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 continously Since we only have until 10th 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 trophys. The trophys 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 revitilize 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 monthy 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 continous 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
ABATE of Washington Ambassador-at-Large
Washington State MRF Co-Rep