NMMBA Board of Directors Meeting
Date and location: Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 Acme Twp Hall
Board Present: Mike Walters, Tim Reicha, Tim Jenema, Chad Jordan,
Heath Day, Chuck Hathaway, Brian Pugh, Margarete Wanley and Steve Mentzer
Board Absent: Chad Schut, Kim White and Tom White
Guests: Todd Wanley, Megan Motil, John Roe and Sarah Schaub
Mission statement —-------> It is our mission to Envision, Build and Protect the mountain bike experience while respecting all forest users and uses.
Mike called the meeting to order at 6:08 pm
Public Comment: Sarah introduced herself as a local CPA that had recently moved back to the area to be close to family. She is interested in the board’s treasurer position. She has had extensive experience working with non-profits.
Megan Motil from Parallel Solutions was back for her third visit. She had a handout with results and suggestions from earlier meetings with the board.
Her handout was titled Draft Charter Agreement & Operating Model.
The intent is to:
• Reduce volunteer burnout while preserving NMMBA’s grassroots culture
• Strengthen coordination, accountability, and risk management
• Clarify roles across the Board, chapters, volunteers, and paid staff
• Enable steady, sustainable growth without over-centralization
This draft agreement combined the board’s consensus of hiring a part time coordinator and having the trail chapters retaining autonomy.
Megan emphasized that there were three components to this document.
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Overall agreement
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Role descriptions
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Memorandum of Understanding
Guiding principles behind this document deal with a volunteer - led staff - supported structure, Chapter autonomy, Clarity over control, consistency and reducing burnout.
Governance and Operating Structure Overview
Megan advocated that we annually review priorities, goals, policies, budgets and staff roles.
This would ensure legal, financial and ethical compliance.
Be the final authority on policy, budget, staffing and investments.
She also advocated that the executive committee oversee the part time coordinator. And to ensure follow through on all board decisions.
Board Level Committees and Councils
This topic stressed regional alignment and trail prioritization.
Essentially all chapters, etc are on the same page when it comes to trail projects, visions and standards.
Next up was financing and fundraising.
Megan advocated that these two topics be separate.
Finance would be dealing with annual budgets, financial controls, insurance and compliance.
Fundraising would emphasize events and fundraising strategies.
It was also suggested that merchandise also be included in this section.
Next up was the chapters and how they would approach their duties, etc.
Currently Cadillac and TCTN are the only chapters currently established.
Local trail stewardship and community engagement were the primary focus.
Volunteers and leads were next up for discussion.
Examples were trail lead, event lead, grooming lead and communications lead.
What was stressed was for all these volunteers to follow all safety protocols and project criteria.
Part time Coordinator:
With the organization leaning heavily towards hiring a part time staffer, their duties generated a lot of discussion.
Duties may include administration, communication, volunteer support and programs and projects.
Among other thoughts were naming this person race director for TCTF and also having them be the DNR liaison.
We currently hire out a communications person and we may still keep that a separate entity.
Megan has offered to write up a more detailed job description for the board to review.
Megan also included a chart showing the decision making framework.
Decision-Making Framework Summary
Decision Type/ Authority
Strategic priorities/ Board
Policies & standards/ Board
Signature projects/ Board (on recommendation)
Local chapter projects/ Chapters (within criteria)
Day-to-day admin/ Coordinator
Financial oversight/ Treasurer & Finance Committee
Megan reviewed the duties and responsibilities of the executive board, chapters and part-time coordinator.
She presented an Operating Model Diagram.
Operating Model Diagram
Board of Directors / Trail Council
Standing Board Committees (Trails &
Programs, Finance & Risk, Events,
Fundraising)
Executive Committee
Part-Time Coordinator
Chapter Leads/ Volunteer & Program Leads/ Communications
Local Chapters & Crews (Trail Work, Events,
Community Engagement)
Last up was a suggestion to create a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) between NMMBA and the local chapters.
It would establish purpose, chapter status and autonomy, chapter responsibilities, NMMBA responsibilities, financials, risk management and conflict resolution.
The regular portion of our meeting was then underway.
Board Officer Votes:
As per our bylaws we vote in the officers for the upcoming year.
Tim R made a motion to approve Mike Walters as President, Brian Pugh as Vice-President, Kim White as Treasurer and Steve Mentzer as Secretary.
Chuck provided the 2nd and it was followed by a unanimous vote.
Financials:
Kim was absent but had provided the financials to the board.
These included the yearly budget vs actual numbers and statement of activity for the 2025 year.
General fund stood at $35,511.44
Also of note was the $40,000.00 donation made from family foundations controlled by the Neithercut’s which will go towards the VST-Backcountry wayfinding.
Grants:
Brian noted that we are eligible for a Cherry Capitol Cycling Club(CCCC) grant of $5000. It was verified that this grant funding would not be eligible for the salaried PT position.
TCTN:
Mud, Sweat & Beers(MSB) planning update for the 2026 race.
Mike is coordinating with Chris Remy, MSB race director on race specifics. Fine tuning of the race and trail clearing will happen soon.
Tim R has been in contact with Patrick Lynch from TC Young Professionals in regards to volunteer opportunities for trail work bees, events and possible board applicants for the Treasurers position.
-VST-B trail network wayfinding design and development activity has been initiated with Corbin Design. Cost is $33,000.
-The goal is to wayfind the entire Backcountry trail system by the end of summer 2026. If you are interested in helping to install trail map signs in the deep woods please contact Brian Pugh. brian.pugh@nmmba.net
-Supply Rd VST Trailhead: 2026 projects: fire pit bench seating installed, stone pathway to fire pit, misc. landscaping projects, solar LED lighting system in pavilion and fire pit seating area.
-DNR has given the green light to submit 3 more “Trail Development Proposals: 1) Westwood single track (Lost Lake/Dubonnet/Ransom area) up to 28 miles. 2) Sand Lakes to Kalkaska area (section of Iceman route) 3) Vasa network trail connection to Greilick Recreation Area. This trail already exists.
Brian is also seeking grids from all utility companies for lines running through the VST-Backcountry trail network.
Cadillac:
Kamie Wade has shown interest in taking over as the new Cadillac rep. Kamie is an avid biker, volunteer and ride organizer in Cadillac. And would love to become more involved in representing her home trail.
Scott Slavin from the DNR has asked for support from NMMBA: Heather Durocher (DNR media) is looking for some volunteers for a DNR photo shoot of the Cadillac Pathway to demonstrate fat tire biking and grooming the trails showing the equipment in use.
Bike Leelanau:
Chad noted he would love to get some more trail work bees on the calendar for Provemont and Northport’s Braman Hill.
Also suggested holding some bike clinics like in the past. Weekends would work best. Possibly Saturdays for the gals and Sunday for the guys.
Also Chad threw out having another free movie presented at the Bay Theater in Suttons Bay.
Maintenance Barn:
Final planning taking place for ground breaking this spring. We are still about $100k short of our goal.
Merchandise Update:
Conversation regarding drop-ship, design #? More to follow.
Rachel Decker to help with designs. Some design names put out included Samurai Squirrel, Bear Tunnels and Holy Grail.
Chad also suggested creating a buff for the winter. Incorporating designs. Chad to forward design choices to the board.
Vasa Bike Park:
Impact 100 grant opens April 24. The plan is to submit a grant application for the Vasa Bike Park. Impact 100 is holding 3 grant application workshops on Feb 26, March 18 and April 15. TJ plans to attend the Feb 26 and April 15 workshops.
TCTF:
The date for 2026’s race is set for September 26th at Timber Ridge Resort.
In search of a new race director. More in depth discussion reserved for the next meeting.
Winter Trails:
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About 270 badges sold so far, it has been slow the last few weeks.
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The grooming appreciation party will be Thursday, Apr 9, 2026 5:00 PM from 5-7p at Timber Ridge.
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On Tuesday, 2/10/26 at 5:50pm we had the 2017 snowmobile accident and it is now inoperable. I would like to look at filing an insurance claim. Steve will get an incident report from Acrisure.
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Trail work days to prep trails. Define areas and frequency of work days. Will be losing 3 miles of winter trails(Yeti’s Revenge and Skyline) but may potentially add up to 4 miles from new trails recently approved by the DNR.
Shop/Community Rides:
Chuck headed up this discussion. He, Chad S and Tom have come up with an idea of hosting community rides during the summer months. These would take place on Monday nights. Have all local bike shops and teams come out for a ride and possibly offer snacks, etc.
LMB/MMBA:
John led this discussion.
With the date set for TCTF, John will add it to their calendar.
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Feb. 28, 2026 there will be an outdoor symposium at MSU. This includes hiking, paddling, cycling, etc. for more information see the LMB website
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Discussion about taking action against e-Motos before all e-bikes get banned. Iowa had a bill to ban all bikes from the roads due to these vehicles. Also it was noted that New Jersey has begun making e-bike owners register, license and insure their bikes.
More to follow.
There were no updated reports from either Glacial Hills or the Commons Bike Park.
Open Forum:
Someone noted that TART regularly holds open houses to promote their message. It was suggested that NMMBA consider following suit. More discussion needed on this topic.
With that the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.
The next scheduled board meeting will be Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 at the Acme Township hall at 6:30 pm.
Submitted by
Steve Mentzer, secretary