http://gwrra-id.us/
Idaho is shaping up greatly. We had 17 people take the University
Trainer Seminar and now waiting for everyone to give a class to receive
their Certificate. Need to contact Chris Morton; 208-699-6781 and he can
help you through this process.
On April 18th 2015 we are having an OCP Seminar in Boise, Id. Check on
the Idaho Web Page for details if anyone in your Districts would like to
participate. It looks like we will have a great turnout. Gwrra-id.us
Winner of the Idaho District Rally Pre-Registration ending March 31, 2015
After several hours of adding, subtracting and dividing, Alex Piper, the Idaho District Treasurer has figured out the winner of the
Idaho District Rally Pre-Registration Contest. Ok, the big moment, the winner of the contest to receive the 2016 Charter Fee
($100.00) is Chapter
B, Lewiston.
Congratulations.
Update on Idaho District Rally
Great news for the Idaho District Convention, on Saturday night after the BBQ Spare Ribs we will have Dave’s Magic Tricks entertaining us. I hope he don’t cut anyone in half. Reminder, to all the ‘Idaho Rocks’ are back and the Idaho District Convention is on
July 2, 3, 4, 2015. We will have our design of the T-Shirt out within a couple of weeks. I believe the entertainment on Friday and
Saturday Nights are a little different then we all are use to. Come and enjoy with us.
STORY OF THE AGES, IDAHO DISTRICT RALLY
Driving along on our Gold Wing, we pulled up to a stop in Post Falls to have ice cream and a motorcycle came up
alongside of us and said, “I hear there is a Rally in Kamiah this July 2, 3, 4”. The man called himself Jeremiah Johnson, and then
proceeded to tell us that the word is out about the Idaho District and this is going to be a good time. He said that “Idaho Rocks”
are back and setting the pace. Then one day we were down by Lewiston and a couple of men in buckskins walked up and asked us
if we were headed to Kamiah for the great Idaho District Rally. I introduced myself and my wife Sharon to them and they said they
were Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and the young lady that was with them was Sacagawea. They said they will be right
along to help us celebrate this great event. The moral of the Story is the word of the Idaho District Rally is getting out. Now it is up
to the Chapter Directors to keep the word traveling through to everyone. We need to let all know that Idaho is back and we are
celebrating.
Don’t Forget other District and Chapter Functions
I hope everyone is getting their Trips planned to go to some of the District Conventions within our Region I. These District Directors
work hard to set up a Rally that will show you a good time, places to ride and just an all around great vacation.
Continued next page …..
Membership Enhancement Coordinators
When the District receives the new run list, Laurie Stemmene sends it out to all the Chapter MEC’s. If the Chapter does not have a
MEC then the Chapter Director receives it. National would like to see the Chapter MEC’s Contact the new member or potential
member and also a few of the members within the Chapter, so please call them. Hopefully this will give the new member a warmer
feeling if many of the Chapter members call. A Hearty Welcome.
Idaho District is in charge of the Light Parade at the Region I Rally
Wing Ding
Terry and Cheri Huffman would like to know if anyone is going to Wing Ding the summer. Region I is in charge of Registration at
Wing Ding and could use some help. Please call them if you or you know of anyone. 503-648-0343 or 503-307-8245 (Cheri’s Cell
– OK to test to this number).
Couple of the Year
Region I is wondering if any of the Chapter Couple of the Year would like to advance in the process to become the Region I Couple
of the year. If your Chapter Couple of the year would, please have them contact Laurie Stemmene 509-336-9455
Continued next page ...
Chapter Newsletter Roundup
Chapter B:
Chapter B won the Idaho District Rally Pre-Registration Contest. They received the 2016 Charter Fees.
Chapter H: Has a new Chapter Rider Educator, Rich and Sue Davis. Rich and Sue are long time members of ID-H. He has been
Rider Ed. Before and has always done great work. Chapter H is changing their colors to Royal Blue and having a new logo. Annie the
Chapter Director is trying something new. Having a Coffee Break once a month in the morning at a different place each month. This
might be nice and different to get the members involved. They are having a special Chapter meeting to decorate the Motorcycle
for the Idaho District Rally and get things ready for their River Run that is held July 31 and August 1, 2015. See their Flyer.
Chapter T: Chapter T is having an Anniversary on May 12, 6 years strong. They have a new location for their gatherings. Canyon
Creek Restaurant at the Shiloh Inn. Franklin Road and I-84 in Nampa at 6:00 PM MDT on the 4th Tuesday of the Month. Sonny and
Mary are getting married on April 24th at 3:00 PM MDT. They are the Assistant Chapter Directors of Chapter T. Congratulation. The
weather in their area must be warmer for they have been doing a lot of rides. Chapter T has a CPR and First Aid class coming up.
APRIL MILESTONE GWRRA ANNIVERSARIES
29 Years
Don Beyeler
Eleanore Beyeler
ID-E
ID-E
Continued next page ...
This is a great article written by Terry and Cheri Huffman,
Region I Directors on Communication.
Communication, Communication, Communication…is there anything more important?
The definition of communication: “the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech,
writing, or signs”.
If decisions are made, and nobody knows what those decisions are, how can they move forward? If someone asks
you to do something, but doesn’t make that request clear, will you know what to do? The answer to both of those
questions is no! If you have a problem or solution to a problem and someone else has the same problem, but no
one is communicating are you both working twice as hard on the same issue? The answer is, of course you are. If
we don’t communicate then there is no sharing of ideas, no assisting others with their problems and no wonderful
opportunities to brainstorm on why to make things better. So…what is the solution? We have been given many
tools to help us be successful, and one of the most recent tools is “ZOOM”. So, for anyone asking themselves,
“what is Zoom?” Zoom is a video conference system that allows us to hold conference calls via video chat. So,
what is the big deal you might ask…the big deal is that it not only gives us the opportunity to communicate realtime with our peers, but also with our teams. We can exchange ideas; give each other updates on what is going
on in our Region, District, and Chapter etc. or ask for help with problems we may be having. It is also an opportunity to share information up and down the chain of command. Information from Home Office shared from the
Deputy Director to the Region Director, that information can now be shared with the Region Team, and the District Directors who can share it with their teams and the Chapter Directors…who can share it with their teams and
then pass the information on via newsletters, email blasts or at their Chapter Gatherings. And it works in reverse
as well, information is meant to move not just down, but also up the ladder from members all the way up to
Home Office. Sweet idea if we use it. So, who is “Zooming”? Currently each 3rd Wednesday of the month, our Deputy Directors Anita & JR Alkire hold a meeting with the Region Directors from the “I”ncredibly “F”un Regions (I &
F), and they have even asked Region J Directors to join in our Zoom Meeting to allow more sharing.
On the 3rd Tuesday of each month, we hold a Zoom Meeting with the Region I Core Team to share and gather information. Each member of the team brings us up-to-date on what is going on in their area of responsibility.
On the 4th Wednesday of each month, we hold a Zoom Meeting with the District Directors in Region I, being that
we are so spread out in our Region, this is the ideal way to get closer without the disadvantage of having to travel
hundreds if not thousands of miles to do so.
All of these monthly meetings are extremely amazing and the information shared, and the opportunity to connect
is like nothing we’ve been able to do in the past. So, what is the next stop in spreading the communication? Region I has purchased the Pro Version of Zoom, a cheap deal at only $9.99/month, District Directors, please contact
me to discuss “Zoom” in your Districts, we may be able to save you some money.
So…now that we have the tools let’s start communicating, communicating, communicating, it’s not only fun….it’s
IMPORTANT!!!!
Terry & Cheri Huffman
Region I Directors
On the 1st Thursday of each month, we hold a Zoom Meeting with the Idaho District Staff and Chapter Meeting
at 7:oo PM PDT/8:00 PM MDT. If anyone on Chapter Staff that would like to join in let me know and I can add
them to the invitation.
Other information from the Region I
Mike and Lynn Briggs are the Region I Rider Educators. They have been just appointed Assistant Deputy Directors to Anita
and JR Alkire. Congratulations from all of us in the Idaho District and if everyone would be so kind in letting them know we support
them and very happy for them.
Continued next page ...
ATTITUDE
Have you really ever sat down and thought about your attitude and the attitude of those around
You? Charles Swindoll wrote the following regarding attitude:
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on my life. Attitude, to me, is more important
than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than
failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, church or a home. The remarkable thing is
we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change
our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude ... I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent how I react to it. And so it is with
you ... we are in charge of our attitudes."
When I read the above, I thought about it and came to the following conclusion. My attitude and the
attitude of those around me are very important to me. I have seen many friendships fall apart because of attitude.
Just the other day I had to return an item to the store from which it was purchased. On the wall behind
the customer service desk was a poster that read “Attitude is Everything.” I questioned the clerk and she said
that her manager brought it in one day. The manager said that she wanted each clerk to read it at least once
a day and to remember that their attitude can and will be the deciding factor in whether a customer returns to
their store or not. I also believe that, as a customer, my attitude toward the clerk will be the deciding factor as
to how I am served. In the same way, the attitude of each Officer and Chapter member will be the deciding
factor as to whether a new member or even an existing member will return to the Chapter.
The following is a list of positive words that can be used to describe attitude:
Active - Is your Chapter active? Do you plan rides and activities for your membership?
Trust - Does your Chapter trust you, or do they watch and criticize?
Thriving - Is your Chapter growing or is your membership getting smaller?
Interesting - Are your Chapter gatherings interesting or boring?
Treat - Are you treating your Chapter members as you would like to be treated?
Unique - Are you using your own ideas, your staff’s ideas or are you using the
Ideas of the Chapter members. Are you taking the credit for the success of a
Planned activity or giving credit where credit is due?
Desire - Do you have the desire to see your Chapter succeed and grow?
Enticing - Do you end your Chapter gatherings or activities with your Chapter
wanting more?
If you can truthfully answer “yes” to any of the above questions, then I feel that you and your Chapter are on the road to success.
The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential...
these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.
Confucius
Don & Sharon Weber
Good Morning!
There’s so much going on right now, I don’t know where to start! According to Don and Sharon, everything is
moving along for the District Convention. I hope all of you have your reservations made. The longer you
wait, the harder it will be.
The group from ID-G found a motel in Sparks, NV for those of you going to the Reno Rendezvous that is fairly
inexpensive compared to other places we called. It’s the Western Village Inn, 815 Nichols Blvd,
(775) 331-1069. I was told its only two or three miles from the Grand Sierra in Reno. If anyone has better
information, please let me know I am all for saving a buck.
My Chapter Educator, Richard Silcott and myself attended the rider education workshop in Pasco, WA in
March and it was well worth the trip. It was very well done; well organized and the instructors were
knowledgeable and helpful. We will be attending the O.C.P. programs in Boise on April 18th. Hope to see
some of you there.
Happy Riding and be safe.
Ted and Shirley
Assistant District Directors
The month of March was great.
The eastside Washington Rider Ed workshop was wonderful and we had three of our five chapters represented. Each one of them
had their RE there.
We also had all of the N6 forms done so that on the 31st I was able to send in our quarterly summary. Thank you all very much.
On April 18th we are having an OCP class in Boise and Mike Brigs is teaching.
Mike is very knowledgeable and also makes the class extremely interesting.
If you would like to know how GWRRA works please come to the class. I guarantee by the end you will have a much better understanding.
From this announcement you will see Mike and Lynn Briggs are now our Assistant Deputy Directors. They are very nice people and
extremely qualified. Congratulations Mike and Lynn.
Greetings Rider Education Team:
Ray Garris distributed the announcement below to his Leadership Team late yesterday. Some of you
may have already seen it. But, just in case, here it is.
Effective April 1st, 2015, Tony & Michelle Van Schaick will be stepping away from this position. We
want to take this opportunity to thank them for their many contributions to a world-class Rider
Education Program over the last four years. We hope that they will still be available to share their
valuable knowledge and experience as we move forward with a new look in Rider Education and a
new Chapter of this important and valuable program in our Association. Again, our sincere thanks
to Tony and Michelle.
At this time we want to welcome Bob and Althea Berry as our new National Director of Rider
Education effective April 1st, 2015. Bob & Althea have served GWRRA in a variety of Rider Education
positions including Chapter, District, and Region levels. During his 10-year term as Director of Rider
Course Programs, Bob and his team produced one of the world's finest Rider Education
opportunities for our Members and developed outstanding working relationships with the
Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) and other motorcycle training associations. This was done in
an effort to bridge cooperation and continuity in training. He is continuing that effort with training
facilities overseas as part of his current role of Assistant Deputy Director, Overseas Training. This is
a position he will hold concurrently with his new appointment. Bob & Althea are Master Tour Riders
and Bob was inducted into the Rider Education Hall of Fame in 2011. He is a GWRRA Master
Instructor-Trainer, a Master University Trainer, and a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Rider Coach.
Continued next page…...
It is because of this experience and proven leadership that we have asked Bob & Althea to return to a
GWRRA leadership position for 3-5 years to create the next levels of Rider Education and coordinate those
initiatives with TEAM GWRRA goals for education and training.
Besides all that, Bob and Althea are really nice people and wonderful GWRRA leaders.
Please join Sandi and I in welcoming them in their new appointment. Their contact info
is: [email protected]
Thank you,
Ray & Sandi Garris
Your Directors of GWRRA
Please forward to all of our Chapter Educators so that they know this information and can speak with knowledge and awareness.
Thanks, Mike
Michael and Lynn Briggs
Assistant Deputy Director
Region I Educator
Hm 360-459-1530
Cell 360-791-0859
[email protected]
MI-071
MUT-111
…And always remember:
Cover any part of your body you’re planning to use later in life.
Thank you.
Chris Morton
Membership Enhancement Trainers and Gold Wing University
Did you know that GWRRA University trainers need to renew their certification every two years or it expires?
Wow, that sure makes you want to ask more questions, doesn't it? How do I know when my trainer
certifications expire? What are the requirements to renew? How do I renew? What do I do if my current
certification has already expired? How do I get started if I want to become a GW University trainer for the
very first time? What do I need to do if I am a LTP trainer and want to cross certify to become an MEP or REP
trainer?
I have three great pieces of information for you in this article.
First, every single GWRRA Member can check their own GW University trainer information as well as see their
training history from the GWRRA Rider Education Home Page http://gwrra.org/regional/ridered/index.html.
From there just find the link titled, "My R.E. Information" in the left had column, click on it and sign in. Your
User ID is your membership number. Your Password is the digits of your mailing address followed by the
month and two digit year of your membership expiration. For example if you live at 258 Bash Street, New
York, NY 12345 and your current GWRRA membership expires in October, 2016, your password is 2581016.
Keep in mind that your password changes every time you renew your GWRRA membership. When you get in,
just click on the view link (far right) the record you want to view and start exploring. The Instructor
information link will take you to your GW University trainer certifications and show you the expiration date
for each. The All Training link shows some of your Training Course History.
Secondly, GWRRA has a very comprehensive Gold Wing University Handbook that guides you through, even
tells you, how to get recertified if you just happen to let your certification expire. You can view it at:
http://gwrra.org/pdf/gwu-handbook-feb-2014.pdf.
And last, if you have a question or need additional help it is just a phone call away to your District Trainer,
MEC or Educator.
--Bob & Karla Greer
Directors, Membership Enhancement Program
Laurie Stemmene
Keep the ‘Change’
A neighborhood store recently relocated due to surrounding construction and need for a bigger
space. I don’t frequent the store too often, but soon after the opening of the new location I went in to
purchase a newspaper and a few items. It was obvious that they had added several food items to
their stock, had a complete new layout, additional cash registers and a whole new look.
Several weeks later, in a conversation with a friend, I commented on the positive changes made in
the store. Knowing that he shopped there often, I knew that he would be excited about the changes.
Much to my surprise he stated, “I just don’t like the new store. It has too much new ‘stuff’ and I don’t
like the change.”
He is not usually a negative person, but at age 89, change doesn’t come as a welcome guest.
I attempted to explain that he could stop there to get the items that he always purchased as well as
be able to get some grocery items at a lower price in one convenient location.
His reply came quickly. . .
“They can just keep the change.”
We all know that change is inevitable and is just a part of life. As we age, it can be a little hard to
accept any change that takes us out of our comfort zone.
The same is true within GWRRA. Officers change and leadership changes are made. There are
times that meeting locations & convention venues need to change for whatever reason.
Leaders have to make some hard, and sometimes not so popular, decisions when making those
changes. There are a lot of variables to consider prior to the change, while keeping the needs of
members in mind. As members it is important that we keep an open mind, try to keep our negative
opinions to ourselves and support the T.E.A.M effort to support the changes.
The Leadership Program in GWRRA has modules in OCP and Horizon Program that address skills
in helping members accept change and skills in making changes for the benefit for the members.
At your next convention look for and attend the LTP seminar, ‘Managing Change’. The seminar deals
directly with the subject. It is a Life Skills seminar that we can all benefit from as we learn to . . .keep
the Change!
Rockey Davis
Leadership Trainer
This month’s topic covers some Best Practices around newsletter formatting.
Ideas and Objectives—
Decide what you want to convey before
building your newsletter. Think about
organizational structure. Which topics
take priority. Should you have an overview/
outline/re-cap for your news letter? Do
you want to use a multi column format such
as newspapers or a letter format such as
many magazines? (In case you haven’t noticed,
we’re beginning a theme here … almost every
item includes an element of advance planning!)
Tidbit:
The average reader skims a newsletter for
51 seconds. People never read: they scan
for content that is of interest to them. So,
don’t overwhelm them by squeezing too
much information on the page. Make sure
your content gets straight to the point, and
write short paragraphs and bullet points.
Creating Consistency—
Fonts. Try to use the same or similar fonts throughout your newsletter. Also consider the readability
of many fonts. Additionally, consider the size of the font you choose and the audience reading it.
While many people may want to express their individualism, your primary objective is “How does the
reader perceive the newsletter”? Every change of font, size and/or color is a shift for the reader and
often is perceived as distracting or cluttered. Overuse of color in particular can be overwhelming.
Delivery Schedule. This is pretty self-explanatory. It applies to newsletters, blogs, and other routine
forms of communication. If it’s worth printing and people are reading it, it’s worth delivering it
consistently so people will be looking for it.
Title—
Subject Line. A lot of us these days get more email than we can bear and skim our inbox for
importance and relevance. If we don’t recognize the author or the content, many of us will all too
quickly hit the “delete” button. Keeping this in mind, be sure to include enough information to make
your newsletter easily identifiable. The same applies to article titles. Make them about your article
and easy for anyone to read.
Only a few extra pointers here:
Everywhere I hear, “Make it personal; engage your reader. “
Finally, the general rule seems to be “Keep it short and sweet”,
and to that end... We’re done!
- Martie