b'VAST DirectionBy VAST Executive Director Cindy LockeVERMONT ASSOCIATIONDid you come to the VAST Annualof all TMA income annually goesOne topic we also discussed was why Meeting? Most of you will say no. Idirectly back into trails for grooming,does Vermont have so many groomers know because we have about 22,000equipment and construction aid (Totalsince we have a smaller trail system. I members and we had about 250 folksof $2,153,549 this year) can tell you that this is something the show up this year. I know many justIn the past three years the staff atstaff, board and trails committee are could not for a variety of reasons andVAST have identified areas of savingsreviewing. Below are the comparisons. that is understandable. Why I am askingregarding administrative costs andHow many groomers (large groomers, is because each year this meeting movesby bringing some work inside VASTnot including snowmobiles used for around the state and at the meeting weby current employees, instead ofgrooming) does Vermont and other have a one to two hour session wherecontracting out, and some renegotiationstates around us have?lots of things are discussed like: theof contracts we have saved more than health of our association, spending,$200,000. In addition, our magazineVT has 106 (Class A) groomers in our grooming, signing, equipment costs andand Travelers Guide now make VASTfleet and 4,700 miles of trail.our fleet, TMA costs, administrationabout $20,000 a year.VT $110-190, 22,496 trail passes costs, etc. So, since attendance was light,(TMAs)I think its important to try to give aDuring a board leadership summit report of what happened. in June and again with generalNH has 100 (Class A) groomers in What does health of the associationmembership at Annual Meeting, wetheir fleet and 7,000 miles of trail.mean? It means looking at VAST from adug deep into topics, like how muchNH $116.00 (Going up to $140 by 35,000-foot level to see the big picture, asmoney does VAST need to continue2023), 43,960 registrations/trail passes.well as diving into certain areas to helpto keep up with the rising costs ofME has 125 (Class A) groomers in their everyone understand the organizationgrooming equipment? How do wefleet and 14,000 miles of trail.better and how it runs. The Bettermanage our 4,700 miles of trails with Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance22,000 members? What should TMAME $99, 87,986 registrations/trail suggests that nonprofits not exceedrates be? What are other states andpassesa 35% spending for administrativeprovinces doing? What do we do aboutI hope I was able to bring you up to costs. Another resource I use for manytrail signing and liability insurancespeed a little with a 35,000-foot look at different association managementcosts due to accidents when signs areour association ad what we talk about, forecasting and other fiduciary ideasdown? What do we do as winters seemwonder about and work on. I look is the American Society of Associationto not be as predictable anymore inforward to the snow flying and riding Executives. The average that nonprofitscertain regions? How can we help clubsthis winter. Thank you so much to all spend is 36.9%. So again, the BBBbecome and stay current with any stateof you that volunteer for VAST and to suggests that nonprofits not exceed 35%or federal laws and requirements? Howall of our private landowners!for administrative spending and ASAEdo we attract more riders to Vermont? Is states that nonprofits in the US averageour trail and signing quality worth theBest regards,spending at 36.9%. At VAST we take ourprice of a TMA and what is the tipping expenses very seriously and we evaluatepoint of that? budgets, income and expenses duringWe have to decide whether we can the entire year, so we can do our best tocome up with money to provide not exceed our budgets. VAST currentlymore to clubs for equipment and trail runs at 28.2% administration (staffing,maintenance. But without downsizing marketing, building expenses, insurance,or consolidating our fleet, the only way IT, government affairs, legal, etc.) andto generate new money is in the form of 71.7 % for trails and .1% for scholarships.a TMA increase. Grooming last year spent 66% of TMAThe consideration is do we do it? If income ($1,629,765). Past years: FY16we do it, we could earmark 100% of was 63%, FY17 was 52% and FY18 wasit to only go into equipment grants 58%. and trail maintenance grants if that Equipment requests were $1,305,166 andis what the membership wants. A $5 VAST was able to grant out $232,240 increase would net us about $100,000 and $10 increase about $200,000. At the Construction grant requests wereannual meeting members in attendance $709,108 and VAST was able to grant outwere polled on 1) no increase, 2) a $5 $299,552 increase, 3) a $10 increase. The majority raised their hand for a $5 increase withCindy Locke and past VAST president If you add the grooming done in FY19100% going to trails for equipment, trailDexter Wilson shared a laugh and a hug at with the two grants you come to 87.6%maintenance or grooming only. VASTs 52nd Annual Meeting.'