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Resolution Commemorating May as Motorcycle Awareness Month here

MAY IS MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS MONTH!
Well folks, it’s finally here!  Riding season and motorcycle awareness month.  What have you done to promote motorcycle awareness?  Think about it, what can you do, to help save your own butt out there.  I know I am a broken record, but just one hour of your time could make all the difference for your region and your fellow motorcyclist out there.  Maybe help out with an awareness class, make a phone call to someone you know who may be able to get your instructors before an audience (we will talk to just about anyone folks, doesn’t just have to be drivers ED. classes).  Perhaps you could help make yard signs to put up every May, we have done so 3 times now in Region 14 and anyone that shows up to help gets to take one home to display in May.  Maybe you could help run a fund raiser to help pay for a billboard if you are in a region lucky enough to have purchased one.  Do you know someone who works in broadcasting or with a local paper, you could maybe get your awareness folks on the air or have a reporter sit in on a class and do a story about what we do.  Get people beyond the thought that we are the “Crazy people who are against helmets and want to splatter our brains on the pavement”, you all know we are not.  We want freedom of choice and the whole helmet issue would be a moot point if people quit running us down and if those who are rusty, brush up on their riding skills and ride straight so they don’t have those single cycle accidents.

Here in Region 14 a member called one of the local papers and talked to a reporter.  He sat in on one of our classes and is working on a story about our awareness program.  Should be out in the next few weeks.  As you are probably aware, we have decals for sale for your vehicle.  We have many in our area and I have sent them as far away as Nebraska (to an ABATE member there who saw them in the Rider magazine. he picked up at the meeting of the minds) and Florida.  Several of our members have been stopped by folks wanting to know where to get them, what a great idea (thanks again Sara) and wanting to know if this is an organized program.  If you cannot afford the $15 fee for these you can always talk to your region’s awareness director and get one of our bumper stickers we use in the classes for free!  There is no excuse, it’s your behind, and do you want to save it?????

I have a little challenge here, looking for awareness articles.  Send me your thoughts, ideas, suggestions.  Submit by July 1, 2008 either by snail mail (please print legibly) or by e-mail.  Best article submitted will be published in August Rider and author will receive a free window decal.  Winner will be decided by Chuck, Kathy and Terry.  All others may be plagiarized and published in future issues.

Sticker: $15, Airlift to Hospital:  over $1000+, Riding your scooter and arriving home unharmed:  Priceless!

NOW WORK TOWARD THIS GOAL!

 A little business here:  If you need supplies or start up kit, contact Chuck Manning at (906) 884-2347 or e-mail him at cmanning@jamadots.com.  If your region is in urgent need of something and you are in the Lower Peninsula, contact Kathy at (517) 546-6608 or e-mail at region14abate@yahoo.com. 

Motorcycle Awareness Decals

If anyone is still interested in the “Look Twice, Save a Life  Motorcycles are Everywhere” decals please let me know.  Cost is $15 each ($20 if mailed), I can get different colors  and they can be ordered for the inside of a window if you wish.  The size is appox. 4” high by 23” long.  It is big enough to be seen yet small enough to not block vision.  It fits across the back window of my Saturn Vue quite nicely and will fit on one back window of a full size Chevy van.  I will be bringing some to the state seminar so if anyone wants me to earmark some, please let me know by December 10^th as I will have to get my order in. Kathy (517) 546-6608 or e-mail region14abate@yahoo.com