Meeting Minutes -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 12/27/2003
Last Visited: 12/27/2003
The meeting continued with presentations by Sheila Gallagher, Treasurer, and Tom Clark, Public Relations officer.
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Tom began his report by providing a website address that members can use to see if their motorcycle has been subject to a recall.
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Tom Clark also reminded the membership about the up-coming Southwest Region Legislative Workshop to be held on the 26th of July at the Jailhouse Rock in Highland.
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The meeting was brought to order by Tom Clark, PR Officer at approximately 7:15.The 15 minute delay was to allow enough time for folks to attend despite the bad weather.
The minutes of May's meeting were read by Tom and individual officer reports followed.
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Next on the drippy agenda was Tom Clark with a combined Legislative and Public Relations report.Tom was standing in for our Legislative guru, Howard Wick, who is currently on assignment in Iraq. (God speed, Howard).
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Tom presented a brief overview of a "Sound Off" item submitted by someone complaining about the practice of motorcycle riders blocking intersections when a large group rolls through.Tom reminded members that blocking intersections is indeed against the law and the "blocker" can be fined for impeding the flow of traffic.Tom also admitted to acting as a "Road Guard" in the past and in full awareness of its being illegal.He continued by urging members that should they act as road guards during a run which requires them to block off an intersection, they should be cognizant of the fact that drivers in cars may not understand why it is being done.Additionally, he encouraged those serving as road guards to be aware of the driver's presence and "thank" the driver of the blocked car with a wave and smile after all bikes have ridden through.The practice of having road guards on a run can be argued pro and con.Let it be known that regardless of the legality of the issue, if handled properly many drivers of autos stopped at lights may understand why it is happening and be more compliant if the demeanor of the road guard is friendly and thankful for their cooperation.Another letter posted in the "Sound Off" column complained about loud motorcycle exhaust.Again, statutes are in place to enforce excessive noise, so if a person decides to run "open" pipes they do so at their risk.Tom urged all members to be aware of the impact their actions (and sounds) have on people within their community and to be thoughtful of others, especially if they are entering or leaving a residential area very late in the evening or early in the morning.Tom reminded members that motorcyclists ARE the MINORITY.
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Upon completion of the March of Dimes presentation, Tom Clark provided a very brief Activities report, thanking the members of the Boozefighters M/C, specifically, for providing much of the "man power" for the spring dance.He continued by recognizing Sullivan's Bar for selling up-wards of 40 Marble Run books for the chapter.Tom concluded the Activities report by informing members of the June 29th Piasa- Gateway Poker Run.
Tom yielded the floor to Jim "Legs" Korte, Southwest Region Coordinator, who encouraged ALL motorcyclists, regardless of ABATE or club affiliation to attend the up-coming Legislative Workshop (view the flyer: Word format) to be held July 26, 2003 at the Jail House Rock; 24 West Missouri... Trenton, IL 62293 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM.Legs also relayed to members that a strong effort is being made to get several area legislators to attend this workshop and it is imperative that we have a good showing from ABATE.He also pointed out, distressingly, that Tom Holbrook specifically commented that he had not heard from our chapter in over two years. (This points to a real problem simply because legislative action is what we are suppose to be all about).Legs continued his report by asking our chapter if we would have a problem if Piasa- Gateway chapter took over the Southwest Region's "Top Gun" event, held at Ted's in Alton.In recent years, the operation of the event has shifted from having members from throughout the region assisting with it to having members of the Piasa- Gateway chapter shoulder the burden alone while the region reaps the rewards.Legs asked if we could decide and then get back with him at the next regional meeting.Tom Clark made the motion (seconded) that the chapter give it's OK to Piasa- Gateway taking over the event due to a lack of participation from our chapter.Discussion ensued about whether a quorum was present so that the motion could be voted upon and after researching the by laws, it was determined that we could vote on the issue at that time.A vote followed with a unanimous "Yes" that St. Clair County would support Piasa- Gateway taking over the operation and proceeds from the Top Gun event.Legs said that he would discuss the issue with the rest of the chapters in the region before a final determination would be made.Legs finished his report by reminding members about the Piasa- Gateway Poker Run.
Old Business and New Business was presented next with a general discussion about the status of the chapter newsletter.Members are concerned about the continued issues with its mailing and delivery.Upon completion of Old and New Business, Tom Clark asked for a motion to adjourn and the meeting ended at approximately 8:10pm.
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Howard yielded the floor to Tom Clark, Public Relations officer, who emphasized the fact that while our local chapter is not very large we have as a federal legislator Jerry Costello who hails from our district and chairs the House Transportation Committee.
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Additionally, Sheila fielded questions relating to up-coming raffles and detailed the recent sale of NASCAR blankets in an effort to raise funds for Tom Clark's trip to Washington, D.C. Upon completion of her report, Duct Tape asked Tom Clark to present his Public Relations report.
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Tom began by confirming the date for the chapter "Windshield Wash" as Saturday, May 3rd.For those not familiar with the Windshield Wash, this event is hosted by the Illinois Department of Transportation and supported by ABATE chapters and other motorcycle groups from throughout Illinois as a part of the May "Motorcycles And You" safety and awareness program.
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After detailing the windshield wash, Tom continued by talking about some of the activities he has planned for motorcycle awareness month, which will include articles in print media and through cable.Tom continued his report by urging members with things to sell or buy to contact him with their information so that we can post it onto our chapter website (www.abate-il.org/StClairCo).This is offered as a free service to chapter members.Additionally he asked anyone interested to submit pictures of their motorcycle for our first Southwest Region "Online Motorcycle Show".The show is free and will entail viewers to the site looking at the bike entries and then voting for their choice.The bike with the most votes will be deemed the winner of the show and the owner will receive a trophy.Up to four pictures can be submitted either via e-mail or through "snail mail".Contact Tom at 397-8232 or squirts@icss.net for more information concerning the show.Tom wrapped up his presentation by thanking Belleville Honda and Butch Marler for their donations of helmets to our chapter's efforts to send new helmets to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Cycle Rider Safety Training Program (CRSTP).The CRSTP is the organization which offers free basic and experienced rider education courses throughout the state.A total of 49 helmets were presented from the four chapters of the Southwest Region.After fielding questions from the audience, Tom yielded the floor back to Duct Tape who continued the meeting by introducing Roger Snyder, our chapter's Safety & Education officer.
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Tom Clark added that if members feel that they are being unfairly harassed because of their attire or mode of transportation they do have recourse.
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Beverly reminded the membership that Sheila was raffling off several blankets, some of which are Nascar blankets, with the proceeds going toward the up-coming trip to Washington, D.C. by Tom Clark (Tom is attending a week-long trip to D.C. as a member of ABATE to personally impress upon our legislators how important their support is to our cause.
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Tom continued his report by sharing an idea developed by Jim "Legs" Korte, Southwest Region coordinator.Legs' idea was to host a "Cyber Bike Show" on the Southwest Region website.The idea was to have participants submit 1-4 pix of their motorcycle for review by people who visit the site.At the end of the allotted time, votes would be tallied and the winner would receive a trophy.Anyone interested in posting their motorcycle pictures free-of-charge into the Cyber Bike Show should e mail or snail mail their pictures to Tom Clark.
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Tom Clark made the motion to allow a $300.00 "cap" to Sinbad's planning activities which would include money for a band (to be split equally between H's bar and SCC ABATE), and any associated PR materials (flyers, etc).
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Tom Clark (Public Relations officer), asked members present to spread the word that we are soliciting bids for the helmets from all of the motorcycle shops in the area.Butch Ma
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