Grand Mesa Nordic Council

 

Five Year Plan

 

July 15, 2007

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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, 71 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:

 

1.      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.

 

2.      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.

 

3.      Explore the possibility of providing electricity to either the Skyway or County Line trailhead.

 

4.      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.

 

5.      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.

 

6.      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.

 

7.      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.

 

8.      Continue to publish trail maps for public use at trailheads, Grand Mesa Forest Service Visitor Center, and other locations.

 

9.      Continue to publish a newsletter at least twice a year.

 

10.  Continue to publish a Grand Mesa Nordic Council web site that promotes and informs about GMNC cross-country skiing on the Grand Mesa.

                  http://gmnc.info

 

11.  Continue to host at least four cross-country ski races each season for skiers of all skill levels.

 

12.  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.

 

13.  Work in partnership with the USFS to pave the Skyway parking lot.

 

14.  Work in partnership with the USFS to build a new outhouse at County Line.

 

15.  Work in partnership with the USFS to enlarge and pave parking lot at County Line.

 

16.  Upgrade grooming equipment as needed.

 

 

Board of Directors:

 

Christie Aschwandan, GMNC Fundraising and Ski Instruction, Profession: Writer-Editor

 

Sarah Dufford, GMNC Secretary and Grand Mesa Gliders Committee Member,

                         Profession: Administrative Assistant and Pro Canine Handler

 

Tom Ela, GMNC Race Director, Profession: Data Analyst

 

Jerry Evans, Grooming Sub-Committee Member, Profession: Commercial Airline Pilot

 

Anita Evans/Richard Hypio, Managers of Skis For Kids Program,

                                              Professions: Teacher/Surgical Assistant

 

Suzi Evans, GMNC Assistant Treasurer and Grooming Sub-Committee Member,

                    Profession: Certified Public Accountant

 

Joe Ramey, GMNC President, Profession: Meteorologist

                   

Hege Randall, GMNC Junior Skier Program Manager, Profession: Teacher

 

Bob Remmerde, GMNC Grant Writing and Trail Sign Maintenance,

                           Profession: Private Investigator

 

Winslow Robertson, GMNC Vice-President & Grooming Sub-Committee Chair,

                                  Profession: Federal Fire Fighter

 

Deb Scenters, GMNC Newsletter Editor and Outreach, Profession: Marketing Director

 

Kenton Shaw, GMNC Groomer and Grooming Sub-Committee Member,

                        Profession: Construction Supervisor

 

Fred Wild, GMNC Groomer and Grooming Sub-Committee Member,

                   Profession: Semi-Retired Farmer Out Standing in his Field

 

Officers:

 

Joe Ramey, President     Contact info: [email protected] or 970-257-7263

 

Winslow Robertson, Vice-President

 

Ruth Wild, Treasurer

 

Sarah Dufford, Secretary

 

 

APPENDIX:

IRS 501c3 Status (letter from IRS dated Nov 27, 1991)

Articles of Incorporation

GMNC By-Laws