ABATE of Indiana - Board Meeting Minutes 2025-06

Jay Jackson opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 1:06pm. Those in attendance were: Region 03 – Scott Bowman & Angie Pier; Region 6 – Jim Farmer; Region 7 – Ben Koughn & Bryan Layton ; Region 08 – Mike Jeffers; Region 09 – Bill Roeseler; Region 10 – Erick Taylor; Region 11 – Pat Haggard; Region 12 – Brian Russell; Region 13 – Christian & Heidi Harper; Region 99 – Rene ‘RD’ Diaz; AdComm – Bob Stoner; LINC – Aaron Meyer; LCRP Rayce Guthrie & Bill Harvey; DIRT – Roy Garrett; Marketing Committee – Mike Seiler; Boogie Event Security – Mike ‘Mongo’ Pottorff & Mike Clendenen; Vendor Coordinator – Larry Banks & Kaykee Deckard; Handicap Services – Dakota Whelchel; Secretary/Treasurer – Tina McCormack; Regions 01 & 04 notified they would not be represented; Regions 02 & 05 were not present.

ITEM 1: Jay formalized the region director changes in Regions 9 & 10: Region 9 is Bill Roeseler; Region 10 is Erick Taylor.

MOTION 1

ITEM 2: Tina reviewed the March/April director’s packet.

MOTION 2

ITEM 3: Jay announced that the electrical wiring phase of the fire suppression system repair at Freedom Hall is complete. The compressor is due to be delivered Tuesday. Jay reminded the group that this is a temporary repair, hopefully long term. At some point in the future the parking lot will need to be repaved. Tina added that the HVAC system has recently given some concern. Jay thanked Bill Harvey for repairs to the air conditioner at our Bargersville office.

ITEM 4: Roy Garrett stated that although there’s been a lot of rain and severe weather this spring, they’ve been able to conduct Dirt Bike School (DBS) classes. Roy agreed that we need additional DBS Coaches. If we have viable candidates, we can have them trained in Georgia.

Rayce Guthrie noted that roads and bridges at LCRP are in need of repair, and will wait until rain subsides to begin. The RV campground has been busy lately. The weather has again impacted rider attendance. A 5’ x 40’ culvert washed onto LCRP’s property in April.

ITEM 5: Aaron Meyer presented ABATE of Indiana’s Strategic Legislative Framework 2025-2030 (SLF), which contains our legislative goals for the next five years. During itemized review of the plan, Erick Taylor asked if we can obtain detailed information on the right of way violations involving motorcycle crashes. Aaron replied that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a data visualization tool on their website, but they are about two years behind in reporting. Christian Harper feels the current threats to motorcycling are more severe than that of a helmet law, but motorcyclists in general don’t realize how serious the current threats are. Aaron then recognized that our Biker Approved Gas (BAG) program needs participants in central and northwestern Indiana. Right to Repair and Motorcyclist Profiling legislation was discussed. Aaron encouraged everyone to complete the survey on motorcycleprofilingproject.com. We plan to form an internal working group, or committee, during our August BOD meeting to address ABATE’s SLF. Jay added that the preservation of motorcycling for future generations is what the motorcyclists’ rights movement was founded on.

ITEM 6: Jay reported that this year’s MRF Bikers Inside the Beltway (BITB) was a successful event, with 39 states represented, and all 535 congressional offices visited. A representative from Wisconsin introduced a definition of motorcycle bill the week prior to BITB. Meeting of the Minds (MotM) is in September in Louisiana. Jay asked that those interested in attending notify us of such. Monday, June 9 is Congressional Ride to Work Day, in which Jay will participate.

ITEM 7: Jay acknowledged that rider education has become over saturated with providers in Indiana. Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Month received media coverage.

ITEM 8: Bob Stoner initiated conversation regarding reducing Hoosier Motorcyclist to a quarterly rather than monthly publication. Discussion ensued, notably about the ability to communicate with membership more frequently than quarterly.

MOTION 3

Bob then reminded the group that our ABATE Bikers Care (ABC) program has two pending applications. The board needs additional information from both applicants. Bob asked the directors if they are working toward filling their Director Bingo cards; Pat Haggard responded that he has completed more activities. Bob reminded the regions to review their election procedures.

ITEM 9: Erick Taylor was named Interim Chair of the Recognition Committee.

ITEM 10: Jay recently met with the Bargersville Town Manager and the President of Main Street Bargersville in regards to the future growth of the town.

ITEM 11: Jay proposed a memorial for Suzanne Eckert.

MOTION 4

Brian Russell introduced conversation regarding the purchase of a truck for LCRP to be converted into a water truck.

Jay reminded everyone to support those who support our organization, namely American Income Life and ABATE Legal Services.

Jay and Rayce informed the group of the current situation and repairs to the water lines at LCRP. The utility, North Lawrence Water, has made some necessary modifications and repairs to lines & restrictions. They also have a 3” commercial meter on order to replace the 5/8” residential line that we currently have. We expect these alterations to increase water volume (not pressure) at LCRP. We hope to have the water meter installed prior to Boogie this year, but it depends upon delivery of the meter.

We are taking our Tiny Tots to the Indiana State Fair in August. The SignUp Genius will be released soon for volunteers to commit.

Jay requested comments from the directors regarding expanding our outreach to various motorcycle clubs/groups to involve them with our organization and objectives. Consensus was that it’s necessary to do so.

Jay has a conflict with the August date for our BOD meeting, as he plans to be at the State Fair with Tiny Tots. We anticipate the August meeting will be rescheduled to August 24. Jerry Gordon offered camping at his residence the night before the August meeting.

ITEM 12: Jay divulged the status of preparations for Boogie. He reviewed crew needs and schedules with each crew leader.

Meeting adjourned, 4:07pm.

MOTION 5

Respectfully submitted,

Tina McCormack

Secretary/Treasurer

The next scheduled BOD meeting is .

Motion 1: Jerry Gordon motioned to recognize Bill Roeseler as Region 9 Director, and Erick Taylor as Region 10 Director, with a second by Christian Harper. All regions present voted in favor; motion carried.

Motion 2: Pat Haggard made the motion to approve January/February financials, Ben Koughn seconded. All regions present voted yes; motion carried.

Motion 3: Scott Bowman made a motion to reduce the Hoosier Motorcyclist publication to quarterly from monthly beginning with the January 2026 issue, and Mike Jeffers seconded the motion. Regions 0, 10, & 13 voted yes with reservations; Regions 3, 7, 8, 9, 11, & 12 voted yes; Region 6 voted no; motion carried.

Motion 4: Jim Farmer motioned to name the Box Office after Suzanne Eckert, with a second by Pat Haggard. All regions present voted yes; motion carried.

Motion 5: Brian Russell made the motion to adjourn, Erick Taylor seconded. All regions present voted in favor; motion carried.