Ambassador At Large, Reports

Posted 06/17/08 by: Tony R.

Ambassador at Large

Report for July, 2008

My report for May did not have a lot of details concerning my state officer position, but I thought the report concerning the
benefit for our West side Deputy Coordinator was just as important as any other ABATE business. I allowed/used the story authored by Irish from Rat City Chapter as my report on the Benefit run, as it had some local color and emphasized the brotherhood of Bikers as well as filling everyone in on what had gone on.

I’m happy to report that Mason County chapter, chartered and ratified at the April BOD is doing great and coming on strong.
The chapter is now 50 plus strong. Their first official chapter run was to participate in Dutch’s Benefit. They also supported EPCC on their Mystery Run. I attended Tacoma Chapters Tattered Flag run which started out from Thun Field Café and then traveled approx. 60 miles to catch up and join with EPCC mystery run. It was absolutely beautiful biking weather. The Old Snohomish Bike show was really great also. Again, another great success. Hopefully to be a great success also will be Spring Opener. I have enticed several other groups to participate in Opener with some comp. tickets with the idea that they will bring some friends along with them. Some of the groups receiving tickets were the American Legion Riders and The Patriot Guard Riders and several Vet groups. At this time I would also like to thank everyone for their help in putting on a great event. The Christian Crusaders also stepped up to operate the Gate continuously since we only have until 10^th of the month deadline for a newsletter report; it is hard to report on something that has not happened yet.

Our neighbor to the South put on another great Spring Opener at Fossil, Oregon. It was really great to be back at Bear Hollow. As usual, the town of Fossil welcomed all bikers with open arms. There was a good representation from ABATE of Washington there with Tacoma Chapter again winning the largest out of state group attending.

The Freedom run turned out pretty good. Since Southwest chapter hosted the event for ABATE of Washington, I will let the Southwest chapter report on the event.

Grays Harbor put on a great charity run the weekend of June 6,7 8 down in Montesano at a very nice VFW park. This laid back run had everything someone would want to kick back, relax, meet and greet old and new friends and enjoy the activities. This run was all inclusive with the food and refreshments being great. There was a poker run, bike games, bon fire and good bands. Mailman and Helen from Tacoma chapter really did good in the games coming away with several trophy’s. The trophy’s were one of a kind unique plaques made by the local high school. Thanks to Grays Harbor coordinator, Jim Miller and his chapter for a great inspiring weekend for the promotion of ABATE and what bikers rights and life style is all about. If you have a chance next year, be sure to mark this run on your calendar. Support of other chapter events is sure to help bring this organization closer together.

Another motorcycle rights organization in the southwest corner of the state, Cowlitz County ABATE has had to cancel their Cowchip Boogie run this year because of some insurance issues, but promise to bring back the run next year even better. There had been rumors running amok, but the official word is that because they still have an open claim pen from last year, that any insurance through another vendor would be cost prohibitive at over $22,000. for the event.

I also want to report that we have a past coordinator from North Olympic now living in the Bellingham area and is working hard to revitalize the Bellingham chapter. We still have at least 18 active members living in that area. I am also working on an open letter to all independents in the state to try and entice them into a chapter, where they would have a voice at the Board of Directors meetings through a chapter coordinator. Of course any member: chapter or independent has open door policy to contact any state officer to address any concerns they may have. Also independents will always have the right to remain independent from any chapter if they so desire.

October is Steam and the first BOD for a lot of new chapter officers. Steam has a lot of training materials for new officers with some breakout training sessions for specific officer positions. It is ABATE state office idea to do monthly chapter officer training and “STEAM” throughout the year to help chapters run more smoothly. I think this would be a good tool for chapters. The initial STEAM in October would be a great start and then continuous ongoing training will build a stronger team with a lot of confidence. All state officers are always available to help Chapters become a strong part of the Team. We need to be a team to put forth a strong front in protecting our rights and freedoms.

Respectfully submitted, Mike Campbell

Posted 04/15/08 by: Dragoni

Ambassador at Large

May 2008

I have been meeting with several chapter and non-ABATE organizations this past month and ABATE is gaining a good reputation in its fight for motorcycle rights and freedom of the road. Our local state efforts only lost a battle this past short session of Legislature, but we have not lost the war. We made ourselves heard in Washington DC with the combined efforts of other state Motorcycle Rights Organizations (MRO) and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF).

As a reminder to Washington State ABATE members, I am the Washington state MRF co-representative. Roy Fisher of Rat City chapter was the other co-rep. until April 1^st. He has resigned this position due to personal endeavors in the future. Jay Jackson of Southwest Chapter is applying to the MRF to become co-rep. and only needs an endorsement from the April BOD, which I’m sure will have happened by the time this gets to the newsletter. He has received endorsements from other MRO’s in Washington State. Jay will be a great help in getting the National motorcycle news to ABATE members and putting forth our state concerns to other states.

The April BOD will have had the honor of meeting and ratifying our newest chapter: Mason County Chapter, Shelton, Washington. Mason County chapter has been gone for some time, but with the combined efforts of some Olympia Chapter members and ABATE state officers, this chapter has been revitalized and is growing fast. As of the closing of the 3^rd meeting of the proposed chapter, they had 32 charter members with several other participants taking membership applications with them. The new officers will be introduced at the April BOD, but for those not attending the BOD, they are as follows:

Coordinator – Mike Rutter, Deputy Coordinator – Steve Ellyson, Treasurer – Chuck Bridges, Secretary – Chris Dulas

These ProTem officers will be in place until September nominations and October elections. Please support this new chapter and members. This chapter will help give good representation on the peninsula, along with North Kitsap, Olympia, and North Olympic chapters.

I have visited chapters here on the West side, but I do promise to make it “over the hill” as weather permits.
We haven’t always had snow in March and April, but this year we did and it’s a little hard to get to the highway
when you live several miles in a rural area.

Also, please note that our West Side Deputy Coordinator
was in an accident and is recovering, but needs help and a benefit will happen May 4^th.
Watch for flyers from EPCC Flagman.

Respectfully submitted; Michael Campbell,
ABATE of Washington,
Ambassador at Large,
Washington State MRF co-rep.

Posted 03/15/08 Dragoni

Ambassador at Large

April 2008

We have bad news and good news.
The bad news is that our Left turn bill died on the Senate floor, as you have most likely already have heard.
It seemed to have plenty of steam when it went to the floor calendar, but something happened after it got there.
It seems someone behind the scene declared war on our bill. We know we had opposition at the Senate committee
hearings from the WSP, but the committee not only passed the bill, but also removed the insurance language we wanted removed. Larry “Texas” Walker, WRRA legislative officer also agrees that it was not due to the lack of participation of motorcyclists making contacts with the Senate. Constituents (all of us) were definitely working the phones, emails with leadership and lots of folks wearing off shoe leather at the capitol.

The good news: We may have lost the battle, but we did not lose the war. Our hard work did get the bill this far.
Some bills never even get a number, much less through the house and then on to the Senate. We fought a war in committee hearings and won! Hopefully this will prove to those that doubt, “do our efforts count?” YES!! .
I do want to express my appreciation to everyone that helped do their part in our motorcyclist’s rights efforts.

The session is over but the legislators and senators will be back in their district for elections this fall, and that is when I
recommend contacting your senator and asking why our bill did not get a vote. As a constituent you are well within your
rights to ask this question of your senator. If you do get information, please pass it on to your ABATE legislative affairs officer or any ABATE officer, giving us the ability to tailor the end run around our opposition next year.

Working together has proven that we can move forward and get someone to listen.
Don’t give up, work together and we will succeed.

I have been meeting with several chapters and non-ABATE organizations promoting ABATE of Washington.
We have a past chapter coordinator that has moved into the Bellingham area and is working on rejuvenating that chapter.
Also possibly a new chapter in the Shelton area. I attended the March 2008 Motorcycle Safety Advisory Board Meeting
with Mick Gillispie, State coordinator and Rick Ward, SKCC legislative affairs officer. There are additional safety courses
starting in Spokane and Cowlitz counties in July. The board also stated that there will be additional television spots shown
this year financed with the federal safety funds. There are two positions open on the Advisory Board and that information is
available on the web: http://www.dol.wa.gov and follow the links. There is also a new WSP board member and he is Sgt.Pennington and he is a WSP motor cop and an off duty motorcyclist. May is Motorcycle awareness month, but for
some reason the Governors run has been cancelled this year.

ABATE’s Freedom run is in May. Check newsletter and web site.

Respectfully submitted, Michael Campbell

Posted 02/11/08 by: Dragoni

Ambassador at Large

March 2008

I was pleasantly surprised by the mutual support for the left turn bill on Black Thursday.
It seems our bi-partisan efforts with HB 2919 being put to our Representatives and Senators helped spark some attention to bring forward HB1625. The only problem is that it became SHB 1625 with the insurance amendment cluttering our left turn bill, put forth by Geoff Simpson. Mandatory insurance to make a left turn on a red light, when there is no Mandatory motorcycle insurance in Washington State. SHB (HB) 1625 would be the same language as HB2919 if it had the mandatory insurance amendment removed.

Does that mean we would also have to have mandatory insurance to make a right turn at a red light, after coming to a complete stop and yielding to all traffic? Would any motorcyclist in his right mind pull out in front of any vehicle even another motorcycle just to make a turn? I think not! I am hoping that by the time this newsletter is distributed that the bill will have gone through the senate transportation committee and had the insurance language removed and on to the floor for a vote and then back to the House for a concurrence vote. At that point Geoff Simpson and any other dissenting members would only have a single “no” vote. Having already passed the house at 86 to 8, there should not be a problem.

When we all threw our support together behind one bill in particular, it seemed like we were getting somewhere and someone was listening. We have many motorcycling issues that could, would, do affect all motorcyclists but if we could all pull together and support one main goal, I do believe we are more likely to succeed One possible issue that my need to be looked at is to keep motorcycles from being taken out of the car pool lanes, especially with the new pay for HOV lane travel. Just one possible suggestion.. Of course we can never forget our goal of “Freedom of Choice” for helmets.

I have requested through emails, legislative alerts on the ABATE of Washington web page, and personal conversations with members and other motorcyclists to contact their Representatives and Senators. I was pleased when an ABATE member called me and reported that they had received a phone call from their Senators aid thanking them for the contact and that they would support motorcyclists issues. This member was pleased as it shows contacting them does count. It works!! For all those who have taken the time out of their busy lives to fight for their rights, remember that there are rewards. We may not win every battle, but we will win the war with brotherhood and grass roots participation.

There have been several chapter events happening already and many more to come. The calendar seems to be filling up.. The Spring swap meet will have taken place already and even with the forced date change, that it will be a good event. All chapters need to make sure they get their info and flyers into the newsletter and the website. There are no guaranty that because it went to one place that it automatically goes to the other place.

I have met with several chapters since the first of the year and I’m available to any chapter and/or member at any time for information and/or help in keeping their chapter viable and in compliance with our By-laws. If you need help, or just want to talk, contact me by email or telephone and leave messages. I have also been in contact with other organizations including, but not limited to: Washington Road Riders Association (WRRA), the Evergreen Safety Council, the Washington State Motorcycling, Safety Council, the Dept. of Licensing (DOL), and some Brand name riding clubs to educate their memberships regarding ABATE and to promote ABATE at their functions. I have been remiss in attending chapter functions or meetings on the “other” side of the hill, but when the passes ever open and allow motorcycle traffic, I will be there!

I do hope that my next report will be congratulating us on our “left turn victory”.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Campbell
ABATE of Washington
Ambassador at Large
Washington State MRF co-rep

Posted 02/11/08 by: Dragoni