Region 11 April 2006 Meeting Minutes

Meetings called to order at 7:30 PM. Guests welcomed and pledge of allegiance conducted.

Treasury Report: Given by Sharon.

Legislative: Discussed strategies for SB 297. Possible house vote early summer. Granholm is our stopper. We need to show her that we want this bill signed. There's a legislative day at the capitol on 5-10-06 and our freedom rally on 6-7-06. These are a couple of places we need to be, to show we're serious about the passage of SB 297. We need to be seen everywhere Granholm is.

May 16th is the filing deadline for precinct delegates. Forms on the table. You can fill it out and give to Terry to take in or take it home and fill out. Precinct delegates have a little more pull in their parties and are notified about various events ahead of time. It's a very helpful and beneficial program in the legislative process. If you're not a registered voter or have moved recently, there are forms on the table to fill out and get your information updated. Give them to Terry, she'll mail them in.

Awareness director, Alice spoke on SB 706 dealing with motorcycle awareness being required in driver's ed classes. The bill is still sitting in the transportation committee chaired by Jud Gilbert. The majority of the committee has already stated they would support this bill. This bill is beneficial to all riders. The more educated new driver's are about a motorcycle's presence, the better chance we have at saving a life. Terry wrote up several versions of a letter on SB 706 which was distributed for members to sign. The region will mail them. Please bring any responses you receive to a meeting.

MCA: May is motorcycle awareness month. Our 2 billboards will be up May 1st. One in Port Huron and one in Imlay City. Our 4 x 8 signs go up on Sunday, April 30th. See Russ after the meeting if you'd like to help. Contact your favorite radio station, tv station or newspaper about putting in a plug for awareness.

A member of the Wolverine Hog chapter and Patriot Guard Riders was involved in an accident and has died as a result of such. Chris "Scruffy" Condon was on his way to a PGR mission in Waterford where he lost control of his bike and suffered head trauma. Funeral arrangements are still being made. Contact Nuggett for funeral details. Moment of silence observed.

Bill Day Update: Terry informed everyone that the trial is scheduled for July 11th in Lapeer. Lapeer prosecutor Konschuh has removed himself from the case which is great news. He was not doing his job to the best of his ability and kept having conflicts with the Day family. The case has been assigned to prosecutors in Genesee County. They are definitely more capable. Defendant, Soares will be charged with 2 felony counts, operating under the influence causing death and manslaughter. They'll still try and get 2nd degree murder but is not likely. Jury selection will likely take up on the 1st day of the trial. It would be great if we could have a couple of members there every day of the trial as a showing of support.

Products: Terry showed the new region awareness shirts. Also has some state products for sale and raffle tickets for the bike ABATE is raffling off. See her after the meeting for any of these items.

Sgt @ Arms: Russ gave report for Rich on the swapmeet totals and thanked everyone that worked the April Detroit one. Rich was called by Staton Lorenz and was told that he had been noticing all the repeat volunteers, the experience of the workers show thru and Staton thanked everyone for doing a great job.

Alice reported on the 1st broomstick pool tournament/chili cook off. Read off all the winners, expenses and income. We had a profit for the first year event. She thanked everyone on the committee and everyone who came out and participated.

Upcoming Events: We started a new meeting in Port Huron. It will be the 1st Wednesday each month at 7 PM, held at Whiskey Pete's on 24th street south of Griswold. 1st meeting is May 3rd. Help spread the word. We now have a meeting in each of our 3 counties for members to choose from.

Walkabout Cycle has their annual on 5-21-06. We've been given a free booth but need a few volunteers to work it. Alice, Bruce, Al and Melissa all volunteered. Thank you.

NCOM is May 11-13 in Kentucky. Russ has 4 rooms reserved. If interested in attending, see Russ.

State fieldmeet is June 16-18. Terry has tickets for sale. Last month a few sponsor items were mentioned. Are we interested in sponsoring anything? Donations count towards the region rocker. Al motions we allocate $750.00 towards a band sponsorship at the state fieldmeet. Seconded by Wizard. Motion discussed and questions answered. Vote taken in Mt Clemens did not pass, but Almont will vote on it on May 9th. Vote is close, Almont will ultimately decide this.

Poker run underway. Will start at Boys & Toys in New Haven. In Almont, Tom France motions to allocate $400.00 for a poker run budget. It was seconded by Pigpen. Motion passed in Almont. Motion on the floor for Mt Clemens meeting. Vote called. Motion passed with no opposition. Poker run now has a budget in place.

Update on bikes in the park. Will be at the same location as 2005 on North Avenue just south of Armada at the K of C banquet hall. This year Russ broke parts of the event into sub committees to help the main committee member. If you help on a sub committee, you only work with the committee member in charge of the particular event and do not have to attend the main event committee meetings. Abe is in charge of the games. Rich is in charge of the motorcycle show. Max is in charge of the bicycle show. See any of these 3 people if you'd like to help on their area of the event.

Autumn moon is up and running. We'll have a few changes this year. Will discuss it at a future meeting.

New Business: Vietnam Vets is building a brick memorial at Freedom Hill County Park. Bricks can be purchased individually for $50 or nonprofit groups at $100. An idea was to look into bricks for Gator and Carl McIntire and possibly Bill Day. Is this an idea we want to pursue? Whiz motions we send up to $400.00 towards bricks on the individuals Russ suggested. Seconded by Wizard. Motion passed in Mt Clemens and will be taken to Almont to vote on May 9th.

1st phase membership contest. Only Russ and Tiny turned in any memberships this phase. Winner was Tiny who gets a free fieldmeet ticket.

1st phase attendance drawing. Everyone who signs in on the meeting sheet is automatically entered. Must be present to win. Name drawn in Mt Clemens was Vaughn St Peter who won $25.00.

Show up in Lansing on June 7th. Could be an eventful day for all of us.

50/50 Raffle: Conducted in Mt Clemens and Almont. Meetings adjourned by motion and support.