JULY 2026

NEW CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY WITH MN DNR REQUIREMENTS FOR DNR GRANTEES

Starting with your mandatory DNR Meetings you were given language that is required to be added to your clubs or trail associations by-laws if you receive GIA funds from the DNR. The language is for a Conflict-of-Interest Policy as fraud has rocked the state of Minnesota and governmental agencies. You do NOT need to hire an attorney to do this work.  

You are required to complete these 2 steps:

1. Step 1: You simply take the language provided by the DNR and call it Addendum "A“. Attach that Addendum “A“ to the back of your current bylaws.
2. Step 2: During your normal meeting someone makes a motion to add Addendum “A” to the language regarding a Conflict-of-Interest Policy to your current bylaws. Then a Second is made and recorded. Call to Vote is taken, and record should show approved.  

Keep a record of that vote, as you may need to prove to your “sponsor“ that this was validated. Also, best practice is to keep a copy of your NEW Addendum “A“ added Bylaws handy as again your “ sponsor“ may ask to see your complete bylaws, showing the Addendum “A” PRIOR too funding your clubs or trail associations benchmarks. Here is the language provide by the DNR to make your Addendum “A“ legal.  

Club leadership (officers and those making any decisions on expenditures) must avoid actual or potential/perceived conflicts of interest when conducting club business and managing GIA funds. Club leadership with an actual or potential/ perceived conflict must disclose it to the club’s officers, ensure the disclosure is recorded in meeting minutes and abstain from related decisions. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action or affect the club’s eligibility for reimbursements and future grant funding.  

PLEASE REACH OUT DIRECTLY TO YOUR LOCAL DNR REPRESENTATIVE WITH QUESTIONS.

HAY DAYS MNUSA BUILDING UPDATE

Scott Wakefield started out by laying out the building on our site with string and stakes, tape measures and about 2 hours later, the site was ready for excavation. Excavation took place on Saturday July 18th the sod come off easily exposing a “ sugar sand ‘ base, forms were put up rebar installed, and it was squared and level with the world via a transom, despite the 95 degree temps, and no shade, and very little wind we got a lot done in 5 hours. Saturday July 25th was overcast and expected to be 105 feels like temps, we had a big crew ready to work, and at 9am sharp, the cement truck showed up, in short order we had the pad done. The sky continued to be cloudy all day, after around 2 hours, a slow curing application was made. Next step will be the actual building delivered to the site on Saturday August 1st giving us 42 days to Hay Days, to get the apron poured and electrical, insulation, interior wall board etc, ready. WHEW! Thanks to our building crew, up to this point Gary Gordon, Bob Heidlberger, Wally Heidlberger, Brandon, Mike, Greg Strommen, Paul Maruska, Chris Karpesh. If you have made a commitment to the building you need to get your logo to Hope Koosman at hkoosman@heraldjournal.com and your payment to the office by August 1st ! 

The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) remains committed to fighting to keep your land open for your enjoyment. We are currently focusing on two critical areas to protect snowmobile access:

1. Forest Service Over-Snow Vehicle Rule: The current rule restricts snowmobile access. Please tell the agency to rescind 36 CFR Part 212 Subpart C: https://blueribboncoalition.org/rescind-36-cfr-subpart-c-over-snow-vehicle-rule/

2. Rio Grande National Forest Draft EIS: Comments are needed by July 29th regarding Over-Snow Vehicle access across 1.8 million acres: https://blueribboncoalition.org/rio-grande-national-forest-over-snow-draft-eis/

Thank you for your continued support in keeping our public lands open.

MnUSA Hay Days Buidling

Sponsorship Opportunities

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS THAT HAVE DONATED!

Limited spots still available!

$5000 Sponsor
North Country Snowmobile Club

$1000 Sponsor

Northern Pine Riders | Douglas Area Trail Association

ALL SPONSORS: Please remember that we need your logo/2x3 sign design by August 1st for printing and installation before Hay Days this fall.

PLEDGED SPONSORS: Please remember that we need your payment by August 1st to be added to any recognition signage.

MORE UPCOMING EVENTS!

JUL 9-13 : MnUSA Summer Meeting Hill City, MN

AUG 7-9: Vintage Snowmobile National Championship Huron, SD

AUG 28-29: Outlaws Grass Drags Princeton, MN

SEPT 12-13: Sno Barons Hay Days North Branch, MN

MnUSA BOOTH APPEARANCES

AUG 28-29: Outlaws Grass Drags Princeton, MN

SEPT 12-13: Sno Barons Hay Days North Branch, MN

Want FREE Admission to an event?

Help support MnUSA and volunteer to work at the MnUSA Booth and receive admission passes as a thank you for volunteering!

Contact Scott Wakefield at to schedule a time! 

ATTENTION CLUBS!

Having an event? Have the MnUSA Membership Booth come join you!

Our Membership:Booth Committee is always looking for opportunities to be present for your event. If you would like a MnUSA Booth at your upcoming club/community event, please reach out to the Membership:Booth Committee.

Membership:Booth Committee Interim Chair

Scott Wakefield

612-483-5638

oliver1650@icloud.com

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS

EFFECTIVE MAY 1

Tue-Wed*: 8:30am-4:30pm

Thu-Mon: CLOSED

*Days may vary. Please contact office to set up appointment if needed.

Membership Benefits

Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association is a proud partner with American Income Life (aka Globe Life), a 100% union insurance company. Through this partnership, all members of Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association have $4000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment policy at no cost.

As a member of MnUSA, you should have received a second letter in the mail, in the past few weeks going over member benefits. If you have previously already responded to this request, please disregard this notice.

It is not a requirement for members to designate a beneficiary in order to receive this benefit, if you do, please note:

1. An AIL representative will be contacting you to confirm your beneficiary, and to inform you of additional benefits: AIL PLUS (saves 10-85% on out of pocket healthcare costs), FREE Will Kit, and FREE Child Safety Kits.
2. If you experience any issues with your AIL/Globe Life agent, or have any questions about AIL or your benefits, please feel free to contact the MnUSA Office or our AIL representatives directly for assistance:

IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH SALES CALLS FROM AIL, PLEASE REACH OUT TO THE OFFICE OR TYLER HARLAN FOR ASSISTANCE

Miranda McKee

msmckee@ailife.com

866-797-6455

Issues of Minnesota Snowmobiling run from

September-March each season.

Issues will start up again next fall!

ATTENTION MEMBERS!

Help MnUSA save money and read Minnesota Snowmobiling digitally online! To remove yourself from our mailing list please CONTACT US, asking to be removed from our magazine mailing list.

Fun events? Exciting club news?

Share it in the magazine!

Have a business and want to advertise?

ATTENTION CLUBS!

REQUEST YOUR RAFFLE CALENDARS TODAY!

CALENDAR PHOTO WINNER: JULY 2026

Photo by Garrett Laing

Near Big Fork, MN

THIS MONTHS QUESTION

LAST MONTHS RESULTS

Do you have an after-market exhaust system installed on your sled?

YES: 22% (14)

NO: 78% (51)