Grand Mesa Nordic Council
Five Year Plan
July 15, 2007
Updated October 2008 for 2007-08 budget line and Board membership
Introduction: Grand Mesa Nordic Council (GMNC) is a community based nonprofit organization composed of cross country skiers and snowshoers from around the Grand Mesa region. The Council is governed by a volunteer board of directors from the local communities and funded by membership fees, business sponsors, fund raising events, and grants. A primary emphasis of the GMNC is trail grooming, maintenance, and development. The Grand Mesa, located in western Colorado, is the world’s largest flat top mountain with over 200 lakes at an elevation above 10,000 feet.
Mission Statement: The Grand Mesa Nordic Council is dedicated to promoting fun, safe, diversified cross country skiing experiences on the Grand Mesa for skiers of all ages, abilities, and interests.
Organization History: The Grand Mesa Nordic Council was founded in March, 1990. The new organization was immediately successful by recruiting members and getting grants from Delta County, Mesa County, and the Grand Junction Lions Club which made possible the purchase of its first snowmobile, a 1991 Ski-Doo Alpine II, and some basic grooming equipment. Permits to groom were granted by the U.S. Forest Service. IRS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit and 170(b) tax deductible charity status were granted by the IRS.
Trail Development History: Winter trail grooming officially began at the Ward Lake trail system during the week of January 14th, 1991. It was the original goal of the eight volunteer groomers, working in pairs, to have at least 5 km of groomed tracks available at Ward Lake and/or Skyway for each weekend. By January 19th, 1991 a 12 km system had been packed out by GMNC volunteers.
Summer and fall trail maintenance work by volunteers has been ongoing annually since the organization’s inception. This work has included expanding routes, widening existing trails, constructing bridges, and clearing debris, boulders, and trees.
By the 2006-07 season, the GMNC had a grooming budget of approximately $14,000, which included funds for two paid groomers. Twenty-five to thirty kilometers of trails were groomed and available on a daily basis, weather permitting.
Finances:
Membership/Revenue History:
Season
Members
Membership
Revenues
Revenue
from Grants, Donations, etc.
Total
Revenues
1990-91
77
$1,820
$10,867
$12,687
1991-92
93
$2,292
$13,388
$15,680
1992-93
127
$2,923
$6,669
$9,592
1993-94
149
$3,110
$10,978
$14,088
1994-95
149
$5,180
$6,147
$11,327
1995-96
154
$4,995
$2,729
$7,724
1996-97
150
$4,531
$9,376
$13,907
1997-98
130
$7,365
$12,049
$19,414
1998-99
120
$6,987
$8,983
$15,970
1999-00
106
$8,465
$9,038
$17,503
2000-01
242
$10,731
$10,955
$21,631
2001-02
278
$12,145
$8,640
$20,785
2002-03
285
$13,198
$23,618
$37,001
2003-04
371
$15,455
$14,835
$30,278
2004-05
366
$16,700
$11,189
$27,889
2005-06
386
$18,765
$45,609
$164,645
2006-07
432
$23,140
$68,223
$106,748
2007-08
411
$14,795
$28,302
$43,097
Inventory History:
1969 Alpine Snowmobile (Pd $1000 1/23/98) (Sold $1200 10/03)
1991 Alpine snowmobile (Delta County purchased for GMNC)
2000 Artic Cat snowmobile (Pd $6715.25 10/27/99)
2001 Artic Cat snowmobile (Pd $6500 9/18/01)
2001 Haul Trailer (Pd $995 3/26/01)
2002 Yellowstone HDPE Roller/compactor (Pd $1555 2/21/01)
Trail Grooming Equipment (roller, grader, tracksetter etc)
Trailer owned by Delta County but gave to GMNC
Chainsaw + case (Stihl SIN 253909810) (Pd $324.90 11/9/02)
2003 Yellowstone HDPE Roller/compactor (Pd $1610 – 4-1-03)
2002 SkiDoo Skandic snowmobile (Pd $6,000 – 10-1-03)
2005 60” Ginzugroomer + wings + sweeps + tracksetter ($3830 – 2/05)
2006 Skidoo Skandic SWT snowmobile ($8073.47 – 12/21/05)
2005 Piston-Bully Snow Cat (Pd $150,600 – 11-1-06)
Seiko S141 300 Lap Memory Stop Watch ($189.95 – 12/23/06)
MV-20S Fanon Deluxe Megaphone ($147.99 – 2/07)
2006 Triton Snowmobile trailer (Pd $2450 by Delta County – 1/26/07)
2007 Snow Cat cab cover (Pd $971.53 - 6-12-07)
2006-07 Skis for Kids (Pd $6488 for pairs: 92 boots, 65 poles, 85 skis)
GRAND MESA NORDIC COUNCIL
2006-2007 FINANCIAL REPORT
BEGINNING BANK BALANCES 5/6/06 $176,035.11 INCOME
Grants 68,223.00
Skis for Kids 2,223.75
Trail Boxes 2,466.50
Races 1,461.00
Fund Raising & Events 620.00
Interest & Misc 8,613.84
Membership 23,140.00
Income for Year 106,748.09
TOTAL INCOME 282,783.20
Capital Improvement 153,764.62
County Line/Skyway 10,928.33
Ward 1,690.72
Races 374.00
Fund Raising 396.00
Insurance 1,821.00
Newsletter 1348.64
Misc. 507.18
TOTAL EXPENSES $186,464.98
ENDING BANK BALANCES 4/30/07 $96,318.22
IRS status: The Grand Mesa Nordic Council is an IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt not-for-profit and a 170(b) charity that develops and grooms cross-country ski trails for public use.
2007-2012 Five Year Goals:
With USFS approval, add quality to the GMNC cross country trail system by: a) building the proposed new trail connecting the Sunset Overlook to the far northeast portion of Vista Loop at the Skyway trails; b) relocate the Deep Slough trail out of the wind at the Ward Creek trails; c) plus any other trail modifications as needed for skier and groomer safety.
Explore the possibility of providing a snow cat shelter at either the Skyway or County Line trailhead, with this shelter also serving as a center for first aid or rescue operations.
Explore the possibility of providing electricity to either the Skyway or County Line trailhead.
Assist beginning cross-country skiers through publications, tutorials, and lessons. To this end continue to develop programs such as Skis For Kids, the Grand Mesa Gliders, and the Barnelopet.
Continue to maintain and upgrade current trail systems at Skyway, County Line, and Ward Lake prior to snow season by clearing of trees, brush, and other impediments to snow grooming in the winter.
Continue to raise money through memberships, donations, grants, events, and sponsors to pay for trail groomers and grooming equipment to keep trails groomed at Skyway, County Line, and Ward Lake throughout the winter season.
Continue to coordinate and work with the USFS on the maintenance and posting of signs on trails for navigation, safety, and preservation of quality of groomed trails.
Continue to publish trail maps for public use at trailheads, Grand Mesa Forest Service Visitor Center, and other locations.
Continue to publish a newsletter at least twice a year.
Continue to publish a Grand Mesa Nordic Council web site that promotes and informs about GMNC cross-country skiing on the Grand Mesa.
Continue to host at least four cross-country ski races each season for skiers of all skill levels.
Continue to seek and work with current corporate partners to help sustain the viability of the Grand Mesa Nordic Council, through ongoing financial assistance in return for acknowledgment of the partnership in GMNC publications and web site.
Work in partnership with the USFS to pave the Skyway parking lot.
Work in partnership with the USFS to build a new outhouse at County Line.
Work in partnership with the USFS to enlarge and pave parking lot at County Line.
Upgrade grooming equipment as needed.
Board of Directors:
Christie Aschwanden, Board President, GMNC Fundraising and Ski Instruction,
Profession: Writer-Editor
Annie Deprey, Board Vice President and Grand Mesa Gliders Committee Chair,
Profession: Lawyer
Sarah Dufford, Grand Mesa Gliders Committee Member,
Profession: Administrative Assistant and Pro Canine Handler
Tom Ela, GMNC Race Director and Outreach,
Profession: Data Analyst
Jerry Evans, Operations Sub-Committee Member,
Profession: Commercial Airline Pilot
Anita Evans/Richard Hypio (shared position), Managers of Skis For Kids Program,
Professions: Teachers
Al Fournier, GMNC Groomer and Operations Sub-Committee Member,
Dave Knutson, Planning and Fundraising,
Profession: Human Resources Consultant
Jane McGarry/Chuck Behrensmeyer (shared position)
Profession: Copyeditor/Blacksmith
Joe Ramey, Secretary and Operations Sub-Committee Chair,
Profession: Meteorologist
Winslow Robertson, Grooming Sub-Committee Member,
Profession: Federal Fire Fighter
Kenton Shaw
Profession: Construction Supervisor
Christina Stark, Grand Mesa Gliders Committee Member,\
Profession: Natural Resource Specialist
Officers:
Christie Aschwanden, President
Annie Deprey, Vice-President
Ruth Wild and Suzi Evans, Treasurers
Joe Ramey, Secretary
APPENDIX:
IRS 501c3 Status (letter from IRS dated Nov 27, 1991)