Meeting Minutes
The April 2, 2008 meeting was
called to order by president Jim Orn at 7:00 p.m. at the Bonfire Grill in
Litchfield, Minnesota.
President: Jim Orn
Vice President: Galen Sundin
Treasurer: Tammy Winkels
Secretary: Rebecca Martinson
Chapter Rep: Wendy Steinborn
Sgt. at Arms: Rich Winkles, Al Salisbury, Joe Martin
SECRETARY’S REPORT was read by Rebecca Martinson. Artie corrected the address of
the Bonfire from Hutchinson to Litchfield. Motion to accept the report made by
Charlie, seconded by Lori, passed by hand vote.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Chapter Products by Tammy. Kathy made a motion for the chapter funds to
initially pay for the t-shirts, with a payback into the funds by the members as
the shirts are purchased. There is no profit in the shirts, therefore no state
involvement in the funds. The motion was tabled, as the sign-up list was passed
around again before an order placed.
Gambling by Jim. Get the tickets and money turned in by ABATE U.
Ways & Means by Al and Jim. Next meeting June 15 at the Ugly Bar.
Membership and Retention by Jim. Next meeting at ABATE U. New purple tri-folds
to monitor where the new memberships come from.
State Rally by Dale. Contracts for the bands have been signed. Nine new bands
this year. Reminder that after ABATE U the ticket price for the rally is $35.
Need people for security and front gate shifts; the contract is not back from
the fairgrounds yet. Dan S is doing the memorial run. Get sponsorships! If you
run across sponsorship forms that have already been sent out by Noma, put your
name and the chapter name in the upper left corner. Get ideas for pins to Dale.
Dial-a-Ride by Dale. Coverage starts the end of the month and he’ll need help
this season with coverage. Next meeting at ABATE U.
Publications by Lori. Need bike, business and member of the month nominations.
Joe Matter Scholarship Safety Riders Course by Artie. He thinks classes start in
June. There is a rumor that tuition is up to $260, and Galen will find out,
although Frank thinks that’s Harley’s riders course. There was a question which
Artie addressed as to what the Course was and the requirements.
Food shelf by Artie. Dan S. proposes another drive over the summer and one in
the fall; Artie reported that Meeker County got 110 lbs of food and $63 cash.
Toys for Kids by Rebecca. The fundraiser will be held November 22, 2008. Rebecca
proposed Everett Smithson, which was acceptable to a number of members, Artie
proposed October Sun. Artie and Al will get a CD of October Sun for review.
Buddy Bears by Charlie. Still waiting for the Bears.
PGR Riders by Galen. Lots of missions recently. There are about 134,000 members
nationwide, after having been formed about 2 years ago. PGR is partnering with
Buffalo Chip at Sturgis to honor our fallen military. There have been about 381
flags donated so far for the Flags for Troops drive. There will be a short ride
by PGR and Hutchinson VFW to honor Lyle Mackedanz, who was missing in action in
Vietnam 40 years ago.
STATE REP REPORT by Wendy. Lunch tickets for ABATE U are still available. We get
lots of new Minnesota ABATE members from the Algona rally, and there is a call
for all chapters to participate in manning the membership table there. Share the
Road classes are being discussed, also reminders about the products and
historian booths at ABATE U. Sand Dunes is looking for donations of various
electronics (DVDs, VCR, tapes, for the St. Cloud VA. There will be a $5 increase
in MRF memberships. May is motorcycle awareness month. Gov. Pawlenty will be
making an address the end of April and we are invited to ride to the capitol to
hear it.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT by Galen. Reminder to write to our legislators,
particularly about the helmet laws. Frank reminds us that the NTSB is
recommending that all the states require helmets. A committee hearing was
refused by Molnee (not sure of name), who said “It’s not gonna happen” while
he’s the chair. One of our options is to append it to another bill.
OLD BUSINESS by Jim. Jim read Todd Riba’s top ten reasons to attend the lunch at
ABATE U; a reminder of the potluck Friday night, which Peggy is organizing, and
the ditch clean up on April 27 at 1:00 p.m. The hats we passed last meeting
collected $83 in donations for a chrome sponsorship for the rally, and $63 for
the foodshelves. 35 t-shirts will be ordered; Kathy amended her motion to
propose that up to $800 be taken from chapter funds for paying for the t-shirts,
with Joe W. seconding. Passed by hand vote. Reminder of the garage sale May 2
and 3 at Dan S’s for South Central. Irvin let us know that the auction center in
Hutchinson can set up an ABATE account to sell donated items every Monday, if we
want to have an ongoing “sale.”
NEW BUSINESS. Dan S reminded us of Spring Fling fundraiser May 30 at Cedar
Mills, with Crimson Edge donating the music. There is a $5 cover charge, and a
silent auction (for which we need donations). Reminder to get insurance for the
event. May 23 – every 4th Friday of the month is Biker Day at the Triple R in
Kimball; we could perhaps set up an ABATE booth? Ride for the Cure is June 22,
with Artie again road captain; Roger brought up South Central’s potential
liability factor for these rides. Jim let us know about the South Central Family
Barbeque on July 13 at Orns’. Camping will be available.
OPEN DISCUSSION: There was a discussion about the Wisconsin ABATE rally June
20-22; Dale, et al., will meet at Dassel at 9:00 a.m. Next district meeting is
at the Bonfire on June 28.
Motion made by Lori to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Kristy, passed by hand
vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Rebecca S. Martinson
Secretary, South Central Chapter