Rocket City Wings Huntsville, Alabama -- Chapter B, Region A Friends for Fun, Safety & Knowledge February 2010

Director Notes
  -- From the Chapter Directors

February already............ where does the time go? Snowball has come and gone.  I would like to thank everyone for the great turnout!!  Chapter B was the largest chapter in attendance - 28 of us  running all over the place....and we had a really great time.

I would also like to thank everyone for their support of Richard and Sue Chapman, our new 2010 AL District Couple Of The Year.  I'm pretty sure we witnessed a historical event -- Chapter B now has a current Region A Couple Of The Year, a current AL District Couple Of The Year, and of course, our current Chapter B Couple of The Year......that must be some kind of record.  "Congratulations" and "Good Luck" to all of you on your journeys.  I know I can speak for the Chapter when I say we are extremely proud to have each of you representing our Chapter, District, and Region.

On another note, I for one will be glad when the weather gets back to a more comfortable temperature for riding. Gerbings or not, 30's and 40's just aren't that enjoyable for riding. But, for now we'll have to find other things to occupy our time. Please watch the calender and the ride schedule on the website for upcoming activities, like the Medic First-Aid  training on Feb 13th . Also watch the 4M for "Impromptu Rides"- when the weather does take an unexpected turn for the better, I expect folks will be scrambling to get on those bikes.  Along with phone calls, the 4M is the best way we currently have to communicate these rides on short notice. Impromptu rides are some of the best rides I have been on.

I would like to emphasize our appreciation of your involvement with the chapter. After all, it's the folks that make the chapter, and we have some pretty awesome folks!  Lisa and I  would like to invite any comments or suggestions you may have, so please feel free to contact us or any staff member.

And remember, "Ride it like you borrowed it from Roy!"

Marty & Lisa Knapp

Starting a New Chapter in our Lives
  -- From the Asst. Chapter Directors

Don't get excited, we did not mean we are starting a new chapter, we mean we are starting a new phase in our journeys.  Well, it's almost February - well by the time you read this, it will be February.  Can you believe a month has past already in the year 2010?  Where does the time go?  Well, to say the least, it has indeed felt a lot like winter this year.  We just got back last night from the Tennessee Winter Event in Manchester.  They really had the winter effects going on:  snow, ice, sleet and slush.  Our chapter had a good attendance.  We along with Hiram & Lisa Bass, Greg & Renee Dempsey, Dennis & Anne Greer and Richard & Sue Chapman had a wonderful time.  Some of the folks that had signed up for this event were snowed in or snowed up, as in up on the mountain.  Roger & Peggy opted to stay up on that mountain.  You know, they could have gotten down really quick by sliding down but it's the going back up that would be a mess.  The drive up to Manchester, TN was not really too bad; coming back was a little trickier but not really too bad either as long as you got back into Huntsville before dark.  A big thanks goes out to Ken & Julie Zahn for having us at the Winter Event. 

We've got some exciting things in store for the chapter this year.  Along with some role changes, we have some new ideas to add some zest to the chapter.  Marty & Lisa Knapp have graciously taken on the task to be our new directors.  We feel like they will do a wonderful job, so join us all in supporting them in the upcoming years.  It's not easy being chapter directors; just ask John & Elizabeth or any of the previous directors in the group.  We're really blessed to have so much knowledge and friendship in Chapter B.  Steven and I feel like this group likes to have fun and we know how to do it.  Experiencing many chapter meetings throughout our travels around the nation, Chapter B really does a great job.  Engaging in conversation is an easy task for most of us, and that's what it really takes.  (ok, ok, it's really, really easy for some of us) All the while, we need to keep in mind, we are ALL different, we come from different backgrounds, some of us are Northerners and some are not.  We have different views and opinions, but we have done a good job integrating these differences in our activities.  We just need to stay focused on that concept and keep marching on.  We really want to hear your thoughts about Chapter B and the activities.  We are here to listen and help make this chapter into what YOU want it to be.  We've realized how great Chapter B is and we really want it to stand out and shine among the others in the state.  We seem to be doing pretty good with the Couple Of the Year program.  {yes, I just had to mention that}.  Chapter B seems to be generating some really outstanding couples into the program.  Steven is really cool, I think.  Richard & Sue just received the honor as state couple at Snowball, and Greg & Renee Dempsey are on their heels following up on the backstretch.  We've got some super-duper couples in Chapter B and unfortunately we can only select one Couple Of the Year once a year.  If we could pick more, well, I guess we'd just have the entire chapter up there.  Which brings me to the Chapter Of the Year program.  Since we are all great couples of a great chapter, we might as well get some of that recognition.  The chapter staff is diligently keeping tallies and doing reports to send in to have us on that list to be submitted as Chapter Of the Year.  I personally think we are the GREATEST, but so do a lot of other chapters' members.  We've got the right people and we've got the right attitude.  FUN, FUN, FUN.  The real key to that is Participation, Participation, Participation.  Steven's theory is, the more you participate, the more FUN you'll have.  Man, I married such a brain!  As many of you know, Steven and I have a busy schedule this year (not much new there) but as much as we'd like to stay home and participate with our chapter, there will be times we need to be out and about at conventions {formerly known as rallies} and visiting other regions and districts.  We hope that you know that every single one of you is very much welcomed to come join us on our travels.  We know some of us cannot travel to every single function, so do what you can, but enjoy yourself. Savor these times because we are all making memories one day at a time. 

Steven and I want to let Marty & Lisa know that we are very proud of them and we are thankful for them and their involvement in this chapter.  We support them and this chapter 100%.  They truly want everyone in the chapter to be happy and enjoying GWRRA to its fullest potential.  What better way to do that than just show up and have a good time with us. 

See ya on 9 February at our monthly gathering

~ Friends for Fun, Safety, and Knowledge ~

Remember:  Wear your helmet, every time you ride.

"LOOK TWICE FOR MOTORCYCLES"

Logo by Tammy Hollingsworth

Long live Goldwingers! Roll Out Goldwingers!
It's not about the destination, it's about the journey.

Aspire to inspire before you expire.

Don't Worry (Chapter) "B" Happy
Steven & Tammy Hollingsworth,
AL-B, ACDs
2009-2010 Southeast Region A Couple Of the Year
Alabama District Vendor Coordinators

"Shake Your Tail Feathers!"

Steven & Tammy Hollingsworth

Chapter Couple Notes
  -- From the Chapter Couple of the Year

Over the river and thru the woods, to Snowball we did go. The cars knew the way to carry us that day, over the white and icy roads.  Oh how the wind did blow!  It stung our toes and bit our nose, as to snowball we did go.

Over the river and through the woods, to Tennessee Winter blast we did go.  The cars knew the way through the goal post that day. Then it started to snow, so the return was extremely slow.  And it was so hard to wait at the Olive Garden gate. Now the chef's hat we spied, Hurrah for the fun, the food was done.

As over the river & thru the woods for January is done. No more icy days -- Spring better be on its way, I don't want any more snowy days.

That pretty much sums up January, except to congratulate Richard & Sue Chapman; the 2010 District Couple of the Year.

Remember Horizons is February 6th & 7th. Medic First aid is February 13th, and Leadership Training is February 20th. Plan on being there you'll have fun.  We had so much fun last year we'll be there too.

Making friends & memories by the mile.

Greg & Renee Dempsey

Thoughts from the Educator
  -- From the Chapter Rider Educators

I don’t know about you, but we are ready for some warmer weather. Good riding days are few and far between this time of year. If we can’t ride, maybe we can take advantage of some training opportunities. As luck would have it, Robert and Gail Brown have agreed to conduct a Medic \ First Aid course for our chapter on Saturday the 13th of February.  Roy and Anita Fosnight have graciously offered the use of their garage (which is heated) for the class. This course is good for two years and meets the CPR and First Aid requirements of the Rider Education Levels Program. The max class size is 12, if we have enough members sign up we will conduct two classes, one in the morning (8am to 1200 am) and one in the afternoon (1 pm to 5pm). I know some of you are not morning people and would prefer the afternoon class, so to make this fair, Renee will have two sign-up sheets (one for the morning and one for the afternoon) at the February monthly gathering. The cost is $20, and names and registration fees will be taken on a first come, first serve basis with a choice of class time until they are gone.

Ride Safe Today So You Can Again Tomorrow

Greg & Renee Dempsey

Serving for Freedom

Atticus "Daniel" Fisher

• SPC Fisher, Atticus Daniel
• TF Eagle Assault
• HHC 5-101 AVN
• APO, AE 09355
  
  
• Serving in Kandahar, Afghanistan
  
  
• Tammy Hollingsworth's brother

Richard L. Follett II

• Air Force
• Chief Master Sergeant
• Pentagon, Washington, DC
  
  
• Rich & Nancy Follett's son

Heather Knapp

• Air Force
• Ramstien Airbase in Germany
  
  
• Marty & Lisa Knapp's daughter

District News
  -- District Director

Hi Folks, I am ready for SPRING; I am tired of the cold and the rain. I am ready to ride somewhere that is warm and dry. Anyone else ready to go let me know and we will find a place.

I would like to thank all who attended Snowball; we had a really good time in spite of the weather.  At Snowball we selected the new Alabama Couple of the Year. Lyn and Lynn Edwards did a great job, as usual, and we had three great couples. We had Billy and Maravene Stum from Chapter U, Ricky and Elaine Lackey from Chapter D, and Richard and Sue Chapman from Chapter B. I am glad that I don't have to judge District because these Couples were all knowledgeable (I am glad I don't have to answer which of the 7 Dwarfs Anita reminds me of) and really entertaining (flash). Our judges were Jake and JoAnn Jacobs, Region A Treasurers and Former 2007 - 2008 International Couple of the Year, Bill & Betty Livingston, Former District Directors for GA, and Ray & Cindy Erickson, Region A MAD and Former District Directors for AL. Our congratulations to all 3 couples and for the record, Richard and Sue Chapman are the new 2010 District Couple of the Year. They have already started on their journey and are doing a great job. We want to thank Steven and Tammy Hollingsworth, Region A Couple of the Year from Alabama, for helping with the Couple selection process.

We have 7 new chapter directors that took over their respective chapters in January. Thank you for stepping up and helping the members enjoy more friends for fun, safety and knowledge.

February is our training month and Frank and Linda have some really good things coming your way. There is a Horizon's Class scheduled for the 6th and 7th, Chapter Leadership Skills on the 20th, and there is a new program that was introduced to all the trainers that went to Phoenix the week end of 8 Jan 2010. It is titled the Officer's Certification Program and we will be giving three iterations, mid state, upper state, and lower state. The dates are tentative but will be close to, mid-state is scheduled for 27-28 Feb, upper state 17-18 April, and lower state 12-13 June. We need as many Directors and assistants to attend the program in their area as possible, if you cannot, then you are welcome to attend the one you can. The goal is for all of us to attend one of these sessions. If you have any questions please contact Frank and Linda Teasley, 205-424-4717 or email at tea swin g*bh am:r r:com.

Please remember that our Rally is coming fast and we will need attendees, door prizes, and HELP, not necessarily in that order. Please come to the Space and Rocket Center Marriott and play with us on 1 -- 3 April. This is not an April Fool's joke!!!

Please remember that Freedom isn't Free and remember our folks who are in Harm's Way, be they Military, Law Enforcement, EMTs or Firemen.

The next time you think about riding, call a friend, they are probably thinking the same thing.

Roy & Anita Fosnight Please Ride Safe and Often Dir ecto r*Al abam a-gw rra:org

District News
  -- Assistant District Director - Central

In spite of the threat of snow, we had a good turnout for the Snowball Rally 2010 in Prattville.  We had complete use of the Doster Community Center and were able to have everything at one location.

Alabama 2009 "IT" went to a new home with Alabama Chapter B in Huntsville, they were drawn from all the chapters that participated.  Congratulation to them and we look forward to seeing 2009 "IT" around the Rally and Fun day circuit.

2010 Alabama "IT" started its journey with a trip home with Alabama Chapter S in Russellville.  Chapter Directors Mark & Vicky Swindle got to take IT home with them to share with the members for a few weeks before IT moves on to IT's next chapter.  Remember to take pictures for ITs scrapbook and send updates on IT's whereabouts and adventures to the Alabama Webmaster.

If you don't know by now the National Championship trophy resides in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama.  Coach Saban, his staff and players are to be congratulated for their hard work and dedication.  This was not accomplished by one coach or any one player.  The coaches and the players worked as a team to claim this prize.  The same system works for most everything we do, our work, lives and GWRRA.  The Officers Certification Program or as you may hear it referred to (OCP) has been rolled out by the home office in Phoenix to bring everyone together as one team.. One game plan.  Frank and Linda Teasley our District Trainers will begin teaching these classes in February 2010.  These classes are for Region, District and Chapter Directors and their assistants.  But will be open to any of the membership that would like to attend. We believe that this class will be packed with great info for our groups' leaders and membership; we are looking forward to taking this class and being part of this program to better the future of GWRRA.  Watch the District website for specific dates and times.

We are looking forward to the District Rally in April. If we can do anything or answer any questions please give us a call.

Robert & Gail Brown -- ADD's Central Alabama
"The more you know the better it gets" 

Robert & Gail Brown The more you know the better it gets Ass tDir ecto r-Ce ntra l*Al abam a-gw rra:org

District News
  -- Assistant District Director - South

SPRING is very close isn't it? These last few days have been glorious. I can't wait to get up every morning with the weather like it is today. Our calendars will fill up fast when it does get better,so.....

After looking at the District calendar, things have already begun to load up our calendars. However I feel the need to talk to ya's about a couple things that need your involvement. The first, and quite could be the most important, is called "Officer Certification Program" OCP. Phoenix has sent down to ALL Directors and Assistant Directors at every level that they must attend this course very soon. Matter of fact, all of us must be trained by August 31, 2010. The District Directors newsletter tells us all where and when they are scheduled. Wherever you are in our District, be it North, Middle or South, please get enrolled as soon as possible. Today if you can. Also, to support your calendar, you may attend any one of the three afore mentioned locations of our State, but please let Frank Teasley know your plans or thing will get all messed up and someone will be missed, K? Frank Teasley's contact information is: 205-424-4717, tea swin g*bh am:r r:com.

The other thing we need to discuss is the MAD weekend scheduled for 15 May. This is a weekend dedicated to the education of all the people we can, who drive vehicles, about the fact that there are motorcycles on our public highways and that they should be looking for them. The plan is to set up information booths at all 8 Alabama Welcome Centers on that Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Look at your Alabama maps for all major highways coming into our State for their locations. This is a big undertaking and you can see that your help is dearly needed. All CD's please go pro-active on this one too. We need to know how many volunteers you have so that an accurate work schedule can be issued for each Chapter. Also, I think it appropriate that you include in your information, the first and second choice of Welcome Centers your Chapter would like to attend. I'm sure every attempt will be made to support your geographic locations and requests. It may come down to "First Come, First Serve" in many cases, so get started now. Send your information to your Assistant Director. For us here in the South, Chapters A,F,G,L,M,Q,U,W and Z, send your stuff to me at: rca lex* fair poin t:net.

Well I guess I'll get off of my soapbox for now. I plan to be seeing many of you at your local gathering points as soon as I can, so keep an eye out for me.

Remember: "Keep the Rubber Down, It Works Best That Way"

Ron & Corky Alexander Ass tDir ecto r-So uth* Alab ama- gwrra:org

District News
  -- Motorist Awareness Division District Coordinators

Hello Everyone,

It was great to see everyone at the Snowball Rally. Thanks to all who stopped by my table and talked with me about Motorist Awareness. I think with everyone's help, we can make a difference here in Alabama. At the Snowball I mentioned a couple of things I would like to do this year to help make that difference. The first thing is for each chapter to have a Motorist Awareness Coordinator. This way we will be able to spread the word around to a lot more people. And the more people who see us on the road the safer we will be. The second thing is to have a Motorist Awareness Day in May, which is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. I have been in contact with ALDOT and the Tourism Dept. and they have give us the go ahead for May 15. We will be setting up at the eight welcome centers in Alabama. The time will be 8:00 am till 5:00 pm. We will be getting out more info on this later. With everyones help, we know we can make this a HUGE success. Hope to see you soon!

Ride Aware

Terry & Barbie Cleveland Mot oris tAwa rene ss*A laba ma-g wrra:org

District News
  -- District Trainers

Hello all, we would like to says thanks to everyone that attended snowball. We heard the weather left a little to be desired but you showed your support for GWRRA and the Alabama district by showing up for what sounded like a great time. We apologize for not being there this year but we were called to Phoenix for a meeting with all the region and district trainers from the US and Canada. Also attending this meeting were the entire national staff including Paul Hildebrand. We were there for two days to hear about, and learn all of the details of, a new program that is being rolled out to everyone in GWRRA. This new program is called the Officer Certification Program (OCP). You will be hearing a lot about the OCP in the next few weeks with details coming from your District Director, from us, and from the home office. As these details are made available please greet them with an open mind about why this is being done and why now. Once you hear all of the details we hope to gain your support and your help to make it a success, one of the things we have learned over the years is that there are two things that are inevitable, death and taxes. We would like to add a third to that list, and that is CHANGE! Change is also inevitable. We have a certain politician in our area that has used a bit of wisdom that his grandmother gave him many years ago that we think still applies today. She told him "If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always got". This applies to many areas of our lives including our fun time with GWRRA.  There have been many changes in the last few years with programs such as Horizons, having certified instructors within GWRRA that can help us with first aid and cpr, medic first aid courses, rider courses for bikes and trikes, and many others. The OCP is another step in this direction that will make our organization better in the coming years.

Our Horizons program for 2010 will kick off on Feb 6th and 7th with a Chapter Leadership Skills class on Feb 20th. Details of both programs are available on the district website. Please come join us and your friends and we promise you will have a good time and in the process maybe, just maybe, learn something new that will help not only in your GWRRA life but your everyday life as well. We hope to see you there.

The first OCP class will be held on Feb 27th and 28th at the UAB Medical West Hospital training room beginning at 8AM each day. Many of you have been there but for those who haven't the address is 995 9th Ave, Bessemer, Al 35022. The second OCP class will be held in Huntsville on April 17th and 18th at a location TBD. The third class is scheduled for Dothan on June 12th and 13th at a location TBD. More details for the second and third classes will be posted on the district website asap. We hope to see all directors and assistant directors at one of these classes. All other members are welcome as well.

Our second round of Horizons, will be held in August in Bessemer. We will be offering the Intermediate and Advanced Leadership Skill classes then. Details are on the district website.

In closing we would like to pass along our congratulations to each couple who participated in the Couple of the Year selection process at Snowball with a special congratulations going to Richard and Sue Chapman for being selected to represent the Alabama District for 2010. Let's start making plans now to be at the region rally to support Richard and Sue as they try to make it two in a row for Alabama!

Please remember all of our men and women in uniform who work every day to assure our American way of life.

We hope to see all of you out on the road,

Frank & Linda Teasley Tra iner *Ala bama -gwr ra:org

District News
  -- District Membership Enhancement Coordinators

New Relationships

As we have said many times before, Recruitment is the heart of a healthy and growing Association.  When you are out riding on your Goldwing and come across some people you do not recognize as belonging to GWRRA, strike up a conversation with them.  Tell them about your Association and the Gold Book and the Wing World Magazine.  Tell them about your Chapter.  Tell them where you went last year.  They may be glad to hear about it and may even want to be a part of it.

In the February, 2010 Wing World magazine, Melissa Eason, Executive Director, has a great article titled:

"Building New Relationships is just as important"

She explains how sometimes a new member may come to a chapter with a lot of different ideas and also may be very enthusiastic at doing different jobs.  If you are lucky and get a member like that, she says we need to channel their energy and accept their new ideas.  The most successful chapters are those that consistently continue to grow and to embrace change.

All members, new or long timers, should be contacted and invited to experience a GWRRA get-together or ride, and, of course, invited to share a good time.  They should always be made to feel welcome.

When new people visit a Chapter for the first time, make them feel welcome.  Visit with them and ask them questions that require an answer beyond yes or no.  Find out about their families, their likes and dislikes, make sure they leave the get-together with a feeling of "WOW, this is what I have been looking for, people who like me and want me to be around!"

Happy Recruiting,

Dewey & Alice Cole Mem bers hipE nhan ceme nt*A laba ma-g wrra:org

District News
  -- MED / PR Coordinators

Lyn & I have been involved with the Couple of The Year program for 4 years now. We were selected as Chapter Y Couple in 2006 and then we were honored again by representing the Alabama District as the 2007 Couple of the Year. The opportunity that this affords you has no limits. If selected from your Chapter, you represent your friends in GWRRA as not only their ambassador but as this organizations ambassador's. You can choose to do very little with this as your time and circumstance allows, or if able, to grow your sphere of friends from across Alabama and the USA. I wish to encourage all our new Chapter Couple of the Years for 2010 to utilize this opportunity, to participate in our COY seminars and the selection for next year's Al. District Couple at Snowball 2011. You will meet friends you will cherish for a lifetime.

I want to thank Steven & Tammy Hollingsworth for the help they gave during the selection process at Snowball. Tammy organized and picked the music. There was a major problem with the music ending up on a corrupted disk and Tammy was up at 4:00 am solving the problem. That is dedication and with this kind of caring attitude I am confident they will be the First International Couple of The year from Alabama. There is more, Congratulations to Steven for winning the Worm Sellers Member of the year award. Steven exemplifies the true meaning of this award and is always ready to help fellow members in any way he can. Now with this said Steven also builds Trikes for anyone who is looking for one or is considering converting their 2 wheeler. After saying all this, Could I get one for Cost!  It never hurts to ask.

Lyn & I would also like to express our appreciation to Roy & Anita Fosnight for their support of the Couple of The Year program. They have been our cheerleaders and have been a lot of the inspiration for this program. We could not have wished for better District Directors to help and offer their services and knowledge. They shall have our unending gratitude.

We also were honored to have as our judges, Bill & Betty Livingston the former Georgia district Directors, Ray & Cindy Erickson the Alabama District Couple of The Year for 1995 and former Al. District Directors &  Current Region A MAD Directors and Jake & Joanne Jacobs the 2007 -- 08 International Couple of The Year. I did not envy their job and as it turned out only a 2 point difference separated the New Al. Dist. Couple from the field.

Terry & Barbie Cleveland our Al. District Couple for 2008 were our score keepers and tallied the scores as the judges passed them in. They dutifully did a recount because the score was so close before passing them to Lyn & I to announce the judge's decision. Thanks again Terry & Barbie!

Now I would like to congratulate the newest Alabama District Stars. Each couple who participated in the selection process became our heroes January 9th 2010. It is with deep appreciation from not only your Chapter but from the entire State, for the way you handled yourselves, and we would have been proud to have had any of our participants as the new Alabama District Couple of the year. The Couples were Ricky & Elaine Lacky Chapter D in Anniston, Billy & Maravene Stum from Chapter U in Dothan and our New Alabama District Couple - Richard & Sue Chapman from Chapter B in Huntsville. I know they will represent our district with excellence and I look forward to their next step as Region A Couple of The Year. It is exciting to have from Alabama a Couple going for International COY and another for Region A COY within 3 months of each other. Please make plans to attend Wing Ding in Des Moines Iowa to Root Steven and Tammy on to International and Richard & Sue as they vie for Region at Lakepoint Resort in Eufaula, AL.

Couple of The Year Coordinators

Lynn & Lyn Edwards MED *Ala bama -gwr ra:org

District News
  -- District Couple of the Year

WOW, we didn't think it could get any better than being AL-B 2009 Couple of the Year but on Saturday January the 9th it did.  It was a wonderful day for Sue and myself.  We got up that morning feeling good, but a little nervous because in a couple of hours we would be participating in the Alabama District Couple of the Year selection process. Sue had spent a good deal of time getting everything ready for today. We got ready and went down to breakfast but I didn't want to get too close to food because I knew I would wind up with ketchup or something else red on my clean white shirt.  We had a nice time during breakfast talking to the two other couples in the selection process. After breakfast, we went over to the convention center where the selection process, Snowball, and the officer's conference would take place. OK they brought the three couples before the judges and the audience, introduced us and then took us back out. I felt lucky because I made it all the way in and back out without stumbling or tripping over my own feet. Sue looked great and seemed to be in much better shape than me. We were the second couple to give a 5 minute story about ourselves. When our turn came and we walked in we were both surprised and extremely proud because we saw 26 friends and family from Chapter B there supporting us. We got into the room and things just got started we got flashed by two folks, Renee from our chapter flashed her blue shirt, then not to be out done, Jake flashed Sue his shirt under his vest. What a great way to help us calm down a little. Sue and I went through our 5 minute talk and had some fun with it as we went. We did notice that it went much faster that we thought. We left so the third couple could do their talk. After the third couple came out, the waiting started. We knew that all three couples had done well but Sue and I both thought one of the other couples had been selected. After a few minutes (seemed like an hour) went by, all three couples were brought back in for the announcement. Much to our surprise, Sue and I were selected as the 2010 Alabama District Couple of the Year. We are truly honored to have been selected and will wear our medallions with pride everywhere we go while doing our best to represent Alabama.

Sue and I had a lot of fun in 2009 as Chapter B's Couple of the Year because we met so many great people and made some wonderful and long lasting friendships. We would like to encourage all the chapters to "honor" some couple in your chapter by selecting them as your Couple of the Year.  Help them to understand that they do not have to take part in the District Couple of the Year selection process, but if they decide to, they will have even more fun and meet some great folks. This past year for Sue and myself has been one we will never forget as we look forward to proudly representing Alabama District though our travels this year and being part of the Region A Couple of the Year selection process.

Congratulations to all the newly selected Chapter Couples. We plan to visit as many of the chapters this year as possible to answer any questions couples thinking about going through the same process may have. Please call us if we can help in any way with your Couple of the Year program.

Four wheels move the body.  Two wheels move the soul

Richard & Sue Chapman COY *Ala bama -gwr ra:org

IT'S TAX TIME AGAIN
  -- District Treasurer

Hi Everyone,

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and are looking forward to a great 2010 riding season.

I'd like to welcome all the new Officers and Treasurers. If you need any assistance just let me know and I will help in anyway I can.

Every year the Chapters are required to file an e-Postcard (Form 990-N), unless you have income of over $25,000, if so please contact me.  This must be done prior to May 15.  Please help us get this done early so that if any problems arise we can solve them before the due date. Thank You to the Chapters that have already filed.

Gather the Information Needed to File the e-Postcard

1. Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) sometimes known as a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
2. The tax year.
3. Legal name and mailing address.  Example:  Chapter AZ-A; District AZ; Region F
4. Name and address of a principal Officer.  (The Chapter, District, or Region Director)
5. Website address if the subordinate has one.
6. Confirmation that the subordinate's annual gross receipts are normally $25,000 or less.

To Access the e-Postcard Site Go To

http://epostcard.form990.org. 

Once there, you will need to complete a three-step process:

1. For new Treasurers please check with your past Treasurer for the login and password (you will be able to change that after you login). The first login ID will be your EIN plus the number 01.
2. Create the Form 990-N (e-Postcard)
3. Submit your Form 990-N (e-Postcard)

Sue & Richard Chapman Tre asur er*A laba ma-g wrra:org

Alabama District Rally 2010

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Wing-Ding 2010

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February 2010 -  AL-B Ride Schedule

• Unless otherwise indicated, all rides will leave from the ride meeting place at scheduled time.
• As a courtesy to all members, it is important to be ready to leave at the departure time.
• All bikes should be fueled and bladders emptied ahead of time.
• We plan a variety of rides.  Time and money might make it hard to make all events.  We hope this variety will give you an opportunity to pick and choose, and at least enjoy some of them.
• If the weather is bad--come in your car.
• If you have a CB, you will find us on Channel 1 (unless noted otherwise by the ride leader).

• We need your ride suggestions!!
• We need any and all of your ideas!!
• You can be part of the Ride Committee!!
• If you want to help...
  Please e-mail us at Rid eCoo rdin ator

February - 2010

March - 2010

April - 2010