Beating my own drum

[Momz]

I've been a "Motorcyclist Rights Activist" for better than twenty years.
I joined the AMA almost 30 years ago and within a few years I was elected to the AMA's MI (D 14) Board of Directors.
Shortly thereafter I joined ABATE of MI, and became a regional officer and chief road captain.  
Being an AMA member and a member of ABATE of MI, I was able to bring the two organizations a bit closer.
I only wanted to be an AMA official to start a dialog and then stepped down, yet I still belong to both organizations.
I left the ABATE Region for personal reasons but remained a member.

I purchased a Valkyrie in 2003 and joined the VRCC. I became involved with this club and served as a chapter leader. I stepped down after a year due to circumstances that I will not go into, but I still believed in the VRCC.

There was an ABATE region not far from from us that had several VRCC members and that region was also in my favorite riding area. I soon joined that region and really enjoyed the comraderie of that regions members. I was nominated and elected as their AMA rep as well as the MRF rep.

I was the elected as MI's MRF assistant state rep. and my wife became an MSF rider coach and was asked to give a demo at the "MRF Meeting of the Minds".
My wife and I, as a team, then represented the State of MI at the next MRF MoM in Ohio.

ABATE of MI, just as the VRCC, has an membership primarily composed older riders and I find that to be a state of "non-growth". That is unexceptable  for a motorcycle rights organization. I kept voicing that opinion and implored the membership committee to address this situation without resolve.

This weekend was the 40th Annual ABATE State Seminar so I decided to run for the ABATE of MI, Board of Directors. And I was elected without a single opposing vote.

........Now the work begins,......and I pray that I can live up to my own expectations.

[Joevalk]

Congratulation

[Jess from VA]

Thanks for your commitment. 

However, as you know, no good deed goes unpunished.   

[Romeo]

Congrats George. You've always had the passion for it.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

" Atta Boy "

[wiggydotcom]

Wow, Motorcyclists throughout the whole US owe you a lot of gratitude. Thanks for fighting for us bikers and making it safer for us riders!

[Karen]

You are a class act!

[saddlesore]

No one could ever say you are not a biker.
Thanks for your dedication.

[Black Dog]

George, yer a Pit Bull on two wheels 

Way to go!

Black Dog

[Hef]

Congrats. Both AMA and Abate are good organizations. I am a Life Member of AMA and love the work they do to protect our right to ride.

[chrise2469]

Congrats George.  I know you have a passion and hope you can bring some new folks in.

Ride safe.

[hotglue #43]

get 'em George!!!!   Congrats, and sic 'em

[Otus]

Congratulations George.  Let's get those cheese graters off the highway medians.

[Momz]

My goal is to increase membership. More specifically, younger members, as ABATE was founded in the seventies and the majority of our current members are those that were already riding in those days. The seventies were a time of turmoil, protest, and distrust of our government. There was a motorcycle sales boom during that time and  my generation embraced the dream of two wheeled freedom. ABATE was a product of those times, but has evolved as us "Boomers" aged.

Today the real challenge is to bring younger riders into the fold. I don't believe that all the current "twenty/thirty somethngs" are politically apathetic. My generation is going to die off rapidly within the next ten years or so. We need to train the next generation of "freedom fighters" to take up the vigilant stance that us "old guys" have fostered.

The VRCC is a totally different type of organization and is makes no pretense of being of a "political watchdog" group and is focused on the love of Honda's premier cruiser motorcycle. And of course there is some age/generational crossover. The Valkyrie is a only a quantifiable commodity, so no matter how many enthusiasts join this group (any brands/makes are welcomed into this family), there are fewer of our beloved machines in each passing year.

My question, or should I say my quest, is how to appeal to the younger generation(s) of ABATE members.
So I would appreciate any input as to how to approach and engage the next wave of potential freedom fighters.
I have some ideas and have been trying some over the past few months, but I would appreciate your ideas and thoughts.

Remember.......the VRCC was also a radical idea at the time of it's inception.
Thank you.

[BonS]

Momz,

First: Congratulations! Now get to work!

Just this weekend I was having a conversation with a successful independent gym owner. I work out at a different independent gym that struggles to find new members (even though the gym is owner is amazing and teaches all of his classes!).

The successful gym owner swears that the difference is that his son knows how to use social media. To us older folks that might mean Facebook and, at most, twitter but there's much more to it than that. Find a few younger folks that can help you to reach out and connect with the younger generation.

Don't just listen and try to learn but also let them take the lead. Use their youthful energy and ideas to build a new base. It's a new paradigm.

Again, congratulations, and thank you for sacrificing your time to a great cause.

[houstone]

The Barbershop Harmony Society is engaged in the same battle, and has had some success through social media.  However, that seems to be waning a bit since it really doesn't foster tangible relationships, like sharing the wind or a chord.

We have had a bit better luck just learning how to engage folks in every day life and let them know our interests and personally invite them to join us.  Unfortunately that is difficult for many folks.  We periodically practice those interactions on each other, and it is getting easier...

Good luck!
Jeff

By the way, if you want to try something different for Valentine's Day, send a barbershop shop quartet out!  We deliver 2 songs, a rose and a card for $60 in the Houston area.  They are available all over!

[Black Pearl's Captain]

My goal is to increase membership. More specifically, younger members, as ABATE was founded in the seventies and the majority of our current members are those that were already riding in those days. The seventies were a time of turmoil, protest, and distrust of our government. There was a motorcycle sales boom during that time and  my generation embraced the dream of two wheeled freedom. ABATE was a product of those times, but has evolved as us "Boomers" aged.

It has evolved into what? I still see all the meets are held at "Squirrels Bar" and you have all you can drink beer for $15 admission. How has that changed over the years?

The young riders hang at Taco Bell on Friday not Squirrels bar.

[Momz]

My goal is to increase membership. More specifically, younger members, as ABATE was founded in the seventies and the majority of our current members are those that were already riding in those days. The seventies were a time of turmoil, protest, and distrust of our government. There was a motorcycle sales boom during that time and  my generation embraced the dream of two wheeled freedom. ABATE was a product of those times, but has evolved as us "Boomers" aged.

It has evolved into what? I still see all the meets are held at "Squirrels Bar" and you have all you can drink beer for $15 admission. How has that changed over the years?

The young riders hang at Taco Bell on Friday not Squirrels bar.

ABATE of MI is now the Governors "go to" group in matters of  Insurance Reform. We are in the State Capital virtually every week lobbying and meeting with lawmakers and other politicians and bureaucrats as a citizens watchdog group.
Yes, there are a few drunks that give ABATE a less than stellar reputation, but they are not what we are, they just want "group identity", and that will happen in every type of large organization. Don't judge all by the few  

[~ Timbrwolf]

...I agree with Gary...you have always had a passion for it.....among other things.. 

Congrats George. You've always had the passion for it.

[Romeo]

George,  I belong to a facebook group based in the Detroit area that are mostly young'uns riding vintage japanese iron. I will be happy to try and persuade them to give you a jingle.

[Momz]

George,  I belong to a facebook group based in the Detroit area that are mostly young'uns riding vintage japanese iron. I will be happy to try and persuade them to give you a jingle.

I'd appreciate that Gary.
Thank you.