February 17, 2009
Howard London
26 Cherry Road
Ithaca NY 14850
Re: BSA merger with the Colorado Mountain Club
Dear Friend of the Backcountry,
After the resignation of our Executive Director in November of last year, the BSA Board of Directors decided to take the opportunity to evaluate any and all options for the future of the organization. The guiding question of our discussion was “what is the most effective way to fulfill our mission?”
The Backcountry Snowsports Alliance (BSA) has a long history as the primary voice for the human powered winter enthusiast in Colorado. During the last 18 years our Board, staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to ensure that you have quiet areas to enjoy the winter landscape. Though the organization was formed out of the conflict between motorized and non-motorized users on Vail pass, we have since worked all over the state to resolve issues in a respectful and collaborative way. From those humble beginnings, we now have four local chapters, nearly 400 members and positive relationships with the land managers of Colorado.
Our successes have been hard won and there have been numerous hurdles to overcome along the way. The most substantial hurdles have always been fundraising for a “niche” issue and maintaining enough of a staff presence to manage and grow the organization. These hurdles still exist and would continue to limit the impacts that the BSA can have on the land management decisions in Colorado.
With this in mind, the Board began exploring merger opportunities with other like-minded organizations, including the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC). The CMC has been a partner of the BSA since our beginning and has worked with us on the Vail Pass Task Force, White River Travel Management Plan, ski area expansion issues and many other winter related advocacy objectives over the years. While the CMC may be better known as an activities-based club, they have one of the most effective and well-funded conservation and advocacy departments in the state. The CMC is a recognized leader on non-motorized advocacy issues and working in a collaborative manner to effect workable solutions that improve the non-motorized experience.
Much of the CMC’s recent advocacy efforts have focused on motorized travel in the non-snow months but they had recently decided to dedicate more resources protecting your non-motorized winter experience. Thus, the possibility of a merger came at a fortuitous time for the CMC as well and both organizations became excited about the possibilities that would be possible by joining forces.
After several meetings between the BSA and the CMC, The Board of Directors of both organizations recently passed a resolution approving the merger. The resolution reads:
The Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) and the Backcountry Snow Sports Alliance (BSA) hereby resolve to implement a merger to enhance the missions of each organization, serving the interests of non-motorized backcountry winter recreation; to recognize, support, and preserve the current BSA chapters; to enhance the purpose of the BSA by forming a committee initially comprised of current BSA board members to assist the CMC Conservation Department; to continue BSA fundraising activities and provide leadership to current BSA chapters; and the CMC Board of Directors shall include representation from the current BSA BOD in addition to Lee Rimel.
The objective of the merger is to combine and strengthen the missions of both organizations and enhance advocacy for quiet, human powered backcountry recreation. In addition, the merger will result in operational efficiencies for both organizations. However, the challenge is working out the details and a great deal of work will need to be completed during the coming weeks and months to ensure the merger does indeed enhance the mission of the BSA.
The BSA Boards of Directors did not come to this decision lightly and we firmly believe the mission that you have supported with your time and money will be strengthened through this merger. By joining forces we have an amazing opportunity to better protect the human-powered winter experience, offer improved membership benefits and provide better leadership and support to our chapter members so they can have more impact on their local issues.
However, for this to become reality we will continue to need your support and involvement. During the coming weeks, the merger committee will begin working out the details of the merger and we would like feedback about how to move forward. To make your voice heard, please email your thoughts and ideas to bsa@backcountryalliance.org. In addition, you can learn more about the CMC and their conservation and advocacy programs at www.cmc.org/conservation/conservation.aspx
Sincerely,
The BSA Board of Directors
Greg Mears, President
Heath Mackay, Vice President
Ben Dodge, Secretary
David Belin, Treasurer
Rich Cook
Kristyn Econome
Tom Gordon
Ellen Hollinshead
Leslie Lovejoy
Bob Moore
Chuck Ogilby
Lee Rimel
Rocky Smith
Mike Smith
Zac Wiebe
