“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