We Didn’t Start The Fire

Executive Report by John Reblin

Well, hopefully you have set your eyes on spring. At this writing the weather is warm for January, with little snow on the ground. This is something I enjoy since I don’t have to shovel the sidewalk or worry if I am able to get from point A to B. But I also think about those that enjoy the winter activities not being able to do so and what the concerns will be for the moisture in the ground when it is time in the spring for planting and growing our food. So, as I finish this article, we have gotten a few inches of wet snow with alerts for more coming in a day or two.

A long time ago when the kids were little, my son played to a slightly different drum, in my mind. He really got into cardboard boxes and cardboard tubes that gifts came in, or that appliances came in when they were delivered. Cutting and drawing, he changed that brown cardboard to different things as his imagination took him. From driving a tank or a car, to whatever “Transformer” character interested him, his imagination was fueled for hours on end keeping him busy and happy.

When he discovered Legos, he joined other kids playing with the colored cubes of plastic. We started out with the small starter kits that you bought for a couple dollars and as he played with them the sets got bigger. You needed to be careful walking around the house in your socks or bare feet, stepping on these little sharp corned pieces of plastic hurt like hell. But he was happy on his own making cars, buildings, and wherever his imagination took him to. When he moved out after a few years we took that tub of plastic and donated it to Patty from 2A to be used somewhere. My son was not happy to hear about this, but it was a “if you want it take it out of here thing,” and he never took it.

He still plays with them, I guess it is his hobby, something to fill those times when he doesn’t have anything going on in life. He can build something, display it, and occupy and challenge his mind and fingers. The sets he gets are pretty intricate, The Saturn V rocket, a typewriter, the International Space Station along with cars and motorcycles that have wheels that rotate and turn. He takes all these little pieces to create something to him that is useful and good.

I look at Officer Training in almost the same way. Taking all these different people and creating something that works efficiently. We all need to be working towards getting all the pieces of the puzzle put together to become a solid Region, District, or Board of Directors. Making sure the Regional Rep is communicating what he wants and how he wants to achieve his goal. The District Director communicating to the region about what he is looking for and helping the region achieve their goal. And the Board of Directors, by working together, can help with achieving the goals of the organization. That goal being, to make sure we can enjoy and ride our motorcycles without interference.

Hopefully you are packing your bags and ready for Officer Training. It is always a good time getting together to make sure we are all on the same page in the playbook to success. There is some work involved and we will be asking those with experience to help those with less experience. Bring your questions, ask them and learn. We have some sessions planned that should get everyone thinking about what they can do to increase membership and to help us out at Lobby Day, and to maintain our freedoms. You see, it takes all these people to be the little pieces we need to come together, to become one loud voice, to make us successful.

Now is the time to start thinking about finding a Rider Education course that will knock the rust off your riding skills. Motorcycle fatalities are up over last year, and we will be focusing on working at lowering that number in 2024. Gary at Safe Rider and all the other instructors had a busy 2023 season teaching the basic and advanced courses and I think this year the demand will be there again! With that start inquiring about dates that will work with your schedule. If you want to challenge yourself look into the Ultimate Bike Building course at WCTC, Waukesha County Technical College. Or look into a Lock and Lean course. If interested let me know and I can get you pointed to who can help you with that. Both will test your cornering skills, making you feel more confident on your bike when you are out riding this spring.

Ride Your Own Ride,

John