District 10’s meeting was called to order by District Coordinator Doug Smith on May 21 at The Prowler in Humboldt. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and we had a moment of silence to honor our lost brothers and sisters. Doug asked Lisa Daggett to read our Mission Statement. Roll call of officers was taken with Doug, Ron, DL, Jean, Sheila, Melissa, Barb, Dean, Mark, Larry, Ginny, Don and Jess being present. Harry, Scott and Theresa were excused. We welcomed long time missing member Brian Carlson and new member Kris Rons. We welcomed guests Shayla King, Sandy Shipman, Allisa Sexston, Phil McCormick and Terry Cook. Terry was here as a committee member for Frontier Days in Fort Dodge. He requested our help at the Fort during Frontier Days June 3rd, 4th and 5th. He was looking for volunteers to help with security and etc. Any one wishing to volunteer sees Doug after the meeting.

 

Sexy-tary Report: Jean read the minutes from the April meeting. Larry Raner made a motion to accept; Jess Tepner seconded; motion carried.

 

Membership: Ginny indicated we had 53 members present and 4 guests

 

Treasurer: Sheila indicated two checks had been written from the general fund;

ABATE of Iowa-sales tax and Jess Tepner-STEAM hotel

There was a deposit to the Downed Biker Fun

The Toy Run Account was moved from the bank in Bode to CS Bank in Fort Dodge

We needed to decide where the profits from the Spring Fling would go. Terry Arnold made a motion that it should go to District 4 to help with the expenses for Iowa Thunder; Dean Summer seconded; motion carried

 

Events: Melissa reminded everyone of the following events;

June 4-Frontier Day’s Parade line up at 9:00 near Hardees in Fort Dodge. Doug indicated Little would be driving a tractor and pulling a hay rack for anyone who had kids or family members that wanted to be in the parade they are welcome to ride on the hay rack at the beginning of the parade. Little will drive the tractor in front of our bikes

June 11-Fun Rain Run-sign up is 11 to 1 at Joe Sheldon Park in Humboldt ending at the Freedom Park in Algona with burgers. Melissa also asked for volunteers to grill at the end of the run and see her after the meeting. Cheryl Wiley made a motion that since we wouldn’t be staying at Joe Sheldon this year at the end of the run we donate 25.00 to the park for letting us use it for sign up. Larry Raner seconded; motion carried with Mike Johnson, Jeremy Hauck, Chris Rapple and Shawn Gardner against; Bubba was abstaining

June 16- Meeting at 12:00 at Freedom Park with our park clean up day to follow, so wear clothes to get grubby in, bring chain saws, weed eaters and etc to help get the park ready for the rally

 

Legislative; Mark reported that the Iowa DNR wants to reduce the number of antlerless deer tags given out in 2012. This could mean there will be 72,000 more deer in Iowa during the summer of 2012. 72,000 more chances for motorcyclists to be injured by hitting a deer. He indicated if you are against this please contact your state legislature or representative that you as an individual not as a member of ABATE do not want the number of tags reduced. Our lobbyist indicates that if we put our two cents in as ABATE the government could twist this around and indicate they would love to keep us safe so they can enact a helmet law.  Mark has contact information and anyone wanting it can see him after the meeting

 

MRF-Jess reported on what was going on with the House of Representatives and NHTSA.

 

STR-Dean indicated that two Share the Road presentations had been given to a total of 71 students since our last meeting and another presentation is scheduled for May 27 at the Manson high school

 

PR-Barb thanked everyone who donated to PAC. She had also noted the Fort Dodge Messenger recently had an article in the senior section on tips on Sharing the Road with Motorcyclists. She also indicated that the 9-11 We Will Never Forget ride is coming together. The CMA’s and American Legion Riders are planning to join us and will get the word out to their groups. Ginny reported that Bike Night at Amigos is going well and reminded everyone that we have road control duty on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month to help with parking and etc, She also indicated that the radio station indicated they would make sure we are heard from anytime they are there during bike night

 

Assistant’s Report- DL reminded every one of Bev Stines benefit at Freedom Park May 28. He also wanted everyone to know that Jim Berte and Phil McCormick would be in the dunk tanks for anyone interested. DL also indicated that if you have or know of an ABATE member who has passed away make sure you get the funeral information not just the death information to one of the officers. We have no way of sending flowers or memory stones if we don’t have the funeral information. Ron thanked everyone who helped last week with parking at Bike Night at Amigos, he really appreciated it. He also brought up that the Freedom Rock was being repainted this year with special remembrance for the ten year anniversary of 9-11. He also reported Donnie Wilson is not after only us but anyone looking like they are having fun. He showed up at a teen dance at the AMVETS in Fort Dodge requesting they shut down immediately due to the noise level.

 

State Meeting-Doug reported on the following information from the state meeting;

District Treasurers need to be sure to get their receipts, ride sign up sheets and etc to the state office in case we are ever audited. Secretary’s need to make sure they get their minutes to the state office in time for the Flyer. Our representatives for Dimes for DC just returned and they ambushed Tom Harkin at breakfast. Doug indicated that the Freedom Rally website has a questionnaire that people can take asking where they heard about the rally. Anyone taking the survey has a chance to win a rally ticket. The state office will be giving one away a week until  May 25th. The state office is basically trying to figure which advertising dollars are worth it and which aren’t.

The First Unity Ride was held on May 14th, members of Abate, CMA, Legion Riders and Sons of Silence were on the ride all had a good time despite the weather.

 

Nominations for state officers were as follows;

Treasurer; Deb Fox-accepted

Secretary: Shelly VanMaanen-accepted

Assistant Coordinator: Dave Duffy was not present to accept or decline. Steven “Rambo” Schilmoeller-accepted

Phil McCormick said that you are allowed to take your motorcycle license driving test on a trike but you do then your license is restricted to a trike

Doug also reported he has advance rally tickets and raffle tickets for anyone wanting one see him after the meeting.

 

Old Business-Chris Rapple asked about the Memorial wall at the park and Phil indicated it is still in the works but they were having issues with the contractor. Phil talked with Chris Lovejoy about possibility of doing it.

 

New Business-nothing

 

Announcements; Jean Culver thanked everyone who attended hers and Daryl’s 25th wedding anniversary party following the meeting in April. Doug reported that they had a death in their family, Heather’s niece and nephew’s father had just passed away this week and to remember them in your thoughts and prayers. The JJ Bonnell Run is Saturday May 28th in Fort Dodge.

 

Shawn Gardner made a motion to adjourn; Brent Shipman seconded; motion carried with Jeremy Hauck abstaining.

 

Doug thanked the membership for attending and The Prowler for hosting our meeting.

 

Respectfully Submitted

Jean Hoover

D10’s Sexy-tary