First, I would like to thank each of you that shared time with us on Saturday, December for 2015 SFWDA Annual Meeting. We had approximately 40 people in attendance including Todd Ockert, President, Blue Ribbon Coalition and Vernon Ball, Vice President UFWDA plus an additional 35-50 on-line participants.
I would like to thank the 2015 SFWDA BOD for all their hard word work and support as we rebrand our association and build an incredible path for each of you, our MEMBERS!. Thanks Overlysoffroad Brian, Aimee Darnell, Doyle Punches, Kendall Flint Holbrook, Lucas Weidner, Jon Plazaand Walter Shafer. We have made significant strides because of each of you.
Our 2016 calendar was approved during the annual meeting and is attached in a PDF. Please include in your club calendars for 2016. Key dates are TrailFest 2016, April 29-30/May 1, Adventure Offroad Park and Dixie Run 30, September 22-25, Golden Mountain Park.
Several highlights from our meeting included a review of our membership growth and business support; our social media growth and the expanding footprint and a review of the 2015 SFWDA Grants. Thanks to Rock Solid Jeep Club for an outstanding job at Windrock Park; and Ohio River Fourwheelers for work on the Old Fincastle Road repairs as b part of the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway. We also introduced in 2015 our first series of SFWDA Educational videos; and the next series of videos will be completed soon for introduction in 2016.
Several initiatives approved for 2016 include regional Tread Lightly Training for our local clubs and the Trick N Traction folks have agreed to step up first and help us build the model. Additionally we approved moving forward with the 2016 additions of the SFWDA Educational videos under the guidance of Doug Wooten. Further we committed to sending one SFWDA designee to the 2016 Volunteer Leader & Land Stewartship Workshop with Del Albright in April 2016.
2016 SFWDA Grants approved include the digital mapping of the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway; Uwharrie Friend request for the Uwharrie National Forest; Friends of Boone DBBB Hollerwood OHV mapping request from the ORFW,
We also had extensive reviews of land issues impacting Beasley Knob OHV, Daniel Boone, Uwharrie, TN Council on Greenways and GA Trails and Greenways.
2016 Officers for your association include Ray Stanley, President;Brian Overly, Vice President; Aimee Darnell, Secretary; Doyle Punches, Treasurer; Kendall Flint Holbrook, Conservation and Land Management; Lucas Weidner, Membership and Jon Plaza and Oscar Indreland, Public Relations. Walter Shafer, System Admin. Oscar Indreland, welcome aboard!
Two Leadership initiatives for 2016 will be a review and revisions of the association bylaws (Kendall Flint Holbrook, Dave Halstead, and Oscar Indreland); and UFWDA Four Wheeler of the Year nominations (Kendall Flint Holbrook)
To all, 2015 was a busy year and we thank you for your support. We have a lot of work to do in 2016 and will continue to solicit your support, your energies and your guidance.
Thanks.
Ray Stanley
President SFWDA 2016-2017
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