The Motorcycle Riders Foundation Meeting of the Minds 2009

by Fiz

                The 25th Annual Meeting of the Minds held in Minneapolis, Minnesota September 24-27, 2009 was an event that will live in my mind for ever. This article is being written a month late because it has taken me that long to get my head out of the clouds after returning, but I’ll talk about that later in this article. The thread that tied all of the general sessions together was that each started with the history of Motorcycle Riders Foundation. Quite a few of the people that were on the original Board attended, and helped inform current and new members of how the organization was formed, and the lessons that were learned along with growing pains. I was very happy to see so many old friends again. There was a general session on Thursday evening, and general sessions and brake out sessions on Friday, and Saturday. Some of the general sessions were:  Legislative Update on Federal Issues Concerning Motorcyclists, The Defenders Program, being set up through the Collision of Clubs, and State Motorcycle Rights Organizations across the country, MRF Awareness and Education, this is an offshoot corporation that accepts tax deductible donations to promote Motorcycle Awareness and Education, Bikers Rights from the eyes of a Elected Official, Political Action Outside the U.S.  Over the 2 days there were 11 brake out sessions to choose from like: Building a Circle, Lobbing at State and Local Levels, Motorcycle Dial-A-Ride and Other Proven Strategies,  Making Friends to  Influence People, How to be Most Effective in your SMRO, Lies Damn Lies and Politics.

                Friday night there was the Annual Tug of War between the Kilts and the Bibs. The location was moved from the parking lot to a grassy spot between parking areas and this was a good thing for the Kilts because this year the Bibs won and a few of the Kilts slipped and fell on there rear end, and were drug along the ground.  I wonder if they had a green stain that is if they had underwear on. Then after the Tug of War was Carnival Night, a fund raiser for the MRF there were allot of games to play and donate through. Saturday night consisted of cocktails, a Silent Auction, and a Live Auction along with the Awards Banquet. The awards given out at the banquet are the Founders Award, and the Farmer’s Award. The Farmer’s Award is the highest award given out to members of the MRF. This award is presented by Hard Tail the President of the MRF and the recipient is chosen by the president and a vary small committee there many  requirements for this award such as never being a board member of the MRF, Dedication to the MRF and support of the organizations and it’s ideals. The winner of the award this year is Mike “Fiz” Przybylo. When I heard my name called out I was in disbelief, the members at our Michigan table said go up and get your award, I was speechless.  All I could say at that time is thanks. I still get a lump in my throat when I think about receiving this award. I would like to thank Karen Forsberg for attending many MOTM with me and help withal the MRF Benefits over the years, and the ABATE of Michigan Board of Directors past and present for allowing me to be the MRF Michigan State Representative and helping fund our many trips to Washington D.C. Being the MRF State Representative is something I have always believed in, and enjoy doing.

                In 2011 the Meeting of the Minds will be held in Michigan at the Crown Plaza hotel in Romulus located on Merriman Road.  This will be held in late September. We are looking for members of ABATE of Michigan to come up with a logo for this event. The person creating the winning logo will receive a free T shirt and registration to the MOTM 2011. I must receive the design for the logo by the end of March 2010. You can send all designs to the ABATE mail box address care of Fiz. The logo cannot have too much detail so that the logo can be easily silk screened on a t-shirt. I have enclosed a couple of past designs for ideas. We will also be looking for Regions to step up to handle various responsibilities involved with Michigan hosting this international event.  We also need the Regions to start asking Businesses that are friendly to ABATE to donate what they can to make this a great  MOTM.  I’ll be following up with more information on this in up coming newsletters.