Masonic Motorcycle Club International |
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Summer 2005 News Letter |
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Following are the minutes of the Executive Board Meeting at the 2005Americade.
The meeting of the Masonic Motorcycle Club International Executive Board was called to order by the President, Mike Rapson on June 10, 2005, 10:00 AM at the Warrensburg Masonic Temple in Warrensburg New York. Roll Call of Officers found all the Executive Board members present with the exception of Vice President Gary O'Neal and Trustee Art Dorney who were excused for health reasons . After the opening prayer, all pledged their allegiance to the flags of our Countries. Visitors and members were introduced. Sick or in distress, Art Dorney still on the mend, Gary O'Neal working on the rock pile and Casmil Gervase, not doing to well.
Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as published. Treasurers report was read by Treasurer John VanKirk and accepted. Bills presented for reimbursement were approved for payment. A check for $100.00 was also drawn for the use of the Temple for our meeting. Death Benefit Fund report: The fund sent a check to the family of Larry H. Samsel, a member of Chapter # 25 who passed away last March. No Officers Reports.
The By-Laws Committee published the changes in the last newsletter as required in the By-Laws concerning dues increase. Nominations Committee: The slate of Officers for 2005/2007 are; President. Gary O'Neal. Vice President, Don Crete - Kent Dorney. Secretary, Open. Treasurer, John VanKirk. Trustee, Doug Kelley - Cliff Wilson. Membership Committee: Rex Baker's report was read. He writes that 20 new members of Chapter # 8 have been added to our membership since the last meeting. He helped re-established Chapter # 3 with 26 new members. Also, a new Chapter was started in Deadwood, S.D. (Chapter # 34 ). Web Site Committee: Doug Kelley took the floor and stated that if a Chapter has not put any new items on their web-page in the last year, he is removing the page. Members are encouraged to visit the Web-Page for the latest information and photos. Convention 2005. Time is getting close and registrations should be sent in soon. Rooms are at a minimum at $20.00 per night. No report on the 2006 Convention but the Hotel has been guaranteed. Quartermaster Report. Cliff stated that orders have been coming in steady and we are running low on several items. It was suggested from the floor that we make more items available to the membership. It will be on the agenda at the Annual Meeting.
There has been an inquiry about the 2007 Convention. Several members from an unnamed Chapter stated that they have been discussing the possibility of hosting the Convention. There was no representation at the Americade Club Fair because it was held on Wednesday afternoon and nobody was available to attend. Chapter # 8 Members have been contributing to the Death Benefit Fund along with their Annual dues. The fund is anticipating that Chapters will do like wise. The Executive Board discussed the Americade Open House and will have the Membership decide at the Annual Meeting if we should continue it in the future. ( There were about 100 people who attended the breakfast.)
A motion was made and accepted to welcome Chapter # 34 in Deadwood, South Dakota and the resurrection of Chapter # 3 in Youngstown Ohio to the Club. The liability insurance for the Convention was discussed by the Executive Board. An emergency information form will be printed in a future newsletter for the use of the membership. The protection of the Club logo was discussed. The Club Quartermaster will work on a generic form for Chapters to submit a request for the use of the logo. Our logo is a registered Trademark and the By-Laws states that the Executive Board must give permission for it's use. The Web-Site was discussed further and Doug stated he is the Web-Master for several organizations and could use some help in maintaining the Site. Another item to discuss at the Annual Meeting. Chapter dues notices were sent out May 15th and we have already received rosters from several Chapters. Also, about half of the Members-at-Large have sent in their dues. Two members from Michigan Chapter # 27 were in attendance and gave a brief report on the progress of their Chapter.
Nomination of Officers was discussed and Dave Page should be contacted if you wish to run for an International office. Kent Dorney was installed as the Master of his Lodge and his close friend who is stationed in Iraq surprised him by coming home to install him. Kent was lost for words. After the closing prayer, the meeting was adjourned and everyone was encouraged to ride home safely and we will see ya all in Minnesota.
The next International Executive Meeting will be on August 4, 2005 in Mille Lacs Minnesota and the Annual Corporation Meeting will be at the same place, August 6, 2005 at 8:00 A.M. Room location will be announced. Agenda includes Officers and Committee reports, Election of 2005/2007 Officers and more.
The International Executive Board and the general membership would like to welcome the new 20 + Members-at-Large, the members of the new Deadwood, S.D. Chapter # 34 and the resurrection of Chapter # 3 in Youngstown to the Club. That gives us about 70 new members into MMCI and closing in on 1000 Total membership. We have realized a steady growth since we went on the Internet. Up to now, the International Executive Board has been able to keep up with the growth because we haven't been overwhelmed. The load is on the Membership Committee, the Quartermaster and the Secretary. It takes about ten hours just to get the newsletter ready for mailing. But it's a labor of love!! Again, we want to greet all our new members and we hope we meet you expectations.
Time is getting close. You should send in your registrations by July 18th. If you want a Convention shirt, they should have your order in by July 1st. There's still hotel rooms left so let's get your reservations made. Ken White is looking for support from the Chapters West of the Mississippi. Enclosed is the last chance application. They are planning lots of great "stuff " and also we would like to meet our western members.
We had about 100 members and guests attend the Open House at Americade with 20 members and guests staying for the Executive Board Meeting. The folks handling the breakfast planned for 100 and basically ran out of food at 9:30. They are having a difficult time finding members to help. ( sounds familiar? ). It's not only costly for the Executive Board to attend Americade but also the members who come up just to attend the MMCI Open House. This will be an item discussed at the Convention. The Board would like to thank Ron Carbury for seeing to the details of the Open House. Also the Committee from the Warrensburg Lodge for all the hard work that it takes to put on the breakfast.
In attendance at the Open House was the President of Michigan Chapter # 27, Moe Zaraket and his traveling companion, Bill Fern. Bill Fern, Do we remember Bill Fern?? Bill was on his way down to N.E. Ohio to pick up some MMCI patches when he crashed and burned on the Ohio Turnpike ending up hitting an abutment. He spent many months in the hospital. His doctors said he is a miracle in progress and lucky to be alive. Well here he is at our Open House. Scars and limps are visible but his determination for living is beyond question. Good to see you Bill. By the way, he gave a sizable donation to the Death Benefit Fund. Thanks Bill.
If you wish to use the Club logo on any items that you wish to sell, please ask the Quartermaster for a request form so we can keep track of where and how the logo is being used. Also, if you want to sell your products through the Quartermaster, just contact him and he can put it in the MMCI Web-Page Catalog. He will collect the money and send your Chapter a quarterly check. It's a good system and a couple of Chapters are already doing it. The logo must be used in it's entirety including the circle.
Your International dues are due by the Annual Meeting on August 6, 2005. Chapters should complete the roster forms and Members - at - Large should fill out the enclosed forms. Members who have paid are recorded and we thank you for sending your dues in early. Congratulations to Fred Wright, 08-0002 for being the first to send in his dues. Also, Nebraska Chapter # 22 is the first Chapter to send in their dues. The By-Laws Committee submitted the change to increase the International dues to $10.00. It was accepted by the International Executive Board and will be voted on by the membership at the Annual Meeting.
For the members on the East coast. If you are looking for a place to stay on you way to Minn., the Comfort Inn in Austinburg, Ohio,( were we had our Convention last year) said they would welcome any members of MMCI who wished to stay on your way to the Convention.
Don't forget to check you map for a great trip up through Michigan and over to the Peninsula. Route # 23 to I-75. It will by- pass Chicago and all that traffic and tolls. Just a suggestion.
Well this is a short letter cause I want to get it out ASAP. We hope to see you at the Convention. If not, Look for another newsletter in September. Have a great Summer and remember, " Ride with Discretion "