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State-by-State
Motorcycle
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Communications
ARE YOU JUST A TORTILLA OR PART OF THE WHOLE ENCHILADA? This message comes to you from the ABATE State Officers. ABATE of Arizona’s Mission Statement includes, “We will lobby and educate the government and general public to promote motorcycling in a safe and positive image” and “We will involve ourselves in fundraising to achieve our goals.” How many of you think that last statement is meant just for the “State?” The “State”, regardless of what you have heard, is nothing more than a group of officers, working under the direction of the “Board”, also a group of officers. Together, their sole purpose is to conduct the business of the Corporation, and to represent and assist the membership in achieving the goals of ABATE of Arizona. There is no “State” or “Board” per se. There is only ABATE. So, when speaking of the “State” or “Board”, you are actually referring to ABATE of Arizona. The “State” and/or “Board” officers are not a separate entity. They are officers of the “whole.” ABATE has members, and that would be you. The other thing that ABATE has is expenses, such as a Corp Office, phone, computer, member supplies (i.e. pins, patches), monthly newsletter, legislative and safety program costs. The latter, Legislation and Safety, being necessary to achieve it’s goals. To take it one step further, the “Chapter” is not a separate entity. It is an extension or arm of ABATE of Arizona, the “whole.” It has officers that should, just as the “State and Board” officers, be working together to achieve ABATE’s goals. A chapter acquires members, in their area, for ABATE of Arizona. ABATE, not the “State” or “Board” officers, provides each member with a patch, pin and monthly newsletter. Hence, additional ABATE operating expenses. SO when I hear, “If the “state” needs more money, let “them” put on more fund raisers for “themselves”, I tend to shudder to think !!! What you are saying is that ABATE of Arizona needs to “provide for itself”. We are a “chapter, a separate entity. “We” put on the event, “We” did all the work, “We” raised all the money, and “We” are keeping it! What if every district office of the March of Dimes refused to turn over the money raised, to the corporate office, claiming it as “theirs?” How long before the March of Dimes would not be able to achieve it’s goals? ABATE of Arizona is no different! We are a Non-Profit Charitable Organization! We DEPEND solely on Membership, Organizational Fundraisers and Contributions. Since contributions from an outside source are zero-none, ABATE has to rely on ALL fundraisers within the organization to exist! ABATE of Arizona and all its chapters, are just that, ABATE. Every member is but 1% of the “whole”. Every chapter is just a larger % of the “whole.” But, no one member or single chapter is a separate entity. Let’s say Arizona was a small state, and ABATE had no chapters. Every member would come to one location for a monthly meeting. Every event would be put on by the members of ABATE period. ALL proceeds would go into the ABATE of Arizona Treasury. The fact that Arizona is a large state, and chapters had to be formed ONLY to provide a convenience to ABATE members, changes nothing. Take a minute to read 8:02 of the ABATE By-Laws, entitled Chapter Operations. It clearly states, that each chapter may maintain a treasury, but monthly reports and Corporation monies must be submitted to the State Treasurer and that although each chapter may establish its own treasury limit, …….. and determine the use of such funds for operational uses, excess funds shall be submitted to the State Treasurer (period). How can a chapters “Goals” differ from the Mission Statement and Goals of ABATE of Arizona? They can’t, or better yet shouldn’t! It’s up to every one of us, especially chapter officers, to be responsible for their chapter’s part in the big picture. ABATE’s By-Laws were written for a reason. By following the by-laws, ABATE chapters could easily get back on track. Sure it’s great to put on a “charity” run and donate the proceeds to a needy organization. ABATE is a charitable and needy organization. Surely there are enough other organizations and clubs within the Confederation, or the state of Arizona to do “charity” runs. ABATE of Arizona’s contribution to “charity” would be to keep the riders of those clubs, associations, and organizations, Safe and Free in order for them to put on “charity” runs within their local communities. The competition amongst ABATE Chapters has always been strong. SO maybe the next time your chapter is out to claim “who’s bigger”, “who’s better”, or “who puts on the best events”, you might stop and ask yourselves, “Who are we doing this for?” If your answer is not ABATE of Arizona, go back a few paragraphs. When ABATE of Arizona, which is each of you together, is struggling, it must count on you as a member and its members fundraisers to achieve its goals. The Board recently approved an entry on the ABATE application form, that would allow an individual or chapter to specify a dollar donation for “General Fund”, “Legislative Efforts”, Motorcycle Awareness Program “MAP” or “Newsletter Expenses.” ABATE’s Treasurer is prepared to keep separate accounts for these monies. A contribution to Legislative Efforts would provide for lobby expenses, could and should send reps from each and every chapter to the 2 National Conferences each year, along with a yearly trip by reps of ABATE of Arizona to Washington D.C. Today, this will never happen. A contribution to MAP would make it possible for ABATE to afford their portion of the budget not paid for by the Motorcycle Safety Fund, such as Certified Instructor travel to certify others. It would help to provide Arizona with a motorcycle safety and awareness program our members would be proud of. A contribution to the Newsletter would provide the monies so desperately needed for ABATE to produce a high quality print newsletter, with additional pages. One that would not only be more informative, but members would look forward to receiving. The great thing about this is that everything needed to accomplish ABATE’s goals is currently provided for in the by-laws. The ONLY change required is for everyone to start abiding by them. Bobbi Hartmann |
