NMMBA Board of Directors Meeting
Date and location: Wednesday, December 10th, 2025 Acme Twp Hall
Board present: Mike Walters, Kim White, Chad Jordan, Tim Reicha, Heath Day, Tom White and Steve Mentzer
Board absent: Chad Schut, Tim Jenema and Brian Pugh
Guest(s): Megan Motil and John Roe
Mission statement —---> It is our mission to Envision, Build and Protect the mountain bike experience while respecting all forest users and uses.
November meeting minutes were approved online.
Mike called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.
Public Comment:
Megan Motil from Parallel Solutions returned this month to go over information gathered from her November visit.
The board had been given in advance of the meeting an 11 page report put together by Megan highlighting results from our November session.
The document titled Governance & Operating Model Scenarios offered 4 scenarios for the board to consider.
Scenario #1 was titled Structured Volunteerism Model.
This scenario is what NMMBA currently utilizes. But it also strengthens our all volunteer structure by adding clear roles, committee charters and detailed work plans. It also keeps costs low but doesn’t necessarily resolve burnout.
Scenario #2 was titled Structured Volunteerism with Part-Time Coordinator Model.
This scenario would add a part-time coordinator to help with administration, communication, event planning and volunteer management.
The board would still make all major decisions. It would also reduce burnout, strengthen partnerships and increase consistency.
It would increase costs(pay range TBD) and limit NMMBA’s ability to pursue major fundraising opportunities.
Scenario #3.
Titled Executive Director Model.
This would require hiring a full time Executive Director(ED).
This person would lead all operations. Partnerships, trail development, fundraising and volunteer coordination among others.
It would also create the highest capacity for growth, strengthen credibility with land managers and support more ambitious trail projects.
Tradeoffs would be a higher operating cost and the need for sustained fundraising efforts.
Scenario #4 was titled Chapter-Forward Trail Council Model w/Part-Time Coordinator.
This model formalizes NMMBA as a federated network. This means that county or trail-based chapters retain autonomy for local trail work while sharing design and development standards. It would preserve the grassroots culture of local crews while improving communication and consistency.
Megan then opened up the floor for comments from the board.
On scenario #1 the pro comments were that it has worked to this point. But if growth is to be realized, it would not.
Cons were that burnout is still there. And with any big projects on the horizon, it would add more to everyone's plate.
On scenario #2 pro’s were it was the next logical step in our growth. This part-time person would have to have the best interests of the organization and help set realistic goals.
Cons were that it doesn’t completely relieve the board of the decision making process.
This would also make the board develop a more refined job description.
Comments on scenario #3 included that the ED would lead all areas of the organization. Chapter heads may see their roles diminishing.
Higher costs would be prevalent with a full time ED. Sustained fundraising and more grant opportunities would need to be accomplished.
Is this too big a step right now?
Scenario #4 comments touched on the fact that this would make our organization more flexible. A part-time person would give us more consistency and compliance with other chapters. Our chapters could then sign on or even opt out.
Megan then asked the board to see where NMMBA would like to be in 2026/27 and also 5 years down the road.
Consensus was that we favored scenario #2 with a few adding #4 to see us hiring an ED by year number 5.
Megan suggested that we finalize our job description, define our committee descriptions and define our own roles.
Financials:
Kim had presented the board with financial reports and led this discussion.
She stated that grooming badge sales have been consistent so far.
The Festival Foundation(Iceman) had donated $5,000 for our contribution. She also had received a donation from a family trust for $4,208.00.
Kim also made note of the Timber Ridge Foundation’s offer of a $10,000 year end matching gift challenge.
This resulted in a positive cash flow for the year. Which will give us a great start on future phases of projects coming up.
General fund stood at $23,417.97
Grants:
No report submitted.
Chapter Updates:
Cadillac Pathway:
There is a need to grow the Cadillac Pathway(CP) committee and volunteer base.
Glacial Hills:
Year in review:
2025 has been another busy year here at Glacial Hills and this update will tell you all about our amazing volunteers, our seasonal projects and our fantastic trail users.
This year, the trail counters have logged nearly 50,000 trail use impressions.
In the winter of 2024-2025 we had a record amount of snow. Our Grooming crew also set a record for the most times out packing it down. They went out 36 times.
Glacial Hills is blessed to have such dedicated volunteers who maintain the trails and remove those pesky invasive species.
In 2025, the maintenance crew:
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Met 27 scheduled work days (only one rain out)
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Totaled more than 1,000 hours of volunteer time
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21 of our volunteers each spent more than 10 hours working on the trails
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More than 50 different people volunteered this year for at least one work day
Our chainsaw gang moved one giant boulder and cleared more than 360 downed or leaning trees this year.
We held 22 invasive team pulls this year with 350 volunteer hours. We averaged 8 volunteers each week.
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Payton Epley was our first intern working with invasives at Glacial Hills. His hard work was truly appreciated.
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We collected over 598 pounds of garlic mustard!
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We removed many barberry bushes and started with removing autumn olive to improve sight lines on switchbacks.
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We continued to remove bull thistle and this was our first year that we did not observe any flowering wild parsnip at the Orchard Hills parking lot!
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With the support of our volunteers, all of the foot brush stations have been repaired and available at all of our trailhead access areas.
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With the support of CAKE CISMA we have treated a patch of phragmites and garlic mustard.
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Thanks to Forest Home Township for the donation of trash bags and invasive plant disposal.
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Thank you to our partners Forest Home Township for bags and invasive disposal and CAKE CISMA for support.
You may have noticed these new signs around the trails. These signs have been installed throughout the system and a corresponding search and rescue manual was finalized making it much safer for you and much easier for first responders to aid trail users should the need arise.
Winter Trails:
All trails are opened and groomed, TC is still working on finding a new sled. Badge sales are going well. There is a need to get Trevor Schmitz access to do grooming reports if John is not available.
LMB/MMBA:
John Roe led this discussion.
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Discussion of bringing IMBA back on board.
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What do we want from IMBA, what is the value?
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What are the cons? Any comments can be emailed to John.
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MMBA plans to support skills clinics held by chapters, instead of holding their own.
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State wide trail summit coming fall of “27” maybe even “26”
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Is there anything NMMBA would like Neal Glazebrook to take up with MTAC? Michigan Trail Advisory Council.
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MMBA meetings are on the 1st Thursday of each month if anyone is interested. These meetings are virtual.
Commons Bike Park:
The proposed MOU was edited by the township to give them full oversight and contract authority over the project. Andrew Farron proposed an updated version giving NMMBA these duties. There was an in person discussion with Steve Hannon and all went well, but no formal response yet.
There were no Chapter reports submitted for Bike Leelanau, Vasa Bike Park, TCTF or VST Supply Rd Trailhead.
Old Business:
Staff position. This discussion was covered in Megan’s presentation.
Updated equipment list. Steve to go over new purchases and edit list with rep from Acrisure.
New Business:
Executive Board changes.
Discussion regarding board leadership and the upcoming executive committee vote which is held during the next regular board meeting following our annual meeting in January.
Merchandise update:
Mike had been in contact with John O’Hearn regarding marketing and launching a website for NMMBA specific wear. Hats, socks, sweats, etc. Daylight Brand design and apparel had also contacted us through the website regarding offering similar services and sponsoring TCTF in the future. Chad Jordan will continue those two conversations and report back to the board.
Membership Meeting:
We are confirmed with Timber Ridge for our annual membership meeting. It will be held in the banquet hall at TR on Sunday, January 11th. From 3 to 8 pm. With a possible pre-ride scheduled.
An email will go out no more than 30 days and no later than 10 days before the annual meeting.
With that the meeting was adjourned at 8:53pm.
Submitted by
Steve Mentzer, secretary