Manitou Sno-Drifters; Rumours That Reached Michigan Resolved
Ron Jung, Sno-Drifters Treasurer, is the sole remaining executive member of the Manitou Sno Drifters.
MANITOUWADGE, ON – Autumn of 2010, Manitou Sno-Drifters Treasurer Ron Jung, held a public information/recruitment session to answer questions regarding the club and, it was hoped, to welcome enough new/returning volunteers to maintain the club; responsible for the local and TOP (Trans Ontario Provincial) OntarioFederation of Snowmobile Club (OFSC) trails. Unfortunately, though there were people interested in becoming members and those wanting a groomed trail system connecting to neighbouring communities there were no volunteers who wanted to assume the responsibilities to fill remaining executive positions and Jung had to announce that the club would officially be inactive for the 2010-11 snowmobile season.
This was a dissapointing announcement for Jung to make after having worked tirelessly in previous years , with a small number of dedicated volunteers, to keep the club in good standing with the OFSC. The small group had many successes, accessing grant funds for equipment, signage and other necessities, ensuring trails would be groomed and reliable to travel. Included in the club’s notable accomplishments during the Jung’s time as an executive member:
- rerouting trails,
- installing bridges;
- acquiring a more modern groomer;
- getting signage up to the required standard;
- attracting/retaining riders;
- attracting/retaining volunteers.
Unfortunately with too few volunteers carrying the load of a club, once boasting annual memberships counted in the hundreds, it proved too much work for too few people making it impossible to comply with the rightfully high standards the OFSC requirs of its clubs.
Recently, rumours are circulating in the snowmobiling community with sledders from as far as Michigan posting questions in social forums speculating on the Manitou Sno-Drifters (MSD) possible demise for the 2011-12 season as well as a letter alledged to have ben sent to the MSD by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), OntarioNewsNorth.com spoke with the MSD;s Treasurer Ron Jung, the club’s lone remaining executive member, Jung shared details of the club’s status with the OFSC graciously providing answers to many of the queries posted in popular snowmobiling forums concerned and curious snowmobilers and area residens.
QUERY FROM SNOWMOBILE FORUM (SF): Is it true that the Manitou Sno-Drifters club is “officially NO MORE”?
MSD TREASURER RON JUNG (RJ): The corporation of Manitou Sno Drifters Inc. remains solvent; there has been no effort to dissolve the corporation. There are however no directors or executive members aside from Jung and therefore limited activity at this time.The corporation is being kept alive as it retains potential as a local club. Should local sledder’s want to participate in the camaraderie of snowmobiling, similar to the clubs of decades ago before snowmobiling was organized to the degree it is today, they will still have a formal mechanism to do this through the Manitou Sno-Drifters Inc. (there has been interest in this concept)
SF: Can an informal snowmobile club be formed that doesn’t answer to the OFSC?
RJ: Local clubs can still exist without being members of the OFSC. However they do forfeit the many benefits of membership in the OFSC. We have new group of sledder’s emerging riding long track sleds, also known as mountain sleds, which allow for riding in virgin snow.
*From the editor K.Hunter: These sledders (on long-track sleds) could enjoy themselves in the powder while breaking and packing the trail to facilitate use for those on touring sleds and those which are better suited for groomed trails not powder.
SF: Is it true that the OFSC has cancelled the Manitou Sno-Drifters club status via a letter?
RJ: We did receive a registered letter from the OFSC advising us that the club has been suspended from the federation. This is in accordance with the OFSC Policy Manual which states that all the requirements of membership must be completed by June 1st of the current membership year. Due to the lack of an executive and/or volunteers the Manitou Sno-Drifters were unable to meet the requirements of membership in the OFSC for the 2011-12 Snowmobile Season.
SF: What property did the OFSC’s letter demand return of?
RJ: The OFSC Policy Manual is clear, stating that:
“…All assets purchased with trail permit dollars in whole or in part and/or funds raised in the name of snowmobiling must remain within the snowmobiling community, either by transfer to a neighbouring club and/or to the District Board for further assignment.”
This is a very important clause that all member clubs should be familiar with especially those with significant assets. The TS110 New Holland tractor and drag were returned to the Hornepayne club last season. I have worked with our neighbouring clubs as well as the new District 16 Executive in dealing with the distribution of the few other assets the club has.
SF: How will out-of-area sledders know that the trails are inaccessible and not being maintained/groomed?
RJ: The Manitou Sno-Drifters trails, including D109A, D110A and local trails, have been removed from all snowmobiling maps produced with/by the OFSC. All accessible signage has been removed from the TOPs and local trails which the MSD had been responsible for. Most trails are now impassable due to brush, windfalls etc. There is, however, still a tremendous amount of work remaining before requirements of removing trails from the trail network are met. The Manitou Sno-Drifters website has been removed, the OFSC has removed all references to the Manitou Sno-Drifters trails from their website. This was all done to limit the risk to both the OFSC, the Manitou Sno-Drifters and the snowmobiling fraternity.
SF: Where will moneys go from local trail pass sales?
RJ: With the suspension, the Manitou Sno-Drifters are also unable to sell permits. You are encouraged to purchase your permit(s) online and direct your dollars to those clubs in the area where you ride.
SF: I’ve always enjoyed the trails in the Manitouwadge area, will I still be able to snowmobile there this winter?
RJ: You are invited to come to Manitouwadge and enjoy the many miles of trails that are used (and packed) by local snowmoiblers, enjoy off-trail sledding (it is recommend that a guide be used) even sledding to a picnic We do have several Bed and Breakfast establishments, these managed and hosted by some of the most knowledgeable, talented, and adventurous outdoorsmen/women in the area. Manitouwadge accomodations providers and/or guides can offer you off trail riding experiences as well as tour packages for couples, groups or individuals.
SNOWMOBILERS STAY A WHILE…
Manitouwadge’s housing market includes inexpensive properties which have attracted many seasonal and permanent residents. Those visitors and seasonal residents who come for the summer months enjoy ATVing, fishing, golfing, hunting, mountain-biking, hiking, seco-tourism and more. Winter residents and tourists find an equal number of activities drawing them to Manitouwadge beyond snowmobiling including first-class cross-country and downhill ski facilities, ice-fishing, snowshoeing, indoor mens and women’s badminton, volleyball or basketball leagues and other activities.
Jung emphasized that the club could be active again should volunteers step forward to fill executive positions and general membership. Being a member of your local snowmobile club can be very rewarding for both snowmobilers and non-snowmobilers.
Those in neighbouring communities should take this unfortunate circumstance as a reminder that without volunteers, your local snowmobile club can’t survive, contact your local OFSC club to learn of positions open or jobs available for volunteers (Secondary School students in need of community service hours should contact their local club for work in need of being done).
MORE INFO
