The Federation of Quebec Snowmobile Clubs is at a crossroads regarding the future of snowmobiling in Quebec. Changes are needed in the way the organization that represents member clubs and all snowmobilers in Quebec operates.
During the last annual conference, held in Rivière-du-Loup, leaders presented their vision for the future to delegates from member clubs.
“We explained our strategic planning for 25-30 to the delegates, offering them the different directions we want to follow, starting with changes in management,” explained Federation Director General Stéphane Desroches. “We need to change the way we operate to better manage by giving the board the tools it needs. Over the past year, we have formed new committees that have allowed us to better define our role. We need to change the operating model to truly be more effective.”
The second file presented to the congressman concerned communications.
“We need to change the image of snowmobiling, raise awareness among the youth to provide for the next generation. There is an age group that we need to reach to make them aware of what we do.”
He wants to go further than just raising awareness among snowmobile enthusiasts.
“We have to go further than just snowmobiles. It's very important to raise awareness among the general population about what snowmobiles are. We want to explain that snowmobiles are not just a nuisance. Often when doing research [dans] in some engines, such as Google, we only see crashes, damage, etc. However, snowmobiling in Quebec is enjoyable. There are so many beautiful things to see and visit while snowmobiling.”
We regularly broadcast this message in my column in Magazinefor many years.
CLUBS
The backbone of the snowmobile world in Quebec is the clubs and their volunteers. Without them there would be no roads.
“We must ensure the well-being of our clubs. Taking into account the current situation with volunteering is the most important element. We are working [à] network repair, which can become a tool for ensuring a better life for clubs. We encourage clubs to help each other, [à] change mentality [suivant laquelle] This is everyone's own club. The situation with volunteering has changed a lot. There are fewer of them. So we need to find a way for clubs to work together. As a Federation, we must work better with the regions, reaching out to member clubs to help them at all levels. This is the role we intend to fulfill in the future in our new government.”
As an example, he cites the fact that some clubs do not have the financial means to invest the necessary amounts in the various assistance programs offered by the Federation. “We want to work with the clubs and their representatives to find solutions.”
ON THE FIELD
Federation leaders want to be directly involved in what is happening on the ground.
“We recognize the new realities of the snowmobiling world: fewer members, therefore less income. We need to help clubs cope with some important situations, such as climate change. We need to develop tools together with our clubs. Also, do we still have the funds to maintain 33,000 kilometers of trails? We need to think about where we can go now in the snowmobiling world and how we can do it together, with our clubs. We want to develop snowmobiles, this is a product that is part of the DNA of the people of Quebec.”
Leaders want to recognize the importance of snowmobiles to the economy.
“There are villages where people ride snowmobiles in winter,” explained the general director. “We must make this reality clear to the entire population. We are far from a crossroads. We must look further and help clubs who may need us get through this. This is where the new strategic planning of our organization will come into play.”
The Federation understands that we need to get back to basics by helping the clubs and their volunteers who are the heart of the snowmobile world in Quebec. Without them there would be nothing, not even the Federation.
