Accomplishments of the Board of Directors
of VTMA
during our first year of organization, 2004-2005 :
• Organizational
set-up:
Creation of Board of Directors with board members taking on the roles of officers,
incorporating with the State, opening a checking account, creating bylaws
• Creating
a Mission Statement:
The Vermont Mushers Association was established to:
1. Unite all those engaging in dog-powered sports in the State of Vermont for
the purpose
of maintaining and promoting statewide trail privileges,
2. Disseminate information,
3. Promote the safe and responsible use of trails,
4. Speak for and represent the Vermont Mushers Association to other organizations.
• Writing and producing a pamphlet on Trail Safety & Etiquette Guidelines for Mushers
• Joining the Vt. Trails and Greenways Council and attending meetings
• Alerting the membership about statewide meetings, attending meetings, and providing written and oral testimony on behalf of Vermont mushers to the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), the Green Mtn. National Forest draft service plan for recreation and trail usage in the national forest for the next 10 years, and state plans for ATV regulations
• Meeting with Congressman Bernie Sanders regarding the general economic benefits of mushers to the state and specifically the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail
• Following
several bills in the legislature with specific potential impacts on Vermont
mushers and providing written and oral testimony to legislators and committees:
home insurance and domestic dogs, dog houses & tethers, vicious dog legislation,
regulations on puppy mills and the breeding and selling of dogs
• Attempting to set up a bulletin board on Yahoo for communication and feedback
• Beginning dialog with VAST, including talking with some of their officers and directors about mushing, and passing on information on bridge construction that, if followed, may ease use by dog teams
• Presentation to NESDC and NHMA about VTMA and their joining the association
• Travels to both Maine trade fairs to recruit members
• Starting a survey on trails and trail usage statewide
Accomplishments of the Board of Directors
of VTMA during our second and third years of organization, 2005-2007:
• Increasing the visibility of mushing in the state by participating in VAST’s Make-A-Wish fundraiser in Lyndonville in 2006, participating in Dogs Across America, and attending other public relations events.
• Following bills in the legislature with specific potential impacts on Vermont mushers.
• Gaining membership on the management committee of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail.
• Opening a dialog with VAST that has accomplished two significant changes in their policies towards mushers on trails: the ability of landowners to grant mushing permission on VAST’s landowner permission forms; and a warning notice on VAST trails map stating “Caution. Sled dogs may be on trails. Please use caution when approaching or passing.”
• Producing a map of trails in the Moosealamoo area and their suitability for mushing.
• Receiving a grant from the State to produce a brochure to educate other trail users how mushing works and the safety aspects of sharing trails.
• Negotiating two direct-to-your-pocket benefits: a discount at Valley Rent-All in Waterbury and Waitsfield, Vt. of 30% on all Carhartt clothing, 15% on all Stihl equipment and supplies, and 10% on all Toro machines; and no trail fees for VTMA members at Eden Mountain Lodge, Eden, Vt.