The following people donated a little extra towards the awareness program when they renewed their membership last month. “Thanks for giving a shit.”

Terry & Robin Goyette – Region 20

Timothy J Ostrander – Region 6

Rev. Sharon Cash – Region 7

Robert E Thorson – Region 19

Gerard A Makkonen – Region 19

John & Carol Falk – Region 11

Tony Medina – Region 15

Jerry & Tonya Franklin – Region 15

Phillip Hrabovsky – Region 11

Daniel Hill – Region 20

I hope to see you at the seminar in January. The flyer is in this month’s newsletter. Also enclosed are the Member of the Year for the regions and the Sponsors. Also enclosed in this month are the Awareness and Legislative Supporters for the 2011 year. Thank you to everyone who has supported the organization in various ways this year.

The candidates for the board and the by-laws are included. It is up to you to decide the board of directors and whether dues will increase next year.

I announced at the October Board Meeting that I will be stepping down as Secretary the end of January. I will continue to be on the board and help out with the FieldMeet and Seminar but it is time for someone else to step forward and handle the Secretary position. So this is my last Secretary article (I will update the information Board of Directors, Bylaws etc after the seminar). It has been nice serving you as Secretary.  

ELECTIONS

The current officers (Vince Consiglio, Butch Brown, Vince Piacenti, Jim Rhoades, Gerry Spomer and me) are automatically on the next board of directors. The following people will be voted on by you at the election on Sunday, January 15, 2012. As in prior years anyone not currently on the Board of Directors has an * asterisk in front of their name.

After the election on Sunday everyone on the 2012 Board of Directors will be eligible to run for the Officer Positions. Names will be placed in nomination for these positions and they will be voted on by the current board.

BYLAW proposal

The following bylaw proposal was approved by the Board of Directors to be passed on to the membership for a vote at the annual election.

Current by law reads

Article IV. Membership

D.  The yearly membership fee shall be $20 for a single person and $35 for a couple, living at the same address. Only one newsletter shall be mailed to a single address. Dues shall be non-refundable.

E.   1. Life membership for a single person shall be 15 times the annual membership dues of a full paying member.

      2. Life membership for a couple living at the same address shall be 15 times the annual membership fee for a couple.

You will be asked to vote [ yes] or [ No] on the ballot for the following change in the bylaws.

D. One year membership fee shall be $25 for one person or $45 dual membership for two people, living at the same address. Only one newsletter will be mailed to dual member’s address. Dues shall be non-refundable.

E. Two year membership fee shall be $40 for one person or $70 dual membership for two people, living at the same address. Only one newsletter will be mailed to dual member’s address. Dues shall be non-refundable.

F. 1.  Life membership for one person shall be 15 times the annual membership fee of a full paying member.

2. Life membership for dual membership people living at the same address shall be 15 times the annual membership fee for a dual membership.

Please remember to talk to the candidates at the seminar. Anyone running will also have an opportunity to address everyone present at the lunch on Saturday.

If you have any questions about this feel free to call me or email me.

Thanks

Pam

248 685-9150

pam@abatemichiganregion19.org

The following people donated a little extra towards the awareness program when they renewed their membership last month. “Thanks for giving a shit.”

Charlie Matties – Region 15

            David Vandaele -Region 19

            Johnny Awesome – Region 19

            Kerry McLean – Region 19

            David Corn – Region 19

The seminar starts Friday January 13, 2012. I have included a preliminary agenda for you to peruse. There may be some minor changes but basically these are the topics to be discussed.  Please note, if you have a December expiration date you have to renew your membership by the end of December in order to be eligible to vote in the January elections. The list to be used at the election will be printed out around the 5^th or 6^th of January. If you are not on that list you will not be able to get a ballot.

If any new members signs up after December 13^th I will send them a note to advise them that they are ineligible to vote at the annual meeting. This is because of the bylaws which have a 30 day requirement in order to be able to vote.

Please remember that children and dogs are not allowed in the pool area. Also if you want to attend the luncheon you have to send in your checks by the deadline (flyer included).

ELECTIONS

The current officers (Vince Consiglio, Butch Brown, Vince Piacenti, Jim Rhoades, Gerry Spomer and me) are automatically on the next board of directors. The following people will be voted on by you at the election on Sunday, January 15, 2012. As in prior years anyone not currently on the Board of Directors has an * asterisk in front of their name.

* Rusty Bongard                                                       Tom “Jinx” Rahn

Eric Eads                                                       Herb Rials, Jr

Mike Olinger                                                  * Dondi Vesprini    

Mike Poage                                                                   Randy Wilson

Mike “Fiz” Przybylo                                          Brian Yinger

Patty Rahn  

After the election on Sunday everyone on the 2012 Board of Directors will be eligible to run for the Officer Positions. Names will be placed in nomination for these positions and they will be voted on by the current board.

BYLAW proposal

The following bylaw proposal was approved by the Board of Directors to be passed on to the membership for a vote at the annual election.

Current by law reads

Article IV. Membership

D.  The yearly membership fee shall be $20 for a single person and $35 for a couple, living at the same address. Only one newsletter shall be mailed to a single address. Dues shall be non-refundable.

E.   1. Life membership for a single person shall be 15 times the annual membership dues of a full paying member.

      2. Life membership for a couple living at the same address shall be 15 times the annual membership fee for a couple.

You will be asked to vote [ yes] or [ No] on the ballot for the following change in the bylaws.

D. One year membership fee shall be $25 for one person or $45 dual membership for two people, living at the same address. Only one newsletter will be mailed to dual member’s address. Dues shall be non-refundable.

E. Two year membership fee shall be $40 for one person or $70 dual membership for two people, living at the same address. Only one newsletter will be mailed to dual member’s address. Dues shall be non-refundable.

F. 1.  Life membership for one person shall be 15 times the annual membership fee of a full paying member.

2. Life membership for dual membership people living at the same address shall be 15 times the annual membership fee for a dual membership.

Please remember to talk to the candidates at the seminar. Anyone running will also have an opportunity to address everyone present at the lunch on Saturday.

If you have any questions about this feel free to call me or email me.

Thanks

Pam

248 685-9150

pam@abatemichiganregion19.org

November

The following people donated a little extra towards the awareness program when they renewed their membership last month. “Thanks for giving a shit.”

Region 1 – Frenchy Krolik

Region 8 – William & Donna Drake

Region 11 – Lori Welch

Region 18 – Jason Romack

Please mark the dates for the seminar (Jan 13 – 15, 2012). A preliminary agenda will be included in next month’s newsletter. We do know that Jay Jackson from ABATE of Indiana and the MRF will be there. Imre Szauter from the AMA will also be there to discuss national issues. Please remember that this is an adult event and is not a place for children.  Also no animals will be permitted in the pool area. If you have any questions give me a call.

BYLAW proposals: Two were submitted for consideration by the board of directors. They will be discussed by the committee, and then they will be submitted to the board of directors. If the board of director’s vote to submit the proposals they will be voted on by the general membership at the January elections on Sunday at the seminar.

BOARD of DIRECTORS

Gary Slawter has decided to not run for the 2012 Board of Directors. We thank him for his past services to ABATE of Michigan.

Larry Katkowsky is retiring from both his business and from the Board of Directors. He has been on the board of Directors since 1992 (20 years!). Please thank him for his many years of service to this organization. I know that he has several other interests that he is looking forward to enjoying during his retirement. We wish you the best.

The current officers (Vince Consiglio, Butch Brown, Vince Piacenti, Jim Rhoades, Gerry Spomer and me) are automatically on the next board of directors. The following people will be voted on by you at the election on Sunday, January 15, 2012. As in prior years anyone not currently on the Board of Directors has an * asterisk in front of their name.

* Rusty Bongard                                                       Tom “Jinx” Rahn

Eric Eads                                                                  Herb Rials, Jr

Mike Olinger                                                           * Dondi Vesprini    

Mike Poage                                                              Randy Wilson

Mike “Fiz” Przybylo                                            Brian Yinger

Patty Rahn  

After the election on Sunday everyone on the 2012 Board of Directors will be eligible to run for the Officer Positions. Names will be placed in nomination for these positions and they will be voted on by the current board.

Please remember to talk to the candidates at the seminar. Anyone running will also have an opportunity to address everyone present at the lunch on Saturday.

If you have any questions about this feel free to call me or email me.

Thanks

Pam

248 685-9150

pam@abatemichiganregion19.org

October

The following people donated a little extra towards the awareness program when they renewed their membership last month. “Thanks for giving a shit.”

Region 3 – Rick Miller

Region 12 - James Beyler, John Soucek

Region 18 – David A Bush

Region 19 – Gary L Cummins

Region 20 – Maurice Hollis

Region 21  - Michael Laverty

Please mark the dates for the seminar (Jan 13 – 15, 2012). The committee is still working on the agenda and should have more information in next month’s newsletter.

BIKE RAFFLE

The winning ticket for the motorcycle was drawn on Saturday evening. The very happy winner of the 2011 Electra Glide was:

Don Van Woert from Jackson, Mi. There is a picture of him with his bike in the newsletter.

2^nd Prize winner was Chad French from North Adams, Mi. 

3^rd Prize winner was Ronald McDonald – Jackson, Mi.

4^th Prize winner was Greg Stocking – Kentwood, Mi.

The prizes were mailed out this morning (September 12^th)

I’ll have the list of regions sales and the final breakdown of expenses and profit in next month’s issue.

I do want to again thank Jinx and Patty for the great job they did in selling raffle tickets. I also want to thank Hank Stromeyer and region 12 for their hospitality this past weekend.  

I am repeating the following from last month’s issue because my article is also put on the website.

BYLAW PROPOSALS
According to the bylaws of the organization (on the website)

Article X - Section A. Any and all proposed amendments shall be made in writing and submitted by postal mail to the state secretary at the state post office box address postmarked no later than October 1st

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Article VII Section A.3

All other members of the organization wishing their name to be placed in nomination for election to the Board of Directors, shall submit their request for same, by postal mail to the state Secretary, at the state post office box, along with the written endorsement of one other member of the organization postmarked no later than October 1^st of the current year.

So if you have a by-law proposal or if you want to run for the board of directors you need to mail it to

(I can not accept faxes or emails – the by-laws clearly state by postal mail)

ABATE of Michigan

PO Box 309

Milford, Mi. 48381-0309 by October 1^st.

Just one other note about the Board of Directors, if you do decide to run please be aware that there are expenses and time involved. I don’t want to discourage you because we could use the help, but the board does not get reimbursed for their travel expenses to attend a meeting unless mileage exceeds 300 miles one-way. There are at least 4 board meetings per year that you would be required to attend and you will also be assigned to work on committees and at state events. Again, I hope this doesn’t discourage you because we need the help.

If you have any questions about this feel free to call me or email me.

Thanks

Pam

248 685-9150

pam@abatemichiganregion19.org

September

The following people donated a little extra towards the awareness program when they renewed their membership last month. “Thanks for giving a shit.”

Region 5 – Toni & Bob Burke

Region 13 – Martin Sugar

Region 14 – Howard Durussell II

Region 16 – Dennis Tressler

Region 19 – Craig B Wilson

Region 20 – Albert Nedoff Jr.

Region 20 – Samuel V Boodoian Jr

I want to thank a couple of people who were a great help at the Field Meet in June. I thank Joe and Judy Clancy and Dave Bedell from Region 6. They not only worked at registration most of the weekend but Judy also fed Vince and me. It was greatly appreciated. Thanks to Dave Pettit for offering the extra space in his camper for Vince and I to put our bed in. Not only did we not have to mess with putting up a tent but we had a quiet and air-conditioned space to stay. I also want to thank Hank Stromeyer for selling the 50/50 tickets on Saturday for me. Again, thanks to Randy for the new location for us to use and for the great job he did.

Chuck Nichols from region 5 is again doing a great job with memberships. Chuck signed up 20 new members a couple of weeks ago.

The bike raffle is almost over. I hope that the winner is one of our members. Please thank Jinx and Patty when you see them for the unbelievable job they are doing with the raffle bike. They have already sold over 600 tickets and are still working at it. They have two more locations they are going to attend with the bike and then they will be in Sturgis to sell more. Again, thanks for the great job.

STATE SEMINAR

The seminar will be Jan 13 – 15, 2012. A preliminary flyer is in this month’s newsletter. Please note that Children and Dogs are not allowed in the workshops or in the pool area. If you plan on bringing either your child or your dog you will need to make arrangements for them to be taken care of. This is an ABATE event and it is not for children. As for dogs – there are people with allergies and the dogs will not be permitted. I hope you understand.

BYLAW PROPOSALS
According to the bylaws of the organization (on the website)

Article X - Section A. Any and all proposed amendments shall be made in writing and submitted by postal mail to the state secretary at the state post office box address postmarked no later than October 1st

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Article VII Section A.3

All other members of the organization wishing their name to be placed in nomination for election to the Board of Directors, shall submit their request for same, by postal mail to the state Secretary, at the state post office box, along with the written endorsement of one other member of the organization postmarked no later than October 1^st of the current year.

So if you have a by-law proposal or if you want to run for the board of directors you need to mail it to (I can not accept faxes or emails – the by-laws clearly state by postal mail)

ABATE of Michigan
PO Box 309
Milford, Mi. 48381-0309 by October 1^st.

Just one other note about the Board of Directors, if you do decide to run please be aware that there are expenses and time involved. I don’t want to discourage you because we could use the help, but the board does not get reimbursed for their travel expenses to attend a meeting unless mileage exceeds 300 miles one-way. There are at least 4 board meetings per year that you would be required to attend and you will also be assigned to work on committees and at state events. Again, I hope this doesn’t discourage you because we need the help.

If you have any questions about this feel free to call me or email me.

Thanks

Pam

248 685-9150

pam@abatemichiganregion19.org

August

The following people donated a little extra towards the awareness program when they renewed their membership last month. “Thanks for giving a shit.”

Region 10 – Keith Maclennan

Region 11- Lawrence J Morrison

Region 20 – Ron Conroy

The Fieldmeet was fantastic. The weather was great, the turnout was good and the facilities were really nice. It was a very relaxed and fun weekend. Please thank Randy for the great job he did getting everything organized for this event. It’s a lot of work and he did a great job. The official thank you will be handled next month after all the bills are in. 

I hope everyone is enjoying the weather and riding. Vince and I were able to sign up for an Advance Rider Course in our area. If you get a chance you really should sign up for one. It was really great and a bit frightening but I learned a lot and know I am a better rider because of the course. We were able to sign up as a region and take it together which was also nice.

Enjoy the weather and be safe when riding. 

Pam

248 685-9150

pam@abatemichiganregion19.org

July

The following people donated a little extra towards the awareness program when they renewed their membership last month. “Thanks for giving a shit.”

Region 6 – Bill and MJ Bouckaert

Region 9 – Kelly Harmon

Region 12 – Linda Eads

Region 15 – Tony Medina

Region 16 – Dale and Terri Parish

Region 17 – Del Hamacher

Region 18- Victor Harwood

The following donated $100 towards the Awareness Program and will receive the Awareness Supporter Patch

Region 17

Thumb Motorcycle Chrome LLC from Region 7

I want to thank Jinx and Patty for the great job they are doing with the Bike Raffle. They have been traveling around with the raffle bike to different bike events. This month alone they have sold over $2,000 worth of tickets. Please thank them for the job they are doing for ABATE. The dealership they are working with is Town and Country and the dealer, Tom Petito has been great to work with. I hope if you live in the area you thank him for his cooperation.

The Freedom Rally was a great event this year. If you didn’t make it you really missed a nice time. The weather was perfect and there were a lot of great speakers. In addition to our members we had the following visitors, who look forward to the day they can ride free in Michigan like they do in their states:

Charles Sorbie Sr from Florida

Dan Sagataw UP and also a member of ABATE of Wisconsin

ABATE of Indiana: Jay Jackson Director and MRF Board,  Mike Curtis, Sandi Daub and Bill Crum

ABATE of Ohio: Jim Elgin (Chair), Carla and David Lawson, Diane Thompson, Kelsey Anderson - Region 6, Ruby Worchuck, John Shansker - Region 4 and Tim Horetski and Rick Jessee from their Region 9.

Don’t forget to sell or buy the raffle tickets I mail out to you. If you haven’t already received two tickets in the mail you will when you renew your membership. This is the only fundraiser that the state participates in and we could use your help.

Enjoy the weather and be safe when riding. 

Pam

248 685-9150

pam@abatemichiganregion19.org

June

It is really sad to report the loss of Bob Rogers, the RC from region 5. Bob was a great person and really a loss for the organization. Please remember to appreciate everyone in your life. You never know what’s going to happen.

The following people donated a little extra towards the awareness program when they renewed their memberships. Thank you for your donation. 

Region 4 David Wenkel

Region 15 Felix R Hurt

Region 11 Mick Wesolowski, Al Winquest

Region 20 Chuck & Sandy Beals, Steve & Renar Snider, Wes Snider, Larry Scott, Greg Criner

I hope to see you at The Freedom Rally in Lansing on June 8^th . Please only park in those spots that are bagged for ABATE.

Don’t forget to sell or buy the raffle tickets I mail out to you. If you haven’t already received two tickets in the mail you will when you renew your membership. This is the only fundraiser that the state participates in and we could use your help.

This article is going to be short this month. I guess I’m anxious to get out of here so I can get some riding in. Anyway, as usual if you have any questions about the above or about membership please feel free to call or email me.

I also want to remind everyone that the only people who get into the FieldMeet for free are those members who were awarded the Life Membership. There are only a handful of people who have received this honor. If you have purchased a Life Membership you still need to pay to get into the FieldMeet.  If you have any questions concerning this contact me.

Enjoy the weather and be safe when riding. 

Pam

248 685-9150

pam@abatemichiganregion19.org

May

This afternoon I will be taking my first ride of the season. It’s been a long time coming. I hope everyone is also enjoying spring and riding again. Remember to be safe out there.

The following people donated a little extra towards the awareness program when they renewed their memberships. Thank you for your donation. 

Region 6 – Nicole Hine

Region 10 – Rey Paez

Region 11 - Wayne Hammond and Jim Fraser

Region 13 – David Krick

Region 15 – Michael Meyer and Hollywood

Region 17 – Mike Derouin

Region 19 – Chris Barberi and Richard Lenz

Region 20 – Joellen Bruce, Gary Wiens, Kevin Wheaton, Robert Boch and Terry Everman 

I hope to see you at The Freedom Rally in Lansing on June 8^th . Please only park in those spots that are bagged for ABATE.

I hope you sell or buy the raffle tickets I mail out to you. If you haven’t already received two tickets in the mail you will when you renew your membership.

This article is going to be short this month. I guess I’m anxious to get out of here so I can get some riding in. Anyway, as usual if you have any questions about the above or about membership please feel free to call or email me.

Pam

248 685-9150

pam@abatemichiganregion19.org