District News
  -- District Director

Well April is almost here and spring still has not showed up. Why don't we all ask Mother Nature for a little help, I think most of us are tired of riding with half of our closet on.

We are looking forward to seeing a bunch of you at the Convention (Rally) in a few days in Huntsville. I think we have some fun things planned and hope there is at least one you will like. We will start getting ready on Wednesday and will be open for fun on Thursday.

We will have another Officer's Certification Class on 17-18 Apr in Huntsville; thanks to a friend of AL B and GWRRA we can accommodate a large group.  If you have been thinking about going this would be a good location for as many as can to attend. Please go to the web site, http://www.alabama-gwrra.org/, and sign up.

We have had a busy March, we visited Chapters E and S and a poker run at U. We had a lot of fun with everyone and even won some cleaning supplies to clean the bike after riding in all the rain, I think they were trying to tell us something. We also attended the Florida Convention (Rally) and had a great time with everyone. Bill and Gina and the Florida Staff provided a good time for all. The rain went away and the sun came out and we got out from under umbrellas and or took off rain suites and had one of the prettiest days we have seen this year.

When we left Kissimmee we head home by way of Sanibel Island and Key West. I want everyone to know that we keep the latest software on our GPS and I still had to make 5 Roy turns and rode about 900 miles out of the way. Somehow we need to get the GPS fixed!!!

Please try to make the Chapter G fun day on the 10th of Apr and if you can the TN and SC Conventions are at the end of the month. Both will be fun and provide both ends of the spectrum for riding. The TN Convention will provide some of the best mountain riding this side of the Mississippi river. On the other hand, the South Carolina Convention will provide some of the most scenic riding on the Atlantic Coast with beautiful shoreline and rustic homes. Please look us up if you go and maybe we can enjoy some riding together.

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

District News
  -- Assistant District Director - Central

Don't know if you all will be reading this before or after the Alabama District Rally. If it comes out before the rally we are looking to have a good time. The facilities and location is top notch. The weather man has promised us that the weather will be perfect (Lots of sun and no RAIN) . There will be vendors, seminars and the Space and Rocket Center is next door.  Surely we can find something that will blow your skirt up.

If this is after the fact we hope you had a good time.  Thank you for making the rally and helping to make this event a success. Not only do you get to find more sparkle for your bike but visiting old friends.

Check the District website for all that is going on in GWRRA. The riding season is here and I am ready to ride. We will be visiting the chapters and fun days when we can and looking forward to seeing all.

Ride safe.

Robert & Gail Brown The more you know the better it gets Ass tDir ecto r-Ce ntral

District News
  -- Assistant District Director - South

Hello again fellow wingers;

Another month gone by and it's still cold to me. We have had a few days that were warmer but-----? One thing I have noticed as the first day of Spring has come and gone is our pastures have started to get a little bit of green in them! That's always a good sign. Warmer weather is just around the corner.

Corky and I have been on the run again. Matter of fact we each have driven over 1600 miles on our rides this month! Accident free, I might add, but not incident free. I was 3.5 miles away from my turn off of I-65 on my way to Chapter Y's Fun Day, when a tire storage building caught fire and caused the Birmingham Police to "CLOSE" the Interstate going both ways. In doing so we all were diverted right into down town Birmingham on Universal Blvd passing UAB during the evening rush hour. It took me a long time to get out of there. But it was worth it. They shined. Their Chili cook off almost killed me! If it weren't for them providing two bottles of Tums along with the meal, I would have been in real trouble. Good job Harry & Sara and your Chapter members.

Then it was off to Florida for their Rally. The event was marred by rain Thursday and Friday, and another fire on I-75 but they still had over 1300 show up! Saturday was the only day we could actually get out and shop all the venders. Alabama, again, won the plaque for the State outside of Florida with the most in attendance and Alabama Chapter "B" won the plaque for the largest out of state Chapter. We all had much fun eating and spending $$$ and, well you all know what I mean. I wish I had a camera on Sue Chapman and Sue Jackson when the winner for the $1,000.00 Grand Prize was announced as Sue (pause) something or other. They were a sight to see!!

This past Saturday was spent riding on a fun Poker Run sponsored by Chapter "U" on their Fun Day activities. Spencer & Joan and their members had a wonderful event with a great clear 70 deg day to match. Alabama was well represented there as well. The District Directors, Roy and Anita Fosnight, made a surprise visit along with the male half of Lyn and Lynn Edwards, Alabama's MED/PR Coordinators. If that weren't enough The Region "A" Assistant Directors, Jim and Sue Jackson, showed up as well. I guess we know how well Chapter "U" Rates, Huh?

Now just a few words about our District Rally, April 1-3 in Huntsville. Many of our Chapters have been asked to support us with Worker Bees based upon your Chapter pre-registrations. Thus far, many positions have not been filled. This means that someone will have to work longer than normal to get the task done. We rely on you, the Chapter Directors, to get this done. The more we have to help, the easier it will be. So please help, K?

That's it for this month; see ya all at the Rally?

Remember; "Keep The Rubber Down, It Works Best That Way"

Ron & Corky Alexander Ass tDir ecto r-So uth

District News
  -- District Rider Educator

The Alabama District Rider Education Program is really picking up steam now!  Lots of Alabama District members are stepping up and getting involved in the programs GWRRA has provided for us.  Some of the latest developments are discussed briefly below.  Thanks EVERYONE!!

Medic First Aid news.  Gail Brown has agreed to coordinate Medic First Aid training in the District. Please contact Gail at phone number  (205) 680-2621 or via email at Ass tDir ecto r-Ce ntral to arrange MFA classes.  Gail will arrange the date, time and place and the instructor(s) for the training.  Thanks to Gail for taking on yet another job!! 

Parking Lot Practice news.  Thanks to Richard Chapman for arranging and conducting the first PLP Facilitator training for the District.  On Saturday March 29 at the UAB Medical School in Bessemer, Richard trained 15 new PLP Facilitators to conduct "sanctioned" PLPs. Thanks to Frank Teasley for arranging the use of the UAB facility, and Harry Leach for arranging the use of the parking lot.  Thanks to Greg Dempsey for presenting part of the classroom session and part of the range exercises.  Thanks to the 15 participants for giving up their Saturday to help the District with this program.  Congratulations guys!!

Please contact Richard Chapman at phone number  (256) 684-2597 or via email at COY   to arrange "sanctioned" PLP sessions and facilitators.

A "sanctioned" PLP is one conducted by a certified facilitator (like the folks trained by Richard on Saturday).  Completion of a "sanctioned" PLP can be used by a GWRRA member to advance from Level I to Level II in the Rider Education Levels Program.  It can also be used one time to extend the rider course requirement for one year at Level II or Level III.

Level IV application change.  Starting immediately, to prevent identity theft, we must stop sending copies of driver's license with the application for Level IV.  The officer submitting the form verifies that the applicant's driver's license is current and has a motorcycle endorsement.  An officer must also now write a letter recommending the applicant for Level IV.  Other parts of the Level IV application process remain unchanged.

GWRRA Rider Course Instructor Certification Preparation (RCICP) news.  We are now making arrangements to conduct another Instructor Course Certification class (ICC) and RCICP late this summer like we did last year.  This time we will be concentrating on Trike rider course instructors.  Like last year, Frank Teasley has graciously agreed to conduct the one-day ICC class for us.  Also like last year the  RCICP part of the training will be held in Meridianville but during a continuous four-day session instead of the split-weekend format we used last year.  Mike Stiger, who is THE International Rider Education Program Director, committed to arrange for a Trike Rider Course Master Instructor Trainer to conduct this training for our District.  This is another great (and rare) opportunity to received high-quality training.  If you are interested in becoming a GWRRA Rider Course Instructor, please contact me and watch for the announcement on the national  and district websites. 

By the way, please don't let the Trike part of this training scare you off.  Once you become trained to conduct Trike courses, you can fairly easily "update" your certification to instruct 2-wheel courses too.  All the guys who were initially trained as 2-wheel instructors last summer are now also certified to instruct Trike courses.  The important part is to become a certified GWRRA Rider Course Instructor.

Thanks to everyone who will help or did help the Rider Education activities during the 2010 Alabama District Convention.  Lots of people will help or did help with seminars, MFA, riding courses and the Rider Ed table.  The District Rider Ed Program couldn't exist and grow without your hard work.  Thanks guys!! 

Jim & Carol Robinson Rid erEd ucat or

District News
  -- District Trainers

Greetings fellow riders, the 2010 riding season is almost upon us and we hope you are as ready as we are. It seems that this winter has been the longest ever. With spring comes new hope and the anticipation of the new adventures that await us all. Adventures come in many forms, not just the ones on our motorcycles. Learning can be an adventure as well! As we go forward in 2010 we hope you can make time for this particular adventure in your very busy schedule.

We have started off this year with two Horizons programs and will complete them in August. Information on these is available on the district website. This year however, is a little different. GWRRA is offering a brand new program for its membership.  This new program is called the OCP (Officer Certification Program). We are sure that by now most of you have heard of it but maybe you are not familiar as to why this program is being offered and why now. The OCP is something that has been discussed for a long time by many people in GWRRA. The program that is offered now is the culmination of many hours of hard work and the input of many of our most dedicated people. The question we must ask is do we as members have the right to expect our officers to be as knowledgeable as possible about our organization and how it works, as well as being a good leader?  We think most members would answer yes to this question.  To that end the OCP is now offered to all current officers, all members who might wish to be officers in the future, and to all members who have the desire to know more about their organization and how it should work. The first Alabama class was held the weekend of February 27th and 28th. There were 26 members in attendance and, judging from the feedback we received afterwards, everyone had a great time as well as having a great learning experience. This is exactly what the program was created for.

Our next class is scheduled for April 17th and 18th in Huntsville. We already have 22 signed up for that group but we still have plenty of room for you. The third class will be held June 12th and 13th, in conjunction with Georgia and Florida, in DeFuniak Springs; Fl. Details on the Florida class are on the Alabama district website. Final details on the Huntsville class will be on the website very soon. We expect to see all CD's and ACD's attend one of these sessions and we would like to see as many of you as would like to attend. As stated before, this program is aimed at current and future officers but, like the Horizons program, is offered to any member who wishes to know more about their organization and how it is supposed to work. As with all of the LTD programs, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are available to answer your questions at any time. You can reach us by phone or by e-mail. This information is on the district website. We look forward to seeing all of you this riding season and we hope to see many of you in the LTD classes that are offered this year.

Remember, when you stop learning, you stop growing!

We look forward to seeing all of you at the Alabama District Rally in Huntsville,

Frank & Linda Teasley Tra iner

District News
  -- District Recruiting & Retention Coordinators

Have you ever wondered what is the benefit of belonging to a
"Chapter?"

FRIENDS are made with a common interest.  It provides an opportunity to ride our Gold Wings with our friends. 

SAFE RIDING is promoted to make our riding experience even more enjoyable.  Skills and safety techniques are learned.

You really get an opportunity to live the motto of "Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge."

You can participate in as many or as few activities and meetings as you wish.  There are no applications or fees needed to participate in a GWRRA Chapter.  You do not "join" a Chapter; you are a Member of GWRRA and a "participant" of a Chapter or Chapters.

We are all getting ready to attend the Alabama District Rally and I remember an article Robert & Gail Brown wrote titled "First Timers."  They said First Timers are nervous and unsure of how they will be greeted.  When visitors show up at your meeting make them feel welcome by introducing them to the other members and make them feel they are a part of the group.  An important fact they said was, "if these people have a good time at their first Chapter meeting or their first Rally you will probably see them again."  Do not let them be "Last Timers".   

Take a few minutes and remember your first Chapter meeting or your first Rally.  Hopefully you were greeted and made to feel welcome.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS MEAN A LOT!

See you at the RALLY!

Happy Recruiting,

Dewey & Alice Cole Mem bers hipE nhan cement

District News
  -- MED / Couple of the Year Coordinators

The riding season is here. Time to go to Rallies, Fun days and Wing Ding to root for Stephen & Tammy Holingsworth in their bid for International Couple of the Year. If you have not made the plans for Wing Ding please strongly consider going. Tammy & Stephen should have all the support we can muster.

The Alabama Rally is also upon us. Please remember to bring your chapters couple of the year baskets to raise money in support of Richard & Sue Chapman AL District Couple of the Year. The money raised helps to fund their travels as they bid for Region COY. This money does not cover all the expenses encountered but very few of us could afford the travel necessary without some assistance from these COY Baskets.

I ask all the CD"S to encourage the attendance of their Chapter Couples to the Couple of The Year Seminar at our AL District Rally on Saturday.  We had a great time and this will help explain what the COY program is all about.</DIV> <DIV>We attended Chapter U's Poker Run and had a great time. Spencer & Joan Hall and all the Staff at U put on a fun and scenic ride to benefit their charity.

Lyn & I look forward to seeing everyone at the Rally.

See ya soon!

Couple of the Year Seminar

I hope each of you have made plans to attend the Couple of The Year seminar. It will be on Saturday April 3rd @1:00 PM  at the Alabama Rally / Convention in Huntsville, Al.
We will cover:

1. The History of the Couple of the Year Program
2. How to take the next steps to District Couple, Region Couple and International Couple of the Year.
3. Having fun as your Chapter Couple even if you are not participating in the selection process.
4. When the Couple of the Year becomes not only an honor but a responsibility.
5. What is required for dress and how to set up your Vest.
6. How the selection process is judged. What do they look for!!!
7. How the judges are selected at each level.
8. How to prepare for your written, interview and oral presentations.

We will have both the Region A COY Stephen & Tammy Holingsworth and Al. Dist. Couple Richard & Sue Chapman to speak about their experiences.

We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Lynn & Lyn Edwards MED

District News
  -- District Couple of the Year

This past month we have seen rain, lots of rain, some snow, a little ice and very little sun.  I think everyone is getting a little cabin fever. Hopefully that is all getting ready to change with the coming of spring.

Richard and I started the month out attending Chapter Y's South of the Border Funday.  As usual Chapter Y did an excellent job and everyone had a good time with lots of money being raised for Camp Smile a Mile.

A bunch of participants from Alabama headed over to the Florida Convention.  Go Alabama for being the largest District in Region A.  There were games and a wonderful performance by a Neil Diamond impersonator.  After the show Richard and I had the awesome opportunity to judge the talent show.  Hard job seeing all the talent was great. Bill and Gina Berry (FL DDs) and their staff did a wonderful job and we appreciate how much hard work it took to make it all happen so we could enjoy their hospitably and their convention (rally). We really appreciate them arranging for all the sun to show up on Saturday. We also enjoyed spending time with the other Couple of the Year folks at the rally.

As you are reading this the Alabama Convention is probably taking place.  If you didn't make it we sure did miss you and hope to see you at next year's convention.

The Funday, Convention, and riding season is upon us and this month is gearing up to be a busy one. We start with of the Alabama Convention; the next week is Chapter G's Funday, then onto Tennessee and South Carolina Conventions.  Also this month is the north OCP class. We are also planning to visit a couple of Chapters within Alabama as time permits. Let us know if you're going and maybe we can hook up along the way or when we get there.

Four wheels move the body.  Two wheels move the soul.

Richard & Sue Chapman COY

Alabama District Rally 2010

Click for More Info ...

North OCP Class

Hotel information for anyone that may need it for the North OCP Class

OCP North class will be held at the Huntsville Christian Academy, 175 West Park Loop, Huntsville, AL 35806. There are three hotels less than 1 mile from the school. They are (1) Fairfield Inn and Suites, 1385 Enterprise Way, Huntsville, AL 35806; (2) Best Western Hotel, 6200 Torok Circle, Huntsville, AL 35806,(3) Days Inn and Suites, 1145 McMurtie Dr., Huntsville, AL 35806.

We have no special rates at any of these hotels.

If you have any questions please contact us.
Thanks, Frank and Linda

Upcoming Events

Dates of Events may change; please check actual source for details

April - 2010

May - 2010

June - 2010

July - 2010

August - 2010

September - 2010