Opportunities Abound

Spring is just around the corner. Soon we will be back on the road again. Let’s hope for a safer year than the last. Make sure everything on your bike is in perfect condition. Make sure you’re ready too. Ride within your skill level.

It’s also a good time to start thinking about spring and summer events. The more you participate in biker events, the more opportunity you have to talk to people about ABATE and the challenges we are facing to keep our way of life going.

I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to talk to you at Officer’s Training, but I was a bit under the weather. I was able to attend Lobby Day, THE most important day of the year for us. I always feel hopeful after we meet with our legislators. It never fails to impress me what a great job ABATE does on this day. The meeting I attended was with Senators, Representatives and Staff Members covering the middle western side of the state. All of the Legislative attendees received a packet with the issues we are concerned about and working on at this time. Our spokesperson presented the information to the Legislators and those members attending in a very professional manner. I left with the impression Legislators were very interested in in our issues and generally agreed that we seem to have valid points. They offered some good advice to us going forward. If you have never been to Lobby Day, you are missing the real purpose of ABATE of Wisconsin. Thank you to everyone that puts this day together, from the agenda to setting up the buses, it takes a great deal of planning.

This is also an election year for ABATE of Wisconsin. Start thinking about who you want to lead this organization into its next 50 years. Maybe it will be you.

And remember to start making plans for the Summer Hummer and the 50^th Anniversary Celebration in Madison next October. These are two events you don’t want to miss. I’ll see you there.

Every event you attend, ABATE affiliated or not, is an opportunity for you to talk about ABATE, what we do, and why we are so passionate about this organization and about riding. Be sure to carry tri-folds or membership applications everywhere you go. Have your 3-minute elevator speech ready and get those new members involved as soon as you can when they join.

Bill