What does giving back look like?
There are multiple ways to give back as a trail user and we don’t want everyone to think the only way is to pay for membership, although if you can afford $39 per year we would greatly appreciate your membership and can assure you it will go toward the trails. We’ll get more into membership later.
#1 Attend Volunteer Day
Attending a volunteer day is beneficial in several ways. To have a healthy trail network you must have a strong volunteer team, not just for dig days either. The volunteer team is a networking team, a team that digs and builds together, shares ideas together, and respects each other. Some of the best ideas regarding trail maintenance and design, event improvements, etc come from our volunteers. Lead or start a group ride, host a trail maintenance day outside the normal trail system’s scheduled work day, or have a post-ride social in the parking lot. The idea is to get more people involved as volunteers. When volunteers feel like part of a team they are more likely to help out in other ways.
Leading trail days, Leading group rides, Helping out on a committee for the organization, and some may just be crazy enough to get more involved by putting their passion and skills to work as a board member, who knows... But it starts with volunteers.
Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes with all types of skills.
Trails need cut back with pruners
Trails need dirt work
Trails need construction improvements (kiosks, bridges, crib walls, etc)
Trails need rock armoring
Trails need weedeating
Trails need certified sawyers/arborist
Trails need folks willing to help, someone that is interested in learning and getting involved.
#2 Charitable Contributions
Charitable contributions can be a corporate sponsor, individual monetary donations, food or beverage donations for trail days, equipment donations, swag donation for events or to give to volunteers, etc. There are many ways to donate to your local club.
#3 Membership
Yes, membership helps! Membership dollars are put to use via purchasing of tools, signs, fuel, food or beverage for volunteers, and toward keeping things running as an organization, etc. Membership isn’t a money making scheme. Truly every membership dollar plus much more is needed to run HMBA so we can provide the best trail systems for riders, hikers, runners. Wait a minute. Hikers and runners aren’t on wheels. Who even are our members? While most of our members do straddle a bike, they aren’t limited to just riders. Simply, our members consist of anyone that enjoy the trails we build and maintain. So please share our organization with these other trail users too. Increased membership numbers strengthen our voice when talking with government representatives, land managers/owners, and writing grants.
#4 Sharing
Share and like our social media posts and emails. Talk with your friends at the trailhead about becoming a member, volunteering opportunities, and going to our events. Sharing is caring 😊 and growing our bike / trail community is a win-win for everyone.
#5 Attending MTB Events
HMBA, BCMB, SIMBA, along with others host annual fundraising events. These events look something like this: A long weekend of riding, hanging with fellow riders, listening to some great bands, camping, drinking, eating, silent auctions, bike demos, etc. So, in other words an amazing weekend with likeminded people and an opportunity to meet and ride with new and old friends. Side note signing up early is always greatly appreciated as it helps those planning the event.
So as you can see there are plenty of opportunities to support the trails you love and enjoy to ride, run, or hike. I encourage everyone to become a supporter in some way, shape, or form. I’m not requesting everyone all of a sudden start seeking trail days to attend. However if you do you are absolutely welcome with open arms. If trail days aren’t your thing, or simply don’t fit your schedule we’d still love to have you as a member. Click the button or QR code below. And if you have the means to offer swag, provide trail day meals, or donate a corporate sponsorship please hit us up.
