Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
June 19, 2021
Lawrence County Recreational Park, Springville, IN
Executive Director Jay Jackson opened the meeting at 1:04pm with the Pledge of Allegiance. Those in attendance were: Region 00-Jerry & Sherri Gordon; Region 01-Russ Zawacki & Holly Bridgman; Region 03-Scott Bowman, Mark & Shannon Hughes, Justin Kennedy (arrived later); Region 04-Chuc Hunter; Region 06-Mark Thomas; Region 07- Dan Warnell; Region 08-Nicole Powell; Region 09-Mo Kintner (arrived later); Region 10-Suzanne Eckert; Region 11-Pat Haggard; Region 12-Dave Hawkins; Region 13-Christian Harper; AdComm-Rick Thompson; DIRT-Roy Garrett; LCRP-Rayce Guthrie; Marketing Committee-Mike Seiler; MRF-Roberta Meyer; Event Security-Danny Bertolet; Vendor Coordinators-Larry Banks & Harold Davidson; Special Needs-Dakota Whelchel; Guest-Larry White; Secretary/Treasurer Tina McCormack; Office Assistant Kelly Jackson; Region 02 is an excused absence.
ITEM 1: Jay began with a moment to reflect on those we've lost, & shared some optimism regarding our Fulton County Rep's recovery from his accident.
He then distributed some award plaques.
ITEM 2: Tina stated there were no questions on January/February financials.
MOTION 1
She then reviewed the March/April director's packet. ABATE received the 2nd draw of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan in March. We recently learned that the forgiveness applications in process with our bank for the initial loan, were not accepted by the bank’s system, due to changes made by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Tina re-submitted that forgiveness application a couple of weeks ago, and we expect the loan to be forgiven in full.
Jay asked the board that we make it our personal goal to reach 10,000 active members by Boogie this year.
Tina requested that membership apps sent to the office are complete; she reminded the group that purchases for ABATE events are tax exempt.
ITEM 3: Jay announced that our gaming resumed full capacity June 1st.
ITEM 4: Jay then informed the group that the floor in the Bargersville annex has been replaced and is much nicer. The asphalt area behind the building is in need of repairs, but isn’t urgent.
ITEM 5: Roy Garrett commented that we've conducted many Dirt Bike School (DBS) classes. Jay added that the training bikes we planned to purchase through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) matching grant, are still not available from the manufacturer.
ITEM 6: Jay spoke of the history of SB303, the bill to modify or remove the E15 label on fuel dispensers. The Indiana General Assembly has not adjourned the 2021 session. He encouraged everyone to attend any local meetings/fairs to make contact with their legislators.
ITEM 7: Roberta Meyer stated that there are currently 114 MRF members in Indiana. She reviewed the success of this year's Bikers Inside the Beltway (BitB), where 25 states were represented. The anti-profiling resolution and the highway bill were talking points. The highway bill passed the House on June 11. The MRF is working on the reauthorization of the Motorcycle Advisory Council (MAC), which makes recommendations to the highway industry. Meeting of the Minds is September 23-26 in Georgia. The MRF is expanding their Assistant State Rep Program if anyone is interested in serving to promote the MRF in Indiana.
Jay spoke on items the MRF wants in the highway bill, one of which is to identify the type of vehicle, such as motorcycles, involved in traffic stops. This will show if or where motorcyclists are disproportionately stopped. He informed everyone that the MRF might issue a call to action, and reminded them how fast and easy the MRF's CQ Engage program is to use to communicate with legislators. Jay then gave his review of BitB.
ITEM 8: Jay stated that we have a rider ed site in Elkhart again, although the range is only large enough for 10 students per class instead of the preferred 12. Our Indianapolis site is still homeless. Our program gained 10 new instructors through this year's Instructor Prep (IP). This has helped but we are still short personnel. Jay has been conducting rider skills tests at our Kendallville site, while our current Kendallville coordinator recovers. He then announced that we have newly developed, Indiana specific Range Cards and Instructor Guides for our instructors. Our kick-off event for Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month (MSAM) was cancelled again this year, although we did send out media releases and press kits.
ITEM 9: Pastor Jack Smith will not be attending this meeting. He continues to develop an outreach program for our members, and has been in contact with some members.
ITEM 10: Jay referred to AdComm meeting minutes, which the board received, for an update on topics discussed. He reminded the directors of the intended purpose of the ABC grants, which is to help with a charity's specific project and not to supplement their general fund.
MOTION 2
ITEM 11: Mike Seiler stated that active membership numbers are leveling off. He agreed with Jay's suggestion to try to increase to 10,000 members by Boogie.
Mo Kintner asked if membership card mailings have been delayed. Tina reminded the board that our database and website were both down for an entire week in May. We were unable to process any memberships during that time. Jay thanked Pat Haggard and Region 04 members for helping at the office. He added that we'll need help with memberships again after Boogie.
ITEM 12: There was no old business.
ITEM 13: Jerry Gordon requested approval to sell their region's cozies at Boogie. After discussion (trademarks, self-competition, sales tax remittance, unrelated business income tax, etc.) it was decided that regions will not sell region products at the Boogie.
Russ Zawacki displayed a cardboard coaster from ABATE of Michigan. They don't host events, but they distribute their coasters with their printed contact and meeting information. Russ then announced that the Elkhart's SummerFest event will be in Michigan August 13-15, as they were unable to find a replacement site in Indiana. They anticipate increased attendance and will appreciate any help with the event.
ITEM 14: Rayce stated that the scheduled race for this weekend has been cancelled due to fallen trees on trails. The racing association has been working on trail maintenance. LCRP has sold more annual passes and ABATE memberships than they did last year.
Jay announced that he'll be in deposition via telephone during Boogie.
Scott Bowman asked about our Tiny Tots program; Jay replied that it is still on hold but we can review each submission going forward.
Mo Kintner asked for four red signs with “Wrong Way”, or “Do Not Enter” printed on them.
ITEM 15: After a recess, the Boogie meeting commenced. Those joining were: EMTs-Mike 'Hadji' Barnes; RKRC-Leonard Shook, Kayla Tomlinson and Clayton Ainscough; A&A-Ron Craig; Electricians-Russell ‘Gus’ Beers and Noah Sample.
Jay began with the Boogie event schedule and asked anyone with changes or concerns to contact Marc Falsetti. Jay has contacted the Lawrence County Health Department. As far as we know there won't be any formal restrictions this year due to covid-19. With our previous tent vendor out of business, discussion ensued regarding vendor tents for the event. Discussion then followed on the Boogie Beach. Ron Craig may offer RV pump service on Saturday afternoon. Jay suggested a sanctioned memorial service at the Motorcycle Safety Memorial during Boogie. Jay updated the group on the search for T-shirts. Since Creed Fisher cancelled, we intend to sign a contract with The Flaunt Girls next week. Jay reviewed the policies he emailed to the group earlier this week.
Mo Kintner requested four large red “Wrong Way” signs and four “Do Not Enter” signs for checkpoints.
Lengthy discussion ensued regarding our Event Security budget.
MOTION 3
MOTION 4
Meeting adjourned 4:50pm.
MOTION 5
Respectfully submitted,
Tina McCormack
Secretary/Treasurer
The next scheduled Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Sunday, August 15 at Freedom Hall in Fort Wayne.
MOTIONS
Motion 1: Pat Haggard motioned, & Suzanne Eckert seconded, to approve the January/February financials. All regions present voted yes; motion carried.
Motion 2: Pat Haggard made a motion to accept AdComm’s recommendation to approve the ABC application from Drew’s Gift of Music; Chuc Hunter seconded. All regions present voted in favor; motion carried.
Motion 3: Scott Bowman motioned, with a second by Chuc Hunter, to maximize the Boogie Event Security budget at $10,000 for 2021, with negotiations to take place each year. Regions 00, 01, 03, 06 & 07 voted yes, Regions 04, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12 & 13 voted against; motion failed.
Motion 4: Motion was made by Suzanne Eckert and seconded by Chuc Hunter, to maximize the 2021 Boogie Event Security budget at $14,000. Regions 00, 01, 03, 06, 10, 12 & 13 voted in favor, Regions 04, 07, 08, 09 & 11 voted no; motion carried.
Motion 5: Mark Thomas motioned to adjourn, seconded by Dave Hawkins. All regions present voted in favor; motion carried.
