What are the goals for the future and benefits to wheelers joining?

[miller]

Would you be able to fill us in on what the future goals are for the association, what direction it is headed, and how the wheeling community will benefit by becoming members?




As far as compliments go :redneck thank you for organizing the Sunrise runs...that's where I learned my basics and got my feet wet. I have appreciated and appreciate your time and efforts and will most likely join the ranks when everything is in order and running. :beer

Joe

[sdillen]

Would you be able to fill us in on what the future goals are for the association, what direction it is headed, and how the wheeling community will benefit by becoming members?


This is part of what I'm seeking from the four wheeling community by opening up discussion. What do YOU want to focus of the Association to be? We're opening up bylaws and are rebuilding....now's the time to set the right direction.

In my mind, I see the Four Wheel Drive Association of BC as being a respected stakeholder in all motorized off-road vehicle recreation in this province.

I see the Association being an active participant in keeping trails open to the public and in keeping recreation areas open for free access. This is part of the reason I've been driving the Sunrise Lake/Hale Creek project for the last 18 months -- in entering into an agreement (and building a positive reputation with the Ministry) we are ensuring that these two sites remain open and remain freely accessible. The Association's management of Lodestone lake (a project which has been driven by the Roverlanders) goes a long way toward keeping Whipsaw accessible to the 4x4 community. I expect to double the number of rec sites in the Association's portfolio this year.

I consider sites like Weaver Lake, Wood Lake and others to be somewhat lost to the recreation community -- the agreement holders for those sites have closed them to public access for 5 months out of the year, and those months where they are open there's a $10.00 / night camping fee. I can't fault the agreement holders -- they certainly need to recover their costs....but I can attempt to take on as many of these sites as possible to prevent future "loss".

I see the Association as being an active participant in the Outdoor Recreation Council, and being a recognized stakeholder (and partner) in recreational use of crown land.

I see the Association as being a mentor to some degree. I understand that (years ago) the Association used to provide driver education! While I don't see us going that far in the near future, I do want to see us promote safe and responsible four wheeling. I also see the Association as something of an "umbrella"....not to compete with the many clubs that are out there, but to be a unified voice of those clubs...

Our official "Goals and Objectives" are:

* To uphold the established Four Wheeler's Code of Ethics
* To promote recreational activities that involve the off pavement use of four wheel drive vehicles, encourage multiple land use and allow access to the back-country
* To promote responsible attitudes toward the use of public and private lands
* To protect our natural resources and the heritage of our land through conservation practices so people may enjoy them for generations to come
* To encourage land management agencies to develop more areas and trails for multiple uses and to deter land closures
* To participate in and support civic activities that will benefit the community, and to enhance the public image of recreational four wheeling and it's enthusiasts
* To promote cooperation and friendship among four wheel drive clubs and individual four wheel drive owners in the province of British Columbia
* To Protect the rights of an individual by providing support for the united voice of responsible four wheelers
* To maintain a uniform set of safety rules and regulations
* To disseminate information, including pending legislation that may be detrimental to the interests of four wheel drive owners
* To inform and educate our members and the public in wise and sensible use of four wheel drive vehicles

[DMMcG]

Joe, you should join now. The 4WDABC is "up and running". It is supported by a core group of individuals who are committed (perhaps they ought be committed ;)) to trying to improve the status of our recreational sport in BC.



http://www.4wdabc.com/web/index.htm


Four Wheel Drive Association of British Columbia

Goals and Objectives


To uphold the established Four Wheeler's Code of Ethics

To promote recreational activities that involve the off pavement use of four wheel drive vehicles, encourage multiple land use and allow access to the back-country

To promote responsible attitudes toward the use of public and private lands

To protect our natural resources and the heritage of our land through conservation practices so people may enjoy them for generations to come

To encourage land management agencies to develop more areas and trails for multiple uses and to deter land closures

To participate in and support civic activities that will benefit the community, and to enhance the public image of recreational four wheeling and it's enthusiasts

To promote cooperation and friendship among four wheel drive clubs and individual four wheel drive owners in the province of British Columbia

To Protect the rights of an individual by providing support for the united voice of responsible four wheelers

To maintain a uniform set of safety rules and regulations

To disseminate information, including pending legislation that may be detrimental to the interests of four wheel drive owners

To inform and educate our members and the public in wise and sensible use of four wheel drive vehicles



Four Wheelers' Code of Ethics


I will remain on established and designated roads and trails. I will obey gate closures and regulatory or trail-use signs. I will leave gates as I find them

I will respect and protect the environment and the land, both public and private. I realize that future use depends on my responsible actions

I will obey all traffic laws and regulations

I will not vandalize. I will restore or repair damaged trails, signs, camp facilities, water bars or drains on trails in a responsible manner

I will not litter. I will set an example to other backcountry users by carrying out more than I carry in

I will maintain the safety of my vehicle and equipment. I will carry recovery gear, an emergency repair kit, basic first aid supplies, survival food and equipment. I will keep firearms in a safe and secure place

I realize that my equipment, ability, the terrain, weather, and the traffic on the trail should determine my destination objective and travel speed

I will observe fish, game and trail rules

I will act responsibly to prevent forest fires

I will always stop and offer assistance to a fellow four wheeler
When encountering others, I will be friendly and courteous


Here's the copy from a response that I posted a couple of years ago to someone who was disenchanted with the politics of organization. It applies equally today.

Originally posted by polvoson
I have found through the years that "movememnts, and organizations" generally have not had success in making a diffrence when it comes to swaying governamental agencies.



Actually, in recent years government decisions relating to land-use have increasingly been subject to "recommendations" arising from round table discussion groups, populated by various interest/lobby organizations. Things are supposed to be moving away from the old model of the "line Ministries" making all of the decisions, and the hell with anyone else's interests.

The LRMP model evolved from the original Bruntland Report, and is now being used extensively through Europe and the US, and to a lesser degree in BC.

In recent years, if you don't have an identifiable group representative of your interests at an LRMP roundtable, then you may find yourself out of luck (and excluded from access). The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (the 4WDABC now has a representative delegate who sits on that council - the council had previously been heavily weighted in favour of anti-motorized recreation interests) has been invited to sit at LRMP meetings, as have a number of other interest/lobby groups who have managed to organize themselves enough to be deemed a credible entity. The 4WDABC has had individual members who have participated in the LRMP process as well.

The 4WDABC is not yet large enough to have credibility with organized government. Links are being established with other motorized recreation users to give some credence to the user-group (snowmobile, motorcyle, quad etc), but the process is a slow one - especially with the lacklustre support that the 4WDABC has received from the majority of off-road enthusiasts.

Perhaps it's the nature of the beast - many of us are involved in this activity to get away from the city, regulations, politics....but we're now facing a coordinated effort to close the backroads to motorized recreation. The "anti-recreationists" have organized, and we've (so far) failed to respond - at least in BC.

I'd invite you to read the article authored by Stu Olson found at:

http://www.stu-offroad.com/misc/environment.htm

You'll find thoughts such as these sprinkled amongst the various organizations now forming in reaction to those who abjectly oppose motorized recreation.

Motorized recreation that relies on our inventory of backroads is under general attack by organized, well-funded interest groups. The approach taken in the following article will be coming soon to BC:

http://www.sierralegal.org/reports/road_less_travelled_feb2003.pdf

If you've got more time and energy to devote to specific trail closures, or can contribute something in excess of the annual membership fees to the Association, then they need all the help they can get. If all you can do is add your name to the membership roster, to increase the Association's numbers and make it a more credible interest group (size matters, when it comes to political agendas ;)), then your name, address and membership dues will be most welcome.

[miller]

Sounds good... I'm going to promote this on our next run :D

[Bog Hog]

Joined about 4 years ago and never renewed...I was shut down??

[sdillen]

Joined about 4 years ago and never renewed...I was shut down??

Shut down? I don't understand -- whatever happened, I hope that you'll give us another chance.

I am willing to say with absolute confidence that the Association is following through on our commitments today and going forward. I realize that it's going to take some time of us demonstrating this (as opposed to saying it). Your comment is a great example of why this forum has been started...The Association needs to know what's broken so we can fix it (and also what's working so we can continue doing it!).

[Bog Hog]

I wouldnt hesitated to sign up again. I think its a great thing. I wasnt shut down. It seemed liek the 4wdabc went away. Just wondering why it went away. If it did. Didnt even get a "Do you want to renew your membership" notice or anything. From what I see you got my support. Just need to finish my truck so I can make it to outings:D If i renew do I need to pay as a new member of a renew member?

[sdillen]

I wouldnt hesitated to sign up again. I think its a great thing. I wasnt shut down. It seemed liek the 4wdabc went away. Just wondering why it went away. If it did. Didnt even get a "Do you want to renew your membership" notice or anything. From what I see you got my support. Just need to finish my truck so I can make it to outings:D If i renew do I need to pay as a new member of a renew member?

The Association was definitely not shut down, but I will admit that it has been very quiet. I think you'll see a difference over the next few years.

As far as membership, we're improving our membership process so things like this don't happen in the future. All previous individual members who've lapsed for any reason may renew at the standard renewal rate.

[Bog Hog]

Can you e mail me a printable join form? The one on the website is not working. Thanks...ryan_86_@hotmail.com

[sdillen]

Can you e mail me a printable join form? The one on the website is not working. Thanks...ryan_86_@hotmail.com

It's in flight! I'm going over to the web site now (www.4wdabc.com) to verify that links are working, and have requested an update as to the status of the whole online join-us process...... I'll post an update as I have it!

[DMMcG]

The link on the web-site continues to work for me just fine. Perhaps people are trying to access the PDF file without having Adobe Reader (free) installed on their computer(s).

Adobe Reader PDF's are documents in 'scanned format' - like a picture/fax. If you can't download the PDF, it's likely because you haven't got the most recent version of Adobe Reader.

You can get it here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

I would advise against downloading either the Google toolbar or Adobe Photoshop starter edition. Neither are necessary, and both are 'clutter' as far as I'm concerned. Just un-tick the boxes so that you're only getting Adobe Reader.

Adobe Reader is the standard for most people who use their computer for 'work' - virtually all of the Provincial and Federal government sites store and circulate their documents in PDF format.


....Edit: My apologies. The format of the page leaves something to be desired. Click on "Select Save As" at the bottom of the page to bring up the PDF file so that you can read/print it. I've been clicking that link all along and wasn't paying any attention to the other 'missing link' above it.

[JimmyGirlS15]

Bog Hog,
if you send me an e-mail (andrea @ hot4x4.ca) no spaces) I will send you an application, I have them in PDF format.

Andrea

[4runnin]

can somebody email me an ap. It dosent seem to want to except my payment.
themoulds@shaw.ca
cheers, Danny

[3/4tonchev]

Well. I am an avid explorer of the West Harrison area and I love visiting Sunrise Lake. I appreciate all of the hard work 4WDABC has put into that area. I took my 4x4 out of commission about a year ago and bought myself a new quad instead so I won't be sending in an application, I just wanted to say how nice it is to see an association like this who is out there to make our beautiful province fun and trying to keep it clean.

I was at Sunrise last weekend and was upset to see a large amount of smashed beer bottles all over the place. Didn't have anything to pack it out in, so we just gathered what we could and put it into the fire pits. Trying to do our part to but its frustrating to see things like that in such a nice place. (if I still had a truck I could have packed it out with me........hhhhmmmmm..............)

Anyway, keep up the good work.

[sdillen]

Well. I am an avid explorer of the West Harrison area and I love visiting Sunrise Lake. I appreciate all of the hard work 4WDABC has put into that area. I took my 4x4 out of commission about a year ago and bought myself a new quad instead so I won't be sending in an application, I just wanted to say how nice it is to see an association like this who is out there to make our beautiful province fun and trying to keep it clean.

I was at Sunrise last weekend and was upset to see a large amount of smashed beer bottles all over the place. Didn't have anything to pack it out in, so we just gathered what we could and put it into the fire pits. Trying to do our part to but its frustrating to see things like that in such a nice place. (if I still had a truck I could have packed it out with me........hhhhmmmmm..............)

Anyway, keep up the good work.

Thank you for your comments -- we'll be in the area this Saturday and will pack the broken glass out. I really don't understand why people throw sooooo much stuff around.