said then done.
Second issue is getting folks to voluntarily give up the info on their favorite local trails. I've run into this in my own efforts to map the entire state, something of which I'll never understand.
The third issue is coming up with the standard format; NAD27 or WGS, do we go with degrees, minutes, seconds, or decimal degrees, or UTM, etc, etc.
All that said I, Jeff Ross, being a self proclaimed expert in all things land nav as well as recruiting do hereby volunteer to verify and map Emery County (I already have a huge jump on it). Here's a little start for those volunteers to follow;
http://recorded2477roads.utah.gov/index.html I also volunteer to create the PPI based on the information provided to me from the Association. It’s part of what I do professionally. I did this for the Utah4x4club and I think it came out pretty darn well. I as well, volunteer, which I've done twice now and will not again so take advantage of it, to help with the Compass Magazine in anyway shape or form, but preferably editing being that it is a portion of my professional job (by know means an expert, still learning big time).
In closing, we need to unite folks, that is the only way we will beat the eco nazi's. Ten bucks is chump change for most and the Compass alone is well worth it, in fact I don't know how the Association makes ends meet only getting $10.00 per membership. Put up or shut up, volunteer today and be part of the solution not part of the teeth tearing away at the fabric that "might" keep our hobby alive and well in Utah. BOD, all though there may be slight differences thank you kindly for all the hours that you put into this organization. I absolutely know what it is like. Oh and last but not least, you got to take it with a grain of salt because it is impossible to please everyone.
