Thanks and Thanksgiving Thoughts for 2009

As I get ready to shut the HQ down to prepare for, and celebrate, Thanksgiving, The General wants to share a few thoughts with his fellow riders and friends.

It goes without saying that I am very thankful for my family and my relatively good health.

The tone and direction for today’s thought is to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to my many friends and supporters during this past year. That sentiment is extended to those of you who are club members, agency staff, riders, small business owners, law enforcement officers, government officials, web gurus, military members, industry representatives, academics, and others who make up that friend and/or support list. I won’t mention any specific names because you know who you are and I know who you are.

I work for a non-profit organization and, as such, am dependent on the charity and generosity of people and companies that support the cause. Be assured, I am acutely aware of that fact and work every day to respect and honor your commitment and donations.

As you know, The General has faced, and continues to face, a number of very complex and difficult land use issues. 2010 will be just as challenging.

This Thanksgiving, I will snap a salute and raise a toast to you at the dinner table.

Happy Thanksgiving!

When It Gets Tough...Donations Matter!

What makes the Cycle Gear donation so impressive this year is that Bertram did it despite tough economic conditions that have hit the industry and users very hard.
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Cycle Gear Donation News Release
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?story=665

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Cycle Gear Trail Fund Program
http://www.cyclegear.com/keepriding.cfm

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I know of a number of motorcycle dealers that have either gone out of business or are just barely scraping by.

In The General’s opinion, land-use groups will only survive in the foreseeable future with the support of programs like the Cycle Gear Trail Fund and donations from clubs and individuals. I take my helmet off to all of the clubs and riders who participated in CG’s cash match effort and for those who send in that extra donation to keep BRC going.

When it gets tough, the tough get going. Bertram and all of you who help support the cause deserve a salute!
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Rock The Trail 2009 Update

Back in June, The General wrote about getting celebrities, artists, musicians, and actors more involved in helping support (and join) our efforts to keep trails open for responsible OHV recreation.
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Original “Rock the Trail 2009” Blog
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2009/06/rock-trail-in-2009.html

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Well, it appears that some stars may be up to that challenge based on a lunch meeting I had yesterday with a retired NFL player with two Super Bowl rings.

2009 may just be the year that OHV access groups “Rock the Trail” with new support from various celebrities who want to help us preserve and protect our right to access recreational opportunities on public lands.

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BRC Obtains Status for CFC Donations

For a number of years, pro-access government employees have strongly urged the BlueRibbon Coalition to obtain official status in the Combined Federal Campaign Charity List.

Today that vision was realized when the BRC announced that the United States Office Of Personnel Management has granted the aforementioned status. BRC will be listed under the National/International Independent Organizations list for charitable donations.

BRC News Release on CFC Status
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?story=641


I know that BRC has many supporters in the federal land agencies and our military who want to donate to its effort to champion good stewardship of public lands. According to
the BRC news release--the organization will be listed as: 11402 BlueRibbon Coalition.

I think a special note of thanks should go to BRC executive director, Greg Mumm, and his staff for a mission accomplished.