Meeting Minutes
The October 3, 2007 meeting
was called to order by president Dale Steinborn at 7:03 p.m. at the Bonfire
Grill in Hutchinson, Minnesota.
President: Dale Steinborn
Vice President: Jim Orn
Treasurer: Tammy Winkels
Secretary: Rebecca Martinson
Chapter Rep: Wendy Steinborn
Sgt. at Arms: Al Salisbury and Rich Winkels
Our guest was Kurt Peterson, and there were 20 members in addition to officers
named above.
SECRETARY’S REPORT was read by Rebecca Martinson. Motion to accept the
report made by Clarence and seconded by Lori, passed by hand vote.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Chapter Products by Tammy. We
still have some bears and one t-shirt.
Gambling by Jim. We sold 4700
raffle tickets at the rally, which was down from last year.
Ways & Means by Al. Next
meeting January 6 at the Ugly Bar in Montrose. Still looking for new members.
Membership and Retention by
Jim. No one knows where or when the next meeting is.
State Rally by Dale. One of
the riders on the memorial ride got a $250 ticket for not stopping at a stop
sign. ABATE can’t pay the fine. Jim
initiated a discussion about alternative ways to do the ride next year: sign up
and sign in at way points, some kind of prize for getting all
the stops, pins, t-shirts, etc. We need someone to set up the ride next year.
Patti got the First Place Whiner trophy; Peggy won for her tattoo; Dale for the
full dress bike; Wingnut brought up potential problems for smokers next year.
Dale also informed us that the band budget will be cut $30,000 and we will
reserve local bands, rather than the big names we’ve had in the past. We got
over $30,000 in receipts for purchases made over the weekend from local
merchants; one gas station even ran out of gas. There are potential problems
between the fair board and the city council/chamber of commerce regarding our
continued presence at the fairgrounds. We were encouraged to contact the city
council, the city administrator and assistant administrator.
Dial-a-Ride by Dale. Thanks to
Monkey for covering for him. It was suggested that perhaps next year we could
get a van to bring locals home who are not staying at the rally. There were a
number of DWIs.
Joe Matter Scholarship Safety
Riders Course. Kurt attended the course, learned how to ride a bike, and
enjoyed the course; Patti also took the 2 wheel course, and enjoyed it and would
recommend it to anyone.
Buddy Bears by Charlie. Boo
Boo was going to take the bears to Willmar.
PGR Riders by Galen. There is
a lot of cross-membership between ABATE and the PGR. We are encouraged to join
PGR, and there’s lots to do besides escorting family at funerals.
STATE REP REPORT by Wendy. It was decided to have a luncheon rather than
the big dinner at ABATE U, there will be workshops and speakers. We have a new
Road Noise editor; need nominations for members, businesses, and bike of the
month. Next meeting is December 22. The Road Noise editor might become a paid
position, but it would decrease the state administrator position. Dial a Ride
sold over three tons of ice at the rally. Kathy is still looking for ABATE
history; we’re encouraged to write our legislators regarding the helmet laws;
our Toys for Kids fundraiser is in November; don’t forget the Grounded Hogs
party in February and the Fall color run next weekend.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT by Jim. Write, write, write – to our legislators
regarding helmet laws and failure to yield. Don’t forget the Write to Ride
campaign. Write, don’t e-mail, he has some information that’s just deleted. Jim
Ramstad, our ally in the past, is retiring. Continued discussion regarding ABATE
U speakers and panel discussions and topics for them. We won’t have a band at
ABATE U – possibly karaoke; probably will ask Jim Holien to do the auction
again. There will be another raffle for the bikes at ABATE U.
OLD BUSINESS by Dale. Thanks to the road guards and the workers at the
front gate. Get those ideas for ABATE U to Jim: possibilities suggested are CPR
and 1st aid; how to pick up a motorcycle; how to pack a bike and accident scene
management. Thanks to the ditch clean up crew, which only took about 28 minutes
because the road had been closed all summer. There was a question as to whether
or not we should even be doing it if the grass is too tall.
NEW BUSINESS by Dale: We need donations for the Toys for Kids fundraiser;
the Bonfire is going to get Prairie Rose again, maybe we also need to get
another band? Donations go to Litchfield and Glencoe county agencies. Can we put
a box for donations at Walmart? There will be door prizes and a silent auction
and we still need donations for that. Grab bags were also very popular at the
spring dance. Are we going to charge at the door or ask for a donation? Is a toy
at the door an acceptable donation? Wendy has most of the poolside rooms
reserved for ABATE U, Patty and Joe’s son Nate is getting married that Saturday
night and we are invited to the dance, which is in Glenwood. Bonfire agreed we
could bring in food for a potluck for our Christmas meeting. We will probably do
another spring fundraiser at the Queen Bee.
OPEN DISCUSSION: Discussion about the Mathies fundraisers on October 6
and 7; Dale is taking the limo; Lori Matter talked about the crackdown on bike
noise in Stillwater, which led to a discussion about no bikes at all on certain
streets in Chicago.
Motion made by Lori to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Rich, passed by hand
vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
Rebecca S. Martinson
Secretary, South Central Chapter