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May State Newsletter
(PDF
Version of the newsletter below)
May 2008
As a weekend of record setting temperatures and
motorcycle riding comes to an end I am hopeful that a safe
and happy riding season is in store for all. Don’t forget
your safety practices, and remember that just because you
can see someone doesn’t mean that they see you or even
recognize your being there.
·
The State Rally: The flyer is done and on the
web page, so we are hoping that everyone will take this
opportunity to pre-register. Pre-Registration is important
for a number of reasons, mostly food and vendors: the
Saturday night dinner is going to be great, and the more
people we know are coming the better opportunity we have for
vendors to participate.
o
Dinner will be cooked for us by Rent-A-Chef,
who will also be one of our vendors this year. They have
done an awesome job in the past, and we look forward to
enjoying the culinary delights they will be providing this
year: Turkey or Ham, Potatoes and Gravy, Vegetable, Roll,
and Apple Crisp. Chapter C will be serving.
o
Vendors are coming along, and an important
thing that the vendors want to know is how many people will
be coming. This information is provided by pre-registration
numbers, so get your pre-registration in.
o
If you have any suggestions for vendors, let
Daylon know (360-856-5289). He is working hard and looking
for new vendors, as well as working with previous vendors to
make this a great rally.
o
The schedule of events has been released, sent
to the Chapter Directors with this newsletter. Some changes
may occur between now and the start of the rally, but if it
does you all will be advised, and nothing will change once
the rally starts.
o
Rally shirts will be available in white or
Chapter U light blue for $14.00. Rally shirts are pre-order
only, so make sure you get yours ordered. If you are
planning on a day pass and would still like to order a shirt
we can accommodate you as well, contact us so we can talk.
o
Bud Dyer has put together a great Safety Program
for rally participants on Saturday. Sergeant Mike Saunders
from the Okanogan Washington State Patrol is coming over to
share some info: The
first is a report from the “Motorcycle Rider Safety Task
Force” which provides some great information regarding
contributing factors to M/C collisions, and the second
source is a slide show that addresses what the WSP is doing
to reduce the number of M/C collisions in Washington State.
This information will take about 60 minutes to present and
I’ll plan on using the final 30 minutes for a Q&A session.
We’ve also asked Sgt Saunders to prepare some definitive
information on laws regarding oscillating headlights,
flashing tail lights, cell phone usage, towing trailers, and
new laws that have recently gone into effect regarding
motorcycles. In addition, Bud is working with the Northwest Wings Drill
Team for some skills tests. Bud is also working with the
Department of Licensing Motorcycle Program manager for an
additional presentation.
o
So far we have four suggestions for the State
Rally 2009 – Centralia/Chehalis, Moses Lake, Ritzville
and Sequim. If you have a suggestion, send me some info
about the place and we’ll be glad to let everyone know who’s
interested.
·
Chapter Olympics information has been received
by Chapters B, G and S. Please send in your chapter’s info
as soon as possible so that we can pass it along to
National, as our deadline with them is May 31st.
·
Family of the Year: We are please to let
everyone know that the Washington State Family of the Year,
Larry and Kay Cohenour, have been named as Region A Family
of the Year. Larry & Kay are blown away by the nomination
and plan to be at National to represent Washington State.
If you are at opening ceremonies, then let them hear your
support when they are introduced!!
·
Bike Raffle Tickets: Raffle tickets are now
available from Lindy Phillips. Contact her for your
tickets, $1.00 each.
·
STP: I have been in communication with many
chapters about STP, and not in communication with some
chapters about STP. Information has been sparse up ‘til
now, but the wheels are starting to roll and information
should be coming more steadily now. Thanks to all the
chapters that are participating. The next CBC meeting is
June 2nd.
· Mark
Your Calendars:
May:
24-26 Oregon State Rally
26 Memorial Day
31 Ch C’s Blue Crew Fun Run
June:
14-15 Ch A Family Campout
14 Ch G Garage Sale
15 Father’s Day
21 Ch B Car Wash
Thanks again, and we’ll catch ya later.
Don & Carol
360-856-5815
wastatedirs@makingitdigital.net
February State Newsletter
(PDF
Version of the newsletter below)
As I sit here looking out my window at a bright, sunny
day I become acutely aware that the riding season is fast
approaching and it’s about time!! It’s getting to be time to
check the tires, fluids, and make your ride safe and ready
for the season. Safety checks are important for safe rides.
It will be great to see everyone still riding at the end of
the season.
The State Rally: The flyer is done and on the web
page. Denny made it interactive so that you can complete it
online and print for mailing.
- The rally logo design voting is complete, and I
would like to thank all the people
who submitted a design. After 237 votes were cast the
design has been chosen, and we would like to
congratulate Craig Alberts for the submitting the
winning design.
- Christmas dinner will be served for the meal on
Saturday evening, so make sure you get your
pre-registration in so that you can partake in all the
goodies.
- Rally shirts will be available in white or Chapter U
light blue for $14.00. Rally
shirts are pre-order only, so make sure you get yours
ordered. If you are planning on a day pass and would
still like to order a shirt we can accommodate you as
well, contact us so we can talk.
State Rally 2009: We are looking for your input
for the location of the State Rally 2009! Do we want to have
it in Winthrop? Is there another location that you would
like? We are looking for member’s to obtain information from
the places they would like to see the next rally at, then at
the State Rally registration table there will be a voting
box for the members to vote for their choice. At closing
ceremonies we will list the top three locations and work
with those locations, in order of popularity, to arrange the
State Rally in 2009. We will also be accepting theme
suggestions for voting. We will explain this in more detail
at the State Officers Meeting.
Family of the Year: We received four nominations
for Family of the Year and will
announce the winner at the State Officers Meeting.
State Officers Meeting: Will be held at the Days Inn
in Ellensburg, 901 Berry Rd
Ellensburg 509-933-1500, on Saturday, March 8th . The
general meeting will begin at 1:00 PM. We will be going over
state rally chapter assignments as well as a few other
things. A potluck will be held after the meeting for those
who would like to bring a dish.
Bike Raffle Tickets: Raffle tickets are now available
from Lindy Phillips. Contact her for your tickets, $1.00
each and they help offset costs at National to keep our
membership fees down.
STP: I have received STP focal information from 9
chapters so far. The Cascade Bicycle Club cancelled their
February meeting so I will not have any information until
after their meeting in March.
Mark Your March Calendars:
1-2 Ch L Mall Show
1 NW Wings Spaghetti Dinner& Auction
8 State Officer’s Meeting
15 Green Freeze III & Banquet
28 Easter Sunday
28-30 GWTA Goodbye to Winter Weekend West
Thanks again, and we’ll catch ya later.
Don & Carol
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January State Newsletter
(PDF
Version of the newsletter below)
January 2008
A New Year. . .
Here we go, 2008. Can you believe it got here so fast? It
seems like it was just the blink of an eye and we were just
getting started on a great summer of riding last June. A new
year offers new challenges and new opportunities, and that’s
what we are looking forward to this year. . .with all our
great friends and family in GWTA.
- The Web Page Events Calendar: Please make
sure that you Chapter’s ride or rally information is up
to date on the events calendar. It is a great
do-it-yourself system that Denny has put together for
us, and I know he’d be happy to help you get through it
if you needed assistance. We want everyone to know what
they can do should they need a reason to ride (heh heh
heh – like that’s ever a real issue).
-
The State Rally: the
Logo contest has hit a small snag, and we have now
started getting submissions for the new rally flyer.
Just as a reminder:
- We are going to do an electronic
vote for the pin this year so that all
members may have a hand in choosing the
pin design.
- All entries must be received by
January 15, 2008.
You may submit your
design electronically to wastatedirs@makingitdigital.net
,or on paper to Don and I and we will
scan for posting on the web page.
- Starting no later than January 20th
the choices will be posted on the state
web page for members to vote on at the
web site. Voting will close on February
15, 2008.
- All entries must contain the words
“GWTA” or “Gold Wing Touring
Association” “Washington State
Gathering” “Winthrop” and “2008”.
- All entries must be an original
design and not packaged “clip art”. The
submitter of the design must be the
designer.
- All entries will be posted without
the name of the submitter to provide an
impartial atmosphere.
- The winning design will be announced
at the State Officers Meeting on March
18, 2008.
- The winning designer will win one
free registration, one meal ticket, and
one rally shirt with the design printed
on it.
- NEW
INFORMATION: The submitter agrees
to allow necessary changes to the design
to allow for computer artwork and
possible color merges to assist with
cost. GOLD WING TOURING ASSOCIATION
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-
Membership Drive: National is sponsoring a new
membership drive. From now until April 15, 2008 if
someone joins for 1 year they will receive an additional
6 months free, if they join for 2 or three years they
will receive an additional 1 year free. At this time,
they are also doing a new installment on the recruiting
program where members can earn TA Bucks. The guidelines
for earning TA Bucks for each membership recruited.
Starting January 1, 2008: Recruit a new 1 year
memberships and earn: $2 TA Bucks for each membership
recruited up to 5, then it increases to $5 TA Bucks for
each new
membership recruited from 6-10, then it increases to $10
TA Bucks for each new membership recruited over 10.
Automatic extra $2 TA Bucks will be awarded for
recruiting a new 2 year membership, Automatic extra $5
TA Bucks will be awarded for recruiting a new 3 year
membership. RECRUITER MEMBERSHIP NUMBER MUST BE INCLUDED
ON THE NEW MEMBER APPLICATION IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE
RECRUITING CREDIT AND EARN THE TA BUCKS.
-
Family
of the Year: Nominations should be into the State
Director by the end of November, but we are going to
extend that to January 31st because of all of the new
Chapter Directors (and State Directors) that do not
really know what is going on. We would like to see every
chapter send a nominee for Family of the Year and the
State Staff will decide on who will be chosen February
15th. All of the States in Region A will have their
State represented and one of those will be chosen to be
Region Family of the Year in March. Out of the region
families, one family will be chosen to be National
Family of the Year.
-
STP:
Please get us the name and email address of your
Chapter’s STP focal by January 15th. We are planning to
get some information together and will need to start
distribution soon.
-
Mark
Your Calendars:
| Chapter E’s Wing Washington starts in
2008 Chapter V’s Green Freeze starts
January 19, 2008 |
On a more personal note, we
would like to thank everyone who has sent their well wishes,
thoughts and prayers for my upcoming surgery. It will be a
tough few weeks while the recovery process takes it’s time,
but I am really in the best possible scenario for this
situation. If well wishes were stars then the skies would
never be dark for me, and that is a blessing. Updates will
be sent to your Chapter Directors and if you have any
questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us,
any of the other State Staff volunteers, or JR & Lindy
Phillips.
Thanks again, and we’ll catch ya
later.
Don &
Carol
December State Newsletter
(PDF
Version of the newsletter below)
December
2007
Season’s Greeting to
all!!!
Here we are, approaching the end of
2007. As we make the rounds to a few of the Chapters
for their breakfast meetings I find myself thinking
about the people that make up our chapters and all the
really impressive things that happen due to these
people. I see and hear laughter, witness genuine
feelings of warmth and friendship, and am made to feel
special by someone each and every place we go by the
twinkle in their eye when they say Hi or the way they
wait their “turn” for a hug. Then, just when you think
that the specialness has hit its peak you hear about the
communities that are benefiting from the generosity of
the chapters: needy families will have food, senior
citizens will enjoy a party and gifts just for them,
children will get gifts and clothing, and some animal
shelters will benefit as well. We are all busy during
the holiday season with work and family obligations; it
is truly magnificent when we are able to give that extra
part of ourselves to help someone else feel the spirit
too. Thank you all for stepping up and making a
difference to someone, somewhere. Like the ripples of a
stone thrown into a still pond, you may not see all of
the results of your actions but you can be sure that
someone has benefited. Our very warmest wishes to you
and your families for the holiday season and the year to
come.
The
Web Page Events Calendar, we have had a lot of
different information sources giving us details for
events, and the “old” information from September was
also made available due to a request from members. We
are really trying to get all the info in one spot and
have it correct, this takes a lot of time and double
checking. Please check the web site events page and
make sure your event is on there and that the info is
correct. If you have your date set but haven’t given us
the info yet, we’d be happy to get that put on the web
site as well. Denny and Yvonne are working really hard
at keeping the web site up to date on all fronts and we
appreciate all their efforts.
The State Rally is shaping up. We almost
have the registration form ready to put online. Our
rally has been listed in the Methow Valley News for
upcoming events there, and the ideas for activities are
really rolling along. The hotels in the area are ready
for your calls, and are encouraging everyone who wants a
room to book them early. Please remember (and
remind everyone) that the pin design contest is underway
and we are looking for entries by December 31.
Gold Rush 2 for 1 registration is quickly
coming to its deadline. We have linked the registration
form to the State Web Page to assist you with finding
it. Your registration must be postmarked by December 31st
in order to take advantage of the 2 for 1 deal - $40.00
for four days of fun and frolic for two – what a
deal!!!!
Mark Your Calendars:
From our Web Master:
Web Site Events Calendar:
To save a lot of potential confusion in keeping the
Events Calendar accurate and up-to-date, please submit
your events, or edits to events, by using the "Add or
Edit Your Event" form on the "Events
Calendar" page at
www.gwta-wa.org .
If you have a link to the State Events Calendar on your
chapter Web site, be sure you have a link to the new
location at
http://gwta-wa.org/events.htm , the old link address
is no longer available.
Chapter Pages on State Site:
Chapter directors, please review your chapter pages
on the
State Web site to be sure the info there is
up-to-date and accurate. Click the "Chapters" menu link,
then choose your chapter from the left menu bar. If
there is more content you would like added to your
chapter page(s) on the state site, let our
State Webmaster know.
Well, that’s about it for now.
Please take care of yourselves during this time of
inclement weather, the sun will soon shine again and
we’d like everyone to be around to see it.
Don & Carol
November State Newsletter
(PDF
Version of the newsletter below)
November 7, 2008
Hello and Good Wishes to all.
It has been a busy month with the Chapter
Evaluations and Elections gearing up and the riding
season winding down. We have been able to start some
Chapter visitations and appreciate everyone’s warm
welcomes and congratulations.
· The State Gathering in Winthrop has
started coming together. Mark your calendars for July 3
– 6 2008. We have been contacted by some of the local
businesses and the Chamber is getting the word out. We
know that some members have already made their hotel
reservations and we are looking forward to getting all
things nailed down soon so that we can get the info out
to you. One thing that we would like to start now is
the pin design contest for the Washington State
Gathering 2008. Here are the specifics:
o We are going to do an electronic vote for the pin
this year so that all members may have a hand in
choosing the pin design.
o All entries must be
received
by December 31, 2007. You may submit your design
electronically to
wastatedirs@makingitdigital.net ,or on paper to Don
and I and we will scan for posting on the web page.
o Starting no later than January 5th the
choices will be posted on the web page for members to
vote on at the web site. Voting will close on February
15, 2008.
o All entries must contain the words “GWTA” or
“Gold Wing Touring Association” “Washington State
Gathering” “Winthrop” and “2008”.
o All entries must indicate of they are an original
design or computer generated design. The submitter of
the design must be the designer.
o All entries will be posted without the name of
the submitter to provide an impartial atmosphere.
o
The winning design will be announced at the State
Officers Meeting on March 18, 2008.
o The winning designer will win one free
registration, one meal ticket, and one rally shirt with
the design printed on it.
· STP, July 12 & 13 2008, is on our minds
this year because of the date’s proximity to our State
Gathering and the National Gathering. We really want to
encourage everyone to attend the National Gathering in
Billings, MT in 2008 while understanding that STP is an
important obligation as well. We have always enjoyed
STP and believe that for the most part everyone else
involved have enjoyable moments as well. We would like
to offer some incentives to give everyone a chance to
think about supporting both of these activities:
o Each participant of STP on Saturday and Sunday
who also attends the National Rally will be entered in a
drawing for two separate chances to win gasoline
reimbursement for both STP and the trip to National and
back (maximum award $150.00 each) as well as each of the
daily participation drawings.
o If you are not able to attend National but can
still help at STP on Saturday you will be entered into a
drawing to win an Intarsia GL1800 made by Larry & Kay
Cohenour.
o If you are able to help on Sunday you will be
entered to win 2 custom embroidered Goldwing polo
shirts.
o The participants in this drawing will be taken
from the STP signup sheets and a signup sheet posted at
National. The awards will be made after National so
that all the signup sheets can be turned in.
· The National Rally is in Billings, MT in
2008 – July 14 thru 17. We have linked the registration
form to the state web site on the events calendar.
Opening ceremonies is Monday the 14th at
10:00 AM. It’s great to have the National Rally in our
very own Region this year, and the two for one
registration price, postmarked no later than December 31st,
gives us one more reason to check it out. Send in your
registration form soon and let’s show how supportive
Washington State can be!!!!
· The
Rider Education and Retention Seminar
on November 3rd at Hinshaw’s Honda in Auburn
was deemed a success!! A total of 14 people
representing 5 chapters were on hand for the seminars.
It appears that there were a few things that people
didn’t know, and hopefully there will be some
information sharing going on in the chapters now as
well. We’re looking to offer these seminars again
during the State Rally – more on that as we firm up the
plans.
· Chapter K has decided not to close at this
time. We are going to be working with Bruce and Rexann
to get some public relations and advertising out into
the community. Look for a BBQ weekend in the spring,
and if you have an opportunity to include Chapter K in
one of your jaunts out and about we know they’d
appreciate a call.
· The
State Web Page (www.gwta-wa.org)
is really shaping up, and we want to give Denny & Yvonne
Wright a big KUDOS for all their work. The events
calendar is looking pretty bare, and Denny has added a
feature where the chapters can directly update the
calendar with their information. If you have a ride
coming up, please get it on the web page event calendar
so everyone can see what they’re going to be doing next
year. I know some chapters are putting their next
year’s riding calendar together before the end of the
year and look to the events list to assist in planning
their chapter rides.
· The
Membership Drive is still going on –
have you given your free membership opportunity to
anyone yet? This membership drive continues until
November 30th. If you have an opportunity to
share your chapter with a new friend, please take
advantage of this program.
On a more personal note, we want to thank everyone
for the support we’ve received in our endeavor. This
has become quite an adventure for us, and we are the
first to admit there will be stumbles, faux pas, and
downright stupid mistakes on our part. We believe in
the organization and want to do everything we can to
fulfill the promise of fun times and Destination
Friendship. We appreciate all comments; hope that
criticism will be constructive in nature, and that
people will want to help us more than not want to.
Thanks again, and we will see you down the road.
Don & Carol
Howdy all-
Well, here we are starting off in our new position as
Washington State Directors. We have a lot to learn and
hopefully we will learn more the easy way and much less
the hard way. Since we are starting a complete new staff
from scratch, there is not a lot of past experience on
the new staff. We have had several offers from help from
past directors and they will most likely be hearing from
us as time goes by.
Click here to meet your new state staff:
Thanks again to all those who have worked so hard in the
past to make this organization what it is today. We hope
to further enhance the enjoyment of every member of GWTA
Washington State.
Thanks for your support of us and we look forward to
serving you.
Don and Carol Sims
State Directors
GWTA Washington State
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