Rocket City Wings Huntsville, Alabama -- Chapter B, Region A Friends for Fun, Safety & Knowledge December 2006

From The Chapter Directors
  - Mike & Cindy Janes

We have many things to be thankful for -- every day.  Having a Thanksgiving Season is a special time for giving thanks.  What if we took time for Giving Thanks everyday?  You will see movies on television and articles in the newspaper, and hopefully a message or two from the pulpit that will remind you what the Christmas Season is intended to be.  Yes,

The Chapter B family is putting on a huge

We will be decorating a small Christmas tree with Red, White, Blue and money; like an Angel Tree.  The money from the tree and the money raised from Dirty Santa will be used to support our Deployed Soldiers and their families.  That support will be in the form of phone cards for the soldiers and Post Exchange (PX) gift cards for the families of deployed soldiers.  Bring your checkbook or cash for the tree and cash for Dirty Santa.

Note: from Treasurer and IRS !  Checks should be made out to GWRRA, Chapter B.  We will deposit the checks and cash in order to write one check to the PX. 

As a former Army Officer,

Chapter B has accomplished a great deal this year, and that tells me there are many things we will accomplish for 2007.  We have a few changes in the Staff and we will probably see some new ideas and new roads to ride.  The best ideas are the ones we can put into our activity and Ride schedule for everyone to enjoy.  Let's make the 2007 Alabama District Rally and Wing Ding even bigger successes because we are actively participating.

Mike and Cindy

Thank You & Thank You

The night that Elizabeth and I found out that we had been chosen to be Chapter Couple was an emotional time.  We were very honored and at the same time very, very humbled that we were selected.  We were also more than a bit intimidated, because we were unsure what it really meant to be Chapter Couple.  There is no way for us to properly express our gratitude to the chapter and all of the support that we have received this past year.  We have met many people and made many new friends.  And many of our existing friendships have been bound even tighter.

Elizabeth and I have an interesting perspective on Chapter Couple.  We felt no real pressures in the District selection.  That does not say that we were cool calm and collected before getting up on stage.  I have never really liked getting up in front of people (especially if I'm dressed up).  We were warned that we might be severely disappointed if we did not get selected.  Before we went on stage, Elizabeth and I prayed and gave the selection process over to him and his will.  When Frank and Linda Teasley were selected, Elizabeth and I looked at each other and said, "The right couple was selected."  And we really believe that, they are wonderful people.  Plus if we had been selected we would not have had enough time to spend with our new grand-daughter.  Which in my personal opinion is more important at this point in time, but that is another topic of discussion.

Now, it's time for us as a chapter to thank another couple for which we are very grateful, Mike and Alice Chapman.  Mike and Alice have been familiar smiling faces around the chapter for many years and have done more than could be itemized by even the IRS for one and all.  During the next year please make sure that you help Mike (Big Dog) and Alice feel like the special people that they already are.

John and Elizabeth Griswold
Chapter Couple 2006

Breeze of God

The Breeze of God comes in and moves you…

While on an RV trip to Branson, Missouri, I was inspired to write this.  Who reads it, I'm not sure.  I don't go to church, but God graces me.  Only by the Grace of God am I here.  My life has been on a rocky journey – also a journey of my spirituality.

On my path I came to a 4-way stop of options:

• STRAIGHT ahead blindly keeping the same pace;
• Go LEFT and I may be leaving something behind;
• Go RIGHT and wondering if things will ever feel or be "right."
• Instead, I took a U-TURN on life.  I went back the way I came and reevaluated what I was looking for.

You have to know what you are looking for in order to recognize it.  I was looking for love, companionship, a path in order to help others, knowledge, proof of my existence, and an answer to the question if I’m worthy…

I have a wonderful partner / companion in my husband and son, but I felt there was more of life to be experienced for all of us.  In my opinion, owning a Goldwing makes one worth nothing; sharing a Goldwing and the experiences involving it gives one Grace.  Sharing truly strengthens a bond not only in family, but all relationships such as work, community, and future prospects.  Owning a Goldwing is not only a privilege but an avenue that opens up closed roads otherwise where a detour might be taken.

Along the way in Branson I became homesick.  I could not figure why.  It had only been a couple of days; I've been away from home longer than that before.  While lost in my thoughts, we got a phone call from someone in Chapter B, someone famous for U-turns.  Something just clicked inside.  I realized I was homesick for what makes me happy and for what gives me Grace.  I missed the sharing.  I missed the good feeling of "family."  I wanted to feel the breeze.

Now that I have a Goldwing, I take the time to feel the Breeze of God when I travel down the road.  I think about the blessings I have, but most of all I think about how I can help be of service to someone else through Grace.  The Goldwing - it's not just a motorcycle.  It's a way to feel a stronger breeze.

By Tammy Hollingsworth
Alabama Chapter B -
Rocket City Wings
Huntsville, Alabama

December 2006 District News
  – From the District Director

Just a reminder about the ERC and Trike course at the 2007 Rally.  If you desire to go on one of the cruises at the Rally, or participate in one of the rider courses, you need to send your registration to Jim Lee indicating that interest.  They are first come, first served. 

This year was the 59th annual Veterans Day parade and the largest ever in attendance by GWRRA members.  We had a total of 34 beautiful bikes (all but 5 were Gold Wings), with a total of 49 people.  We had a good mixture of trikes, trailers, and customized bikes, and were honored to have 5 bikes from AL Chapter B in Huntsville who’s riders were in Military Uniform leading our group.  Representatives from Chapters B, D, K, N, R, T, Y, and the AL District Staff made us proud as we rode with pride & enthusiasm displaying our bikes decorated with many flags and lots of red, white, and blue.  Birmingham’s motorcycle officers ride Gold Wings too.

Once again the Snowball/Officer Conference will be at the Embassy Suites in Montgomery on January 6th.  Officers Conference will start at 4:30 PM. All CDs, ACDs, and Educators are required to be there for this once a year meeting.  There will be door prizes, free registration, awards and more.  You will receive a free year bar and the Snowball head pin will be available for $4.00 if you don’t already have one.  Come on down and start the year off right with your friends.  For you CDs, the financial report and Chapter inventory is due at that time also. You are not required to send a copy of the bank statements this year.  Please keep them on file for future reference.

Most of you will be full of turkey by the time you receive this.  We hope you had a great Thanksgiving and had the opportunity to enjoy time with your family.  We have so much to be thankful for in this great country of ours!  We may not always agree with the actions of our elected officials, but it’s still the greatest country on earth, in my opinion.

We will be reactivating Chapter H in Athens in January.  I will send you the details in the near future so you can plan on attending the organizational meeting. 

We are investigating some different sites for the Rally.  Please survey your people about their thoughts on remaining in Mobile, or moving the Rally to another location.  We will discuss this topic at the Officers Conference and we need your input.  After all, it is your Rally.  We merely make the arrangements for you.

Please keep our Military folks and all those who are sick and recovering in your prayers.

Till next time, hug someone you love and don't forget to wave. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR from your District Staff!

Bill & Dian

December 2006 District News
  – From the Assistant District Director / Rally Coordinator

A new year is approaching very quickly. When you sit back and think of the things we get to do over the year it is incredible. We start out in January with our Snowball Run. Actually this is a time when all the members in the State can attend a small fun day and receive recognition and awards for their respective chapters. It is a time when we have the officers conference and valuable information is passed on to the directors and officers of each chapter. We will have two district picnics in 2007. Here chapters can come together and enjoy the fellowship that comes from just having a good time.

Then there’s the big event itself. The Alabama District Rally. Have you ever been to a District Rally that you were disappointed with? I have and I vow that as long as I’m in this position we will not have a mediocre event. Each year we will only enhance from the year before. This is where we can “put on the dog”. All year planning goes into making the next rally better than the one before. This year we will celebrate the 25th year of GW in our State and it will be special. Special in the extent that we plan to do more, give away more and have more fun than we have at any other Alabama Rally. I have prepared a short list of reasons why you should make your plans to attend our rally in 2007 so here goes:

You are a member of the Alabama Family

We will have:

1. Many opportunities for you to win prizes.
1. Multiple Grand Prizes. 3 sets of tries, $500, $1000 and $2500
2. Large 50/25/25 drawings
3. Over $1000 in door prizes given away
4. Riding Poker run with cash prizes
2. Safety Courses will be offered
1. Trike TRC course
2. Two Wheel ERC Course
3. CPR
4. First Aid
5. CoRiders Course
3. Seminars
1. Mature Riding
2. How to Pack efficiently
3. Trike courses
4. Many More
4. Vendors (Approximately 50 vendors)
1. Multiple Chrome
2. Pin Stripers
3. Tire Dealer
4. Embroidery
5. Leather Goods
6. Accessories
7. Gerbins
8. Frog Togs
9. Cleaners
10. Many more
5. Bike Shows
1. Lighted Bike Show indoors (awesome)
2. Outdoor bike show for trikes and bikes
6. Games
1. Bike Games (outside but can be brought inside for in climate weather)
2. Dunking Booth where well know people may be put into the water.
7. Food
1. Ice Cream and Cake on Thursday night
2. Hamburgers and hotdogs on Friday Night
8. Entertainment
1. Crazy Hat Competition on Thursday night
2. 2 Cruises Friday afternoon and Saturday night
3. Line Dancing Friday night
4. Talent Show Friday night
5. Live Entertainer Friday night after talent show
6. COY Competition
7. A Mardi Gras extravaganza at closing
9. The Restaurants
1. Too numerous to mention but if you like seafood Mobile is the place to be. Along the causeway there are numerous places to eat and all are excellent.
2. Downtown there are quaint sidewalk cafes and restaurants where great breakfast and home cooking can be found.
3. Walking distance to mall downtown eateries
10. The exhibit "Pompeii" will be in Mobile during our event
11. 10 museums are within waling distance of the hotels. 8 are free.
12. Tours will be offered to ride and see some of the area from the coastal southern part of the county to the Eastern Shore.
13. If you like to gamble then Biloxi is only 45 minutes away.

Do you need more reasons? Come help us make this years rally even more special.

Jim & Karen Lee

Training Classes for AL Rally 2007
  – From the District Trainers

Hello everyone,

The Holidays are here and time is flying. We have been talking about the Rally and all the great things that have already been planned. We would like to ask that all the Chapter Officers, staff,and members that read this list, please let us know at Snowball what you would like to have available as seminars at the Rally. Just a piece of paper or an Email with your requests will be fine with us. We are here to support you and help with any Leadership/Orientation Training that we can provide.

Member Orientation Program

OVERVIEW

Member Orientation is a program designed especially for the general GWRRA membership. It provides opportunities for all members to become familiar with the basic structure, concepts, methods of operations, and culture of GWRRA. The information presented is intended to increase the comfort level, level of enjoyment, and return on investment for each member.

PROGRAM CONTENT

• History of GWRRA
• Structure of GWRRA
• How to Have Fun at a Rally
• Training the Members
• How to Pack Your Bike
• Member Benefits Overview
• How to Show or Judge a Bike
• Helpful Information for New Members
• How to Participate in GWRRA
• Flyers for Fun and Profit

Knowledge Enhancement Program

OVERVIEW

This program is designed to familiarize officers and staff with the basic operational aspects of GWRRA. The basic "nuts and bolts" approach is a great opportunity for staff members to better understand their roles, as well as the day-today activities and considerations to better serve the needs of the members.

PROGRAM CONTENT

• Leadership
• Chapter Structure & Organization
• Chapter Finances
• Newsletters
• Delegation
• Staffing
• You're An Officer -- Now What?
• Officer Appointment Procedures

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Roy & Anita Fosnight Please Ride Safe and Often

New National Operations Directors of Canada
  - From the International Operations Director

Please join me in congratulating Ron & Carol Hodgson as the new National Operations Directors of Canada.

They hail from Red Deer, Alberta where they have been in the flooring business for some twenty eight years with over thirty employees. Their management skills have been a great influence in their success as officers and leaders of GWRRA of Canada. They joined GWRRA in 1995 and soon became Directors of Chapter AB-C for two years. In 2000, they moved into the D/D position of Alberta where they formed alliances with other Districts in the region which proved very successful for all concerned. After 2 and 1/2 years, they moved into the Region J Directors position, where they served with honors.

It gives me personal pride in making this announcement after having had the privilege of meeting and working with them as R/Ds and in their Wing Ding duties over the years. They always completed their assignments at Wing Ding in a positive manner then moved on to assist others who might be in need of a hand. It is unselfish, caring members and officers like the Hodgson’s who make this family of ours what it is today.

I look forward to their tenure as National Directors of Canada and welcome them to their new office. Canada and the rest of the world will be a better place due to their efforts.

Jim Hodge

Wing-Ding 2007
  - From the International R&R Coordinator

Greetings everyone and Happy Thanksgiving

I know this may seem a little early, but not too early to be thinking about it.  A recruitment and retention booth will be set up at Wing-Ding Wednesday through Friday from 8:30am until 6:00pm and Saturday 9:00am until. Rather than my wife and I manning this booth the entire time, I would like to share the wealth so to speak, and get some volunteers for a two hour time slot on a day (or days) of their choice.  Everyone who mans the booth and recruits a new member, can and should put their name and GWRRA number to receive credit for signing up new members.

I would prefer all R&R Coordinators at all levels to participate in this if they are planning on attending Wing-Ding, however, this is open for any couples (or singles) wishing to get involved in promoting GWRRA and recruiting new members.  In order to put on an impressive appearance to prospective new members, I would like everyone manning the booth to wear their finest attire with vests.

Thank you all,

Bill Dodd
bla ckwi ngbi ll*b ells outh:net
GWRRA Life Member
678-230-9800

Toon

Editor's comment:  This country was founded by people escaping persecution.  They developed the constitution stating our freedoms.  Our soldiers around the world are fighting to give others the opportunities and freedoms that some groups in the US are trying to take away from us.  Whatever your beliefs, be thankful that we still have the opportunity to express our convictions and enjoy our beliefs.  Enjoy the holiday season.

December 2006 -  AL-B Ride Schedule

• Unless otherwise indicated, all rides will leave from the ride meeting place at scheduled time.
• As a courtesy to all members, it is important to be ready to leave at the departure time.
• All bikes should be fueled and bladders emptied ahead of time.
• We plan a variety of rides.  Time and money might make it hard to make all events.  We hope this variety will give you an opportunity to pick and choose, and at least enjoy some of them.
• If the weather is bad--come in your car.
• If you have a CB, you will find us on Channel 1 (unless noted otherwise by the ride leader).

• We need your ride suggestions!!
• We need any and all of your ideas!!
• You can be part of the Ride Committee!!
• If you want to help...
  Please e-mail us at Rid eCoo rdin ator

December - 2006

January - 2007