CA4WDC and Sport-Specific Clubs

[LYIN' KING]

I am writing to share my personal observations about the importance of a sport-specific state association like the California Association of 4Wheel Drive Clubs (CA4WDC). Since my first published article about landuse and public lands in 1982 (yea, 30 years ago since I got in the fight), I have always preached the critical need of clubs and individuals belonging to “everything they can afford and that makes sense to them.” Nothing has changed. The strength of our landuse fights lies in our clubs and organizations, supported by folks like you. Now more than ever is the time to be in the game at the national AND state level.

Obviously I believe firmly in our national umbrella group for all sports, all trails – the BlueRibbon Coalition. But I also feel just as strongly about clubs being members of state associations for their sport. It goes hand in hand with our successes in keeping the sport alive. Every four-wheeler in CA should belong to CA4WDC. I am not confused about that. If you want to add other groups to your lists of memberships (that you can afford and that make sense to you), then for sure I encourage that as well. It is all about memberships.

I will add that my entire training course (the Recreational Leadership Training Course - RLTC) is based in the fact that volunteer organizations, from churches to charities to clubs, always have “issues” and maybe even some “drama.” It just seems to be human nature. Many times the issues are driven by personalities, misunderstandings, lack of communication, or just plain ugliness of some sort. No matter; the strength of volunteer associations/clubs lies in its members working together to a brighter future to serve the cause. It’s all about all of us being on the team, getting past issues, and shoring up those groups we belong to. It’s about fixing things that are broken so we can all have a better off-road future.

I hope you will join me and be in the game, by being a solid member of BRC and for four-wheelers, the Calif. Assoc. of 4Wheel Drive Clubs (CA4WDC). If you join other groups as well, I applaud you.

Thanks for listening,

Del
Del Albright

[Jeff Knoll]

I would like to add something to this from my own personal experience.

Clubs are the first line of defense in keeping land open.

I joined Cal 4 wheel as an individual member back in early 1990. I was a 20 year old with the wrong idea about what 4 wheeling was. Cal 4 wheel taught me how to be a responsible 4 wheeler.

Its a shame that politics has gotten in the way of that major part of what associations can do. EDUCATION.

[Kurtuleas]

Del has written a lot of stuff over the years... and he has done it EXTREMELY well..

But that post above may just trump everything he has written.



BTW: I took his RLTC course, and IMO, it is a MUST DO for anyone involved in four wheeling. Even someone involved in the sport for years can learn a lot from that course.

Even better are Del's VLLS courses which are in person and take place over a weekend. If you EVERY get a chance to take that course: TAKE IT! (They are not offered as much becuase it takes $$ sponsorships to hold them)

[Jeepndel]

Thanks for chiming in guys. Good stuff.

I fear for our sports...I guess more than ever. The sky is not falling; don't get me wrong, but by God the ceiling level is lowering and it's time we quit digging and do more building.

If I had a million bucks to give away, I'd pass it out like candy to ANYONE helping build our organizations, fixing the crap that is broken, and turning the tide of bs that flows continually our way from groups who don't like us.

Kurt and Jeff, you get the first stack of "huns" off the pile -- if I had it.

Del

[LYIN' KING]

Originally Posted by Jeepndel

Thanks for chiming in guys. Good stuff.
If I had a million bucks to give away, I'd pass it out like candy to ANYONE helping build our organizations, fixing the crap that is broken, and turning the tide of bs that flows continually our way from groups who don't like us.
Del

Someone sympathetic to our plight does have a million bucks, loves OHV, hates groups opposing OHV and might be persuaded to join the fight.

Of course, you get the WHOLE package were he to toss his hat in the ring.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...racing-hunting

The Speed channel is currently highlighting a rebuild of Ted’s 80’s Zebra striped Bronco.
http://www.tednugent.com/news/projects/bushmasterTruck/
Assembling the Beast: Ted Nugent Bronco [S6 Ep.7-1] - YouTube

Check out his web site . . . http://www.tednugent.com/default.aspx

Yes, he supports Ducks Unlimited and some conservation groups but I don’t see any of the big litigious groups in his list.

We need to think WAY out of the box for support. Yes, we’ve talked about support from “Jeep” and other manufacturers, OHV parts suppliers and so on but that doesn’t even scratch the surface.

What about NASCAR guys that fish and hunt in their spare time and often use 4x4s, UTVs, ATVs etc to do it? Other professional sport figures past and present who enjoy the outdoors using motorized means, Football, Baseball, Basketball folks etc.

Magazines like JP and others who depend on and cover our sport, TV Channels like Speed, ESPN, etc that televise OHV, Monster Truck, Motocross and other motorsports.

TV celebrities enjoy motorsports, Paul Newman is just one of many good examples.

There are many other sources that have disposable income and not all of them are in bed with the anti-everything folks, we just have to find them and try to solicit some financial support.

[Kurtuleas]

I already tried Ted.

I actually got to his agent and spoke with her for quite awhile.

The answer was no.

Then again, that was a few years back when Eldo was first going thru route dez.

[LYIN' KING]

At least you tried and were thinking out of the box! I can't see how he will not support a sport he enjoyed professionally for many years and rigs he currently makes use of in his Safari Adventures business.

http://www.tednugent.com/sunrize/sun...6-d998a8905814