Located at the original mile zero of the Alaska Highway (now mile 300), is the BC Snowmobile Federation's northern-most snowmobile club in the province! The Fort Nelson Snowmobile Club features over 100km of groomed loop trails and three impressive warming shelters thanks to the diligent work of volunteers like Club President Wayne Wheeler in recent years.

Chief volunteer, face of the organization, the glue that holds the club together... these are just a few of the subtitles you may see listed beside the role of Snowmobile Club President. In BC, snowmobile clubs operate as Not-For-Profit Societies bound by legislation called the Societies Act.

When the snowmobile club puts out a call to action for help, you likely imagine firewood work parties, snowcat maintenance, maybe organizing events or building a new cabin. Each of those are incredibly important tasks on the to-do list. But what most riders never consider is the important work that goes on in the office behind the scenes that keeps the club rolling. In addition to volunteers contributing their time on the end of a saw, wrench, or hammer, snowmobile clubs are not-for-profit societies that have complex accounting and financial transparency requirements. It is the role of the snowmobile club Treasurer to ensure effective controls and procedures are in place. These are the men and women who keep us ‘in the black’. I sat down with Fernie Snowmobile Association Treasurer and long-time volunteer Steve Kelly to learn more.