Blue Ribbon Coalition Membership

[RokNRich]

Doing some marketing research.

I've been a member for a couple of years and am considering the lifetime membership (Just saw in the latest mag that Stu O. stepped up for this - nice) $250.
Any comments, thoughts, or opinions on the BRC as a whole ??

http://www.sharetrails.org/

[FrenchChili]

I think last time I spoke to Sandee her opinion of Blue Ribbon changed. Perhaps I'm wrong but Sandee please post here you have good knowledge!

[GRUNT]

Changed? Was she, is she now, for or against it?

[Miles2go1979]

What is it?

[Sandee McCullen]

I think last time I spoke to Sandee her opinion of Blue Ribbon changed. Perhaps I'm wrong but Sandee please post here you have good knowledge!

I would never say NOT to join BRC............ they do wonders for overall OHV. I am a Life Member and have been for some time. My major issue is they look at "national" issues almost predominately. Local issues are left up to the local community support groups. Although their letter generator and Alerts are great. Anything you want sent out for notice or letter support is normally done within a day or two.

Overall ORBA has done more for Arizona issues than any organization. Both in $$$ and attorney help.???? My money goes to ORBA but that is my personal choice.

[FrenchChili]

Thank you for the input Sandee!

[RokNRich]

To join the BRC, it is only $20 a year, includes a small magazine.

https://www.sharetrails.org/index.cfm?page=511

BRC is also involved with things like PWC and snowmobiles, both of which I have enjoyed in the past.

ORBA appears to be a great group, but I think they only offer a $1,000 business membership ??

OK, what land use organizations are you guys members of then ?

More about BRC:
http://www.sharetrails.org/index.cfm?page=5


We've united to defend
access for motorized
recreation nationwide.

We Care
About what's happening in
your back yard. Your right
to enjoy your sport.



"We are recreationists of all types, working together to preserve our precious natural heritage." We campaign to replace "user conflict" with "user cooperation". All recreationists must learn to share trails and facilities. All must learn acceptance and good manners.

[YJunk]

Just thinking out loud; how do we measure one of these against another... meaning, how do we know how much of our donation actually goes to the fight, how do we know if they are actually doing what they clain and if they have any real impact. I'm all for supporting stuff, I just wish I had a better sense of how much work was really being done and how effective it is...

[RokNRich]

Good question John, I looked and couldn't find anything specific, some info on what they are spending money on:

http://www.sharetrails.org/index.cfm?page=13

ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

* The BlueRibbon Coalition took a national leadership role in fighting closures in the Clinton Forest Land Legacies. We stopped radical environmental groups from getting a nationwide ﾓclosed unless posted openﾔ mandate inserted in the Clinton-Gore Roadless Initiative. We joined in a lawsuit against the Forest Service over the Roadless Initiative.

* When Heartwood, a radical environmental group, and the Forest Service reached a closed door lawsuit settlement to change forest service regulations without public involvement, BlueRibbon intervened. Subsequently, the court vacated the settlement.

* Presented our views on the Roadless Initiative and recreation management to national environmental and outdoor media at the 2000 Outdoor Writers of America associationﾒs annual convention in North Carolina.

* Testified before Congress that land managing agencies are legally required to consider the impact of their proposals on small recreation related businesses. Congress subsequently notified the Forest Service that they would take 60 session days to evaluate the impact of the Roadless Initiative on small businesses.

* Worked with a broad spectrum of interests in the northwest to stop the top down one-size-fits-all mandates in the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project (ICBEMP). Congress subsequently limited funding and required better documentation. Filed a protest against the final environmental impact statement.

* The Intermountain Regional Forester granted our appeal of the Targhee National Forest Travel Plan and required environmental documentation for any road obliteration. Roads already obliterated must be reviewed before more obliterations can proceed on the forest.

* Together with the snowmobile manufacturers and other snowmobiling interests, filed suit against the National Park Service over their decision to ban snowmobiles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in 2002 2003.

* Our pro-recreation access public service ads for radio and television were widely distributed and viewed nationally. The general public was exposed to our perspective.

* Together with Utah Shared Access Alliance, intervened in a suit filed by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) against the BLM. SUWA sought to eliminate OHV use on BLM lands in Utah. The court subsequently dismissed SUWAﾒs claims.



For those that voted "what is BRC", a link to their policies and positions page:
http://www.sharetrails.org/index.cfm?page=28


Feel free to mention any other groups you may be a member of.

[Keith Haw]

Being a member of a truckers organization I see this same question come up there. The best way I can put it is we are dealing in numbers. A group or organization has a lot more pull with the political people when they say "We are representing 5 million member/voters" than they do saying "We have 5000 members/voters". Sure some of the dues go to pay salaries and such but, dealing in our political system cost money. Lobbyist and courts cost big money and they are the only way to fight these people. The other side has a large amount of money behind them and that makes ours an uphill fight.
Keith

[RokNRich]

$20 a year isn't much, just got the latest magazine, these guys are working for us all over the country. Only 3 people have posted as being members from here........:rolleyes:

Also just renewed my greenie sister in laws dues (early Christmas gift)

;)

[azrubyman]

Thanks for posting this Rich.
It reminded me to send in my membership, which I just did. (1 yr.)
Ken

[Sandee McCullen]

I would NEVER tell anyone to not pay supporting dues to BRC. I am personally a Life Member but please don't forget to help your LOCAL groups that put a lot into specific issues where BRC cannot go.

The AZOHVC is $30.00/yr.

[Steve]

I would NEVER tell anyone to not pay supporting dues to BRC. I am personally a Life Member but please don't forget to help your LOCAL groups that put a lot into specific issues where BRC cannot go.

The AZOHVC is $30.00/yr.


And I have still never received the news letter, stickers, etc. Paid member! from the AZOHVC. But were sure quick to take the money. Communication goes a long way but to ignore those who are trying to support will only create a lesser following. No wonder there is less and less interest in the group. Great idea with poor execution..:aagh::skull: