Masonic Motorcycle Club International |
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Spring 2005 News Letter |
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Following is a brief explanation of the proceedings of the International Executive Board Meeting on February 5, 2005.
Meeting was opened promptly at 4.00 P.M. February 5, 2005 at the Dolphin Motor Inn at Apalachin, New York.With two Trustees excused, All of the Executive Board was present. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the flags of our Countries, Opening prayer & introductions, President Mike Rapson asked if we knew of any members, sick or in distress, Art Dorney is still in the Hospital but doing better. Brad Oman had some minor surgery, Jan Killian is working through some difficulties, ( Ray Tanno is home from the Hospital and feeling better.) The Secretaries Dad passed away last month and Julie Crete took had a rough ride.
Minute of the previous Executive Board meeting, the Treasurers report and the Death Benefit Fund report was accepted. The President reported on Americade and the MMCI open house. The Vice President reported on the 2005 Convention and he helped getting the new Chapter # 32 up and running. The Secretary discussed the International newsletter or lack of to some of the Canadian members. No other Officers reports.
COMMITTEES, The By Laws change was read to the Executive Board and accepted. Final votes will be presented to the membership in August. Nomination Committee, David Page was asked if he would chair the Committee till Art Dorney is able to resume his duties. He accepted. The Membership Committee report was read and accepted. Quartermaster Report was read and accepted. A 2006 Convention letter from Chapter # 26 was read stating that will not be able to host the Convention. Chapter # 25 may be able to it after they discuss it with the Chapter. (All Committee Reports on file.)
OLD BUSINESS, We are still looking for the Convention Book. Anyone knowing where it is, please let the President know. The application for a new Chapter was read and Accepted. It is Chapter # 32 in Williamsport, PA. The Connecticut Chapter received a request from a member of another Masonic body to be a member of MMCI. The International By Laws has stipulation for the situation. Discussed the Americade Open House. Chapter # 8 Mailing List has been updated by the Membership Committee and members who have not paid their 2003/2004 dues have been suspended. The Secretary has the hard drive purchased by the Board, up and working.
NEW BUSINESS, A motion was made to pay our bills. motion passed. The 2005 Convention Pin was shown and accepted. The Invitation letter was read from Chapter # 24 inviting MMCI to Minn. & Sturgis. The Quartermaster discussed the big back patch and pins recently purchased that took a big chunk of money out of the Treasurers funds. They have to be bought in bulk to save money and keep our store stocked. The Vice President read a letter he created to be read at Lodge Meeting and to prospective Chapters. Copies are available upon request. ( Gary.) There being no further business to come before the Executive Board, A motion was made and passed to adjourn.
The " Brothers of the Open Road " Ceremony was performed by the Executive Board Officers after dinner.
The next Executive Board meeting will be at the Warrensburg Masonic Temple in Warrensburg New York on June 10, 2005 at 10.00 A.M. Attested, Dick Morse, International Secretary.
CHECK OUT THE INTERNATIONAL WEB-SITE FOR CURRENT INFO AND CHAPTER WEB-PAGES. www.masonicmotorcycleclub.org
The International Officers and Members would like to welcome all the new members who are receiving this newsletter for the first time. A dozen or so into Chapter # 8 ( Members-at-Large ) and our newest Chapter from Williamsport PA. Thanks Go to Ken McClintock who was able to get 34 Brothers together to form Chapter # 32.We are looking forward to meeting our new Brothers at this year's Convention or at Americade.
Can you believe old Uncle Dick screwed up? In getting the last Newsletter ready to mail, a bunch of envelopes was put on top of all the Canadian envelopes that had postage and labels on them but did not have a newsletter in and were not sealed . They were all picked up, put in a box and mailed. Then the E-Mail started coming in! Were is my newsletter? I didn't think you guys even read the rag. Well, I sent out to everyone who responded. I can't fire my worker's cause they work for free. But Jan (wife), had to stand in the corner for an hour. Right!!!
Now reads; ARTICLE IV (A), Each Chapter will be assessed Eight Dollars ($ 8.00 ) per Active Member per year for MMCI dues. Change to: Article IV (A), Each Chapter will be assessed Ten Dollars ($10.00) per Active Member per year for MMCI dues.
Death Benefit Fund will remain at $1.00. As we explained before, it is difficult to maintain a Club of our size, sending four newsletters a year and everything else we have to pay for. We have been talking about this since our last Convention so you had to know it was coming. We will vote on this at this years Convention and if it passes, it will kick in next year. It's only two bucks. Again, the Board hopes you support the increase.
To review the International Constitution and By-Laws, go to our Club Web-Site at; www.masonicmotorcycleclub.org
The Executive Board presented the Brothers of the Open Road Ceremony to the members present at the Board Meeting. It seemed to go well and accepted especially after working out some of the technical details, thanks to Connie. It is kinda a Ceremony of MMCI and will be presented again at the Convention and we hope, every Convention there after. We presented a special MMCI pin plus a Certificate to members who witness the Ceremony. Basically, it's dedicated to members who have passed away. We collect five bucks and after expenses, the remaining money will be put in the General Fund.
Because of some logistical problems, Chapter # 26 withdrew from hosting the 2006 Annual Convention. We are really disheartened because we were certainly looking forward to riding thru all those curvy roads and experiencing that Southern hospitality. Chapter # 25 is considering Hosting the Convention in State Collage Pennsylvania. They will let us know by the next Board Meeting. We are always looking to Chapters to host the Annual Conventions. Let's see, Maybe Michigan or Dayton or Pittsburgh or Florida or ---------- !!
Don't want to mention names, But Brother Don Crete locked the keys of his brand-new car in the ignition at the Board meeting last month. Not gonna tell you why he has a brand-new car. Anyway, he had to hang around for a couple hours till he got a Locksmith to open it up. I bet the trip home was very quiet !!
And what was all that name calling at dinner? You had to be there. Our good friend and Trustee, Brother Art Dorney is back in the Hospital and hoping to come home soon. Brother Dave Page was asked to chair the Nomination Committee till Art gets back on his feet. By the way, this year is an election year.
For the Brothers who live up here in the North, time is getting close to wipe the dust of the bikes and get them ready to ride. Now, I'm not going to tell you how get them ready to hit the road. Cause all the bike Rags already do that. BUT, Tires, Tires, Tires. You know the two things that hold your bike up? Check them out close. Cracks, flat spots, nails, ½ worn, sidewall damage, low pressures, Etc. The Club Road Captains should have a safety check list and tires should be on top of the list. I know this guy- - - - -, Never mind! You have heard it.
Enclosed are all the details for this year's Convention in Minn. The schedule, Registration and details are all there. I got an E-Mail from Ken White and he said we will get the same room rate if you decide to get there on Monday or Tuesday. When making reservations, tell them you are with MMCI and mention that Jerry is giving us the reduced rate. From the East, Check out Rt. # 23 up through Michigan, then across the Peninsula, Rt. # 2 to Duluth then down to Mille Lacs Lake. It bypasses Chicago and has great scenery. Just a suggestion. Make your reservations now so you know that your rooms will be waiting. 1-800-626-5825 then punch # 6.
If you or your Chapter desire to place an Ad in this year's Convention Program, Contact Gordy Aune Jr. at 763-585-1766 or GRANDPAAUNE@aol.com Please notice, the price of the Convention sweat shirts have increased to $25.00
Meghan E. Jones of Weiss-Jones, Attorneys at Law, Has renewed their Ad for another year and we thank them. If we could get a few more ads, we could fill up a complete page.
We charge $ 25.00 per newsletter and $100.00 for a year.
Our Annual Open House will again be at the Warrensburg Masonic Temple on June 10th. They will be serving breakfast from 8:00 A.M. till 10:00 A.M.. Cost, $5.00. There will be a whole new staff cooking and serving and there should be no wait to be served. There will be an Executive Board Meeting following the breakfast and all members are invited to attend.
Just a note, There are no plans of having an MMCI get-together at Rolling Thunder in D.C. on Memorial Day Weekend.
Lot's of activities happening this Summer and we know your Chapter has many great trips planned. Enjoy Gods world and ride with "Discretion."