ABATE of Indiana - Board Meeting Minutes 2019-08

Executive Director Jay Jackson opened the meeting at 12:08pm with the Pledge of Allegiance. Those in attendance were: Region 00-Jerry & Sherri Gordon, & Dottie Sanders; Region 01-Wayne Kopec; Region 02-Don ‘Bear’ Hewitt; Region 03-Scott Bowman, Marcy Thompson, Mark & Shannon Hughes, & Brett Anderson; Region 04-Jan Johns; Region 05-Randy & Janet Penix; Region 06-Mark & Carol Thomas; Region 07- Ken Harris; Region 08-Mike Jeffers; Region 09-Mo Kintner; Region 10-Absent; Region 11-Pat Haggard & Tim Courtney; Region 12-Dave Hawkins & Brian Russell; Region 13-Aaron Meyer & Christian Harper; MRF-Roberta Meyer; AdComm- Bob Stoner, Gino Johnson & Rick Thompson; LCRP-Rayce Guthrie; DIRT-Roy Garrett; Marketing Committee-Mike Seiler; Rider Ed Administrator-Kelly Jackson; Secretary/Treasurer Tina McCormack.

ITEM 1: Jay recognized the recent passing of several ABATE family members. He then praised Region 1 for hosting a great event this weekend, an event that he & Kelly visited yesterday.

Jay introduced Elizabeth ‘Izzy’ Hanes, Freedom Hall Building Manager & Fort Wayne Rider Ed Administrator & Coordinator.

Jay announced that there was a fatal motorcycle crash in Fort Wayne last night. Indiana’s annual average motorcycle fatalities is about 125.

eHHH

ITEM 2: With no questions on March/April financials, Tina requested approval.

MOTION 1

Tina began with a correction to the dashboard for June. Gino discussed the current state of our finances. We will look for additional revenue opportunities & decreasing expenses. Jay agreed with Gino that we need to be aware of fiscal changes that should be made to sustain the organization.

Tina noted that ABATE is due rider ed student reimbursement from the BMV. She then referenced the financial highlights for May/June. In reviewing the director’s packets, she requested missing monthly minutes & treasurer reports be submitted before the end of the year.

Gino shared an article with the group that stated the IRS is increasing enforcement of exempt organizations donating monetary gifts to individuals; the fines are significant. He reminded the directors that ABATE funds are to be donated only to charitable organizations, & not to individuals.

ITEM 3: Roy Garrett stated that we continue to teach Dirt Bike School (DBS); we have classes at Wabash this coming weekend. Jay affirmed that we will revisit legislation to allow motorized recreation in Hoosier National Forest. Rayce announced that an off-road group is interested in renting LCRP for an event. Jay added that off-road vehicle fatalities have increased. We expect legislation regarding ORVs on county roadways to be introduced this coming legislative session.

ITEM 4: Jay reviewed our rider ed activities. We completed an Instructor Prep (IP) this spring & gained six new instructors.

Jay announced that the President of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) & Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) will retire soon.

Jay discussed recent motorcycle fatalities in both Indiana & out of state.

Rider ed tuition was discussed. Any changes for next year’s rider ed program should be decided at our October BOD meeting.

ITEM 5: Roberta Meyer informed us that federal legislators are out of office until after Labor Day. HR255, the anti-profiling legislation, has 64 co-sponsors, but none from Indiana. She reminded the group that the MRF’s website has an easy method to contact legislators for support. The upcoming Meeting of the Minds (MOTM) was discussed.

ITEM 6: Jay added that since Congress is in summer recess, legislators are often at county fairs & town hall type meetings, & can be more accessible. He announced that the MOTM Committee plans to briefly discuss plans for MOTM 2020 after this meeting.

Jay repeated that we will continue to work on motorized recreation access to Hoosier National Forest. We will likely see activity on the federal level regarding the definition of a motorcycle. ABATE of Indiana plans to initiate an educational component for grass clippings on roadways. Discussion followed.

ITEM 7: Boogie discussion ensued. Jay stated that while attendance has decreased, we have no intention at this time to end Boogie. Aaron Meyer attested that a Boogie virgin said the event was better than she ever imagined. The group discussed how great the event is, the event date, event length, admission price & presales, theme, entertainment & activities among other topics. Pat Haggard suggested more contests. Jay thanked the directors for their cost cutting efforts this year. Brett Anderson suggested a larger scale battle of the bands. The board will discuss Boogie more in depth during our October BOD meeting, & January’s Director Prep.

Aaron Meyer opened discussion regarding crew expense.

MOTION 2

ITEM 8: Jay began discussion on Motorcycles on Meridian (MOM) scheduled for this coming Saturday, 8/24. We need help with traffic control & membership booths. Volunteers should meet on Georgia St by 3pm.

ITEM 9: Bob Stoner said the AdComm discussed budgeting, rider ed tuition, Boogie, Gathering of the Juggalos (GotJ), & ABC applications in their meeting this morning. The AdComm recommended approval for 1 ABC app, & requested more info for another.

MOTION 3

ITEM 10: Membership numbers continue to decrease. No other committee reports were given.

ITEM 11: There was no old business discussed.

ITEM 12: Jay informed the board that it appears we are without a Region 10 director. We will allow the upcoming election process take its course before taking further action.

He then requested clarification on the voting process for the Hospitality Contest: each region receives 1 vote; no region can vote for itself; in the event of a tie, a runoff vote will decide the winner.

Jay then distributed the GotJ event guide. Discussion followed regarding the event & untrue rumors both before & after the event. Law enforcement incidents & ambulance runs were about average for an event of this size; no murder or opioid use was reported. The after meeting with community authorities was mostly positive. Rayce communicated with the neighbors after the event, & the only complaint was noise. Jay will be in Michigan mid-Sept for the SMSA conference; he may meet with event promoters for a follow up while in the area.

Tina reminded the directors that per our by-laws, any election announcements must be completed 30 days prior to the election. Bob Stoner reminded the directors to familiarize themselves with & follow their region elections policy. Jay added that the region policy cannot supersede our elections by-law.

Tina set the deadline for Workers’ Party invitation lists as September 13; any names received after that will not receive an invitation. Names must be submitted for the gate list, regardless of invitation mailing.

Aaron Meyer distributed a flyer for a Mike’s Ride next month.

Scott Bowman remarked about the FMX show at Boogie this year. Dottie Sanders asked about the Wall of Death. Discussion followed.

Jan pleaded for volunteers for the Tiny Tots at an event in Logansport this coming Saturday, 8/24. Tiny Tots training discussion ensued.

Meeting adjourned, 2:23pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Tina McCormack

Secretary/Treasurer

The next scheduled Board of Directors meeting will be October 12, 2019 at LCRP.

MOTIONS

Motion 1: Dave Hawkins made a motion to approve the March/April financials, with a second by Aaron Meyer. Region 10 was absent, all regions present voted yes; motion carried.

Motion 2: Aaron Meyer motioned to reduce Boogie region crew pay to a worker shirt, Scott Bowman seconded. Region 10 was absent, Regions 0, 3, 12 & 13 voted in favor, Regions1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 11 voted against; motion failed.

Motion 3: Aaron Meyer made the motion to approve AdComm’s recommendations for the current ABC apps, Scott Bowman seconded. All regions present voted yes; motion carried.

Motion 4: Ken Harris motioned to adjourn, Aaron Meyer seconded. All regions voted yes; motion carried.