Posted April 21, 2006

How to Form a Club

By Steve Casper, NOHVCC Director of Communications

Whenever we read about a new ride area opening, or an existing one being saved, it’s rarely because of one single person’s efforts. In almost all instances, the driving forces behind these success stories are well-organized groups of riders. Whether through local clubs, state riding organizations or as coalitions with other trail users, riders in a group have a strong, unified voice which the powers-that-be in our communities tend to listen to.

That alone is one very important reason for you to join an ATV club. However, there are many more fun aspects to signing up with a club. By meeting with other local riders you’ll get the scoop on all the best ride spots in your neck of the woods, as well as the best places to camp and find some grub. Plus, clubs are always planning weekend trips with groups of people that nearly always make the riding experience more fun.

From our experience with literally hundreds of ATV riders over the years, we’ve found that the riders who are involved in local clubs tend to get the most satisfaction from their riding experiences.

But what about the work, you ask.

OK, all the fun stuff about being a club member does involve a bit of work if you want to reap all of the benefits. Sure, someone has to be secretary, treasurer, president, etc., and someone has to make the campground reservations and be in charge of sign-up, etc., but with a large group working together as one it’s probably no more time consuming than planning a big trip for your family all by yourself. And to help keep your trails open, there will probably be trail cleaning and trail maintenance days, and auction fundraisers or carwashes, but hey, those usually turn into fun family activities anyway.

So now that you’re ready to join an existing club, or start one on your own, where do you begin? Well, there just happens to be an organization that will do everything in their power to help you in this quest, and they’ll do it all for free. The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (also known as NOHVCC- pronounced No-Vac) has a motto of "Creating a Positive Future for Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation.'' At the very top of the list is the task of getting as many riders as possible to join or form clubs. Why is this? Well, they understand how important every single riding club in this country is for the future of our sport. (Plus, I guess, down deep, they just plain want you to have more fun!)

Joining an already established club is of course the easiest route for you to help accomplish this goal. Virtually every state has a NOHVCC representative who has a master of list of all the ATV clubs in their state with phone numbers and e-mail contacts. To find the club nearest to where you live, simply call the NOHVCC 800 number listed at the end of this article and they’ll get you hooked up with your state rep. There’s also a list of the clubs on the website. Of course not all of us will be fortunate enough to have an established club all ready to take us in for $20-$30 a year. In that case, you and your riding pals may want to start your own club from scratch. NOHVCC is very prepared to help you with that task as well, by offering a proven, and well-used Off-Highway Vehicle Club Start-Up Kit through the mail (once again, free of course). In it you’ll find easy-to-understand, step-by-step instructions on how to get your club up and running, as well as tips on maintaining a strong volunteer infrastructure which is the key to the more successful and long-lived clubs.

In the NOHVCC Off-Highway Vehicle Club Start-Up Kit you’ll find all the details on how to get your own club up and running.

If it sounds a bit intimidating, no need to worry because you’ll also have personal access to your own state NOHVCC representative who is available to help you throughout the entire process if you happen to hit any snags. Eventually of course, your state OHV association will want your new club under their umbrella as well, which means by then you will have accomplished a job well done.

To boost your riding experience up to a new fun-filled, exciting level by joining or forming an of-highway motorcycle Club, simply call the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council for all the information. The phone number for their main office in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, is (800) 348-6487. They are also easy to reach by e-mail at trailhead@nohvacc.org. The website is www.nohvcc.org.

© 2006, All Terrain Vehicle Association