Volunteering
Volunteers keep NMA going, without them many of the trails we ride wouldn’t exist. Your time as a volunteer makes you a central part of our community, not to mention, It’s a blast! Volunteering on the trails, in the office, at an event, or on your chapter’s board is also a great way to make new friends.
Recording and tracking your volunteer hours in “Track It Forward” is extremely important, as they are factored into how many dollars we receive from some grants.
More hours = More $$
Members:
Please read and sign the waiver and media release form for NMA events.
Click Here
A Note From Our President
Years ago I learned each hour volunteered has a dollar value associated with it in certain types of grants used for trail maintenance. These contributions are called “matching funds”. Your NMA – and public land agencies like DNR and USFS – use these matching funds in our trail maintenance grants. These matching funds can be used in only one grant (NMA’s grants or a land agency’s). If the same matching fund is donated to more than one grant it is called “double reporting” and doesn’t align with general policies related to certain grants nor NMA’s ethics. So, how should you report your volunteer hours?! Well, after reading this I hope you’ll decide to report all your hours directly to NMA’s tracking system. Read on to learn why you should.
NMA began standardizing a volunteer tracking system in 2019 with a tool developed by Track It Forward. Initially, NMA used it to help determine how much match it could potentially provide in its grant application for the 2020 NOVA and RTP application season that is administered by the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office. Thanks to the data acquired, NMA was able to factually demonstrate the value of motorized volunteers and was awarded its application for the “NMA Moto-Volunteer” grant in 2020. NMA used this grant to support volunteers with tools, supplies, training, insurance, and PPE during the 2020 NOVA/RTP grant working season (November 2021 through October 2023). In fact, so many hours were reported during that season that NMA donated the surplus hours of each work area to the respective land agencies (Cle Elum RD, Entiat RD, DNR etc.) so they could use them as match in their grants. NMA’s practice not only supports Moto-Volunteers, but also the land agencies with which we partner in making trails better.
There are many benefits in using NMA’s Moto-Volunteer tracking system. A huge one is that it gives us a better accounting of the total effort made by and impact of Moto-Volunteers. With this, NMA describes the value dirt bikers bring to the trail system at governmental policy/planning/legislation sessions and to fellow recreational user groups. It shows how and where we’re doing our part. In taking administrative responsibility of our contributions we are better able to illustrate our community’s contributions. This is absolutely crucial in preserving and expanding dirt bike trail riding in Washington. Another benefit of using NMA’s tracking system is you can earn awards like an NMA membership, exclusive Moto-Volunteer garb, and entry fees for NMA events. One final benefit we are working on is distribution of Discover Passes and Northwest Forest Service Passes to Moto-Volunteers. Some pieces of this are in place, but there is more work to do. Regardless of this statement, all hours you report to NMA’s system can be used to earn a pass from DNR or USFS -regardless of your hours initially being reported to an NMA grant or agency grant.
A key ingredient in stitching this all together is you signing the electronic NMA Event Waiver Form. NMA Volunteer opportunities, the waiver form and Track It Forward can be found on this page.
I truly appreciate all you do for the trails we love. I created the Moto-Volunteer Program to better serve the trails and those that preserve the trails. I hope you’ll take advantage of the program and help it continue to grow. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at president@nmaoffroad.org.
Ride on!
Marc Toenyan
President
Northwest Motorcycle Association
NMA Volunteering Opportunities
Work Parties
Like to work in the great outdoors? Come help us keep this sport alive and sustainable! Tools are supplied at all NMA-led work parties, while tools may or or may not be supplied at club-led work parties. You can use supplied tools, bring your own tools or simply bring your strong work ethic and desire to help. Either way, your presence, participation and sweat equity are welcomed! Click below to learn more.
Events & Committees
We have opportunities to volunteer all around Washington State. We are always looking for help on committees, boards, and at our events!
Click Here to see the latest volunteering opportunities.
. . . pass it on for future riders . . .
Volunteers hard at work
