2006 AOHVA AGM Held at the Reynolds Museum:

Thirty members and directors assembled to conduct the business of running the AOHVA.  After welcomes from President Cal Rakach, recognition was given to the AGM Sponsors that provided the facilities and door prizes.

Special thanks as given to AGM donors:

• Honda Canada for Museum admission, room, coffee and snacks

• BRP for door prize – Helmet – won by Doug Dinias

• Wetaskiwin Motorsports for Door Prize – Open Cockpit plane ride – won by Ruth Paradis

• Maverick Distributing – helmet – won by Trudie Michaelchuk

• Maverick Distributing -  goggles – won by Jim Fell

• Maverick Distributing – DVD – won by Dave Wall

Ben Wall provided us with his last presentation on the financial statements.  After too many years of service as AOHVA Treasurer, Ben has decided to retire and enjoy the fruits of his labour…go riding.  A special thanks was extended to Ben for those years of service, his passion and perseverance.

 Bob Smith presented the VP’s report, Bob’s Corner as we called it.  Bob has been very busy working memberships and the administration aspects of the Association.  He gave us the nuts and bolts of the new club insurance program that has been established to help the clubs cover some of the liability issues.  Also Bob has been busy keeping AOHVA involved in the newly formed ATV/Quad Council of Canada (AQCC) and the Motorcycle Confederation of Canada (MCC).  These two organizations are our voice at the national level.  We had also sent Bob down to Alabama for the North America OHV Conservation Council (NOHVCC) conference.  Here Bob was able to connect us to our US counterparts and shore up relationships already established.

• Membership rates are always a topic of discussion and this year was no different.  After about ten years of no rate increase, it was moved and passed to adjust the membership rates for the 2007 membership year.  They are as follows;
  • Single membership rates be increased to $30, family raised to $50, Club membership remain at $100/club with $10/member to AOHVA, Corporate remain at $200, Manufacturer raised to $500.
     

Special guest, Jim Fell – RCMP (ret.) provide us with an interesting perspective on the challenges of creating the trail stewardship and enforcement program.  Jim’s presentation was based on the learning from the creation of the Iron Horse Trail in NE Alberta when he was Staff Sergeant in St. Paul.

Jerry Bidulock conveyed words of encouragement from MLA Ray Danyluk, Recreation Corridors Coordinating Committee;

• New Minister Community Development – Hon. Denis Ducharme is committed to the ARCCC process.
• Working toward recognition and funding for the AOHVA
• Pleased with the leadership AOHVA has been demonstrating

Rudi Zasko provide a quick up date on the Redwater Natural Area situation.  The new fence to keep the equine and motorized riders separate has been erected and Rudi in continuing has effort to steward the area.  Cal gave special thanks to Rudi and all his years of dedication to the Redwater Natural Area.

In final note Cal, reviewed some of the Coalitions formed to address land access in particular the AOHVA, AB Snowmobile Association, AB Professional Outfitters Society, AB Trappers Association, AB Bowhunters Association, AB Fish and Game Association to address the Wildland Parks and proposed Andy Russell Park.

Once the meeting was over and bellies filled with lunch, we were treated to a tour of the Warehouse.  In the Warehouse are stored many of the relics that have yet to be restored or just in storage.  Many of the items are one of a kind and many have interesting histories.  All agreed, the Reynolds Museum is the place for future AGMs.