OSSA and your tax dollars?

[DLynn]

Go to the link, http://tfcny.fdncenter.org/990s/990search/esearch.php
type in "Oregon State Snowmobile Association" add in the state "OR" Read the 990 tax returns for 2005 - 2008. Very interesting.
Executive director gets a +/- 5k a year increase every year, spends $61,000 on their travel (almost doubled in 3 years). Remember they provide NO written explanation to us on what they spend their money on. How much money do they spend on protecting the Oregon riding areas? Ask someone from Mount Hood area or Bend where OSSA tried to give away Dutchman snow park in trade for a low elevation parking lot. How much goes to helping the clubs with trail maintenance or something that would really help the sport?
We have sent formal requests to OSSA asking for details of their past budgets and expenditures. Guess what we got told?...NO.
Looks to me like one person controls all the money and has been in the same position for many years. No checks and balances. It's time for a correction of poor management practices.

You decide for your selves.

 

[clutch man]

From clutch man
if you go to the link and read where your money goes it will upset you.
There is to much money going out with out any thing to show for it.
You never hear what good comes from the trips to DC or any where for that
mater. This looks like a travel club for the cronies in OSSA and that is it.
I for one don’t like it.
OPEN THE LINK AND OPEN YOUR EYES.

 

[clutch man]

this is a must read. go to the link and let us know what you think.
give some in put here please.

 

[Super Dave3]

Ossa

From clutch man
if you go to the link and read where your money goes it will upset you.
There is to much money going out with out any thing to show for it.
You never hear what good comes from the trips to DC or any where for that
mater. This looks like a travel club for the cronies in OSSA and that is it.
I for one don’t like it.
OPEN THE LINK AND OPEN YOUR EYES.

I have long suspected of shady buisness practices from Peggy and her group but it doesn't seem there is anything that is going to change anytime soon. Our club hosted the state convention a few years ago and got nothing but grief from them. When asked about their spending practices we were told its none of our buisness. Sadly I will not be joining the club this year because I refuse to give OSSA any more of my money.

 

[Mountaintech]

Sounds like its time for a changing of the guard.

 

[DLynn]

These people just do not stop!

I received information that the leaders of OSSA are out talking to clubs about coughing up more money for fighting the proposed Crater Lake closure. They feel if you donate to a cause that really fights land use issues like SAWS or Blue Ribbon that you should pay an equal amount to OSSA. This has to be the comedy show of the year. Considering OSSA doesn't and hasn't spent a dime on fighting anything that I can see, why do they want more of our money? They spent about a thousand dollars to a local self proclaimed expert on the proposed closure of Dutchman snow park / Kapka issue just to undermine the people who were trying to keep it open. As a matter of fact the person who is now working on the Kapka Butte snow park is being paid from a grant from the Fed's and he is not a local person. On the Mount Hood issue OSSA made sure they successfully lost that fight, again I cant see where they spent a dime. Let us not forget they have been collecting money for years and telling everyone it is for "legal action". So where is this money at? They claim to have $40,000.00 in their legal action fund plus a $5,000.00 grant. Maybe they just do not want to spend THEIR money. Maybe they feel every time they go on some big dollar vacations on our money that this constitutes fighting for snowmobilers. (Remember they refuse to give us any information on what they do or spend on these vacations.)

Maybe OSSA should spend their time grooming trails and stay out of the land use arena. They seem to have a hard enough time keeping their books straight on grooming without trying to venture into areas best left to the pro's like SAWS, and people who really care about keeping areas open without some hidden agenda in the background.

Once again OSSA could be a great organization and a real benefit to the snowmobile community. Sadly it is just so miss-managed and full of the "GOOD OLD BOY" mentality it will never flourish until this group is gone. Way to much of the "this is the way it has always been done" and as long as I don't have to do anything all must be well.

Take action snowmobilers......don’t wait for someone else to deal with the issues. This is how we got into this mess.

This entire issue could have been resolved a year ago if OSSA would have simply been willing to sit down and go over the details of their operation with a few people who are members. When a public organization refuses to show the books we can only assume their must be something to hide.

Something new to ponder. More to come soon.

 

[eludnu]

I've been hearing about OSSA and "issues" from multiple sources. Since I'm not a member, (SAWs though) I am interested in figuring out a manner in which to implement change. Certainly not providing them with funding is one method, but there clearly needs to be a change in leadership. How exactly is that done?

 

[Tree Killer]

I have long suspected of shady buisness practices from Peggy and her group but it doesn't seem there is anything that is going to change anytime soon. Our club hosted the state convention a few years ago and got nothing but grief from them. When asked about their spending practices we were told its none of our buisness. Sadly I will not be joining the club this year because I refuse to give OSSA any more of my money.

The best way to stop the shady business at the top is to stop their funding,after reading these post's I will not renew my dew's,If the GOOD OL BOY'S at the top wont tell the clubs where the money is going.I believe all the club's should all get together and give them "Peggy and her group" a ultimatum. Because it is our business it's our money

 

[suitcase]

O.s.s.a. What are they doing

Well that brings some major concers to the table, I quote from the above post ( IT IS OUR BUSINESS, IT'S OUR MONEY) so why can't we have and statement of funds from O.S.S.A. What are they worried about??? Perhaps we should ask John Vogel (president and Peggy Spieger (Executive Director) What they did on the trip to Wastington D.C. what was discussed with Sen. Jeff Merkley, Congressman Greg Walden and others this spring. Did they ackually do some lobbying? Or was it just another vacation. If there is mis-management of funds in O.S.S.A. then they are no better than our current administration that is in the white house. So if they are not getting the job done to support our access and our trails and snow parks, then there needs to be someone in there that will do what is right with the money that is payed to O.S.S.A. by the members.

 

[JBerry62390]

i believe change is possible not probable but more action should be taken from each individual and the snowmobilers in the state of oregon should hold there own meeting and if everyone pitched in even a little for the RIGHT causes we just might be able to stop this mis-representation and corruption


TEAM UP TAKE A STAND!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DLynn]

That what I am talking about.

Thank you all for your comments. This type of information is why people do not get involved with clubs and organizations.

I see Moon Country has been terminated from the OSSA's roster for asking to many questions and trying to allow any snowmobiler in our state to join their club without having to be a member of OSSA. DON'T MESS with OSSA.
They (MC) pulled out of the grooming program because the grooming director (who is controlled by OSSA) refused show the hidden books to the club and the club could not figure out how to file their 990 tax returns with out the documents to back them up. Come to find out the past directors of MC which included the OSSA VP failed to mess with filing the tax returns for the club .... ever. If you read the OSSA bylaws we see it is the OSSA district directors job to make sure all the clubs file their tax returns and fill out all their State and Federal forms correctly. Guess our District 4 director who was aware of the issues must have been to busy to let us little people know. It does appear that most of the other OSSA clubs in district 4 are having the same problems MC has had. MC tried to put an article in the OSSA news paper to let the other clubs know about the 990 tax issue and the article was removed under the premise it was not in the best interest of snowmobiling.
The new board of MC has been trying to clean up the mess left behind for almost a year.
So be advised if you ask questions or dare to question the great and powerful OSSA you too may become a banished club. Please ask questions of OSSA, it is your money that runs the show. Even if you do not belong to OSSA your gas tax money via ODOT goes to support this group to the tune of 7-8 hundred thousand a year.

Yes it is shame this has to come out this way. We have tried to talk to OSSA many times and they refuse to deal with our requests in a business like manner.

Lets review:
OSSA spends close to 61,000.00 a year on travel.
Right at 18,000.00 on office expenses.
ZERO $0.00 on fighting land use issues.
They don't even donate to those who are fighting for us.
OSSA makes most of the decisions for the 25,0000 snowmobilers in Oregon and OSSA only represents 10% +/- of us.
It's no wonder why their numbers are shrinking every year.

http://tfcny.fdncenter.org/990_pdf_archive/510/510157168/510157168_200704_990O.pdf just in case you are interested in seeing their tax returns.

There is nothing wrong with the organization.....just the way it is run.

Isn't is a shame this organization just wouldn't sit down and communicate with it's members.

 

[Mountaintech]

That what I am talking about.

Thank you all for your comments. This type of information is why people do not get involved with clubs and organizations.

I see Moon Country has been terminated from the OSSA's roster for asking to many questions and trying to allow any snowmobiler in our state to join their club without having to be a member of OSSA. DON'T MESS with OSSA.
They (MC) pulled out of the grooming program because the grooming director (who is controlled by OSSA) refused show the hidden books to the club and the club could not figure out how to file their 990 tax returns with out the documents to back them up. Come to find out the past directors of MC which included the OSSA VP failed to mess with filing the tax returns for the club .... ever. If you read the OSSA bylaws we see it is the OSSA district directors job to make sure all the clubs file their tax returns and fill out all their State and Federal forms correctly. Guess our District 4 director who was aware of the issues must have been to busy to let us little people know. It does appear that most of the other OSSA clubs in district 4 are having the same problems MC has had. MC tried to put an article in the OSSA news paper to let the other clubs know about the 990 tax issue and the article was removed under the premise it was not in the best interest of snowmobiling.
The new board of MC has been trying to clean up the mess left behind for almost a year.
So be advised if you ask questions or dare to question the great and powerful OSSA you too may become a banished club. Please ask questions of OSSA, it is your money that runs the show. Even if you do not belong to OSSA your gas tax money via ODOT goes to support this group to the tune of 7-8 hundred thousand a year.

Yes it is shame this has to come out this way. We have tried to talk to OSSA many times and they refuse to deal with our requests in a business like manner.

Lets review:
OSSA spends close to 61,000.00 a year on travel.
Right at 18,000.00 on office expenses.
ZERO $0.00 on fighting land use issues.
They don't even donate to those who are fighting for us.
OSSA makes most of the decisions for the 25,0000 snowmobilers in Oregon and OSSA only represents 10% +/- of us.
It's no wonder why their numbers are shrinking every year.

http://tfcny.fdncenter.org/990_pdf_archive/510/510157168/510157168_200704_990O.pdf just in case you are interested in seeing their tax returns.

There is nothing wrong with the organization.....just the way it is run.

Isn't is a shame this organization just wouldn't sit down and communicate with it's members.

So what is up with the new Snowbusters club? Did they really just start up to save the grooming, or are they in cahoots with the OSSA?

 

[DLynn]

The Snow Busters are the same exact people who screwed up Moon Country club and then started a new club. This was done because the grooming is run by OSSA and the money all comes from OSSA. You have to be one of the good old boys to become part of the grooming program.

Now do not get me wrong. These guys do a great job grooming, but they only follow the directions of OSSA which makes them very poor money managers in my personal opinion.

 

[05m7rb]

ossa

i dont think D lynn knows what he is talking about

 

[Maul]

i dont think D lynn knows what he is talking about

I agree

 

[Mountaintech]

I agree

Well maybe you would care to enlighten us.

 

[RickPDX]

i dont think D lynn knows what he is talking about

Yes please tell us!

 

[Maul]

The Snow Busters are the same exact people who screwed up Moon Country club and then started a new club.

This was done because the grooming is run by OSSA and the money all comes from OSSA.

You have to be one of the good old boys to become part of the grooming program.


First off I'm not going to get into a he said she said deal I'm just going to plat devils addvicat (sorry about my spelling)

So the snow buster are the ones that screwed up moon country. I would like to know how and why these people would do that to a great club that has beed around for so long.

So the new club was started because the grooming is run and funded by OSSA. In other words Moon Country did not want to be part of OSSA. That must mean that a new club had to be started or there would be no grooming in the lower Mt Bachelor area because Moon Country did not want anything to do with the grooming program. Who would want to belong to a club that did not support grooming, could you imagine how bad the trails would be there with the amount of traffic they get without grooming..

You have to be one of the good ol boys to be part of the grooming program huh. Well I understand people wanting to help out but you cant let every tom dick and harry jump in the groomer and take off. I dont think there is just a chosen few that are able to run the groomer. I would imagine if someone asked they would be more than welcome to ride along and learn the ropes to becoming a groomer opperater. The more volenteres there are I think there would be less of a work load on everyone.

 

[RickPDX]

The Snow Busters are the same exact people who screwed up Moon Country club and then started a new club.

This was done because the grooming is run by OSSA and the money all comes from OSSA.

You have to be one of the good old boys to become part of the grooming program.


First off I'm not going to get into a he said she said deal I'm just going to plat devils addvicat (sorry about my spelling)

So the snow buster are the ones that screwed up moon country. I would like to know how and why these people would do that to a great club that has beed around for so long.

So the new club was started because the grooming is run and funded by OSSA. In other words Moon Country did not want to be part of OSSA. That must mean that a new club had to be started or there would be no grooming in the lower Mt Bachelor area because Moon Country did not want anything to do with the grooming program. Who would want to belong to a club that did not support grooming, could you imagine how bad the trails would be there with the amount of traffic they get without grooming..

You have to be one of the good ol boys to be part of the grooming program huh. Well I understand people wanting to help out but you cant let every tom dick and harry jump in the groomer and take off. I dont think there is just a chosen few that are able to run the groomer. I would imagine if someone asked they would be more than welcome to ride along and learn the ropes to becoming a groomer opperater. The more volenteres there are I think there would be less of a work load on everyone.

Well I asked if they needed any help at all and was told no, they have all the help they need. Having worked at a ski area for over 10 years I explained that I had some experience with snow cats, running and maintenance. Again I was told they had all the help they need.
I guess I am not one of the good ol boys!

 

[DLynn]

Sounds to me like you all have it figured out. I think RickPDX understands completely. Snow busters was started because MC would not allow anymore OSSA funds to flow into it's clubs books until they could share the grooming books so MC could report their 990 tax return. It has nothing to do with not wanting to support grooming but has everything to do with proper book keeping practices. The grooming chairman has been doing the same old stuff for a 100 years and in the past never felt it necessary to worry about reporting anything to anybody including the IRS. His wife is the VP of OSSA and between the two of them had never filed or made anyone aware that MC had to file a tax returns. The new BOD has been working to clean up the mess left behind for these "good ol boys and girls". Maybe your club is not plagued with good ol boys but MC was. It is almost fixed and all the State and Federal docs are filed and we are hoping to get all our IRS fines waved however it is still all up in the air. If the IRS will not play ball with us we will be bankrupt and gone anyway after paying the fines create by you know who.
This is the readers digest version of a very long and unfortunate story. The grooming people do a great job at grooming. Sadly it's the paperwork that has suffered.