Deputy Director Report

by John Reblin

Relationships,

Wowser, we survived the Polar Vortex that brought a lot of snow, -20 plus degree temperatures and then a warm up. A few days later we had Officer’s Training, sharing and learning what works for us and working on improving what doesn’t work. When all is over and done with, we can sit back and say, yeah that’s it!

Driving around the south east corner of the state for work, I sometimes need to switch up what’s on the radio. How much can a person listen to the left and right fighting, the press doing their version of covering of news and the latest weather “scare” sending people to the stores for bread and milk. So, I flip over to the FM stations and am pretty soon listening to a little Katy Perry sing about a relationship that is not quite working the way it should. The other person is waffling up or down, in or out or even going hot or cold.

From there I get an old Genesis song “That’s All” Where Phil Collins sings about the rut in a relationship. He saw black she said white, finding out he was wrong when he thought he was right. It’s always the same, it’s just a shame that’s all.

Then you get Adelle singing about Someone Like You and I started to think how much music written is about relationships and all the ups and downs. Love, hate, first time together and breaking up and moving up. Monster hit singles and albums are based on these heartaches and relationships that worked, that didn’t, and those that never happened.

We in ABATE of Wisconsin know all about relationships. We try and build them within our legislature on both sides of the aisle. It helps us accomplish what we set out to do, giving riders in Wisconsin the right to ride free, safe and educated.

Many of us joined because a friend or relative was able to share a message that you were needed in order to support this organization that has fought hard to maintain our rights. Starting out with Tony Pan and others fighting a helmet law, we are currently working on autonomous vehicles on Wisconsin roads, defining a motorcycle and that we own the data collected by your vehicle. Our focus on motorcycle related issues is what makes us strong.

Relationships got us into this organization. People with like interest gathering together for a common cause. Membership is the same way. We try to sell memberships promoting the relationship that binds us all together.

A person I know, and have dealt with on issues, became a member quite a few years ago. He dutifully paid his dues every year, getting the newsletter and reading it every month to see what we as an organization were up to. Work, home life and other commitments didn’t give him the needed time to attend meetings in his area, which is one that is also a little sparse in regional reps. Jerry Mann set up an informational meeting trying to generate some interest in getting his region up and running.

I got an email from this member, in response to one of mine, looking for a little information and was surprised to hear that he was interested in going to this meeting, but he felt he would not fit in with the group. He thought he and his wife would be out of place attending this meeting. You see, he is a rider that believes in the gear. Yep, he believes in wearing a lid along with his jacket, gloves and boots. And during the HD 115th he was the target of some comments regarding his, yes, his choice, to wear the gear. He was nervous that he would hear the same type of comments at one of our meetings and with that mindset he did not feel that he and his wife would be comfortable in attending an ABATE meeting.

I would like to think yes, you can attend this meeting and any other of our meetings and feel welcomed. I would certainly welcome him, or anyone else, to a meeting as I am sure all of you would also. And I would hope that this meeting would be the start of a long relationship between the side that believes in all the gear and those that support choice to wear it. The choice to wear whatever gear has been decided to be just that, a choice, and that is fine with ABATE of Wisconsin. I would like to believe that anyone, any age, any nationality, any religion or any “whatever” is welcomed at our meetings or events, to be involved in a conversation and be willing to listen to what we have to offer.

It may be the perception, or it may be a chance meeting, that created some nervousness of attending one of our meetings. It may be that he felt being different because of his attire, would keep him from fitting in. But my suggestion is to try it. Have the conversation with those that are there. Share your views and listen to ours. Hopefully, at the end of the meeting you are on track to start another life-long relationship.

Still nervous? Let me know when you want to attend. I will be at your side defending your choice of gear as you support our choice to ride. John