February 2023
Greetings Brothers and Sister of ABATE of Arizona. This has been a very busy month for me. As I write this it is the middle of January, the weather has been colder and wetter than most recent years, and this has had a big effect on motorcycling here in the Grand Canyon state. Many of our winter visitors who come for the weather are a little
disappointed, and many of us who love that we can enjoy riding all 12 months have had to endure caging it more than we wish. I February the weather is better and you have been able to get out and put it in the wind.
On January 7th ABATE of Arizona had our
officer training for all the chapter officers throughout the state. It was great to see everyone there. There were many familiar faces of folks who have once again stepped up and volunteered their time and talents for the benefit of all of us, and there were also a lot of new faces in the crowd of those who have taken the plunge and became officers for the first time. It is very heartwarming to see that this great
organization is in such capable hands.
While on the subject of membership I really would like to emphasize that in order to keep ABATE of Arizona a viable organization, we all need to do everything we can to promote membership in ABATE. If every member would recruit just one new member we would double
our membership. Think about that and the
impact it would have. If those in the state legislature saw our numbers growing at that rate they would take notice and realize that the motorcycle community is a force they have to pay attention to. SO please as you attend events or are out for your rides, be sure to carry several of our membership hand outs and ASK other riders to join and support ABATE. It is not enough to just hand them a form, you need to
ask folks to join.
Too Broke for Sturgis is coming up. Please save the dates – June 6th – 9th. We are planning on holding it at Mormon Lake Lodge up in the beautiful Coconino Forest. The property has been sold and we are still waiting on the new owners to get us a contract for the event. We are at a standstill until we have a confirmed location. There will be all the usual distractions so for more information please go to www.toobrokeforsturgis.com and check it out. This is OUR event and how well it comes off reflects on ALL of US. In order to make it as great an
experience as possible for all those folks who come up and drop their hard earned dollars to support US, we need YOUR help! Please plan on being one of those who rides up and supports motorcycle rights here in Arizona, and
while you are there please volunteer to work at least one shift to help make this event be as great as it can be.
We will be changing our Motorcycle Day at the Dome to a weekend event. Many of our members cannot or do not attend when it is held on a weekday. Our event is on the Capitol calendar for March 4th. We will be holding a rally type event at the Wesley Bolin plaza across from the
Capital. It is very important that we show our elected officials that the motorcycle community is united. Contact your state representatives and your Senator and invite them. If for some reason you cannot attend this most important event, contact those folks anyway and let them know you are involved and paying attention to
their voting record.
I am not sure how many of our members take
the time when they are on-line with their computers (goofing off at work) to check out the
ABATE of Arizona web site. There have been
many improvements to the site and it is a great
tool for all our members and you can even pay
for a new membership or renew an existing
membership. So next time your boss isn’t
around and you’re tired of playing games,
check out www.abateofaz.org and see what you
have been missing.
It is also important that everyone remembers the
Masterlink is not just ABATE of Arizona’s
newsletter, it is YOUR newsletter too! Please
feel free to take photos and write up a little article of the events that you and your fellow riders
attend. It helps spread good will with the organizations hosting these events and runs and lets
them know that they are appreciated. It will also
let folks know what they missed and may help
get the word out for the next time the event is
held. Send the information to
TheMasterlink@abateofaz.org. Our editor is
always looking for news and stories affecting
the motorcycling community. If he cannot fit it
in one month he may carry it over until space
allows. So let’s all fill the pages with what’s
happening here in the Arizona.
Jim ButsbackState PresidentABATE of Arizona
