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GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION SOUTHEASTERN “REGION A” ‘HEADQUARTERS OF THE “A” TEAM’ |
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Region "A"-News
APRIL 2008
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The Official newsletter of Region "A" |
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Region "A" Directors
Bob & Nancy Shrader
9333 Rolling Circle
San Antonio, FL 33576
352-668-3164
regiondirector@gwrra-regiona.org
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The Region “A” rally season has now officially
begun with the Florida District rally in Kissimmee the 13th-15th
of March. And a truly great
one it was! Our
congratulations to Ed and Jeanette Carr and the entire Florida staff for
a wonderful rally performance. A
great venue, solid attendance, a good trade show, good food all worked
to make the Florida rally an unqualified success.
The Gold Wing raffle was won by Rich Schaad, the Chapter Director
of FL1-M. Congratulations,
Rich!
While at the Florida rally, we held an officer’s
meeting where we decided on the assignment of the Wing Ding duties.
Region “A” has primary responsibility for Ticket Sales, the
Poker Run and has back-up duty for On-site Registration.
The South Carolina District will take full responsibility for the
Poker Run while the other Districts will take daily turns at Ticket
Sales. We do not yet know
what the scope of the back-up requirements for On-Site Registration are,
but will get that information shortly.
With respect to the Wing Ding responsibilities
mentioned above, we’re going to need assistance from our chapter
members across the Region, so when your District staff come asking for a
little time, please consider giving us your help. For
just a few hours help you’ll receive a unique volunteer pin for your
vest and an invitation to the worker’s Ice Cream Social after closing
ceremonies. Not bad for
some fun and easy work.
Remember that at Wing Ding in Greenville, our very
own Region “A” Couple of the Year (and Mississippi District
Director) Gregg and Patricia Harbison will be participating in the
International Couple of the Year selection. We’d sure like to see a big turn-out from all the members
of Region “A” (not just Mississippi) to support them. If you’ve met Gregg and Patricia, you know that these guys
have a real good chance of prevailing in the selection. Let’s show them some great support in July!
The next District rally in Region “A” is the
Alabama rally in Mobile, April 3rd through 5th.
This is a great event that we always look forward to attending. They always have a good vendor show, lots of food and a great
location. They’ll also be
raffling off a new, 2008 GL1800 (you must be present to win) at closing
ceremonies. Your Region
“A” staff will be serving a fantastic Bar B Q dinner put on by the
Alabama District on Friday (the 4th) evening, so come on out
and join us for what promises to be a fantastic time!
We mentioned in last months’ newsletter that the
International Membership Enhancement Director, June Agee had passed away
suddenly at her home in Illinois. Since
that time, we have awaited the announcement of her successor.
Melissa Eason (the Associations’ Executive Director) has
appointed Ed and Linda Johnson from Region N to be the new International
Membership Enhancement Director. Ed
and Linda attended the Florida District rally where Nan and I had the
pleasure of meeting them. We
look forward to working with them in the future and congratulate them on
their appointment.
We look forward to seeing you on the GWRRA rally
circuit soon,
Bob & Nan |
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Region "A" Asst. Region Directors
Jim & Sue Jackson
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Hey, did you know there would be seven GWRRA Rallies held in Region ‘A’ during 2008. Where else but in Southeast Region ‘A’ will you have 4 opportunities to win a 2008 Gold Wing and $10,000 (Actually 3 since Florida already gave theirs away to a happy winner.). Yes, only in Southeast Region ‘A’ will that opportunity be available during 2008. The question is which rally should I attend or should I just attend them all and give myself a great opportunity at winning a Gold Wing or $10,000.
The first was the “The Old Time Rock
n Roll Wing Gathering” the Florida District Rally held
March 13-15 and what an excellent rally that new Florida District Directors Ed
and Jeanette Carr and their Staff produced.
Had a very good selection of vendors and each day was filled with
activities that were available if one decided to participate.
By the way, “participate” is the key word here.
Many folks will go to a rally and expect to be entertained, but
“participation” is what makes a rally more fun.
Another words if you play you will have fun.
If you sit on your hands than that is about as much fun as it gets. Coming up next in the Region is the “NASCAR” theme Alabama District Rally April 3-5 at the Civic Center in Mobile, AL and this one will blow your shorts off if you stand to close to the track. New District Directors Roy and Anita Fosnight and their Staff have approximately 40 vendors lined up for you and activities that will keep you jumping. One that peaks my interest is the “Swamp Boat Rides” and I’ll bet there will be some surprises on that ride so keep your hands in the boat. Chomp, chomp. Oh by the way, Alabama will be giving away a new 2008 Gold Wing this year and you have to be present to win…….I like that. This will be my 20th continuous Bama District Rally and I look forward to being there. May 1-3 in Anderson, South Carolina new District Directors Carl and Donna Blackston and their South Carolina Staff will serve up the third rally in the Region the South Carolina District Rally. They are going to “Light It Up in the Electric City” and “watt” fun we will have meeting old friends and perhaps some new ones. Another 2008 Gold Wing will be given away to the lucky person during this rally. The fourth rally held in the Region is the Georgia District Rally June 12-14 in a new location, which is Athens, Georgia in the foothills of North Georgia. You don’t need much for this rally just a small wrap-a-round Toga. Yep, Georgia District Directors, Bill and Betty Livingston and their Staff have put together “A Rally of Mythological Proportions” which means to me wear your best dress Toga. See you in Athens. July 3-6 will bring the “big daddy” of all GW rallies to Greenville, SC for the fifth rally in the Region and we all know it as “Wing Ding.” Folks, if you ever had any notion to attend a Wing Ding it just doesn’t get any closer than this in our Region. If you come for the week or just come for a day or two take a look around the vendor exhibit. I doubt that you will be unable to find any accessory made for a Gold Wing or you that won’t be on exhibit. Yet, another 2008 Gold Wing to be given away in the Region. "The Southeast Region ‘A’ Rally” has a brand new location for 2008 and is our sixth rally in the Region held Sep. 11-12. Dothan, AL is the new location at the Holiday Inn South. Dothan is in the wiregrass section of Alabama and that fits right in with the Luau theme so wear your grass skirts and you will be in style. If you haven’t heard the Grand Prize is a Honda scooter so come on out and hula with us at the Region ‘A’ Luau. For us “rednecks” you can wear your cut off overalls if you feel uncomfortable in a grass skirt. See you at the Luau. October 16-18 brings us to Biloxi, MS for our seventh rally in the Region and new Mississippi District Directors Greg and Pat Harbison and their Staff will have “Stars On The Coast” Hollywood Style so come dressed as your favorite movie or TV personality. This should be fun seeing many of your favorite stars attending the rally in Biloxi. The Grand prize this year is $10,000 bucks. Yep, I could really use that prize. See ya in Biloxi in the fall. Jim & Sue |
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Senior Region
“A” Educators
Ron & Pam Lantz
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PROPER
RIDING GEAR, IS IT NECESSARY?
Here's
a list of the most essential motorcycle safety gear: Helmets
Even at low speeds, helmets protect riders from potentially fatal
injuries. Though they're optional in many states, a DOT (Department of
Transportation) approved helmet is the most basic way to protect yourself
on a motorcycle. Avoid half-helmets and "brain buckets" which
are built primarily for looks, not functionality; buy a well constructed
helmet from a reputable manufacturer. Armored
Outerwear If
you dress for the slide, not the ride, you might save yourself from
painful road rash. While leather jackets, pants, and full race suits
protect riders in high-speed accidents, many motorcyclists prefer to wear
more lightweight synthetic textiles. Manufacturers now offer convenient
weatherproof suits that fit over clothing. Whether you choose leather or
textile outerwear, be sure to include armor with your clothing, which
serves to protect from impact with pavement or another vehicle. Gloves It's a basic human reflex to break one's fall by extending the arms, and
the hands usually suffer considerable damage when a rider is thrown off
his or her bike. Protect your palms, knuckles, and fingers with sturdily
constructed, well-padded gloves, preferable gauntlet style ones that
extend past the wrist. Boots
Boots are important not only for crash protection, but also because they
provide a way to grip the motorcycle and stay securely mounted while
shifting and braking. Buy a solid pair of motorcycle boots, and they might
actually outlast your bike. We
have noticed that many GWRRA members actually believe that we do not need
to wear proper gear when riding at slow speeds, like at a rally, just
going to the vendors, or moving the motorcycle. The fact is that where and
when is a motorcycle the most unstable?
The answer is at low speeds, and since the GWRRA motto is FRIENDS
for FUN, SAFTEY and KNOWLEDGE, should we not practice what we preach? What example do we send when we talk about proper riding gear
and then ride without it? What do new members see, and what will they do
when they see long time members riding
without P.R.G. Remember
we set the example and if we are going to talk the talk we had better walk
the walk, so to speak. If this sounds like preaching the same old same old, yes it is. GWRRA recommends that all
motorcycle events etc. should be done in proper riding gear, this would in
my eyes, mean Bike Games,
parades, lighted bike show and any moving event. All
educators that can possibly attend Wing Ding this year should plan on
helping out at the Rider Education table. We do not have any times or
anything at this time. We are
also pretty sure that we are going to need as many Rider Course
Instructors as possible for ranges. We are also requesting that all Rider
Course Instructors contact their prospective District Educators and update
your status. Even if you have renewed you will need to do so again as
somehow these has been lost at the National level. Let’s not lose any of
our Instructors as Region A has a wonderful program and it would not be in
the best interest of the membership to lose any of these outstanding
assets to our Districts and Region in whole. The form will be on the Region
Website, so please download it, you can fill it out then print it,
then sign it and mail it to Mark Z. You must snail mail it as original
signature is required. Pam and I thank you in advance.
Ride Safe Ron & Pam Ron & Pam
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Region "A" Trainers
Dave & Ellen Hamilton
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AAHHH! It was so nice to be
down in Kissimmee and bring out the short sleeve shirts, bask in the sun,
and enjoy the great hospitality from the Florida folks.
The Florida Rally jump-starts our Region “A” rally season and
they did exactly that. It was
so good to see our GWRRA friends again. Pat Seadorf, Florida District LTD had a full schedule of
seminars that included several of his new instructors.
All the instructors did an excellent job. This will qualify the 3 new instructors to receive their
instructor’s patches. Florida
also has a Horizon Class planned for mid May in Ocala.
As soon as the dates firm up, we will post them on the Region
“A” web site.
We are pleased to announce the qualification of KZ Kleinhitz as a
Master Instructor. KZ, as
most of you know, was the Mississippi District Director for a number of
years and has served as a Sr. Instructor for many years, putting on
Horizon Seminars all over Region “A”.
That gives Region “A” two Master Instructors, Dave Aikens and
now KZ. This will be a real
asset to the Region, giving us the ability to hold instructor classes in
the west side of the Region. KZ is also going to help get some of the Time Line going in
Mississippi.
Region “A” is also stepping up to assist Master Instructor Dave
Aikens with the seminars at Wing Ding.
We have a number of new instructors in Region “A” and this is a
chance for them to expand their training skills along with our tried and
true Region instructors. Dave
is in charge of setting up the seminars for Wing Ding and Region “A”
will be assisting him with this challenge.
He has already developed a very interesting list of seminars for
the general membership.
The Alabama Rally is next on our list.
April 3-5 are the dates and we will be traveling to Mobile to
participate. Frank Teasley,
Alabama District LTD, has several interesting seminars lined up for the
attendees so look on the schedule and pick one out that strike your fancy.
NASCAR is the theme, so wear your favorite NASCAR driver’s shirt,
cap, etc. Take a ride on a
swamp boat or check out one of the historic area tours on the list. Bellingrath Gardens should be in full bloom this time of the
year, especially with the rain and warmer weather we have had recently.
The azaleas and dogwoods should be magnificent.
If you haven’t registered for Wing Ding, do so by May 14th
and you will get in the early bird drawings.
They have several nice prizes for early registration. Remember, Wing Ding is in our own back yard so there are no
excuses about the distance. Greenville,
SC is a great location and the South Carolina District staff is not only
putting on their own rally on May 1-3rd, in
Anderson, SC, but they are also setting up the poker runs, parade
route and several sight seeing mountain riding tours for Wing Ding.
So be sure to put Wing Ding on your calendar and support the best
Region in GWRRA. See you in Alabam! Dave & Ellen |
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Region "A" Membership Enhancement Coordinators
Bob & Karla Greer
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Last month was a sad one for the Membership Enhancement Division when we lost our director, Ms. June Agee. June will be missed by all. Fortunate for GWRRA, June had the foresight to have already talked to Melissa Eason about succession planning and her possible successor. On March 19, 2008, Ed & Linda Johnson of Bristol, TN were announced as the new MED Directors. We are looking forward to working with the Johnsons as they lead the Membership Enhancement Division. Rally
season in Region "A" began last month and a great time was had
by all at the Florida District Rally.
Ed & Jeanette Carr, the Florida District Staff and all that
helped, did a great job of providing everyone with a fun packed rally.
We had the opportunity to present our very first Membership
Enhancement Seminar. We had
over 40 attendees including Ed & Linda Johnson, and several District
Membership Enhancement Coordinators.
All that attended learned a lot and there was a great exchange of
information. If
your chapter is participating in the MED Chapter Newsletter Contest please
be aware that there has been a minor change.
You are required to send two hard copies, one to each of the
following people. All other
rules remain unchanged. See
the MED Chapter Newsletter Award Guidelines on the Guides and References
page of the MED Web Site.
Mort & Ruth Smith
Clara Boldt
807 Race Street
708 East High Street
Catasququa, PA 18032
Toledo, IA 52342 We
will leave you this month with a few Membership Enhancement ideas as we
enter a new riding season. Retention
- It is Spring and time to ride. What
a better time to call some of your regular chapter participants that you
haven’t seen in a while, tell them you have missed them and invite them
back. Retention
– Call each and every new member in your chapter area from your Area
Report each month. Tell them who you are, where you meet and invite them
to join you at your rides and monthly gatherings. Retention
– Call each and every expiring member on your Area Report each month,
even if you do not recognize the name. Tell them who you are, where you
meet and invite them to join you at your rides and monthly gatherings. Recruiting
– Pass out and encourage all chapter participants to carry some sort of
recruiting materials with them at all times, in their bikes and in their
cars. This is the time of year that you will see riders every time
you go out. Stop, talk to them, and give them some information on GWRRA
and your chapter gathering. Invite them to join you. Public Relations
– Plan and conduct a bike or mall show of some sort. Be sure to have
lots of information on GWRRA and your local chapter gatherings to pass out
at these events. See the
latest GWRRA Public Relations Guide, July 2007. Public Relations
– Put a “FREE” Public Service Announcement/ Community Brief in your
local newspaper announcing your monthly gatherings.
This takes a few minutes and will reap benefits for years. Be sure
to send the paper(s) a quick note if you move meeting locations. Couple Of The Year
– If you haven’t already selected your chapter couple, it is not too
late. An active Couple Of The Year can benefit your chapter in more
ways than one. Take a look at the new Couple of the Year Program Manual
dated November 2007. We
hope you are making plans to attend the Region "A" Rally in Dothan, AL
September 11, 12 & 13, 2008. The
host hotel has already filled up but there are still plenty of rooms in
the alternate hotels which are listed on the Region Rally flyer. Bob & Karla Greer |
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Region "A" Couple of the Year Coordinators
International Couple of the Year 2007-2008
Jake & Joanne Jacob
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Well,
the rally season is in full swing. We had a wonderful time at the Florida
District Rally. Thanks to Ed and Jeannette Carr and their great staff for
putting on a good time. Even though Jake spent most of his time sick in
bed, I had a marvelous time being the goofy one of the couple! What a way
to start the season. Congratulations
to all the wonderful couples who participated in the District Couple of
the Year selection process. Any of you would have been excellent
ambassadors for our District. Since one couple has to be selected, we
congratulate the 2008-09 District Couple of the Year, Rex & Tina
Prince of FL2-L. We know
they’ll do Florida proud! We
are beginning our marathon final months of being International Couple of
the Year. Wow, it’s been so much fun and we’re looking forward to the
remaining months. This will give you an idea of where we’ll be: April 3-5
Alabama District Rally April 24-26
Tennessee District Rally May 1-3
Missouri District Rally May 31-Jn 7
Americade June 12-14
Georgia District Rally June 19-21
Honda Hoot While
we’re at Americade, we hope to visit several chapters in New Jersey and
New York. We’ve been invited to NJ-G for their Sunday morning meeting on
June 1st. We’ll fly into Albany on Saturday and drive to NJ.
After the meeting we’ll head back to Lake George for Americade opening
ceremonies. We’re
also looking forward to helping the District Couples of the Year in our
Region and prepare for the Region rally in September. We’ll
see you in our travels. Thanks to you all for your continued support! Jake and
Joanne
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Gregg and Pat Harbison
Region "A" Couple of the Year
2007 - 2008
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We
had a wonderful time with Bobby and Rosemary Patterson at the Florida
District Rally in Kissimmee, FL March 13 thru15. The weather down and back
was just about as good as it could be for March and we enjoyed the bike
ride down and back. At
the Rally site in Kissimmee, we saw many familiar faces and met a whole
lot of new folks, too. While there, we met and visited with two of the
Region Couples we will participating with at the Couple of the Year
Selection Process at Wing Ding this July in Greenville, SC. Visiting
Florida all the way from Kitchener, Ontario Canada and representing Region
K, Terry and Marina Christoff were enjoying the Florida hospitality and
sunshine. And Dan and Ruth Ann Camire from Shamong, New Jersey seemed to
be having a very good time, also. Both these couples were extremely
pleasant and we enjoyed their company, even if
all four of them had funny accents. Dan kept attempting to get his
“ya’ll” to come out right while our Mississippi rendition of
“youse guys” made everyone laugh. We had already been able to spend
some time with the Region “N” Couple, Ed and Mary Ann Grazier from
Smyrna, TN at our Mississippi District Rally last October so this meeting
with the two Couples from the lands of snow was another treat for us.
It’s really nice to be able to meet some of the Couples before we get to
Wing Ding. We’ll be attending the Region “H” Rally in Marshall, TX
April 17-19 and the Region “N” Rally in Kingsport, TN May 29-31. We
hope to be able to meet other Region Couples of the Year while we are at
these Rallies. We’re
all riding more now that the weather for riding is here. Please make sure
to include your T-CLOCS inspection in your routine before leaving on a
ride. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to get your co-rider involved in your
preparations so she will understand the importance of what you’re doing.
Let her learn by watching you and then one day turn the inspection over to
her! Remember, riding two up is a partnership where you both look out for
each other. Along
with the Region Rallies mentioned above, we’ll be at the Louisiana
District Rally in Lafayette the 27-29 of March and the Alabama District
Rally in Mobile, April 3-5. We sure hope to see some of you at each of
these events. If we support our neighboring Districts and Regions,
they’ll come support us! Congratulations
to Florida District Director Ed and Jeanette Carr and Florida District
Staff for a well run and successful 2008 Rally. And a big hand is given to
all Florida GWRRA members for having the distinction of living in the Number One District in Rider Education in the WORLD! A job well done
and a recognition well deserved! Have
fun, ride safe and we’ll see you soon! Gregg & Pat
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We
have a Classified Section on
the Region "A"
Site where
you
can post your items,
with a picture, that you have for
sale.
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