That's enough fun, now to business.  At the June board meeting, we elected an Interim Legislative Chair, Scott McColpin.  The final legislative chair vote will be at the September Board meeting.  We elected a new Newspaper Editor, Donna Riddle - Director of the Iron Mules Charter, a new Membership Chair, Joy Copous from Wheels of Thunder Charter, a new PR Chair, Carol Simpson of Nashville Charter, a new Products Chair, Kevin Chapnick of Nashville Charter, and in a race for the Safety and Ed Position pitting Rambo (yo Adrian - I did it) Vs (da da da da da Kapow) Batman.  The flying rodent won by a one bite on the neck.  At the moment, our only open positions are Activities and Treasurer.

We have a number of charters really doing a great job.  Iron Mules, a relatively new charter with a lot of energy and enthusiasm, is helping to fire us all up.  Sumner is also going gangbusters on membership.  Sumner, Nashville, Music City and Robertson are working together on the Southern Thunder Rally with the Iron Mules folks prospecting this year to join the group next year.

I went to the COC (Confederation of Clubs) meeting at Barbarosa in East Tennessee.  I talked to the owner, Bob and his wife, and they are interested in restarting a charter there.

Dean and I went to meetings of the old Thunder Roads Charter in Knoxville to keep it going. It is now called East Tennessee Steel Horse Riders.  The Director is Papa Bear and Asst. is Tommy Hill.  They have got it going well and will be meeting at Barbarosa at the end of June.

I am working to get more information out to board members to increase our effectiveness.  I plan to have meetings of the Corporate Board and the Legislative and Activities Committees about midway between the Board Meetings.  Membership is up and we now have a tri-fold with information on what we have done over the years and what we are trying to do.  This information is on our website.

Our charters need to start keeping a record of the positive things we do for the community, like charity rides. Each charter should have pictures of these events and copies of articles in the paper.  A copy of these needs to be sent to the office, so we can use it in our public relations campaign.  We have a great cause, which is Freedom.  We have an excellent record of charity to help the community.  We know this but we need to make the public aware.  Did you know the largest contributor to the Marine toys for tots are Bikers!!! We need to work on the false image the public has from the past and from the movies.  We are proud of who and what we are, and we need to get that message out.

Each member of CMT/ABATE is a recruiter, public relations person, an ambassador to other riders and the public.  The Board can give direction and set things up but it's the individual members that can make things happen.  We have a lot of events coming up so you have plenty to go to.  After my accident it was three years before I could ride again, so get your asps out there and ride, ride, ride!