b'VAST NewsCLUB EVENTS AND FUNDRAISING IN A PANDEMIC WORLDBy Michael Swartz COVID-19 brought many challenges to the 2020 and 2021 snowmobile seasons, not the least of which is the clubs ability to hold events and fundraise while complying with VT State and VAST COVID guidelines. In 2020, trails shut down on March 13 due to poor conditions, and clubs had to cancel some late-season get-togethers, such as the Drift Dusters annual green-trail St. Patricks Day ride-in. In addition,Several clubs were able to hold small events this year by adhering strictly to Vermontstate guidelines were also put intostate government gathering restrictions, social distancing and mask guidelines. place around that time to mitigate the spread of the virus. Unfortunately,virtual meetings have worked well fordedication keep a club running strong.some late-season events, like clubclub news and updates, but sometimes meetings and landowner appreciationvoting on contentious articles hasAnother annual February Country dinners, were also canceled.Sincehad to be tabled until a later, possiblyRider event is the Blessing of the Sleds. every club needs to maintain a healthyin-person meeting after internetHeld this year on February 21, a large balance sheet to keep trails open andconnection issues prevented votescrowd was on hand as Father Paul of groomed, and with no immediate endfrom going through.Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Troy in sight for the challenges brought onblessed a parking lot-full of sleds and by the pandemic, event coordinatorsBut despite the limitations, clubsa groomer. A full breakfast was made and other club officers have had to gethave soldiered on with events andavailable by the Knights of Columbus much more creative in 2021 to stay outgatherings to raise funds and promotein the parish hall.of the red and carry out club business. camaraderie.Country Riders has hadFor now, while there are limitations to To answer the challenges and get theseveral great events this season thatwhat events clubs can hold, there is a word out about events, club eventdid both while still satisfying state andlight at the end of the tunnel.As you coordinators have become socialVAST guidelines for social gatherings.read this, more and more restrictions media influencers. No doubt, everyOn February 6, the annual Hot Dogare being lifted. But meanwhile, club has a Facebook, Instagram, orRoast was held at the Junction of OS32there are a lot of things people can do Twitter account in addition to theirin Troy, Vermont. VAST-suppliedindividually:website. Some have all three! Socialsocial-distancing signage was affixed media has become the preferred modeto tables that were spaced six feet Join your local clubs (or any clubs!) of communication to get the wordapart, allowing club members to putsocial media pages.out, not just about trail updates butmasked-faces to names over a trail-side Participate in your clubs monthly also about raffles, events, and othersnack, meet and thank the groomers,meeting, reaching out to get the Zoom club happenings. There are also manyand make some new acquaintances. Inlink.Facebook groups explicitly dedicatedaddition to the hot dogs and a chili-Support your clubs local business to Vermont snowmobilers that alsocook-off, several items were raffled-offsponsors.help to spread news. Clubs havethat were donated by local businesses. also established Venmo and PayPalThe custom cornhole boards made by Buy a raffle ticket.accounts to process donations. SeveralRobin Brown of Derby were one of the Add another club membership successful side-by-side and sled rafflesmost coveted items.The clubs 45thto support grooming and trail have been held entirely virtual thisAnniversary merchandise was offeredmaintenance.season, with drawings and winnersfor sale, and the event put almost announced via Facebook Live. $1500 into the club treasury.Buy some club merchandise. WhoIn the fall of 2020, clubs resorted toEarlier in the morning the day ofdoesnt need a new hat?Zoom meetings in view of gatheringthe hot dog roast, a section of trail Look for upcoming off-season and quarantine restrictions. The daysin Newport Center was christenedevents like summer barbecues or trail of going to a meeting at the localTetreault Flats, so named becausemaintenance outings.American Legion and getting a goodit is dedicated to long-time clubBut most importantly, as the 2021 breakfast into the bargain were overmember Rene Tetreault and his family,season winds down, please find the for at least the foreseeable future.for their many years of service andtime to thank your local club for their Nowadays, anyone who wants todedication to the Country Riders Club.ingenuity in the face of the pandemic: attend a club meeting can get a linkA good crowd was on hand to hearthe hard-working officers, groomers, and login information via email. Thesestories about how the club startedand sponsors that keep our sport alive. and reminders that hard work and 6 | Snowmobile VERMONT'