b'VAST NewsFIND THE HELMET A message from VAST Vice President Mark ReavesWell, the weather gods have notSo, why do we commit so been particularly kind to us so far.much blood, sweat and tears to Wait a minute, I think Ive writtensomething that even in the best of that before! Ironically as I sit hereyears is so fleeting? Everybody writing this on March 22, we arehas their own reasons, and I cant under a winter storm warningpretend to speak for anyone other for what could be the largestthan myself.And speaking for snowstorm of the year! Despitemyself, I have multiple reasons 12 year old Austin McKnight found thethe somewhat inhospitablethat I give my time and effort to helmet on the inside cover of last issueconditions weve had this winter,snowmobiling. First off, riding is on the shoulder of a Vermont Fish andwe did manage to get a bit offun! I like riding and I know that Wildlife Warden. If you can find theriding in, but you really had toif I want to ride, there needs to helmet in this issue, send an email tojump on any opportunity thatbe trails and there wouldnt be editor@vtvast.org and you could win apresented itself. As always,any trails without people working VAST t-shirt! our clubs and volunteers did aon them. Another reason I like tremendous job working withto volunteer is that I enjoy the what they were given. My hatpeople I work with in my club, VAST SIGN SHOP goes off to all of them. county and at the VAST level. The That brings me to the topic offinal reason that Ill talk about By Mandy Dwinell this months column, volunteers.is the sense of obligation that I Beginning this Spring with a tentativeVAST is driven by volunteers,have to my fellow riders. When I launch date of May 1, will be the newso much so that I often thinksee the amount of effort that my online store format for the VAST SignVAST should stand for Volunteerfellow riders put in to making Shop. Association of Snow Travelers!such a wonderful trail system The amount of work that goescome to life, I want to keep up The new online store will be availableinto creating our trail systemmy end of the bargain and do by a link on the Forms page on theeach year is astounding. It goeswhat I can to keep things going. VAST website.The online store willbeyond what you see when youI want to make sure my fellow include a photo, description, cost asclimb on your sled and startriders and future riders have the well as the quantity in stock.cruising down the trail. It evensame opportunities to experience Clubs will be able to utilize the onlinegoes beyond the work you seeVermont in winter that I have.store to order both standard andgoing on during the run-up toAs I finish writing this, I ask that customized signs. Clubs will havethe season. It goes beyond theyou give a thought about why you options to view their ordering historytrail clearing, bridge buildingdedicate your time and energy and order status. and ditch digging. Behind theto VAST and snowmobiling. And The payment option for the onlinescenes, volunteers are managingwhen you do, I hope you realize store defaults with VAST sending theclubs social media, submittinghow important a part you play in club an invoice, this is similar to whatgrant paperwork and organizingour success.clubs are currently receiving. fundraisers. This is true from theMark Reaves, smallest club right up through theVAST Vice PresidentVAST board and officers.VAST CLUB SPRING CONSTRUCTION COURSEThe 2024 Spring Construction Course will be in a similar online format as last years course and will be available May 1-May 31. The course will include brief videos on topics such as an Overview of the VAST Website, Club Resources, Signing, Equipment Grant-In Aid & Construction Grant-in Aid, Debrushing, and more. More information and details will be sent to clubs soon via eNews and emails.Late Winter 2024 | 5'