Region 11 October 2009 Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order.  Guests welcomed and pledge conducted.  Dollar attendance drawn and won by Chuck Kulikowski.

Treasury Report: Given by Al.

Legislative: Alice informs all no new movement on our helmet bill.  Local elections take place November 3^rd.  Macomb County will have 2 proposals, one of which is important.  It is to vote on a charter commission which includes a hidden increase in county mileage if passed.  Read about it carefully before you vote on it.  HB 5302 introduced 9-2-09 has already passed committee.  This bill allows gun owners to keep their gun in their auto at their place of employment.

Past Events: Russ stated that Bikes in the Park had a small turnout but still netted a profit.  Profit was made due to cutting back on expenses and HOH showing up to support the event.  HOH also won the plaque again for largest attending group.  Although small, there was a profit of $33.00.  Chris mentioned that the Gibraltar swapmeet was dead.  Small crowd turnout.  Not worth all the advertising put into it.

New Business:  Russ was informed just after the September meeting that Nicky’s was changing the meeting room to a poker room and we were not allowed to come back in.  Obviously, since we’re here, Russ went in, talked with the owner George and worked it out to where we had a 2 month notice.  Therefore, our November meeting will also be here at Nicky’s.  We already canceled the December meeting by a membership vote.  Russ checked with the Hamlin Pub at 22 mile and Hayes where we held our region organization meeting back in January.  The members that attended that meeting really liked the pub and the private room.  Russ arranged for the region to hold their meetings there on the last Wednesday at 7:00 PM starting in January at no cost.  Russ stated that it’s up to the membership to vote on as usual.  Terry motions we move to the Hamlin Pub starting in January 2010.  Supported by Tam.  Motion carried.

Tam mentions our Broomstick Chili event is the 8^th at Belle River Bar in Columbus.  All is secure, fliers on the table, hoping for a good turnout.

Russ mentions that October is when we always look at our funds, what we’ve donated to the state towards our rocker, and do our contract for our billboards for the following year.  As treasurer, Al has to follow some rules with our monies and it’s never been a problem yet.  With the amount of state bike raffle tickets we sold, if we want to hit the 5000 mark rocker, we should do 4000 in billboards.  Everyone liked the way we did it last year covering our region area, a couple in Flint and some in Wayne County.  Got emails from a lot of people saying thanks for doing what we do.  Again, membership always votes on money issues, it’s region 11’s money.  Reggie motions to spend $4000.00 on awareness billboards for 2010 with getting our contract in now and paid for to count towards our 2009 region rocker.  Supported by Whiz.  Discussion on the motion.  Vote was called, motion carried.

Region membership contest.  We can either finish it up tonight or next month.  Terry motions we total and end for the year as of tonight.  Supported by Joann.  Terry announces that the 2^nd half of the contest was won by Tiny who also won the totals for the year.  Congrats Tiny who wins a free year membership and then a choice of an embroidered shirt or jacket.

Seminar coming up in January.  Russ mentions that have a sponsorship program.  Are we interested in sponsoring?  Tiny motions to donate $250.00 towards the seminar sponsorship.  Supported by Mel.  No discussion needed.  Motion carried.  Ray and Jennifer are volunteering to head up the hospitality lunch contest at the seminar for region 11.  Ray asks that anyone going to the seminar, get with him so everyone going can be part of the planning process.  Chris motions that we allocate up to $200.00 towards the hospitality contest for our region’s theme and booth.  Supported by Donna.  Motion carried.

If anyone brought in your can tabs, Al has volunteered to take them.  He’ll get them all weighed again and turned in to Tabman.  If you forgot, bring them next month and give to Al.

In the past, we have just voted on region member of the year.  Al came up with a good idea.  He suggests we nominate a member and mention something they’ve done if we want, and then we do our vote as usual.  It’s a good idea, because some people have no idea what others are doing whether in the front line or behind the scenes and it’s also a way to recognize members for what they are doing and giving a thank you to them this way even if they do not win member of the year.  Everyone still votes as usual by secret ballot.  Russ nominates Tiny, who’s been on several committees, CO RC who’s done a couple of meetings this year and always pushing abate memberships.  Lil John nominates Alice for all her work as LO and awareness both.  Al nominates our awareness team of Alice, Jackie and Chuck who has done our program for countless years.  Sarge nominates Tam for the couple of committees she’s been on.  Ray nominates Chris for the swapmeet and bike nights he’s done.  Tam nominates Lil John.  Abe nominates Al.  Voting papers distributed and then recollected.  Region 11 member of the year by 1 vote is Chris Rose.  Second place was our awareness team.

Chris mentions a defenders program that started up for the national level.  Similar to AMA and MRF stuff.  Chris passed around a sheet for anyone interested in being on an email or call list for it.

Region Officer Elections:

RC position.  Clutch nominates Chris, accepts.  Al nominates Russ, declines.  Jackie nominates Tam, declines.

CO RC Macomb position.  Chris nominates Tiny, declines.  Al nominates Keith, declines.  Bruce nominates Tam, accepts then later she declined.  Tam nominates Mel, accepts.  Russ nominates Bruce, declines.  Deb nominates Reggie, declines.  Whiz nominates Clutch, accepts.  Russ mentions that for Lapeer, he nominates Rich who will need to accept or decline and that meeting will vote on it if needed.

Treasurer position.  Chris nominates Al accepts.

Secretary position.  Chris nominates Tam, accepts.  Shelia nominates Terry, declines.

LO position.  Russ nominates Alice, accepts.

Awareness Director position.  Terry nominates Alice, accepts.  Alice nominates Jackie for Assistant awareness director, she accepts.

Products position.  Al nominates Debbie, accepts.

Webmaster position.  Whiz nominates Anna, declines but nominates that her and Whiz both do together.  They both accept then.  Bruce nominates Tam, accepts. 

Road Captain position.  Chris nominates Sarge, declines.  Chris volunteered to do again.  Russ nominates Ray, accepts.  Chris bowed out then.

AC positions.  Al, Jackie, Mary Anne, Tiny, Mel and Keith all volunteered to do again.

Two elections are needed, 1 for webmaster between Anna & Whiz and Tam, 2^nd for CO RC between Mel and Clutch.  Russ congratulates everyone else in winning by default with no opposition for the position.

Papers distributed for the vote needed.  Collected and counted by Terry, Al, and Russ.  Winning CO RC Macomb is Clutch.  Winning webmaster is Anna & Whiz.  Congrats to all.  Russ states that as far as he’s concerned, new officers can take over now during the transition phase.  Terry will be writing another article still and then getting things together on hand to pass over.  Russ and Terry both state thank you for the many many years of help and support but both had previously decided to retire as life is just too busy right now for abate positions.  We will both still be around for meetings, events and maybe a committee or two.  Please don’t give a plaque out; Russ would like the American flag instead which has personal meaning from past member Carl McIntire.  Region will need to vote on that.  Let’s welcome our new 2010 officers in.  Meeting adjourned by motion and support.