Re: why join AERC?

["Robert Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net>]

Linda:

You stated <<<<>Where was AERC?  I'm a member of AERC and have NEVER
received this sort of support and information from them.  I would far rather
see my dollars going towards trail preservation & construction than money
going to national awards.  The awards are nice recognition, but they will
DISAPPEAR if there are no trails to ride on!!>>>

Just remember that YOU ARE AERC!!! You have a voice as to how your dues are
spent. You have a voice in what programs are endorsed. You have the ability
to change things.

All it takes is many hundreds of hours as a Director of AERC, listening to
complaints but little helpful criticism.

To help, contact the Board of Directors with a viable proposal as to what
you think is needed and how to attain it. Believe me it will get attention.
The problem is not the problem, the solution is the true problem!!!

If enough members feel that awards are less important than trails then
trails will get the attention. All you have to do is prove that point and
show your support.

I for one will support you in the endeavor for trails. Contact Connie Berto,
Chair of the Trails Committee. Work with her. submit a petition to the BoD
showing a major portion of AERC members would rather have trails than
awards. It is a very simple thing to do (just takes time and money)

Sorry to say I have been working on such for many years and am running out
of time.


Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID
-----Original Message-----
From: Flemmer, Linda <flemmerl@rcbhsc.wvu.edu>
To: Nat & Richard <trailride@foothill.net>
Cc: connie B Berto <cberto@juno.com>; hillfolk@foothill.net
<hillfolk@foothill.net>; ridecamp@endurance.net <ridecamp@endurance.net>;
wstf@foothill.net <wstf@foothill.net>
Date: Monday, January 11, 1999 1:12 PM
Subject: Re: why join AERC?


>Nat & Richard wrote:
>>
>>
>> Trail maintenance is all well and good, but I, for one, would prefer to
see AERC
>> take a more effective role at the national level to preserve, if not
expand
>> endurance trail mileage.
>>  5) Interact/negotiate/lobby with other national-level stakeholders,
including
>>     government agencies, other horse organizations, runners, mountain
bikers,
>>     environmental groups, ranchers, timber groups.
>
>I have to second Rich's statements.  This is definitely a place for
>national leadership from AERC!!!!!!!!!!
>
>I recently received a mailing from a Pittsburgh bicycle club that showed
>how they were part of a national fund raising drive for the organization
>who lobbies for Rails-to-Trails projects.  They were lobbying for
>donations and memberships for Rails to Trails.  Even though my husband &
>I don't bike, their brochure was very effective.  We donated!  They
>emphasized support of multi-use trails, specifically including
>horse-back riding.
>
>They send out periodic updates of Rails to Trails projects, legislative
>alerts, maps & trail information, etc.
>
>Where was AERC?  I'm a memeber of AERC and have NEVER received this sort
>of support and information from them.  I would far rather see my dollars
>going towards trail preservation & construction than money going to
>national awards.  The awards are nice recognition, but they will
>DISAPPEAR if there are no trails to ride on!!
>
>What role does AERC assume now?  Does it have a long term trail plan?
>Who is it working with?  (Rails to Trails?  Nat'l bicycle & hiking
>groups?)  Is there a way to contact AERC about local trail concerns and
>get a "national" ball rolling to assist locals?  A national organization
>(AERC) should act as a clearing house for trail issues.  They'll have
>"been there, done that" and can lead the locals clear of traps and
>legislative problems.  AERC can keep those local groups from reinventing
>the wheel each time.
>
>How about it, all you online AERC board members?  Is this happening
>quietly at AERC?  What are the AERC plans?  How are they to be
>implemented?  Time lines for implementation?
>
>Linda Flemmer
>
>