MRF Rep Report

Hot off of Officer’s Training, I hope everyone is fired up and motivated (and hopefully even a little smarter)! We talked a lot about the Motorcycle Riders Foundation at Officer’s Training and how important it is to be a part of both the state AND federal motorcycle rights organizations (MROs). For the cost of one Harley t-shirt (or less), YOU can make a difference. I often hear the excuse that just one person can’t make a difference so why bother. Well, how do you think all these organizations got started? And the organizations that are still successful are so because their members didn’t quit. Even if a person isn’t active, paying one’s dues is a huge help! It financially supports those that are willing and able to go to DC and Madison to talk to our Legislators on behalf of ALL motorcyclists. Even though we are all volunteers, it still takes money to get things done. Things like the busses to Madison and flights to DC, the office—where our memberships are processed and held, the marketing materials that we use to spread the word, the newsletters, the pins, the patches, those all cost money. It’s the hard reality. So even if you can’t be an active member, still be a member.

The knowledge that can be gained by being a member is priceless. The MRF newsletter, known as the American Biker Journal, is full of interesting articles on what other states are accomplishing and struggling with, along with insights into challenges we all may be facing as bikers. Not to mention the motivating and educational articles written by some of our talented Board members. The MRF and MRF A&E (Awareness & Education) websites are chocked full of good training articles and videos. Www.MRF.org is also where you go to sign up for Alerts so that you can receive an email when we have a Call to Action and we need you to contact our legislators about an important topic that has the potential to harm our right to ride. It’s very simple to do and very effective.

At the MRF, we have a paid lobbyist in DC. Rocky has been able to get things accomplished that we never would be able to on our own. If you were at Officer’s Training, you heard him speak several times and hopefully gained some insight into how difficult it is to get things accomplished at the federal level. Wisconsin is one of the best states in the country at getting things done and we couldn’t do it without his hard work on the Hill. Utilizing those Calls to Action has been vital to creating awareness to our legislators when there is a hot issue for us.

We are preparing to join Rocky in DC for Bikers in the Beltway May 14-16th. If you live in the districts that are represented by Representatives Moore, Pocan, or Van Orden, and are interesting in joining us, reach out to Steve Panten to let him know. Steve’s contact info is on the front of this newsletter and on the back page. ABATE of WI will scholarship one individual from each legislative district in WI to go out to DC for Bikers in the Beltway.

Speaking of scholarships, the announcement was made at Officer’s Training on who will be receiving scholarships to attend Heartland STEAM in Bismarck, ND April 21—23. STEAM is a great motivational seminar hosted by the Midwest states. You may have heard reference to the STEAM states and how we are the leaders throughout the country in fighting for motorcycle rights. First off, STEAM stands for Seminar to Educate and Motivate. And the STEAM states are North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Each state hosts the seminar every 7 years. If you are interested in going to Heartland STEAM, you are still more than welcome to join us on your own dime. The deadline to register is April 7th. The registration form is in this newsletter.

I’m looking forward to seeing all your smiling faces at Lobby Day in Madison in a few weeks!

Stay vigilant, my friends!

Jen Abraham

ABATE of WI

Board of Directors

MRF State Rep