ABATE of Indiana Inc. Board of Directors Meeting
February 20, 2009 --- Clarion Waterfront, Indianapolis

Jay Jackson called the meeting to order at 7:10pm. Those present were Region 00-Teresa Bodle, Region 01-Lisa Gordon and Wayne Kopec , Region 02-Dave Frost, Region 03-Scotty Barker, Region 04-Jan Johns, Chuc Hunter, and Lynn Brown, Region 05-Joe Adams, Region 06-Sam George, Bob Stoner, and Joan Heshelman, Region 07-Dennis Tyger, Region 08-Terry Penn, Region 09-Mo Kintner, Region 10-Lenny Stancombe, Region 11-Kenny Casey, Region 12-David Hawkins, Region 13-Skip Willis, Ad Com-Gino Johnson and Al Putman, Operations Director-Gary Williams, State Office-Kim Tyger, Edie Seiler, and Tina McCormack, HMC-Marc Falsetti. Everyone rose for the Pledge of Allegiance. (Mike, Roberta, and Aaron Meyer arrived late.)

ITEM 1: Bill McKinley addressed the board concerning the tour program.

ITEM 2: Tina McCormack distributed financials for November and December. Discussion followed. She did not receive any questions on the September/October reports.

(Motion 1)

Jay addressed a motion that was made previously concerning COLA for the employees hired by the board.

(Motion 2)

ITEM 3: Gary Williams handed out charts on Bingo attendance. He stated that looking at the trend, attendance is moving up. Mike Seiler has been working on repairs to Freedom Hall. Discussion followed.

ITEM 4: Gary spoke with IXCR. They have two dates for 2009 that they want to use LCRP. INDY Riders will also be working with us at the Expo to talk up LCRP.

Kenny Casey asked about a long term permanent gate keeper. Gary stated that this is something that we continue to look at. Discussion followed.

Kenny Casey asked about bringing in outside shows. Jay stated that the venue is listed with POLLSTAR. Frank Moyer has also discussed booking a show for LCRP. So far the benefit of holding a show has not exceeded the risk and exposure.

Dave Frost asked if the GPS coordinates have been completed yet. Gary stated that they hope to have this completed this spring.

Regions wanting to go out to LCRP to work on their sites need to let the State Office know of your plans.

Kenny Casey asked if we could use individuals needed to perform community service at the property. Jay stated that he will talk to Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department about this.

ITEM 5: Dennis stated that in the Advisory Committee meeting they reviewed the financials, talking about the efforts of Mike Seiler at Freedom Hall as well as bingo revenues, the Boogie and motorcycle safety. Teresa Bodle addressed the committee concerning a county checking account. The Advisory Committee agreed that it has long been the policy that counties could not have checking accounts. He reminded everyone that if they have an issue that you want brought up call him so he can put you on the agenda.

ITEM 6: Jay gave the LINC report as Mike Meyer had not yet arrived. Several bills are getting watered down. The ROW (HB1275) bill failed to get a hearing. Our lobbyists spoke with every member of the committee trying to get this bill heard. Representative Greg Steuerwald (R) out of Danville is a member of the committee who signed on as a co-sponsor. Jay stated that the session is not over yet. He will keep working on this legislation. Discussion followed.

HB1616-Motorized bicycle reform was assigned to the House Committee on Interstate and International Cooperation which is where bills are sent to die. This committee had never met until now. They heard two bills including HB1616. Gary Williams, Mike Meyer, Jay Jackson and Mike Seiler attended the hearing. Chairman Earl Harris said he would make a recommendation to have this bill in a summer study session. Summer study sessions are generally good however, depending on who gets assigned to the study, the language could be detrimental.

On the federal level, the highway bill is up for reauthorization. The MRF will remain ever vigilant to make sure that nothing sneaks up on us.

Jay explained why we had to change the date for ABATE Day at the State House. To date the schedule does not show a recess. However, several of the legislators have stated they will be on recess. Other organizations also changed their date.

Kenny Casey stated that it is the job of the officers of the organization to make sure that our members are aware of legislation and not that of the website, LINC etc.

The ten dollar fee for the registration for the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Trust Fund was discussed.

ITEM 7: The motorcycle safety bike was on display. The bike is to promote safe riding and rider education to high school age individuals. It will be on display at the motorcycle expo. Chuc Hunter suggested we ask if we can display it at the State House. Several Directors asked to have the bike at their events. Kim will keep a schedule. Discussion followed.

Automatic transmission motorcycles will be incorporated into the Basic Rider Course at each of our ranges. The bikes are being obtained through a dealer loan program. The brochure and website will promote these as “Scooters”.

The instructor conference is March 21st.

At this time we do not have, or do we anticipate having, a training site in the Bloomington area.

The training video will now include information on ABATE memberships.

ABATE now has a contract with the State to conduct rider education in 2009. The BMV contract runs through June each year. Schedules for both will be released on February 26th.

ITEM 8: Kenny Casey stated that he had spoken with Al Putman and Chuc Hunter and neither wanted to continue on the State Charity Committee. Kenny asked if Jan Johns, Lisa Gordon and Sam George would join the committee along with Kim Tyger and Kenny. They agreed. Kim asked that directors submit prospective charities for 2010. Jay asked that directors return any unused State Charity patches and rockers so that they can be redistributed. The patch will remain the same until those that we have on hand are used up. Lisa Gordon stated that she has been in contact with Camp John Warvel and they are willing to help out with mailings, media coverage, etc. Jay reminded everyone that ABATE Bikers Care (ABC) is our event and we need to create the contacts for our use year after year.

Teresa Bodle scheduled a policy/by-law meeting in Ft Wayne for March 29th at 1pm. Discussion followed. Teresa will get a copy of the current proposals to Kim and she will distribute them to all directors.

Marc discussed the new phone system. On March 2nd the phones will put individuals into a queue mode so that they are answered in the order they come in. This is the day the RV sites go on sale. Kenny Casey stated that a member is upset that those waiting at the door to get an RV spot are not all being served first that the staff is taking phone in reservations at the same time. Kim explained the process and that no one is assigned a particular spot when they make the reservation. The staff will review the process.

The new website will launch on Thursday. There will be some new aspects to it. Eventually the Directors will be able to make changes to their information. Please check to make sure your information is correct and if not let Marc know. Marc is trying to get information on the website concerning legislation as quickly as possible.

ITEM 9: The MRF is struggling. They have made cut backs where they can. The spring board meeting is going to be a virtual meeting. The MRF Reports is also going to undergo some changes to help trim cost. SMRO’s have sent money to help pay rent at the office. Jay would like for ABATE of Indiana to get back to making a $1 per member donation to the MRF each year. The MRF is working with the AMA on the lead issue. The feds issued a ban on all products marketed to children under the age of 12 with any lead content above the permissible levels coming into the US. Many of the small bikes (under 90cc) were inadvertently included in the ban. The OEM’s required their dealerships to pull all of these bikes off show room floor. There will be none of these bikes at the Expo (no Tiny Tots track).

Jay asked for a clarification on the Memorial Bricks for directors that have passed. This board agreed that the bricks should have the name, title, and dates served as director.

Boogie entertainment was discussed. Bands for this year are: Asia, Eddie Money, and Heidi Newfield (formerly of Trick Pony). WTNA will be back. We are hopeful to have a “MARTI” which will allow us to do remotes. The shuttles will have stereos on them playing WTNA. Jay encouraged everyone to bring stereos and tune in.

Teresa stated that a band in Region 00 is broadcasting that they are playing the main stage. Jay stated that he was not aware of that. Teresa asked about Frank Moyer’s fee. Jay stated that he would have to get with Tina to get that number (Tina had left the meeting). Radical Randy emcees the Hoosier Honey contest at no charge.

Jay addressed the economy and how it might affect the Boogie. Tina is looking at other golf cart and shower providers trying to trim costs. Jay is looking at utilizing box lunches in the mess tent. Discussion followed.

To collect on the AD&D policy, it is not necessary to return the yellow card or to allow them into your home. If you have a couples membership, both of you are covered. A benefit to letting them into your home is to clear up any issues concerning the beneficiary. The accidental death benefit is currently at $2500. The dismemberment benefit is less.

Dennis Tyger asked the board to consider Ron Higginbotham, a 32 year member for a Lifetime membership.

(Motion 3)

Gary distributed a proposal that would allow the winner of the charity bike and or Boogie bike (2010) to choose from a package which bike he/she wants.

(Motion 4)

Respectfully submitted,

Kim Tyger

MOTIONS

Motion 1: Kenny Casey made a motion to approve the September and October financials. Dennis Tyger seconded the motion. Region 10 voted no. All others voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion 2: Kenny Casey made a motion to approve the 2009 COLA and to revisit it in 2010. David Hawkins seconded the motion. Regions 00, 01, 03, 04, and 09 voted no. Regions 02, 05, 06, 07, 08, 10, 11, 12, and 13 voted yes. 9-yes 5-no. Motion carried.

Motion 3: Scotty Barker made a motion to grant Ron Higginbotham a Lifetime membership. Lisa Gordon seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion 4: Kenny Casey made a motion to adjourn. Scotty Barker seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried.