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Gold Wing Road Riders Association
REGION WEBSITE:
http://bigskyregioni.org
Region Directors
Terry Huffman
[email protected]
Cheri Huffman
[email protected]
Assistant Directors
TBD
Region Educators
Mike and Lynn Briggs
[email protected]
Instructor Coordinators
Motorist Awareness & COY/IOY
Coordinators
Mike & Janet Turner
[email protected]
[email protected]
Region Trainers
Dave & Sheila Chavez
[email protected]
Membership Enhancement
Garry & Maxine Alexander
[email protected]
Treasurers
Dianna and Fred Borke
[email protected]
Region Ambassadors
Region I Communications
Coordinator
Doug and Donna Deskin
[email protected]
Webmaster
Mark Bridge
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Marla Muirbrook
[email protected]
News and Views for November 2014
Directors’ Corner November 2014
What a month, better yet…what a weekend. We
just got back for the “Region I Strategic Planning
meeting”. It really makes us feel good to see so
many people travel so far to be there. There were
a total of 53 energetic members all sharing ideas
and working in teams to get the strategic goals for
their Chapter, District and our Region as a whole.
We came away feeling great about all the good
things we saw happening, and everybody we
talked to were excited about the direction the Region is heading. There was a
ton of enthusiasm in the room and what an honor it was that Region I was
selected to kick off this wonderful way of planning…it is a totally different
way of running the annual meeting. In the past it has been all about what we
have accomplished in the past, what the Director, or Program Director wants
to see happen…but what about what the members want? Isn’t that what we
are all here for? I think with the help of Anita, JR and Joe Price, Region I is
going to get to the next level. They gave us some amazing tools that we all
can use to improve the Region, our Districts and Chapters so that we can
provide more fun for our members. All said and done, I think that the focus
of each of the Districts, and Region are in alignment and will dovetail very
well…with Region making sure that they are there to support the Districts.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Idaho District’s 2015 Goal – Unification through support
Montana District’s 2015 Goal – Participation through enthusiasm
Oregon District’s 2015 Goal – Teamwork
Washington District’s 2015 Goal – 110%
Wyoming District’s 2015 Goal - R&R (Rebuild & Redesign)
Region I’s 2015 Goal – Training – Everything, Everywhere!
We have challenged our officers to make that happen. In the upcoming
months we will begin implementing a program to provide training to every
corner of our Region, not District by District…but neighborhood but
neighborhood. Those are some lofty goals and it will take focus and energy
to get us where we want to go…and we will be looking for participation,
teamwork, support and cooperation from each of you to get there.
Region Helper
Alexia Velasco
Vendor Coordinator
Mary Hunter
[email protected]
Couple of the Year
ID District Directors
Don and Sharon Weber
[email protected]
m
MT District Directors
Chuck and Betty Bonnett
[email protected]
OR District Directors
Mike & Joy Bean
[email protected]
www.gwrraoregondistrict.com
WA District Directors
Reggie Porter
[email protected]
WY District Director
Rich & Dalene Goetz
[email protected]
www.gwrra-wy.org
NATIONAL WEBSITE:
http://www.gwrra.org
GWRRA Directors
Ray & Sandi Garris
[email protected]
GWRRA Deputy Directors
Anita and J.R. Alkire
[email protected]
So is that all we did at this meeting…of course not, it just wouldn’t be a GWRRA
event without a little fun. Ask anyone who attended if they ended up taking a few
aliens home with them…or where they got those cool dice hanging on the
rearview mirror. Is that a disco ball I see you wearing around your neck?
Hmm…guess you should have come to the meeting. All of these interesting bits
of fun lead up to the announcements of the 2015 Rallies.
Idaho District Rally – July 2nd - 4th in Kamiah, Idaho
Montana District Rally – July 23rd – 25th in Deer Lodge, Montana
Oregon District Rally – July 10th -12th in Hood River, Oregon
Washington District Rally – July 16th – 18th in Port Townsend, Washington
Wyoming District Rally – July 10th – 12th in Buffalo, Wyoming
Region I Rally – August 6th – 8th in Lewiston, Idaho
Now as you can see, it looks like all the Districts have next year’s rally planning
well under way and that they all have exciting places for us to travel to. Not to be
outdone, Region is planning to move space & time…and allow you to move to the
past or into the future to find the decade that describes the real you! Join Region
I, and “Team Incredible” as we go “Retro Riding” and Roll back the Years.
Check the website for the Rally flyer and registration…this is one you won’t want
to miss! Well, as I always say, “it’s not only about the place, it’s the ride getting
there”.
So now that we’ve filled you in on the Annual Strategic Planning Meeting, we’d
like to take a minute to wish you all a VERY Happy Thanksgiving. There are
many things that Cheri & I are thankful for in our lives, not the least of which is
our Region Team, our District Directors, their teams, and the members of Region
I…without all of you wonderful people standing with us to make the organization
a better place, we could not be successful. Thank you for all of the hard work,
dedication and the commitment you have all made…you are all part of what we
are thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Until next month….Live the
Adventure, Ride Safely!!!
Terry & Cheri Huffman
Region I Directors
GWRRA
Leadership Training in the Region
As I write this newsletter article, the Region Operations Meeting has just
concluded, as of Saturday, October 25, 2014, in Missoula, MT. As I am certain
that Terry will point out, the meeting was very well attended. District Directors
from each of our Districts attended…as did many of their respective staff groups.
For a significant part of the day, the group was afforded some excellent training
presented by Joe Price, our new National Leadership Training Director and Anita
Alkire, Deputy Director for Region F & I. Based primarily on Joe’s “Lead Like
you Ride” training program, the training was excellent and very heavily involved
group discussion and teamwork. The training also afforded an opportunity for
respective Region and District staff groups to accomplish some important brainstorming and planning exercises.
In terms of actual “operations reports”, for the benefit of the members not able to attend the meeting, my
presentation/report is listed just below in outline format.
Discussion Topics

Observations / Perspectives

LTP Program Goals & Objectives
Observations
 Availability of Leadership Training in Region limited
1. Region Convention
a. Annual but somewhat affected by venue
b. Sufficient incentive/reasons to attend?
c. Other activities at Regional gatherings – competing?
 When convenient & available interest/attendance higher
1.
Region Convention Venue
a. Easy access classrooms, e.g., Pendleton as example
Perspectives
 Leadership Training should be made available to
membership
2.
2.


1.
2.
Build on District Leadership Workshops concept
(base models: Washington and Montana)
Nurture potential new leaders
Perspectives - What is Mentoring?
 A mentor facilitates personal and professional growth
in an individual by sharing the knowledge and insights
that have been learned through the years
 Is a partnership through which one person shares
knowledge, skills, information and perspective to
foster the personal and professional growth of
someone else
Perspectives – Adult Learning
LTP Program Goals
 Install a District Leadership Trainer for each District
(certified in at least LTP)
LTP Program Objectives



District Leadership Workshops: Washington & Montana
a. Open to all members - distance a deterrent?
b. Attendance and interest more focused at both
Notification / Advertising
a. Would advertising or “selling” the classes make a
difference?
Focused Workshops could provide avenue for nurturing /
mentoring potential leaders
Responsibility to mentor as well as teach/present new
information
Creates a one-of-a-kind opportunity for collaboration, goal
achievement and problem-solving
More focused - Annual Leadership Training Workshops at the
District level would help accomplish this
Establish Annual District Leadership Training Workshops
in all Districts in Region I

a.
b.
c.
University Trainer Development Workshop (UTDP)
Opportunity for new University Trainers (UT’s)
District focused
Timing

a.
b.
Review existing UT’s across Region
Must exist within District without current Trainer
Willing to take on responsibility of District Trainer
In last month’s Newsletter, I reported that Washington and Montana Districts are the only Districts that present
specific Leadership Training Program (LTP) Workshops on an annual basis. One of the goals that I have set for
myself is to assist in the development of similar workshops within each of the other 3 Districts at some point
within the next year or so. Again, with a Region as large and expansive as ours is traveling long distances to
attend leadership training can be challenging, as well as expensive. Self-development is always worthwhile;
members just shouldn’t have to travel miles and miles to continue learning about or honing leadership skills.
The key to achieving this goal is to have a member (i.e., within a District that does not currently have a District
Trainer) that is or can become a GWRRA University Trainer (UT), certified in at least LTP, willing to become a
District Trainer for their respective District. To reiterate, current UT’s in such District’s that may be currently
certified in Rider Education or MEP, and are interested in being considered for a District Trainer position, should
contact me as soon as possible.
Based on discussions that took place at the Operations Meeting, and will continue over the next several months,
consolidated workshops in certain Districts combining RE and LTP seminars may actually occur. However, a
University Trainer Development Program (UTDP) Workshop will still be scheduled somewhere in the Region in
the relative near term. GWRRA members that are interested in becoming a University Trainer will have an
opportunity to become certified, so stay tuned for more information.
As always, if there is a particular leadership topic you would like to see presented in the future, please do not
hesitate to let me know. For now, keep those “learning caps” on and ride safe whenever on the road.
“The more you know the better it gets”
Dave & Sheila Chávez
Region I Trainer, SUT
From Our Rider Educator
As I am writing this article we have concluded the Region I Annual Meeting. I believe that this has been one of the
most informative, learning experiences that I have ever attended. For years we have talked about working as teams.
While we have approached it positively, up to now we haven't been proactive about working as teams. In other
words, we walked the walked but we didn't talk the talk. I believe the biggest reason for this is we simply didn't
have the tools and the knowledge to know how to behave as teams. Yesterday, we were learned the tools and how
to use those tools. This will help us to function as a team. As a region, we established a vision for the region. The
vision is "Training, Everything-Everywhere". Once we determined this vision we worked on identifying and
writing the goals that will be the path to achieve the vision. It was refreshing to work as a team and realize that we
all had been on the same general thought process.
The region team believes that integrating Rider Education, Training, and Membership Enhancement seminars in a
"neighborhood" workshop philosophy will be the best way to bring services to the members. We will be working
through our goals to support our district counterparts. We will do this at the neighborhood workshops and
supporting, coaching and mentoring our district leaders. Moving forward, University Trainers will be identified,
trained and certified (this has already started) so chapters can be training locally.
The districts had an opportunity to talk about their rallies for 2015. It was pretty exciting to hear each District
Director promote their events! We are looking forward to attending as many as we can.
I can say that it was a rewarding energizing weekend and we leave with high expectations for the future.
Take the Long Road /:\
Mike and Lynn Briggs
Region I Educators
Region I Communications
It’s a struggle sometimes to come up with an idea for an article. I was reflecting on friends and family members
who are ill and those that have passed, I thought about how our life is just a wave that comes to shore and then its
quickly gone therefore we must make the most of each day, hour and minute. I guess my point is that none of us
know how much time we have on this earth, so enjoy every minute of it and hopefully when it is our turn to leave
this earth we leave it with friends that miss us as much as we miss those that have gone before us.
What does this have to do with riding a motorcycle and Communication you are probably asking? Life is so
short; don’t lose the chance to tell someone you care.
One form of communication is Newsletters.
In my many years in GWRRA I have always stressed the importance of sending newsletters to chapter members
near and far either it be snail mail, email or a pdf online on a website. Newsletters are an important communication
between National and Region; Regions and Districts; Chapters and chapter members. It is exciting to read all the
past and upcoming information passed along to chapter members. It is informative to read about others’ travels. At
times it brings back memories of your travel in that area or it makes one interested in traveling there ourselves.
Sometimes there is important information passed on about dealing with a motorcycle breakdown or maybe a good
experience one had along their journey. Newsletters also inform others about anniversaries, birthdays, the birth of
a loved one, the health of others. It is part of the MOU you signed as an officer to have a newsletter every month.
I read the following poem recently. I think it is so fitting of many of the articles we read and how life affects all of
us and how we deal with it.
Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is life, fight for it.
Author Unknown
The more you do, the more Fun you will have!
Donna and Doug Deskin
News from the district directors
Washington District News
I would like to Congratulate Linda and Pete Goetz for taking over Washington Membership Enhancement
Coordinator .We just finish Washington leadership training and must we say it is great.
We have such a strong Assistant’s and Chapter Directors we are going to have fun this year. Maxine is feeling a
little bit better; she is having a lot of pain in her chest.
Thanks for all your support
Garry Alexander Assistant Washington Director
Montana District News
Montana District
The Goldwing riding season in Montana is soon to be closing. The trees are turning yellow and gold and some are
already shedding their leaves. The days (daylight) are getting shorter and the mornings have been getting a lot
cooler. The higher mountains have new snow on them and soon all of our Goldwing’s will be sleeping the winter
away, with dream of new chrome to come.
We have a few Montana District members who have already signed up for the new 2015 Reno Rendezvous.
Though it is considerably more expensive (about twice) than Wing Ding, but Reno is a lot closer than Huntsville
AL!
The 2015 Montana District Convention will be announced at the Region I Ops meeting in Missoula on the 25th of
October.
Betty and Chuck Bonnett
Montana District Directors
From the Oregon District Director’s Desk
As GWRRA members, rider safety is important and that is why our members take ARC classes and range, even on
a hot September Saturday. This was the first time for four members of the class and each felt they had learned
new skills and want to take the ARC class again, but on a day that is a little cooler. The range portion had
spectators to support and encourage the riders. Everyone left the class with new skills to practice.
We want to thank instructors: Mike Briggs, Tom Denny, Mark Lewis and Mike Messenger for coming from
Washington; Bob and Dawna Hitch for securing the classroom space and the range location; and all the members
who participated.
The 2015 Oregon District Rally will be July 9, 10 and 11th at the Hood River County Fairgrounds at Odell, OR (7
miles thru beautiful scenery from Hood River). Please mark these dates on your calendar now and plan to be
there!
If you weren’t able to go to the End of Season Campout, you missed a fun weekend, with chili served on baked
potatoes, hot dogs or alone and lots of side dishes on Friday night. Saturday breakfast was biscuits and great
sausage gravy; scrambled eggs, fruit and sausage, with coffee and juice. The day was filled with riding, Cribbage,
Mexican Train and lots of conversation and laughter. The fun continued through a delicious dinner of meaty ribs,
chicken, salad, potato salad, corn on the cob, two types of cornbread and a cobbler baked in cast iron kettles in the
large outdoor fireplace and served with ice cream. The weather was good and everyone had a good time. The
District would like to say “Thank You Chapter H”.
We are looking for an outgoing couple or single who would like to be more involved in the Oregon District.
Ride Safe!
Mike and Joy Bean
Oregon District Director
Wyoming District Directors
It is October 22, Dalene and I are packing our suitcases getting to leave in the early am
hour to head to Missoula MT to attend the Region I fall training and many thoughts are
traveling across out cluttered minds. As we looked over some of the information that was
presented to us in preparation for this day long outing, we
could not help but notice a few key words in the letter. Let
us share them with you one at a time, and see what you
think may come out of some of your thought process as
you read these words.
Fresh Thinking; well that says one thing to us, new ideas, new processes, get the heck out of the box, your
starting to get cardboard rash and open your minds. As the letter said new direction is in order we are a great
organization we just need to put a new twist on it and let people know who we are.
New Direction; well let’s see what might that mean to us leaders. It means get out of the ruts you’re driving in
your going to get stuck when it fills with water. More importantly it means we need to change the game we are
playing. Sometimes the newness wears off and you start to die as an organization.
Open Mind; throw out your idea’s you never know what might be a great, margin, or bad idea. But think about
why does it matter; some of the best idea’s never got to be a great one until discussion fueled other options within
your idea. Don’t be afraid to put on your thinking cap throw it out there and see if it sticks you have nothing to
fear but fear itself.
Great Attitude; I will sum it up the best I can; no one likes people with poor attitudes. It’s like a cancer with in
your organization, it only fuels negativity, be positive you will enjoy life much more, besides I have another great
saying I use a lot. I woke up this morning, went vertical, starting breathing and told myself the big guy upstairs
gave me another great day, I’m going to enjoy the best the world will give me.
And lastly FUN; as my family will tell you I live by this one statement, Hang your toes over the edge, you will
never know until you try. Personally I have had way more great experiences than I ever had bad ones. Friendships
are a wonderful thing reach out and find some new one. If you ride late this fall be careful there are a lot of
hazards out there.
Rich & Dalene Goetz
Wyoming District Directors
NOVEMBER MILESTONE GWRRA ANNIVERSARIES
34 YEARS
DENNIS E NEIL
DIANNA L NEIL
WA-V
WA-V
31 YEARS
26 YEARS
RICHARD L MALES
MAXINE MALES
WA-Q
WA-Q
25 YEARS
RAY E CHESNUT
MARION S HARTER
WA-C
WA-V
HELENE L. O'NEILL
DON W GAROUTTE
HARVEY E SEABROOK
PATRICIA R SEABROOK
WA-V
WA-V
20 YEARS
28 YEARS
JULIA L BOWCUTT
OR-I
27 YEARS
DEAN E JOHNSON
OR-J
WA-B
WA-M
ROBERT E WHITWORTH
MELVIN H RESNICK
WA-A
WA-M
BARBARA BERREMAN
JAY A RALSTON
WA-O
WY-E
2006 Goldwing with 2011 Lehman Monarch II Trike Kit
with 3% Rake
Low Mileage, CB, Heated Seats and Grips, Set up for Gerbing heated clothing, Utopia
backrest, Trailer Hitch, Triple Ring of Fire, Driving lights & more. Low Mileage 38,000.
No problems with fit and finish. Maintenance kept current.
$25,000.00
Cargo trailer with new chrome wheels and new tires.
$695.00
Mike Bean
Oregon District Director
503-951-2668
Communication is the key- let’s talk.
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