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12.2025 BOD Meeting Minutes

by | Jul 27, 2026 | minutes

MISORVA

Board of Directors Meeting 12/6/2025

Newberry, Michigan

 

  • Call to Order/Welcome: The Meeting was called to order at 10:05 am by President pro tem Todd Maschke, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance
  • Roll Call: Scott Matteson took roll of the BOD. Absent were Greg Ruppel, Dan White, Brad Beardsley. Guests in attendance were Karen Middendorp, Paul Kline, Doug Baum, Gudi Pristine, Jessica Holley-Roehrs, Don Reed, Bob Middendorp, Tim Wheeler, Steve Scholl, Dean Grosnickle, Tim Robare. 
  • October Meeting Absences: Gary Blaser made a motion to excuse directors absent from October’s meeting, second by Brian Vannette – Motion carried
  • Approval of Agenda: Items added to the agenda – section G of new business “Technology Committee”. Motion by David Low to approve the agenda as amended, second by Ernie Reimann – Motion carried. 
  • Minutes of Previous Meeting: Ernie Reimann made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, second by Steve Veltman – Motion carried. 
  • Treasurer’s Report: Mark Pankner presented the Treasurer’s report that was included in the BOD packet. Karen Middendorp thanked Mark for his work over the last 8 years. 
    1. Executive Director’s Report: Oral update by Karen M.          
  • Public Comment: Don Reed talked about the passing of Rex Hyrns and what a loss to the snowmobiling community that is. Groomer rollers and SAW meeting discussed.  
  1. Standing Committee Reports:
  • Legislative: Scott Burby provided an oral report 
  • Membership: Brad Beardsley – not present
  • Publication: Brad Beardsley – not present
  • Trail Coordination Reports: Mark Coe gave report about the Benzie-Manistee Snowbirds trail improvements and troubles with communication with the DNR about permanent trail acquisitions. Sean O’Neil discussed the work it took to open the Miner Castle trail back up. 
  •  Special Reports: 
    • Dirt Grading Workshop: No report
    • Snow Groomer Workshop: Karen Middendorp provided an oral report. To be held February 24-26, 2025
  • ISA/MISROVA Membership Ride: Jan. 27-29 in Brimley. 
  • SAW: Discussed in public comment
  • ORVAW: Mark Coe provided an oral report
  • Dirt Bike Liaison: Scott Burby provided an oral report
  • Bylaws –No updates received       

      Representation Reports:  

  • ACSA: Karyn Robare provided an oral report – ACSA Trail Ride Jan. 28 – February 1 in Watersmeet. Mountain ride Feb. 18-23 in Montana.

                US Forest Reports:

    • Ottawa: Ernie Reimann Provided an oral report
    • Hiawatha: No Report
  • Huron: Gary Blaser provided an oral report
  • Huron Manistee: No Report
  • Old Business: 
  • Policy manual updates: 
  • Ernie Reimann made motion to adopt suggestion 1 of the changes to Section 4.11 of the policy manual, second by Rich Rottier. Vote taken 9 in favor 5 opposed – Motion failed.
  • Brian Vannette made motion to adopt suggestion 2 of the changes to section 4.11 of the policy manual, second by Karyn Robare. Vote taken, 8 in favor 4 opposed – motion carried. 
  • Scott Burby made a motion to add to policy manual that any officer candidate must have served 2 years on the BOD to be eligible, second by Ernie Reimann – motion caried.
  • Mark Coe made a motion to accept option 2 for section 5 of the policy manual, second by Karyn Robare – motion failed. 
  • Brian Vannette made a motion to make the per diem for BOD the same as the Executive Directors per diem, second by Mark Coe – motion carried.
  • Rich Rottier made a motion to remove Past Presidents from section 6, second by Scott Burby – motion carried.      
  • Bylaw updates: Updated Bylaws from the general membership meeting were presented.
  • Novi Report: Karen Middendorp gave report, 34 new members signed up. Questioned the cost to the benefit gained from this show. Attendance was down and the show keeps getting smaller.  
  • New Business:
  • Announcement of the 2026 BOD: Karyn Robare introduced the incoming 2026 board of directors
  • Saw member expirations Chad Vanbennekom and Karen Middendorp: 
  • Karyn Robare made a motion to designate Rich Rottier as the MISORVA Region 1 SAW representative, second by Brain Vannette – motion carried. 
  • Brian Vannette made a motion to designate Karen Middendorp as the MISORVA Region 3 SAW representative, second by Karyn Robare – motion carried.   
  • 2026 Legislative Liaison: President–elect Karyn Robare appoints Mark Coe as Legislative Liaison. Rich Rottier made a motion to accept Mark Coe’s appointment as Legislative Liaison, second by Ernie Riemann – motion carried. 
  • Representatives to affiliate Organizations: Ernie Reimann made a motion to make Karyn Robare the ACSA representative and Karen Middendorp as the Alternate Representative, second by Bryan Vannette – motion carried.
  • Expectations for the Board of Directors: We need more active involvement including promoting the organization, attendance at your local district meetings, and communication with your district organizations.  
  • 2026 meeting dates:
  •  Scott Veltman made a motion to start in person meetings at 9:00 and virtual meetings at 6:30, no second – motion failed. 
  • Mark Coe made a motion to accept meeting schedule as presented with 6:30 virtual meeting start time, second by Ernie Reimann – motion carried. 
  • Technology committee: Sean O’Neil made a motion to start a Technology committee led by Sean O’Neil, Scott Matteson, and Gina Hassevoort to review the website, all social media, and technology that MISORVA uses, second by Gary Blaser – motion passed.
  • Next meeting: January 28th, 2026 – Virtual 
  • Adjournment: David Low made a motion to Adjourn, second by Mike Keith. Motion passed.

 

Respectively submitted by Scott Matteson. 

 

*Reminder: Pursuant to Section 4-11 of our policy manual, “Any delegate, elected or appointed, under this Article may have one (1) excused absence from a scheduled Board of Directors meeting without reason within the calendar year (Jan-December). Subsequent absence will require to be excused by a majority vote at the next BOD meeting and may result in being removed from the Board of Directors.” **If you cannot attend, please contact the MISORVA Secretary via email, call, or text prior to the beginning of the meeting. **

 

 Per the Policy Manual: 

  • Your responsibilities as a BOD member include but are not limited to ●
  1. Attend all board and committee meetings and attend as many functions and special events as possible.
  2. Be informed about the organization’s mission, service, policies, and programs. 
  3. Be prepared for board meetings by reviewing the meeting agenda and supporting materials.
  4. Serve on committees or task forces and offer to take on special assignments when your capacity allows. 

5.Make personal financial contributions to the organization when you are able. 

  1. Inform others about the organization. Advocate for the organization. 
  2. Suggest possible nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the organization. 
  3. Keep up to date on developments in the organization field. 
  4. Follow conflict of interest and confidentiality policies. 
  5. Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization’s financial statements. 
  6. Any delegate, elected or appointed, under this Article may have one (1) excused absence from a scheduled Board of Directors meeting without reason within the calendar year (Jan-December). Subsequent absence will require to be excused by a majority vote at the next BOD meeting and may result in being removed from the Board of Directors.
  7. Board member’s first and highest loyalty must be to the organization and its mission. Social Media commentary is not only a direct reflection of you personally but also of the organization. Commentary that is considered false, defamatory, obscene, proprietary or libelous by any offended party should not be posted and will not be tolerated. Violations of any of the guidelines listed in this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including removal from the Board of Directors. If you become aware of any violations of this policy you should report the violation to the Executive Committee. 
  8. Recognize that the chief function of MISORVA at all times is to serve the best interests of our constituency.
  9. Accept as a personal duty the responsibility to keep up-to-date on emerging issues and to conduct ourselves with professional competence, fairness, impartiality, efficiency, and effectiveness. 
  10. Keep the community informed about issues affecting it. 
  11. Conduct our organizational and operational duties with positive leadership exemplified by open communication, creativity, dedication, and compassion.
  12. Exercise whatever discretionary authority we have under the law to carry out the mission of the organization. 
  13. Serve with respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness in carrying out the organization’s mission. 19. Demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, honesty, and fortitude in all our activities to inspire confidence and trust in our activities. 
  14. Avoid any interest or activity that is in conflict with the conduct of our official duties. 
  15. Respect and protect privileged information to which we have access in the course of our official duties. 
  16. Strive for personal and professional excellence and encourage the professional development of others.