Volunteer Week 2021 - John Popoff

April 18-24, 2021 is National Volunteer Week. Volunteers are the very foundation of the parks and recreation industry. We are embracing this year’s theme - “The Value of One, The Power of Many” – by using our Blog and social media to celebrate amazing volunteers like John Popoff! 

John Popoff is a founding member and the longest standing Board member of the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association (SSA). He has served continuously as a director since its inception and is currently serving as Secretary/Treasurer. His passion for snowmobiling began in 1970 when John Deer entered the snowmobile market, and he was a Territory Manager. John has administered the raffle program for the SSA, is serving as Historian Chair, has assisted dignitaries on Government rides, and helped organize rides and events for Prairie Women on Snowmobiles raising money and awareness for breast cancer. The list goes on. 

John has been a member of the Saskatoon Snowmobile Club since the early ‘70’s and has served in various capacities as a director, president, vice president, groomer operator, and currently as treasurer. He logs approximately 4000 km per year on his snowmobile, enjoying the trails in Saskatchewan.  

Bob Nicoll, a friend of John’s and a fellow member of the Saskatoon Snowmobile Club had this to say about him:  

“John has been a member of the Saskatoon Snowmobile Club for 48 years and makes himself available for anything that is required by the club. He has been known to start very early in the morning and has sent me pictures of the sun coming up. John is truly interested in all snowmobile clubs and knows many people from other clubs. One way to sum John up: he is like the Energizer Bunny - he just never quits.” 

In March 2008, John was inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame at Eagle River, Wisconsin for his volunteerism in local, provincial, and international snowmobiling endeavors. Throughout the years, John has seen the SSA evolve from a handful of volunteers to an office in Regina Beach with 4 full time staff members and over 50 trail funded clubs that maintain over 10,000 km of trails throughout the Province. He has loved watching and helping the association grow to its current status.  

The Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association receives funding from Sask Lotteries. Learn more about how you can get involved with the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association at https://sasksnow.com/.