State Coordinator Reports

06/20/08 Posted By: Tony R.

Mick Gillispie
ABATE of WASHINGTON
State Coordinator

This last month has been a very active time for ABATE of Washington. I have processed two Accidental death claims.
One was from last year from an Independent member and would have been missed if the widow had not called to have the
newsletter stopped. The other the Chapter was right on it and wanted to help get in to the widow as fast as possible.
Being a member of a Chapter has benefits. Remember to educate our new members of these benefits of membership.
Remember, the insurance company does not have your name; we will be addressing the mailers, with our labels.
The Insurance Company pays the postage and furnishes the mailer. If you respond they will contact you and make available
additional benefits at reduced cost to ABATE members.

They will also make you aware of other benefits and coverage’s they have.

The Freedom Run was a success. Ed “Top” Baker led a group up from Southwest Washington.
Riders from all over met up at the Gwinwood. Everyone got there run pin and we proceeded the State Capital.
Representative Jim Dunn gave an excellent talk about Freedom and why he liked ABATE of Washington and what we stand for... We are standing up for our rights and participating in our government, while some just let there Freedom’s slip away.

Wow!! What a great event we had with the Spring Opener.
The weather was great, and everyone stepped up to make it a success. If you were not there you missed an awesome time. I want to thank Ron and Iola Voss for lining up the vendors, advertising, sponsors, and parade and rodeo grounds in the Toppenish area. Dutch Phillips headed up the West side, obtaining sponsors, advertising, Bands with Arrowood productions. The Christian Crusaders did an excellent job of taking care of the Admissions gate. They gave us very detailed information about the attendance, which were members and non-members and where the participants received their tickets. We will be able to gain insight as to how effective our different promotions were. Thanks to all who purchase products and ice. Roxy and Leland “The Iceman” worked very hard and were very successful. They were very pleased with the donations for Spring Opener Shirts. Leland said it was the most ice he had passed out in years.

Chris Dulas, our own Tractor operator, moved around and made sure our trash cans were appropriately placed and ready to empty. Our pro-temp Treasurer, Koeta Imhof, kept an account of all funds and is still working on the wrap up of our success. Headed up by Rona Smith. Rona, Koeta Imhof, Tom Wortman and other helpers raised funds for our prizes for the evening contest. Don Cuda, did an excellent job of master of ceremonies and judging. Jason McCarter and our Security team did a great job of watching over us all and making sure people were able to get where they needed to be. The Phoenix Security Company was very good to work with.

Our host contact for The Toppenish Rodeo, Mark Oaks was excellent to work with.

We owe a big thanks to the City of Toppenish, the Toppenish Police Department, Fire Department and Yakama County
Sheriffs Department for escorting our Freedom Parade to the City Park.
(Some of these folks came in on there day off to make this a success.)

I know I have left some names out of those who made this a success, I apologize, everyone made it happen.

It was very rewarding to recognize the Veterans who returned from the war in Iraq, and to see the Veterans, who are going
back to the war, salute those who returned. To recognize and acknowledge those who will be leaving and the moment of silence
for those who did not return. It was a great day!

I am very proud to be associated with the dedicated members of ABATE of Washington.
I am very fortunate to have this opportunity to be your Coordinator.

Lets Get Err Done!!

ABATE of WASHINGTON
State Coordinator
Mick Gillispie

Posted 05/15/08 by: Dragoni

Mick Gillispie
ABATE of WASHINGTON
State Coordinator

Did you know that every time your Chapter Coordinator leads your Chapter meeting, your meeting is being chaired and
led by a State Officer? Yes, you elected your representative to the Board of Directors of A.B.A.T.E. of Washington.
Your Chapter Coordinator is your voice at the Board of Directors of A.B.A.T.E. of Washington. If you send an alternate to
vote for you he is now representing you on the State level, also. Your Legislative Chair-person, Secretary and Treasurer
also represent you by participating and turning in the reports for your Chapter.

So far I have attended the following A.B.A.T.E. of Washington Chapters events or meetings. Central Washington,
East Pierce County, Kittitas, Lewis County, Mason County, North Kitsap, Olympia, Rat City, Sky Valley,
South King County, South West, and Tacoma. I hope to have visited all of the Chapters in the very near future and
return to many of you again.

Jerry Fox
SKCC Coordinator
Chap. Rep.#03

Mike Rutter
Mason County
Coordinator

Jim Barnes, Gypsy, and Mick Gillispie at Lewis CountyLet’s make ABATE successful!

Doc & MailMan
Tacoma Chapter

EPCC_SKCC
Members

I am enjoying meeting new friends and seeing some familiar faces from the past. I feel that many of the events that you
run could be enjoyed by the other chapters; we just need get the word out, use the newsletter and website. I have
discovered that many of your chapters are not as far away as it seems. Some of your Chapters could benefit from the
ABATE Leadership Materials and personnel if you requested it. Leadership Training and new member Orientation
should be a year round activity. Please be thinking about getting someone in your Chapter to take on this responsibility.

Briefly, I want to thank you all for the support and encouragement you have given Dutch.
He has some physical challenges to face yet, however I know that your support and prayers are treasures to him.

We are looking forward to seeing many of you at the Spring Opener, June 12-15^th, 2008.
Last minute details are being completed so you will have a good time. The Entertainment is booked!
And we have lots of venders and the Bike Show and Games are prepared.

Our next B.O.D. meeting will be hosted by the ABATE of Washington, Kittitas Chapter, on July 12, 2008. We would like
to dedicate that meeting to the Military personal that are going, or returning to the War Zone, in the late summer or fall of
this year, several of these folks are members of A.B.A.T.E. of Washington. They are the true freedom fighters that help
preserve and protect our freedoms, so we can participate in our democracy at home.    We want them to know that
A.B.A.T.E. of Washington will be supporting them in our thoughts and prayers during this time of sacrifice and service.
  I am sure that it has been hard for them to think about ABATE while they have been preparing for the upcoming tour.
   We will be looking forward to there safe return!

I am still excited about the future of A.B.A.T.E. of Washington.
I want to thank-you all for your support and encouragement.

Lets- Get ‘Er Done

Mick Gillispie

ABATE of WASHINGTON
State Coordinator

Posted 05/15/08 by: Dragoni

Posted 04/15/08 Dragoni

How many motorcycle riders have you ask to join ABATE?   Sometimes it’s just
that easy.   Many riders are aware of ABATE of Washington; they are just waiting
to be invited to join.   ABATE Membership applications are available in the
newsletter, webpage and a separate trifold. We encourage you to use our printed
applications.   If we get low or run out we can print out more. Don Cuda, our
Public Relations Officer has designed a new trifold that is very attractive.   They will
be available when we run out of our existing supply.

It has been an exciting four months. ABATE of Washington is a challenge; we have
many things that we want to accomplish. As the new coordinator I have worked
with getting to know the Executive Committee and to encourage the implementation
of old and new ideas. Below is a list of ten major areas
of running a successful organization.

THE BASIC TEN OF GOOD MANAGEMENT

1. PLAN OF ACTION- Chapter and Project Planning

2. PLANNED BUDGET- Financial Management

3. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE- Personnel Management

4. RECRUITING PEOPLE- Recruitment and Orientation

5. MOTIVATION AND INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT

6. RECOGNITION OF CONTRIBUTIONS-Awards and Recognition

7. COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

8. PLANNED MEETINGS

9. RECORDS

10. STATE MEETINGS- Inter-Chapter Relations

1. We have a plan of action in place we need to continue the plan and improve on
and focus on our goals.

2. Our budget was passed in October for this year. We have now appointed a new
Treasurer and have a professional bookkeeper to improve on our accounting
and providing us with more financial planning tools.

3. The organizational structure is basically the same. We are adding Orientation of
new members to be a year round focus, instead of just at STEAM.
We have moved WRRA/MRF/AMA/REPS to, the Ambassador At Large area.

4. We are looking at incentive programs to recruit new members.

5. We want to provide training of Chapter leadership year round.
6. Continue with existing programs and make a concentrated effort to recognize
contributions to our organization.

7. We want to implement Newsletter and Web page guidelines. We want to
implement an E-Mail communications system and guidelines.

8. Work on making meetings more productive and efficient though more
preplanning.

9. Work with the chapters to provide relevant reports that are needed to comply
with our bylaws, articles of incorporation and laws.

10. Continue to encourage inter chapter relations, strong chapters assisting chapters
with needs and helping each other to have successful events.

As we progress,

I want the Chapters to know that the Executive board is here for you
and we are ready to help you accomplish your goals.
You have elected or appointed us to work for you. We are you!

Lets Get Er done.

Mick Gillispie

ABATE of Washington
State Coordinator

Posted 04/15/08 Dragoni

Posted By Dragoni 03/19/08

January 5, 2008, then February, March and April. Time fly’s by.

Black Thursday was the big event for January followed by Lobbying Mal-functioning traffic light bill.
It looks like you will be able to taste beer and wine at your local grocery store ( ESB 5751) while we wait
for the traffic signal to turn for another year. (HB 1625).

Motorcycle Rider Safety Tack Force – Texas Larry Walker polled the Safety schools informally to see what they
thought about the Mal-functioning light bill. One of the schools representatives stated: I have to back you up on that one. It’s much safer to follow the way it would be with the Mal-functioning light bill, than to try to look back 180 degrees, to turn right, and go down the road, make a U turn and go the way you needed to go in the first place.

We now have a New State Treasurer, "Karen Blakely" to be confirmed at the April 19^th Board meeting.

Karen Blakely, has been a member of A.B.A.T.E. of Washington since November of 2005.
She has been Chapter Treasurer of SKCC for 2 years. She does booking professionally. In addition we have a professional bookkeeper to do our accounting for free. Koeta Imhof, does bookkeeping, tax accounting professionally. She is also a member of the South King County Chapter. We will still retain our CPA firm to do our annual taxes.

ADAM W.
EPCC

JERRY F.
SKCC

MICK G.
STATE

JAY F.
TACOMA

MIKE C.
STATE

United we stand divided we fall.
It is time for all members, chapters, executive committee, committees, chairpersons, and Board of Directors
to strengthen our bonds and unite in our quest to be heard.
If you have an idea or want to contribute let your leadership know.
We have room and need those who want to get involved.

We know that many of you have talents that you use every day that can help to make ABATE of Washington more viable.
We are listening to those who have spoken to us with there concerns. Again our goal is to build on what we have and
find a way that is acceptable to as many as possible. We are searching the records of old policy’s that were forgotten to
see if they are viable today. Our goal is not to burden the Board with committee work but well thought out plans and
organization. We have many written documents of how we operate and function as an organization.
We are working on making those available year round, not just during S.T.E.A.M. in October.

We are also working on fostering good relationships with other Motorcycle Rights Organizations, Local and State Governments (Like the, Department of Licensing- Motorcycle Riders Task Force, Department of Transportation, State Patrol and Cities). We need to work for our common goals together. We may not agree with everything that they do.
We want them to know what our goals are and find common ground
that we can work together on the things that we can agree on.

By doing this we can stop bad laws and work together for good laws.
It is better to stop bad laws at the agency level than when they are becoming law or enacted as bad law.

Let’s get ere done,

Mick Gillispie

State Coordinator

Posted By Dragoni 03/19/08

Posted By Dragoni 02/11/08

“I shall pass through this world but once

Therefore, Any Kindness or Good thing I can do

Let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again”

Have you ever played with a length of string? If you push it, it just goes every which way.   If you pull it, it follows.
   As Motor-cyclist’s we are pretty much independent thinkers. As ABATE members we have a common goal,
“Freedom of the Road” and we want to work constructively through our systems to protect and defend our freedoms.
We care, so we encourage and support training, safety and awareness. We try to assist those who have been abused
by the system. My point is: We have common goals!    We are all volunteers, we donate our time.   My goal is provide
the leadership, motivation, enthusiasm and coordination of our efforts to accomplish great things.   I trust the people who
have taken on responsibilities. If they did not have the qualifications they would not be in the positions they are in.
   My job is to follow up, to find the assistance they need. If they can not be motivated, be a team player or cannot do the
job it is my responsibility to find a position that they can.   I want to give them a chance to succeed.

Another successful Black Thursday,
Many of you went to the State Capital and visited your elected representative’s.
We made an impact as usual. I want to thank Rich Bright, Past State Coordinator, Ginger Magures our Legislative Affairs Officer and all of the volunteers’ who made it happen. The work party that met and assembled the packets, the folks that manned the Site table and the ABATE folks at the Gwinwood who organized the lodging and after party.

Our State Representatives, Senators and government officials recognize that we are organized and are on a mission.
We have been working on getting the malfunctioning light bill passed (left turn bill).
I think it was very effective to concentrate on just one issue and to go over our other issues.

Your ABATE Legislative team is still at work on getting the “Malfunctioning light bill” passed.

By the time this is out the Spring Swap meet will be over.
Rona Smith has been working hard to get all the details completed. I’m sure it will be a success.

At a recent chapter event, one of our members was injured by someone attending the event.
It wasn’t until after the incident did anyone say anything about this individual’s behavior all that evening.
The event was held in a public place. If you are at an event and someone is out of line or poses a threat,
Report it to the security. One incident may not be a problem, however more than one lapse of behavior demonstrates a
pattern. If no one knows what is happening it makes it difficult to handle.
We are all at these events to have fun and not get hurt.
All events have security personnel; use the security to handle badly acting individuals.
They are trained to do this. If you are a Chapter leader or event Chairman, running an event,
coordinate with Security before the event and have a plan in place.

As I study, ABATE of Washington leadership. I have found two individuals who have been and are doing
an outstanding job as leaders and are making great contributions to our organization.
Dutch Phillips and Mike Campbell, they both have stepped up to the plate and are going beyond the call of duty.
All of the Board is working hard. Some of the Board members are wearing more the one hat.
I am excited to see what we can accomplish as we get to know each other and establish a bond of teamwork.
I want to get out to all our Chapters, and find out what we need to do to help each chapter in the State of Washington.
I already have commitments from many of you to help each other and your
State Officers have made the same commitment.
At the same time we want to help establish new chapters and to make them successful in their communities.

We are also making different State agencies aware of ABATE of Washington.
Not only do we plan to work on Legislation, we want to be a part of and contribute to implementing and shaping policy.

We have many worthy goals its time to get er done!

Mick Gillispie

ABATE of Washington
State Coordinator

Posted By Dragoni 02/11/08