NORTHWIND RIDERS TANKBAG

 

September 2008

 

From the Director’s Chair

 

Here we are in September and it’s raining like crazy.  I guess we should be grateful we are only getting the remnants of the hurricanes that have been battering the South.  With a little luck, we may still get a few good weekends for riding. 

 

I’d like to thank the ladies who gave us places to go and things to do on our bikes this year: Joanne S. who put together our contests, Kim S. who worked with Fox Valley Cycles and brought us another contest and Ginnie R. who planned rides for us all season.  I hope all of you have been able to get out and enjoy some good rides.

 

Be safe and keep the shiny side up.

 

Minutes of Meeting – August 16, 2008

Cindy called the meeting to order at 9:40 am and read the WOW Mission statement.

 

Secretary's Report:

There were no deletions, additions or changes noted to the July meeting minutes.

 

Treasurer's Report:

Judy read the financial report.  LaVerne moved to accept the report, Lynn seconded and it was passed.

 

 

Road Captain’s Report:

Several members went on a ride to pick up Points of Interest in the Rockford area and stopped for lunch at the Machine Shed Restaurant.

 

The annual WOW Women Only Weekend in Madison was a big success with about 300 in attendance including 9 members from IL chapters.  The event raised $102,000 for the Ride For Kids.  Way to go Ladies!!!

 

Committee Report:

None.

 

Old Business

Fox Valley Cycle is making plans for a Maintenance Seminar.  Watch for an email from LaVerne with a listing of members and their motorcycles.  Be sure to respond if your name isn’t on the list or if your bike info isn’t correct.  More information will be coming.

 

Marilyn suggested that we stop the 50/50 drawing after the meetings due to how little money it actually raises for the chapter.  Everyone agreed so the 50/50 drawing is no more.

 

The issue of email topics on the NWR web site was discussed at length at the July meeting. When a final motion was passed to “return to the more open method of messaging previously enjoyed on the WOW/NWR chat room,” Lynn made a motion to change the term “chat room” to “Yahoo news group.”  Judy seconded the motion and it was passed by vote.

 

Sharon reported that she received a Thank You note from the Motel 66 in Springfield where most of the attendees of the Mr. Lincoln Campout stayed.  Following was a discussion for a change of venue for next year’s event.  A committee was formed to research alternatives. Committee members are Marilyn and CJ.

 

Sharon brought up that we still needed a place to hold the Holiday party this year and Jan volunteered her home for the party.  Information on the party will be forthcoming in the next couple months.

 

Per Liz, anyone wishing to have their Dream Trip idea in the running for next year’s schedule must bring a write-up on their ride/destination to the September meeting.  For those not comfortable with leading, the person whose idea is chosen does not have to lead.  The Dream Trip location will be published by the November meeting and the date by the December meeting.

 

New Business. 

Nominations for next year’s officers were submitted at this meeting.  For Road Captain, there were neither volunteers nor nominations.  Pam suggested that we make the Road Captain’s job a little easier by asking everyone to submit one or two ride ideas complete with routing to the destination and possible dining and/or points of interest.  Again, the person submitting the ride idea does not have to lead the ride. 

 

Nominations are as follows:

  • Cindy – Chapter Director
  • Sharon “Rusty” – Assistant Chapter Director
  • Judy G. – Treasurer
  • Jan S. – Treasurer
  • LaVerne – Newsletter Editor
  • Lynn – Road Captain

Elections will be held at the September meeting. 

To cast your vote, you must be present at the meeting.

 

Guests who were present at this meeting included Marilyn’s daughter, Jeanine J., and also Eleanor and John B..  Eleanor was a NWR chapter member long ago – one of the chapter’s originals.

 

There being no further business, CJ moved to adjourn the meeting.  Tammy seconded, it was passed and the meeting was adjourned at 10:30am.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jan S.

Secretary

 

 

Tankbag Tidbits

 

I’m repeating the Dream Trips this month.  Number 12 is new.  These will be up for discussion in October and a vote taken in November.  Here are the Dream Trips submitted in 2007:

 

1.      Nashville – One-week ride down the Natchez Trace to Natchez, TN (Judy)

2.      Sturgis on the River, Davenport, IA (Tammy)

3.      Motorcycle Museum; Ames, IA to support our sisters (Tammy)

4.      Tour northeastern states: Vermont, New Hampshire, upper New York, Niagara Falls (LaVerne)

5.      Martha’s Vineyards; Mass.  Southern Island in the Atlantic Ocean (Liz)

6.      Kentucky Land Between the Lakes). Rent a houseboat for 3 to 4 days to live on and cruise the lakes (Pam)

7.      Black Hills, SD (Marilyn)

8.      Deals Gap and surrounding area (LaVerne)

9.      Washington, DC – Seven-day trip (Rusty)

10.  Door Country – Four-day trip (Judy)

11.  Mississippi River to New Orleans (Tammy)

12.  Hell, MI - Weekend trip (Tammy)

 

These are great destinations.  Bring any others to the September 20th meeting.

                                                   

Birthday Announcements

Three members were born in September: Ginnie (9/18), Nikki (9/20), and yours truly (9/23). Happy Birthday to the three of us.

 

Happy cruising.

–        Editor

 

 

 

Rusty’s Ramblings...         

                                                                                                                                                                  By Rusty H.

                                                                                                                                                                                           Illinois State Ambassador

         

Back when I first joined W.O.W., there was a section in the Women On Wheels® Magazine that listed the states in order of the number of W.O.W. members in that state.  IL used to be a pretty consistent 5th place in the listing.  I don’t know where we are now, but with the population explosion we’ve experienced here in IL, I’m sure we’re in the top five still. The North Central Illinois Wild Roses are now officially a Chapter, and they are recruiting members left and right.  Plus, an article done on the Chapter in their local paper was picked up by the AP and is now appearing all over the place.  Great PR for W.O.W.!

          A few months ago, I mentioned that there was a lady in the Peoria area looking to start a Chapter.  Just a couple days ago, I was sent an e-mail from a lady in Pekin who is interested in joining a Chapter in her area.  This lady saw the above mentioned article in her local paper and contacted the W.O.W. website and guest book.  So, keep your fingers crossed, we may be in for another population explosion.  I’ll keep ya’ posted.

          When a new Chapter is forming sometimes members from another Chapter go to meetings and rides to kind of help them get started.  I remember we had members from other IA Chapters when we formed our Chapter.  This is a great idea and really helps smooth out some of the bumps.  This brings to mind a question that was brought up last year at the Ride In.  How many Chapters can you belong to? 

          When it was discussed last year, it got down to terminology, and it was explained to us like this.  Once you join W.O.W. you belong to the National organization and can attend meetings, rides, rallies, and any other functions with any Chapter you wish to.  The only time you need to declare that you are affiliated with a Chapter is for voting purposes.  You can only vote in one Chapter.  This includes Chapter, State, and National elections.   You cannot vote for a Chapter Director in one Chapter and then next week go to another Chapter meeting and vote for officers there too. 

          Now, how do you know who is a voting member in your Chapter?  Every quarter, Chapter Directors are asked to send in 3 Quarterly Reports and one Annual Report.  The Annual Report is due at the beginning of the year and also includes the Chapter’s Charter Renewal.  In the Quarterly Reports, the info requested is pretty simple.  Just the basic questions: what have you done since the last report, what do you plan to do in the future, how many members do you have, how many are full members, support members, active, non-active, etc. 

          The Annual Report asks for the names and numbers of all your members.  Because of the number of members and the small staff at the National Office (one part time lady), there is no way for National to track who is where.  But if all Directors check with all their members before filling out the form, we should be able to keep everyone honest and avoid double voting.  Also, a copy is supposed to be sent to me and I’ll be checking for duplicates.

          So, when a new Chapter is forming, go ahead and give them a hand.  Be there to offer advice, relate experiences, and make them feel welcome, but unless you plan to switch Chapters, leave the voting to the new members.  A new Chapter needs advisors, and voting isn’t even a requirement until they get their Charter. By then they should be able to stand on their own two feet.

          Now for upcoming events.    The Northwind Riders’ Sept 20th monthly meeting ride will take them to the Malden Hog House in Fountaindale.   They have a question mark next to Mid West Fall Gathering the weekend of the 26-28, and unfortunately I have to announce that the Fall Gathering won’t be happening this year.  I’m not sure where open is, but that’s what they have for Oct. 4th.

          The Shawnee Riders webpage calendar show they want to go to the 23rd Annual GWRRA Southern IL Ride In at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds Sept 12th.

          The River Valley Lady Riders are riding to Monroe, WI to attend the Cheese Festival on Sept. 20th.  Then on the 21st, they are going on a Teddy Bear Ride in Clinton, IA.

          If NWR’s are looking for something to do on the 4th, they can go with RVLR on a Ride for the Cure, spend the night and then join them and the River Riders on a Toys of Tots Ride in Davenport, IA the next day, the 5th.  Earlier in the month, the RR will be riding to Choppers in Hillsdale on Sept. 11th.  If you like chili, their annual chili dump/meeting at Peterson Park in Moline is the place to be.  Hot dogs over a fire, a big pot that everyone dumps some chili into, and later marshmallows over the last of the coals make this one of the most popular meetings.  And then on the 5th is the Toys for Tots Ride.  Aren’t those Marines some cute young things?! 

          Summer is coming to an end and already I’m thinking of places I want to go next year.  In May I am retiring from the other motorcycle organization that I am an officer in, and hope to free up more time to spend with W.O.W.  I really would like to have time to visit all the IL Chapters next year for at least one meeting or ride.  So, be thinking of those places you’ve heard about and want to visit, and get them on your schedule for next year. 

           

 
 
By Rusty H.