One very important business item that is handled each year at the NOHVCC Annual Conference is the election of the members and officers of the NOHVCC Board of Directors. The 2023 NOHVCC Annual Conference in Midway Utah will feature elections for many of these board positions. This year the President, Treasurer, and Secretary will be up for election. As for the Issue Area Representatives (IAR) on the board Public Lands, Private Lands, Youth and Education, and Clubs and Associations will be up for election. We will also have one Member At Large Position up for election as well. Many of our dedicated board members are likely to run for re-election, however there are also opportunities for NOHVCC State Partners to step up to a leadership role in the organization. Member at Large Positions and IARs may be held by held by any NOHVCC State Partner, but the Executive Positions must be held by an individual who has served at least one year on the board.
In preparation for these elections and to give State Partners a bit of insight into what life on the NOHVCC Board of Directors looks like, a few of our board members have provided their thoughts and experiences on being on the board. We hope that this inspires our State Partners to research and entertain the thought of running for a board position to help NOHVCC develop their plans and actions for the future as we continue to create a positive future for OHV recreation.
Dan Kleen, President: Dan stepped back up as Board President after a brief retirement in 2022. Dan is currently filling a vacant role after the resignation of the previous Board President. Dan has served over 20 years on the NOHVCC Board.
From your perspective, what are the responsibilities of your position?
I believe the main job of the President is to be the liaison between Staff and Board members. Also, to work closely with our Executive Director to be the voice of NOHVCC with our other partners. Help facilitate Board meetings. Represent NOHVCC where needed examples are CQC, ARRA, INOHVAA and others.
Why should State Partners want to be a member of the NOHVCC Board?
Most importantly the NOHVCC Board helps set the goals and the course for NOHVCC’s future. NOHVCC State Partners are usually the OHV movers and shakers in their own State. The NOHVCC Board can really use that expertise and experience.
What is your favorite part about being on the NOHVCC Board?
Without a doubt the friendships I have made over the years and the opportunities to learn from others.
What experience(s) have you gained from being a member of the NOHVCC Board?
Serving on the Board has allowed me to travel around the country to attend NOHVCC and other conferences. Also giving me the chance to ride in locations I otherwise would not have seen.
What are the time requirements for being an active member of the NOHVCC Board?
It varies, depending on what projects the Board is working on but usually 2 hours for the NOHVCC monthly Board meeting and the President position can expect several hours per week for phone calls and attending other partners regular meetings.
What are the major challenges facing the NOHVCC Board in the next two years?
Working on sustainable funding and increasing staff.
What are the major opportunities you see for NOHVCC in the next two years?
I am very excited about recent changes NOHVCC has made with Marc as Executive Director and with the great work Laura is doing. Our support has never been stronger from our Board and partners.
Carol Smith, Youth and Education IAR: Carol has served several terms on the board and continues to be a valuable resource bringing her experience from providing many years of teaching OHV safety and ethics to youth and beginner riders in Texas.
From your perspective, what are the responsibilities of your position?
In my position as the Y&E IAR, it’s my responsibility to keep a close watch for new and original educational opportunities for youth and adults, to determine how to best disseminate our educational materials, to work with all the states to keep up with changing laws concerning youth and adult education that may be needed to enjoy OHV on public lands. To work with the entire Board to create and promote OHV safety education, primarily to youth and to educate adult OHV users (and non-OHV users) about safe, legal and responsible OHV use.
Why should State Partners want to be a member of the NOHVCC Board?
The NOHVCC Board is a place to be able to work with some of the most OHV knowledgeable folks in the nation. It’s a great place to be if you have a need or wish to affect change in one way or another within the OHV community. You’ll have access to agency folks, both federal and state, and a plethora of information from all over the nation. It’s also a perfect way to give back to your OHV community.
What is your favorite part about being on the NOHVCC Board?
The people- the Board members are all amazing, educated people- all working towards the common goal of a positive future for OHV recreation.
What experience(s) have you gained from being a member of the NOHVCC Board?
Too many to list! I guess the best overall experience I’ve had is to realize that we all (the OHV community) have common issues/problems and many times the NOHVCC can assist you, because someone else has been through it before you. There is such a treasure trove of knowledge in this organization!
What are the time requirements for being an active member of the NOHVCC Board?
Key word in this question is “active”. I don’t know if I can be considered active or not, but I can tell you that I spend an average of 2-3 hours during a 5 day week on NOHVCC business. Now, there may be times when I don’t do anything in a given week. But next week I’ll have an issue to work with and spend 4-5 hours on it. It’s very fluid.
What are the major challenges facing the NOHVCC Board in the next two years?
We shouldn’t put all our financial eggs in one basket. We need to spread our fundraising around a bit and not be so dependent upon a sole source contributor. I think that having a large “rainy day” fund has proven extremely valuable and we should keep that going as much as possible, albeit in a better investment vehicle. We need to repair and regain any confidence that may have been lost in the eyes of our national ( and international) OHV community, be it with agency personnel, a funder, a state partner, or the general public.
What are the major opportunities you see for NOHVCC in the next two years?
Increasing our name recognition to the public, creating and providing the educational opportunities that our community needs, more and larger funding from various streams and hiring more and retaining the current staff.
Bryan Much, Public Lands IAR: Bryan has just finished his first term as a board member. His approach as a man of action, yet rational and careful examination of issues has been a very welcome on the Board.
From your perspective, what are the responsibilities of your position?
The Public Lands IAR must have significant knowledge and experience related to OHV use on public lands. The development of the wisdom and experience required of this position is generally gained by dealing with government land management agencies and individual land managers. It is important to understand the programs and processes related to OHV management on public lands. Knowledge and experience should involve work with federal agencies, state agencies, county government, parks, and other local jurisdictions. Having a well-developed knowledge and experience allows the IAR to work with state partners and other personnel to assist them, when required, with initiatives related to OHV recreation and public lands.
Why should State Partners want to be a member of the NOHVCC Board?
This is an opportunity to offer ideas and initiatives that contribute to the evolution and refinement of our organization. State Partners sometimes have a broad range of experience and insight that supports our organization to be effective over the long term.
What is your favorite part about being on the NOHVCC Board?
Offering initiatives and working with others to make the most of our organization.
What experience(s) have you gained from being a member of the NOHVCC Board?
I have gained more insight as to how our organization works. I’ve also benefitted from the experiences and wisdom of others as we all work together in support of our mutual interests and goals.
What are the time requirements for being an active member of the NOHVCC Board?
An active board member is probably already very active in other OHV related roles in their home state – some of which can overlap with NOHVCC. An active board member must be willing to dedicate the time to do research, prepare written information papers or initiatives, do committee work, make contacts with state partners, and very actively share information up and down the line. This is not an even flow of effort as requirements and opportunities can vary over time.
What are the major challenges facing the NOHVCC Board in the next two years?
As excellent organizations do, NOHVCC has been evaluating their posture in the dynamic OHV advocacy environment. There is a lot of work to be done to chart the best course forward to ensure we are best supporting our mission.
What are the major opportunities you see for NOHVCC in the next two years?
As NOHVCC relooks and refines their efforts, there is a great opportunity to emerge from recent controversy as an even more credible, focused, and effective organization that enjoys more independence from implied influences tied to our sources of funding.
Members of the NOHVCC Board are required to attend monthly virtual board meetings and remain engaged in e-mail and phone discussions that take place throughout the month. Other commitments vary based upon organizational need, scheduling, and board member availability. Sign up for elections will be available at the NOHVCC annual conference. It is a role that you get out of what you put into it. Our board members are committed to NOHVCC’s mission and have been vital in carrying NOHVCC through what has been a rather transitional year. We hope that this insight inspires our State Partners to consider the honor of following these wonderful individuals and leading NOHVCC into the future.
