gwrra texas district - · pdf filedavid vidrine texas district director great turnout for...
TRANSCRIPT
January 2013 Issue
District Corner 2
Beginning of the Year Paperwork
3
Feeling Groovy Back In Time
4
Couple of The Year 5
District COY Coord. 6
MEC Article 7
Chapter of The Year 10
Rider Education 11
By The Book 12
Region H News 13
National News 14
Rider Ed. Flyer 15
MPEC Information 16
TX Gumball Rally Flyer 17
Patches 22
District Staff 23
Passport Events 24
GWRRA TEXAS DISTRICT
FRIENDS FOR
FUN
SAFETY
KNOWLEDG E
Now that Mid-Winter is done, it’s time to get ready for the Texas Gumball Rally in Wichita Falls, Texas. The Texas District Team is working hard to make sure everyone has a great time. We have alot of new ideas and things to do at the rally . We hope every-one is planning to come and have a great time. We will be sending an email out to everyone who can help out at the rally. We will update you throughout the months on some of the ideas we have planned. We look forward to seeing everyone in Wichita Falls.
Page 2 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
David Vidrine
Texas District Director
Great Turnout for Mid-Winter Roundup
I want to thank everyone for coming to the Texas Mid-Winter Roundup January 5th at
the MPEC Center in Wichita Falls, Texas. It was great to see most of the chapters attend. The
weather Gods helped by giving us sunny blue skies.
I enjoyed meeting with many of you. I am glad we had a lot of you come and turn in all the nec-
essary paperwork so we can get started with a fresh new year. The Chapters who did not attend
will be getting their information mailed to them.
I would like to thank Bill and DeAnn Gray, your Region H Director, Ed and Ann Nahl, your Region
H Treasurer and Chapter of the Year Coordinator. Lastly, I would like to thank Gary and Phylis
VanBuskirk, your Region H Assistant Directors for having dinner with us Friday evening. We all
had a great time.
As I stated in the Director’s forum, Mid-Winter was not just to go over business but for all chap-
ters to get together. It’s a time for new Chapter Directors to get ideas from other chapters and
most of all to have FUN. I had many people come up and say they had a lot of fun and were ap-
preciative of all the information they received from the classes/workshops that were offered.
The Chapter Directors who have not sent in their Equipment List and Financials need to do so
ASAP. You can mail this information to PO Box 2477, Spring Texas 77383-2477.
Once again thank you to the Texas Chapters who took the time to attend the Texas Mid-Winter
Roundup. Remember if you have any questions or need assistance with anything, I am just a
phone call or email away.
Ride Safe,
David
TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
“Bringing The Fun to Texas”
Page 3 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
BEGINNING OF THE YEAR PAPERWORK
This information is coming from Ed Nahl, your Region H Treasurer. This will help new Chapter Direc-
tors and New Treasurers on how to prepare their paperwork for the beginning of the Year.
Change of Director:
When a new Director is appointed, a closing Financial Report needs to be completed to close the books for the pre-
vious Director. The only difference between this process and the normal closing of the books is the ending date of
the report which will be as soon as possible after the change but no later than 30 days of the new Director assum-
ing office. The new Director will complete an opening Financial Report with the opening bank balance and the
other information in the header area of page one of the report. The outgoing Director will turn over all files and
equipment to the incoming Director. The outgoing Director will be removed from the bank signature card and the
new Director will be added.
Change of Treasurer:
When a new Treasurer is appointed the same process occurs. A closing and opening Financial Report is prepared,
files and any equipment are turned over to the new Treasurer, and the bank signature cards are updated.
Change of Director and Treasurer:
When both officers change at the same time only one report is required.
Change of Director or Treasurer:
At the end of the year in which the Director or Treasurer changes a consolidated Financial Report reflecting the
financial activities for the entire year will need to be prepared by the current Treasurer.
Change of Address:
When a new Director is appointed the Internal Revenue Service needs to be notified of the new mailing address.
IRS Form 8822-B is used for this purpose. The form is simple to complete and is available on the IRS web site
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8822b.pdf When completing the form the following information is needed.
Item 3 - Enter an X in the box for business location as this is why you are changing the address.
Item 4a – Business name – be sure to use the exact name that is associated with the Employer Identification Num-
ber (EIN)
Item 4b – Employer Identification Number – Be sure the number is entered correctly.
Item 5 – Old mailing address – of previous Director
Item 6 – New mailing address – of new Director
Item 7 – New business location – only fill in if different from Item 6.
Item 8 – Signature – normally the Director’s signature. Date signed and printed title. If it is not convenient for
the Director to sign then the Treasurer may sign.
Mail to the correct address as shown on the bottom of the form.
REMEMBER: If the Form 8822-B is being prepared at the beginning of the calendar year it should not be sent to
the IRS until the Form 990-N has been filed and accepted. Sending the Form 8822-B too soon can result in the
Form 990-N being rejected because the ad-dress on file from the previous Director will not match the new address
on the Form 990-N.
Page 4 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
“Back In Time-Feelin Groovy Dance”
It’s time to reminisce back in time when peace signs and rose colored glasses
were cool. Let’s bring out our platform shoes and bell-bottom jeans. Oh! Don’t
forget the suede vest .
This party will start rocking on Friday, May 17, 2013 at the Texas Gumball Rally in Wichita
Falls, Texas. The time will be from 7:30pm to midnight. It will take place at the host hotel-
Holiday Inn.
You can decorate your table anyway you choose. We will be having a contest. All we ask is that
you cannot have the following decorations per the hotels policies:
No confetti or glitter of any kind
No flammable items
Here’s some hippe slang:
Chick - girl or woman
Cool Cat– Cool Guy
Dig - Do you understand?
Far-out - awesome
Flower Child - A Hippie
Groovy - Nice or neat
Lay It On Me - Tell me or speak your piece
Right On - exactly or I second that
Shades - Sunglasses
So we hope to see you chicks and dudes . It will be outta sight! Don’t be square and forget your
shades!
Page 5 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
DISTRICT COUPLE OF THE YEAR
Mike and Robin Thacker- Master Tour
Riders 6751 & 6162
Well tonight is Christmas night and Santa has come and gone. Now for us 's time to start thinking about
2013.
The first thing on the agenda is to go for a nice ride on the first day of the New Year with our friends.
The second thing on our agenda is the Mid Winter Round Up on January 5th in Wichita Falls Tx. We want to
be there to welcome all the new Chapter Couples of the Year for 2013. We just want to make them fill like
they are special because they are. We want them to know what an honor it is for them to be the Ambassadors
for their Chapter. This is not a job or extra duties for them to preform. They have just been chosen because of
their involvement and commitment with their Chapter, and the Directors would like for them to be recog-
nized.
There is no promise to compete for the District Selection process, but if you do, we are here to tell you we
have had a blast and are meeting new people everywhere we go.
It has been an honor to be this years District Couple of the Year and now have only five more months until
we will have to pass the honor on to the next District Couple of the Year
The Mid Winter Round Up is a great time for GWRRA members to come to Wichita Falls to get a look at
where the Texas District will have their Gumball Rally in May of 2013.
In March at the Region Convention we will be involved in the selection process for the Region H Couple of
the Year. We already have our new duds picked out and are getting our boots shined. We are looking for-
ward to having a fun time with our other Region H friends during the competition.
I know that we will have our work cut out for us. The other states in the Region have awesome Couples that
have the same opportunity as we do. We have met several of the Couples and Region H would be honored to
have anyone of us to represent the Region.
There is no way we will be able to fill the boots of Dale and Carleen, but it is still an honor to have the op-
portunity to be considered for the position.
We both are looking forward to the New Year. Whatever we do, we can tell you we will have fun doing it.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE
Page 6 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
TEXAS DISTRICT COUPLE OF TH E YEAR COORDINATORS
Dave and Jean Simmons
CDs from Chapters I, J, M, N2, T, and W2 presented the Couple of the Year ribbons and medallions to their Couples who had been selected to represent their chapters as their 2013 Chapter Couples of
the Year at Mid-Winter Roundup, in Wichita Falls, January 5th.
Couples receiving their ribbons and medallions were: Bill and Libby Parrish, Chapter I; Jimmy and Dorothy
Thomson, Chapter J; Wayne and Kristee Orr, Chapter M; George and Linda Stich, Chapter N2; Andrea &
Leroy Douglas, Chapter T; and Debbie and Pat Moore, Chapter W2.
Chapter J Chapter M
Chapter N2 Chapter I
Chapter T Chapter W2
Page 7 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
Texas District Membership Enhancement
Coordinators
Steve and Billie Fleming
Do you have room in your friend basket?
Friends
Many of us have experienced the loss of a friend through one circumstance or another. We have had friends pass or
move away a great distance limiting our contact with them. There are just some circumstances in life that cannot be
avoided. Losing close friend is a most disturbing life event that can have an effect on us for the rest of our lives. I have
never had any fail to express regret at losing a close friend. What about those circumstances that can be avoided? Are
we doing all we can to hold our friends close?
During the course of a conversation with a friend recently, I made the remark,” I don’t know about anyone else but my
friend basket is never full. I can always find room for another friend in my life.” My friend said that is a great thought,
you should use that in an article so now you have it. Let me expand on the thought.
No Winger Left Behind
Bill Gray, our Region Director recently spoke at the business meeting on the topic of “No Winger
Left Behind”. I concur with his statements and thoughts. When we leave a Winger behind, we run
the risk of losing a good friend. Let me explain from some personal experience why his statements
hit a note in my heart.
Billie and I have visited with a lot of chapters with mostly good experiences, but we have also experienced the feeling
of being excluded from the “clique”. During one particular chapter visit we were never announced as visitors or guests
and no one made an effort to make us feel like there was room for us in their group. We sat alone at a table even though
we were one of the first arrivals.
Everyone came in and found their friends and sat down and became lost in their conversations without acknowledging a
potential new member or guest. No one came over to sit with us or talk with us. We made several attempts to join in
conversations but always found that there was no apparent interest in making a new friend. No one asked if we had a
Gold Wing, belonged to a chapter or even had a membership.
Page 8 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
Cont. Page 2 of Texas District Membership Enhancement:
No One Left Out
No one likes being left out of the activities and fun. No one would want to sit alone and feel excluded while the group is
having a great time. We should always be careful to include a new member or prospective member in our activities to
make them feel welcomed and a part.
The MEC, Chapter Couple of the Year, Assistant CD or CD should make it a priority to see that the guest is made to
feel at home and welcomed. Some chapters have greeters who’s only responsibility is to visit with new and prospective
members to assure they feel welcome in the chapter. At any case, someone needs to make that effort to welcome them
in and show themselves to be friendly.
Some MEC’s have told me that when they have a prospective or new member, they will sit with that prospective or new
member for a few meetings to make sure they are welcomed on board and invited to return and join the activities.
We realize that friendships in our organization are a natural part of the association and that close associations are
formed because of those friendships, but we should never make a guest feel as though they are alien to our organization.
Make that special effort to go out of your way to sit with them and visit a while. See what you can do to break down
any barriers they may feel.
Remember when you made your first visit to a chapter? Do you remember how difficult it was to walk into a group of
strangers and try to fit in when you did not know anyone? If we make sure our friend basket has flexible sides, we can
always find room to add new friends and grow our chapters, build new relationships and enrich our lives beyond meas-
ure.
Life Has an Expiration Date
None of us has the promise of tomorrow because as my wife says, “life has an expiration date.” We should take every
opportunity to expand and enrich our relationships. This is a short life we live and there is no time better than the pre-
sent to add to that list of friends we hold so dear.
Through the years we have been associated with GWRRA we have made many
friends in this great organization. GWRRA has been a vehicle for us to add to our
friend basket on a regular basis. The more we have become involved, the more
friends we seem to make. How can you beat that? We’re having the time of our life
and hope you can say the same. If we are not friends yet it may be because we have-
n’t met you yet. Our hearts are open and hands extended. Want to be in our basket?
We have plenty of room.
Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge!
Steve and Billie Fleming
Texas District MEC
Page 9 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
How cool would you look on this bike!
We are selling raffle tickets for the bike above. If you are interested:
You don’t need to be present to win
It will have an open title which means if you are not interested in
this motorcycle , you can use the title for something else such as a
dirt bike, ATV or even a down payment for a Goldwing!
The cost is a book of five tickets for ten dollars-what a great deal!
If you are interested in selling tickets, please contact Mike Thacker (281)
686-8892 or David Vidrine at (281) 709-3904. We would sincerely appre-
ciate any help in selling these tickets. We will be happy to meet you to
drop them off or if you live outside of the Houston area, we will make ar-
rangements to get them to you . Again, any assistance you can provide in
selling these tickets will be greatly appreciated.
Page 10 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
Texas District Chapter of the Year Coordinators
Billie Fleming and Robin Thacker
DOUBLE YOUR FUN!
Hello everyone, are you ready to have some fun and get your chapter recognized? We want
all the chapters to participate in the Chapter of the Year Program and receive an award.
What could be better than receiving an award for having FUN?
This year there will be an award ceremony for all chapters that participate and qualify. We
will be awarding the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. You could even be the Texas District
Chapter of the Year. The information is on the GWRRA website, go to Membership En-
hancement Program and on the left side click on Chapter of the Year and get started today.
It's really not very hard. Your chapter may have all the information needed already. You just
need to transfer it to the Score Sheet. If you need help we are only a phone call or an email
away.
Do not be concerned if you haven't done everything on the Score Sheet, just fill it out. You'll
find that your chapter will probably receive an award for all the FUN things you have done
through the year.
Page 11 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
Christmas and New Years Parties have come and gone and we hope you enjoyed your Holiday with family
and friends. As we begin 2013 our first event is Midwinter Roundup on January 5, 2013. We encourage all
the Chapter Educators to attend Midwinter Roundup and we look forward to seeing everyone there. We will
be assisting with the new Educator appointment paperwork. We also plan to provide education regarding a
Chapter educator responsibilities and explain the tools provided to complete these responsibilities. Our goal
is to provide the education and tools to make your responsibilities easier so you can enjoy riding and having
fun with your Chapter While a Chapter Educator has responsibilities it should also be a fun time with your
Chapter.
Our Texas District Rider Education Raffle tickets are ready for our Chapter Educators and will be given out
at Midwinter Roundup for our Chapter Educators to sale at your Chapter Gatherings. This year you will have
an opportunity to win 3 different prizes for a $10.00 ticket. Be sure to get your tickets as the prizes will be
awarded at the Texas District Convention at closing ceremony on May 18, 2013. (see attached flyer)
1st prize - Brinkmann Gas Grill - $700.00 value
2nd prize - Riding Gear for Two - $500.00 value
3rd prize - $200.00 cash
Last month we talked about a Team Challenge event that will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2013 at the Tex-
as District Convention in Wichita Falls, Texas. This event will be a Riding competition for Teams who com-
pete together through a riding obstacle course developed to challenge and improve your riding skills. Start
getting your riding teams together and we also encourage you to get your Cheering team together as there
will be awards presented to the best teams as well as the best cheering teams.
We continue to have fun while meeting our responsibilities per GWRRA’s moto “Friends for fun, safety &
knowledge”. As one of our friends once said, “if YOU are not having fun YOU did not pack it and bring it
with YOU”. Our plan is to bring it with US where ever we go.
RIDER EDUCATION Have Fun, Ride Safe, and enjoy the Knowledge
Ricky & Karen Frazier, Texas District Educators
Senior Masters: Ricky #6673, Karen #6674
Ricky: 281-615-4386 Karen: 281-615-1365
Email: [email protected]
Page 12 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
By the Book By: Jack Wagner
Region H Trainer
“Learn the Truth ..Then Pass it Along”
By the Book” articles are intended to help familiarize GWRRA Volunteer
Leaders and Members with the policies, procedures, and information con-
tained in the GWRRA Officer’s Handbook (OHB). A copy of the Officer’s
Handbook can be found at the following Internet website: www.gwrra.org/
From the Beginning
In the past, By the Book articles have tended to be a bit random. The Officer Handbook, while not intended to
be all inclusive, provides the roadmap our Association should follow. The Officer Certification Program
(OCP) expands on the Officer Handbook and provides additional direction and interpretations. The contents of
the Officer Handbook and OCP are not secret or intended to just be known by officers. Instead all members can
benefit from knowing what they contain. This being a new year, I thought it prudent to begin at the beginning
in reviewing the Officer Handbook and will include added input from the OCP.
Every organization needs to have a mission and vision statement. These are the foundation for everything the
organization hopes to accomplish. A mission statement defines the fundamental purpose of an organization
and succinctly describes why it exists. The vision statement outlines what the organization wants to be. It is a
long-term view concentrating on the future and should be a source of inspiration.
GWRRA's mission statement is as follows:
Established in 1977, the Gold Wing Road Riders Association provides an atmosphere for fun, safety, and
knowledge to Gold Wing & Valkyrie motorcycle owners.
The mission statement stands on its own without additional discussion. It completely describes our fundamental
purpose for existance – fun, safety and knowledge.
The vision statement is a bit more lengthy as it describes how we are going to accomplish the mission.
GWRRA (Gold Wing Road Riders Association) is a leader of associational organizations, respected by its Members
as well as its competitors and the communities it operates within.
GWRRA strives to offer the highest quality service to its Members.
GWRRA is a family-oriented, non-religious, non-political association comprised of owners of Honda Gold Wing
and Valkyrie Motorcycles as well as non-Gold Wing owners, our Associate Members.
GWRRA provides a culture which fosters Members with shared values, team concepts and camaraderie. This cul-
ture also provides its Members with opportunities for personal development and achievement.
GWRRA’s divisions (programs) work harmoniously as a team to increase the membership base by creating an at-
mosphere that provides fun, promotes safety, heightens knowledge, and by offering a full range of desirable ser-
vices and benefits for its Members
Next month we will begin discussion of how we accomplish each of the vision statement elements as
we continue our journey thru the Officer Handbook.
Learn the Truth…Then Pass It Along
Jack Wagner
Region H Trainer
Page 13 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
REGION H NEWS
Bill & Dea Ann Gray
Region H Director, GWRRA
Operation H - No Winger Left Behind!
Region H Team
Region Directors
Bill and Dea Ann Gray
Assistant Region Director
Garry and Phylis Van Buskirk
Assistant Region Director
Membership Enhancement Coord.
Couple Coordinators
Patch Princess
Jere and Maurine Pyburn
Treasurer/Chapter of the Year Coord.
Ed and Ann Nahl
2012-2013 Couple of the Year
Dale and Carleen Garrett
Medic/First Aid Coordinators
Greg and Cassima Dean
Vendor Coordinators
Jim and Ruby Seale
Newsletter Editors
Robert and Voleta McClure
Educator, Webmaster,
Sam and Anita Belinoski
Motorist Awareness Coordi-
nators
Larry and Brenda Penepent
Trainer
Jack Wagner
Cliques - Good or Bad?
Definition: In the social sciences, the word "clique" is used to describe a group of 2 to 12 (averaging 5 or 6) "persons
who interact with each other more regularly and intensely than others in the same setting." Sounds harmless doesn't it?
We have chapters that average 5 - 10 participating members. Is this a bad thing? Absolutely not! The negative connota-
tion comes from the imaginary lines drawn or walls built that segregate new and prospective members from cer-
tain groups within a chapter. This can be construed as unfriendly, unwelcoming and so forth. This of course begins with
officers.
Do officers tend to sit together at gatherings, dinner rides, rallies, etc.? Do the same groups ride together all the time?
Have you noticed the new and prospective members not showing up after one or two events? How about the members
that always show up but never seem to fit into any particular group? ARE WE LEAVING ANY OF THESE MEM-
BERS BEHIND? Oh yes, the members that ride something other than a Goldwing, where do they fit in? T
The common theme here is that we are all MEMBERS! Members become friends. Erase the lines and tear down the
walls! This is fundamental to NO WINGER LEFT BEHIND and the success of our organization.
We are looking forward to seeing many of you at business meetings in January.
We hope your Holidays were merry and we wish you a safe and happy 2013!
Bill & DeaAnn Gray
Region H Director
Page 14
National Team Chief Executive Officer/Chairman Of the Board/Founder
Paul Hildebrand
Director
Jere Goodman [email protected]
Chief Operating Officer
Melissa Eason
Marketing Director
Ed Price
2012-2013 International
Couple of the Year Greg and Renee Dempsey
TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
NATIONAL
Page 15 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
GWRRA
Texas District Rider Education Raffle
$10.00/Ticket benefiting TX Dist. Rider Ed Program
1st Place Prize – Brinkman Vertex Gas Grill – Value $700.00
2nd Place Prize – Riding Gear for 2 – Value $500.00
Dicke Safety Reflective Rain Jacket – 1XL & 1Lg
HJC –is33 Helmet – 1XL & 1Lg
Cortech Gloves -1XXL & 1 Med
3rd Place Prize - $200.00 Cash
Drawing to be held at closing ceremony at Texas District Convention
Wichita Falls, Texas, May 16th – 18th, 2013
NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN
Page 16 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
Location for the Texas Gumball Rally 2013 in Wichita Falls, Texas
Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall (also known as MPEC Center)
1000 5th Street
Wichita Falls, Texas 76301
(940) 716-5500
Note: No animals or pets allowed either in or on the MPEC property except lead
animal for the handicap.
Page 16 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
Page 17 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
Page 18 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
Page 21 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
NEED PATCHES or pins?
If you are looking to order patches or pins you can go to the fol-
lowing website and get the form. It’s located under Member Re-
sources. The website is: http://www.gwrra-tx.org
Christina Vidrine will be taking care of your orders. Her phone
number and email address is located on the order form. Just give
her a holler and she will be happy to help out.
Page 22 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
Operations District Director
David & Christina Vidrine
281-709-3904
Assistant District Directors
Mike & Robin Thacker
281-686-8892
Treasurer
Diane Shults
713-562-3994
Entertainment Coordinator
Kenny Shults
281-642-4619
Vendor Coordinators
Kenny Shults
281-642-4619
Rider Education
Educators
Ricky & Karen Frazier
281-615-4386
Leadership Training Leadership Trainer
OPEN
Membership Enhancement
Membership Enhancement
Coordinators
Steve and Billie Fleming
832-630-2038
2012 – 2013 Couple of the Year
Mike & Robin Thacker
281-686-8892
Couple of the Year Coordinators
Dave & Jean Simmons
325-382-4469
Newsletter Editor
Christina Vidrine
832-217-5432
Webmaster
Tom & Dawn Sprague
858-755-6071
District Website
www.gwrra-tx.org
Chapter of the Year Coordinators
Billie Fleming
Robin Thacker
281-687-8548
Page 23 TEXAS DISTRICT NEWS
If you have an article, news, or other
item of interest that you would like to
be included in this newsletter, please
e-mail it to [email protected] by the
20th of the month
Save the Date (Passport Events)
Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge
Region H Convention
Wingbreak 2013
April 4-6, 2013
Marshall, Texas Convention Center
Visit website for flyer: www.Region.H.org
Louisiana District Convention
April 18-20, 2013
Lafayette, LA
Visit website at: www.gwrra-la.org
Texas District Convention
Texas Gumball Rally 2013
May 16-18, 2013
Wichita Falls, MPEC Center
Visit Website: www.gwrra-tx.org
Arkansas District Convention
May 23-25, 2013
Visit Website: www.argwrra.org
Wing Ding 2013
July 3-6, 2013
Greenville, SC
Visit Website: www.wing-ding.org
Oklahoma District Convention
October 3-5, 2013
Visit Website: www.gwrraokla.org
Kansas State Convention
September 13-15, 2013
Abilene, KS
Visit Website: www.gwks.homestead.com