How to Start a Grassroots Group to Preserve Human-Powered Snowsports

Are you and other human-powered recreationists you know experiencing motorized encroachment on public lands you have traditionally used for quiet winter recreation?

To help preserve a quality human-powered snowsports experience on public lands in your area, consider starting a grassroots group. Building a strong, effective grassroots group is the key to winning your issue.

Here are suggestions on how to build a group:

• Decide exactly what the purpose of the group will be. For example, is there a need to stop snowmobile encroachment on public lands you have traditionally used for quiet winter recreation? Is there a proposed ski area expansion that will restrict your access to the backcountry? Or perhaps you want to host events to promote skiing in your area. It is especially important for a new group with limited resources to clearly identify its purpose. Remember, no one group can effectively tackle every issue.
• Identify who will be in your group. You don't need to have a large number of people; a group can start with one or two people who love to ski and want to protect and preserve human-powered recreation areas.
• Choose a name for your group. Your name should be simple and clearly convey your focus.
• Decide whether you will ask for an annual membership donation.
• Decide who the group leader(s) will be.
• Determine when, where and how often the members of your group will meet.
• For privacy and security consider getting a post office box for your group's mailing address.
• Create a simple logo and letterhead to identify your group. For a logo, ask a graphic design student for help. Letterhead can be easily and inexpensively done on a personal computer, or by a quick-print business like Kinkos. Letterhead can identify your group as a professional organization, establish legitimacy and provide uniformity for all of your correspondence.
• Decide where your base of operations will be. Then dedicate a filing cabinet, or even a plastic filing crate, for your group's business records.
• Create files for: membership, finances, contact info and correspondence with land managers and congressional reps, documentation of conflicts, media contacts and all related articles, group history, etc.
• Keep simple but accurate financial records: save all receipts, record the dates, amounts and purpose for all money spent or received.
• Prepare form letters and other copies your group will need: membership sign-up forms, welcome letters for new members, thank you letters for donations, a position paper explaining the issues, copies of Executive Orders and Codes of Federal Regulations.
• Build a network and identify the "power people!"
• Research and collect contact information for organizations and individuals your group will need to work with: Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, local snowmobile groups, local/national conservation organizations, congressional reps, community leaders and business owners, etc.
• Develop your media contacts. Make a list of all media outlets and individuals who may be interested in your group's purpose and activities. Include the name and title of the contact, their address, phone, fax, email, deadlines, and how they prefer to receive your info.
• Learn the formula for writing effective press releases. This is an effective and inexpensive way of keeping your issue out front.
• Create a web site to inform others about the issues in your backcountry area and to collect names and comments. Winter Wildlands Alliance can provide assistance and a link to your site from ours.
• As funds allow, invest in a separate phone line for your group. An answering machine with your group name will allow potential group members, the media, land managers, public officials, etc., to contact you any time. It also lends credibility to your group.
• Create fundraising activities that also spread the word about your group and its purpose. Ideas include raffles, benefit concerts and performances, yard sales, ski and equipment swaps, fun runs and races, etc. Investigate sponsorships from local business.
• Use Winter Wildlands Alliance for support and as a resource for building a grassroots group, media and political contacts, current information on winter recreation issues and land management agencies.
• See A Fact Sheet for Organizing to Preserve Human-Powered Snowsports.