◄ Back to Driving Force, Winter 2013
Navigating the Trail Ahead
Be it a sand dune, a snow-covered hill or a rocky mountain, leave it to gearheads to tame a steep climb. The ability to find a way and conquer the toughest terrain requires incredible motivation and perseverance. In order to achieve a successful result, each component in an off-road vehicle is as important as the next. However, even the best machine is compromised without a skilled driver. The same formula is necessary for a group of like-minded individuals with a unified cause, such as our SEMA Action Network (SAN).
In many ways, it is no surprise that a slew of legislative victories were achieved by the SAN this year. Since 1997, our network has become a formidable force in state houses across the nation. However, these wins are earned, not granted. Much like the collaboration described above, a true balance can only be achieved if all components are working together. For example, several off-highway recreation areas have greatly benefitted from the voices of enthusiasts speaking out: West Virginia’s Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area, Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina and California’s Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area to name a few. Without direct contact to lawmakers by constituents in a unified manner, it is quite possible that recreational use of these public lands would be limited further, if not lost altogether. The impressive result can be directly attributed to four-wheelers and non-four-wheelers alike.
In short, the SAN is your “vehicle;” grab the keys and drive it! Let’s continue to keep the action in the SEMA Action Network. Are you responding to alerts as you receive them? Do you know someone who could add some traction to the cause? Ask them to get out of neutral and put it in gear! Our future conquests depend on assembling now and being ready to take action. Have those you meet enlist in our crusade at semaSAN.com/Join.
From your friends at the SAN, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.
–IGNITED WE STAND!