b'VAST DirectionBy VAST Executive Director Cindy LockeWhat a winter! Wow, it was someMake a DifferenceVERMONT ASSOCIATIONgreat riding out there! Because of the distribution of heavy snow and cold temperatures until early March,Nominate SomeoneI was able to explore trails I had yet to ride on. I was hosted by local clubs and given tours. It was a lot of fun. This also included some countyNOMINATIONS AREDUEMAY 1, 2021trail coordinators who like to stop at junctions and talk about grooming,VAST volunteers and clubs are dedicated andgroomers, etc., so it was educational, too.committed all year long. Please take the time to This started out as a crazy seasonnominate someone who deserves recognition.as we built an online TMA system. It was like flying a plane as you areHorizon VolunteerTrailblazerSnowmobiler of the Year building it. While there were some Snowmobile Family of the Yearhiccups and a learning curve, it was an overwhelming success. This Jr. Snowmobiler of the Year (age limit 15)was a good thing since COVID-19 Dealer of the Year Snowmobile Club of the Yearreally hindered us all for in-person gatherings. It was also hard for clubsAwards for ClubsTrail Related this winter to not see the usual revenue they see when they are able to hold Most Improved Trails Best Signed Trails in-person fundraising. I hope the extra Best Groomed Trails Trail Project of the Yearmoney that 98% of VAST clubs saw in a club dues increase helped addTo obtain nomination forms go to vtvast.org/awards.htmlsome money to their bank accounts. At VAST, we now know, for the first time in our history, how many TMAs wereTwo $1500 sold and how much revenue that will generate before our season even ends.SCHOLARSHIPSThis really helps to manage budgets better and to better inform clubs what we may have to offer them for equipment grants, trail maintenance, etc. APPLICATIONS AREDUE MARCH 1, 2021This winter, too, we have been very busy at VAST helping to supportVAST awards two $1,500 scholarships annually.VAST clubs, work on all kinds of trail issues,Scholarship Awards are open to VAST members, their spouses and/or support or not support legislation, beefdependents of all ages to help you further your education in any post up law enforcement, and continue to grow the program. One topic beingsecondary school, including vocational/technical education.discussed is the safety classes and howTwo Chances to Win!The applications of the top five finalists will much more effective they can be whenalso be submitted for consideration to the Northeast Chapter of taken in person. We hope to be able tothe International Snowmobile Councils (NEISC) Scholarship Awards restart this program in the fall. In lineprogram. The NEISC awards two $500 scholarship awards annually.with education, we also spent a lot of time, as did the clubs, promoting toAll applications must bepostmarked or faxed NO later than March 1, 2021 riders the need to stay on the trail andFor application go to: vtvast.org/scholarships.html or call (802) 229-0005 ext. 10keep their hands on the handlebars.Please send all applications to:So overall, we had a very good season26 Vast Lane, Barre, VT 05641|fax: 802-223-4316| email: cyndy@vtvast.orgin Vermont. I hope you had a fun and safe winter. To our clubs, volunteers and landowners, THANK YOU!Fond regards,'