It has been one of the worst winters; we have had in a long time. Snow, Flooding and more snow. It made conditions for travel very treacherous. We had to reschedule our Board Meeting for the welfare of those of whose lives would have been at risk to travel to and home from the meeting. I hope that you agree that the welfare of our members is more important than the inconvenience of rescheduling a meeting.
I want to Thank Dutch Phillips for assisting Rick Ward to transfer over the Web to Rick. I want to Thank Rick for all of his efforts to get all of the Web site into the Name of ABATE of Washington. Rick has been busy changing over the Web, our Name Registration and our IP host. He is currently working on adding new functions to our Web and new layouts for the future.
During the holidays, Ron Voss, Deputy Coordinator, Scott Robinson, Columbia Gorge Chapter Coordinator, (L T) Fred Morris of PPS our event Security, and your State Coordinator made a presentation to the Klickitat County Commissioners, Klickitat Sherriff, Goldendale Police Chief, Goldendale Chamber of Commerce and several ABATE of Washington Columbia Gorge Chapter members. The presentation was very well received. We have a lot of planning and organization to complete this project. We are going to need volunteers to help make this event a success. This year we will be running a Beer Garden, Bike Games and Bike Show, to name a few of the activities.
At the Board Meeting, several management tools were presented. Hopefully these tools will add to the organization and operation of ABATE. In the near future we will be having a meeting on how to organize projects and events.
Nominations for Officers were made. If any of the offices were contested we will have elections. I want to encourage each of you to return your ballot quickly, with your vote.
Black Thursday, January 22 is history now. We need to follow up with our Legislators and lobby for the issues that we supported and promoted. (Please read and study the article on Bills to law) Our work does not end after Black Thursday, we want to watch our bills and lobby when needed.
Our next big event will be the Spring Swap meet in Monroe on March 29th. (See more information in this Publication) I would like to encourage all of you to attend this event. ABATE of Washington at this time runs 3 major events. The Spring and Fall Swap Meets and our Spring Opener. These projects allow us to earn funds to run ABATE of Washington activities and programs the year round...
It is rewarding to work with all of the Members of ABATE of Washington. I see the members of our Chapters helping and supporting each other. From all of the projects that help ABATE of Washington accomplish the purpose of ABATE and the Family values which are not ABATE, but support each other in times of loss and joys of helping each other. We have many more things to do so Lets Get Err Done!
Mick Gillispie
State Coordinator
ABATE of Washington