ABATE of Indiana - Board Meeting Minutes

Jay Jackson opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 4:11pm. Those in attendance were: Region 01 – Russell Zawacki; Region 02 – Jason & Rhonda Moles; Region 03 – Scott Bowman & Angie Pier; Region 05 – currently without a director; Region 06 – Jim & Maggie Farmer; Region 08 – Ethan ‘Heathen’ Herrera; Region 09 – Mo Kintner & Carlis McKinney; Region 10 – Erik ‘Sweets’ Taylor; Region 11 – Pat Haggard; Region 12 – Brian Russell; Region 13 – Christian & Heidi Harper; AdComm – Bob Stoner, Rod Taylor, & Rick Thompson; LINC – Aaron Meyer; LCRP – Rayce Guthrie; DIRT – Roy Garrett; Spiritual Director Pastor Jack Smith; MRF State Rep Roberta Meyer; Marketing Committee – Mike Seiler; Entertainment Committee – Dave ‘Big Willy’ Stoike; State Administrator – Kelly Jackson; Secretary/Treasurer – Tina McCormack. Regions 00, 04, & 07 were without representation.

ITEM 1: With no questions regarding September/October financials, Tina requested a motion to approve. She then reviewed the November/December financial packet. Tina discussed the decrease in region fundraising and pull-tab sales in 2023 as compared to 2022. Jay discussed our 2023 budget expectations. He talked about maintaining events vs cancelling.

MOTION 1

ITEM 2: Jay believes our Director Preparation has value and feels it should be continued; the group agreed.

ITEM 3: Jay further commented on the decrease in pull-tab sales at Coliseum Bingo. Our bingo vendor, Lancaster Bingo Company, recently offered to join bingo operations in hosting promotions to increase participation. Jay remarked that this indicates we are not alone in this concern.

ITEM 4: Roy Garrett stated that off road vehicle racing is strong in Indiana. LCRP will begin Dirt Bike School (DBS) in April. Rayce Guthrie reminded the group of the solar eclipse event and the Adventure ride, both in April. The recently purchased mower has been installed on the tractor. Rayce recently met with a Honda dealership regarding additional equipment.

ITEM 5: Jay attended a recent meeting with the Pioneers of Hoosier Motorcycling. He then discussed the intended additional walkways at the Motorcycle Safety Memorial. Jay thanked Aaron for his weekly legislative updates. Aaron reviewed the current status of bills we are watching. Jay began conversation regarding Indiana’s congressional districts. He then announced that we have not received registrations for ABATE Kids’ Day at the Statehouse. Aaron then spoke about Biker Approved Gas (BAG), and encouraged the group to introduce this program to fuel stations. ABATE of Michigan is interested in starting a program in Michigan, modeled after BAG.

ITEM 6: Roberta Meyer spoke on upcoming MRF events. Bikers Inside the Beltway (BITB) is May 20 & 21; Meeting of the Minds (MOTM) is September 25-29. Jay reviewed last year’s legislative success during BITB. Jay asked directors to inform the state office of their interest in attending MOTM, so we can budget appropriately. He explained the expense reimbursement process. Jay is a participant in a group that is reevaluating the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety (NAMS), which was constructed about 20 years ago, as well as its Implementation Guide. The group will forward recommendations to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the fall. Next month, he will meet with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to observe crash testing. Jay attended state seminars in Michigan and Ohio this year. He also attended the PROC in January.

ITEM 7: Jay announced that we still do not know when we will receive a rider education contract from the Indiana BMV. Our online registrations will open this Friday, February 16, at the Indianapolis Boat, Sport, & Travel Show. Jay reiterated that we will need help with Tiny Tots at the show. Kelly Jackson created a schedule online through Sign Up Genius. Discussion ensued regarding the inaugural Midwest Motorcycle & Powersports Expo in Fort Wayne March 15-17. Consensus is that ABATE will not attend for various reasons, personnel being one. Jim Farmer inquired if we obtained electric dirt bikes; Jay replied that yes, we just acquired two units. Renfro Productions maintains that they plan to resume the Indiana Motorcycle & Powersports Expo in the near future, and we expect to utilize bikes with internal combustion engines at that show.

ITEM 8: Jay informed the group that Suzanne Eckert has been in contact with a potential ice vendor for Boogie. Discussion followed regarding an offer from a vendor with a mechanical bull. Jay will gain additional details and report back to the board. Dave Stoike announced that there are four openings in the entertainment schedule for local bands.

ITEM 9: Jay discussed reasons for converting the Awards “Banquet” to an Awards “Ceremony”. He also stated that we plan to combine the Award presentations with our Seminar beginning this year. Tina set March 10 as the due date for regions to submit their corrections and additions for awards.

ITEM 10: Bob Stoner supplied a chart of areas AdComm believes the organization needs to focus on, and then reviewed topics discussed in today’s Advisory Committee (AdComm) meeting. Those included the truck/deer collision, fire suppression system, solar eclipse event, and ABC applications. Brian Russell asked for a promotional piece for the eclipse that can be shared on social media; Jay distributed flyers, and Rayce will update his social media promotions. Bob advised that members of AdComm will be contacting the regions to offer assistance. Jason Moles offered information regarding an organization that will be submitting an ABC application. AdComm recommends that we forgo approval of all pending ABC applications as of today. Jay recognized Pastor Jack Smith.

ELECTRONIC VOTE: On December 18, 2023, Bob Stoner wrote: With at least eight regions responding ‘yes’, the board has approved the ABC submission from Stone City Alliance for $1,034.” This was confirmed at today’s Board of Directors meeting, with all present voting in favor.

MOTION 2

ITEM 11: Mike Seiler suggested the regions review their membership numbers by county at every meeting.

ITEM 12: There was no Old Business brought to the floor.

ITEM 13: Jay just learned that we have a source to finance replacement of the awning at our Bargersville office. Brian Russell shared that LCRP has been complimented for maintaining their everyday prices during the solar eclipse event.

Meeting adjourned, 5:53pm.

MOTION 3

Respectfully submitted,

Tina McCormack, Secretary/Treasurer

The next scheduled Board of Directors meeting will be April 14, 2024 at the Bargersville Conference Center.

Motion 1: Pat Haggard made the motion to approve the September/October financials, with a second by Brian Russell. All regions present voted in favor; motion carried.

Motion 2: Motion to ratify the electronic vote to approve the ABC award for Stone City Alliance; all regions present voted in favor; motion carried.

Motion 3: Mo Kintner motioned to adjourn the meeting, Brian Russell seconded. All regions present voted yes; motion carried.

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