ABATE of Indiana Inc. Board of Directors Meeting
June 17, 2007 --- Lawrence County Recreation Park, Springville, IN

Executive Director Jay Jackson called the meeting to order at 12:10pm. Those present were: Region 00 – Teresa Bodle, Region 01 – Al Putman, Region 02- Dave Frost, Jeff Willingham, and Tammy Brown, 03 – Jerry Brown, Region 04- Chuc Hunter and Greg Lynch, Region 05 – Elmer Brown, Region 06 – David Polanco, Region 07 – Dennis Tyger, Region 08 –Brian and Michanne Smiddy, Region 09- Mo Kintner, Region 10- Lenny Stancombe, Region 11 – Kenny Casey and Mark Flemming, Region 12 – David Hawkins, Region 13- Eugene Abbott, Ad Com – Gino Johnson and Gary Williams, State Office – Tina McCormack and Kim Tyger. Everyone rose for the Pledge of Allegiance.

ITEM 1: Gino explained the dashboard of accounts from Jan 2007 through May 2007 in comparison with one year ago. Discussion followed. Tina went over the financials that were distributed for March and April of 2007.

(Motion 1)
(Motion 2)

ITEM 2: Dennis Tyger stated that the Ad Com had discussed the shower house and improvements to LCRP. Gary Williams shared the progress with the improvements and dealing with the State Department of Health for the mound system. The waterless toilets are expected to undergo construction beginning next week. Location of the waterless toilets was discussed.

ITEM 3: HB 1001 - Jay stated that he has met with the Governor, the Governor’s staff, minority leadership in both Houses and majority leadership in the Senate, and has spoken with the original author of the spinal cord and brain injury trust and has attempted to speak with Representatives Pat Bauer and Tim Brown. Phil Conklin, ABATE’s legislative representative, has contracted an outside law firm to research whether there is any case law that would justify filing a law suit. We do not expect this to be our course of action.

Letters have been mailed out to the legislature from the State Office concerning the spinal cord and brain injury trust fund language. The Governor suggested that Representative Tim Brown should work next session to get this legislation over turned. Discussion followed.

One possible way to beat this legislation this year will be to mobilize our members, and all motorcyclists in Indiana, to renew their license plates early to avoid the $10 increase. Jay will look into whether or not you can renew your registration early and if so, we will get the word out immediately.

A packet will be put together with talking points in it for individuals to take out to county fairs, fish frys and meetings across the state to draw attention to this legislation and set up our agenda for the 2008 legislative session.

Terry Eads sent a report pertaining to her request from each region as to whether or not they have a working phone tree and if so, how it works. Some regions did not respond, some said no, and others gave detailed descriptions of the procedure for a phone tree. Should we need to mobilize; all Regions/Counties will need to have a working phone tree.

The state has released their Strategic Highway Safety Plan, Traffic Records Assessment, the Highway Traffic Safety Plan, and several fact sheets. The Governor’s Council is touting the new seat belt law as a major victory. Effective July 1, riders in pick up trucks will be required to wear seat belts no matter where you are seated. This legislation also makes riding in the bed of a pickup truck illegal. Discussion followed.

ITEM 4: The MSD Newsbrief will be mailed after the current Instructor Prep course is over.

Indianapolis hosted the NHTSA Motorcycle Summit. The event was well attended and generated positive discussion.

Motorcycle fatality numbers for 2006 are still uncertain. It appeared when the first report came out that there were 92. Further reports suggested the actual number to be 96-97. The group from IUPUI that researches these numbers is now saying the number is more like 108. They want to include ATV, scooter, and other non-registered motor vehicle fatalities together with motorcycles. Jay intends to work with the Governor’s Council and the Department of Education to come up with an accurate number.

Motorcycle fatalities for 2007 were discussed.

ITEM 5: Roger Robertson is overseeing LCRP. He is keeping sections of the grass mowed and then gathering the other sections for hay.

Rays crossing will get another temporary fix this year as a permanent improvement will likely be too costly.

ITEM 6: No changes in ABATE products to report.

ITEM 7: Fort Wayne is now non-smoking. So far it hasn’t appeared to have an affect on Freedom Hall. We will continue to monitor this and if need be we may construct an outside smoking area.

Teresa Bodle brought up the shingles on Freedom Hall and the fact that they appear to be in need of repair. This issue is still being addressed with the roofing contractors and the shingle manufacturer.

ITEM 8: Kenny Casey stated that the State Charity Committee worked with Terry Hudson from Indiana Children’s Wish Fund to get the second prize as a trip for two to Las Vegas. Kenny also stated that regions need to get their information turned in so that it can be published in the magazine. On August 4th there are several State Charity Rides and Terry is concerned that she may not be able to be at any of them because they are granting 20 wishes that day. Putt stated that ICWF brought a family to their event and that they were well received.

David Hawkins brought up concerns over the Region 04 shelter house. Discussion followed.

Teresa Bodle addressed Elmer’s recent article in the HMC to use the rest of their event monies to construct their shelter. Elmer explained that these are not sanctioned events but outside events that they are helping with. Proceeds will be given to Region 05 to help build their shelter. Elmer agreed to address this in his next article so that other members will also understand as the BOD had agreed that monies from normally sanctioned events could not be used to build shelters.

Al Putman would like to see a list of Charter members. He recommended that directors study their region membership lists and look for members that have been around for a long time and give them a call inviting them back to meetings etc. He also wants to see 30 year members be given a lifetime membership.

Kenny Casey reiterated his comments from the April BOD meeting that we need to go into the safety classes and promote ABATE either in person or through a video. The office is looking into a video for next year. Putt reminded the board of a poster board that could be placed in various locations with membership tear-offs.

ITEM 9: An Ad Hoc committee was created to plan a productive meeting for members of ABATE of Michigan and other SMRO’s coming to the Boogie. Members of the committee are Chuc Hunter, Jeff Willingham, and Mark Flemming.

Jay stated that he went to Lansing, MI for their Freedom rally. They have the votes they need in the Senate but are struggling in the House. The Governor still insists that she will veto any legislation to change the current helmet law. Jay offered our support to ABATE of Michigan.

Jay thanked members of the BOD as well as the current staff for their hard work and dedication to the organization.

Kenny Casey addressed the board concerning advertising in the magazine that promotes events that conflict with ABATE of Indiana events. Discussion followed.

(Motion 3)

Brian Smiddy questioned what the calendar of events is built off of in the magazine. Tina stated that this information comes from flyers. The list of dates turned in for sanctioning does not have all the information for the events and that occasionally those dates are even changed.

Chuc Hunter addressed getting flyers put into the magazine when the counties and or regions are making their own. Jay recommended that when flyers/articles etc are sent into the office, follow up to make sure that they were received. If Marc receives something via email, he will send back a response stating that he has received it. If you do not get that response, follow up with him.

Mo asked about a list of individuals that have been barred from all ABATE functions.

Putt requested that we look into a new location for the August BOD meeting at Freedom Hall so that we have more room so that some of the board and attendees are not sitting outside of the meeting room.

(Motion 4)

Respectfully submitted,

Kim Tyger

Action Items

Send copy of letter to the Governor and memo from Governor’s Council Meeting out to all directors.

Get a list of Charter members.

Look into to posters to be placed in various facilities with membership tear-offs.

MOTIONS

MOTION 1: Eugene Abbott made the motion to approve the financials for Dec 2006, January and February 2007. Kenny Casey seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

MOTION 2: Kenny Casey made the motion to accept the Boogie 2006 financials. David Hawkins seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

MOTION 3: Jerry Brown made the motion that we don’t contain conflicting events within the Region radius in the Hoosier Motorcyclist. Kenny Casey seconded the motion. Region 05 and Region 09 voted no. All others voted yes. Motion carried.

MOTION 4: Brian Smiddy made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Jerry Brown seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried.