Party for the Good, a M.A.D. opportunity that had Chapter I participants packing bags of food for children.

They hoped for 400 volunteers. They were excited when the number reached 600. They had to cut off registration at 1000. Now that's the community at it's best and Chapter I was a part of it.

Recipients of the M.A.D. fundraiser donation taken to Joplin last month.

Sue, Belinda and Kathie having a super time bagging groceries at Country Mart, Jun 11th

Motorist Awareness participants at Country Mart, Jackson, MO.
Thank you to all who helped - even those who missed out on this photo op!

Motorist Awareness Fundraiser at Country Mart,
Jackson, MO for Joplin tornado victims.

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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Former National MAD Director Charles Mallett shares the advantages of presenting motorcycle awareness programs to the general public with participants from MO Chapter I, Chapter Z and IL Chapter Q during the March gathering.

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GWRRA IL CHAPTER Q with some help from MO CHAPTER I participants joined together in MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS and fundraising at a recent Southern IL University basketball game. In March, Chapter Q director Steve Gottschalk presented a percentage of the proceeds to CH I for their help.

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FROM YOUR CHAPTER EDUCATOR:

How are you doing on your GWRRA Levels?

"What Levels", you ask?

Level 1 - Safety by Commitment: Requires a verbal commitment to ride safely at all times.

Level 2 - Safety by Education: Requires a certified rider course with 5000 safe miles and for your co-rider, a co-rider seminar or 2-up rider course.

Level 3 - Safety by Preparedness: Requires that you be current in Level 2 and have taken either a 1st Aid or CPR class.

Level 4 - Safety by Enhanced Commitment & Preparedness: Requires that you be current in Level 3 for 1 yr. and have taken both 1st Aid and CPR class, with 25,000 safe miles and be committed to riding with proper riding gear at all times

Talk with the Chapter Educator, Ernie Deason for more information about registering your Levels and purchasing pins and patches for your accomplishments.

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GWRRA Motorist Awareness Division - A program that Mike Wright, President of GWRRA created. This program will help to educate the public to start seeing motorcycles - riders are everywhere.

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A new, bright yellow sign is available to you to post in your yard, pasture, field or business. Contact me for further details. These signs are great, made of an all weather material, and come complete with metal framing that easily pushes into the ground.

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In an excerpt from Mike Wright’s June 2003 article announcing “A New Program in GWRRA” he said:

“Few of us could have foreseen the increased hazards imposed on motorcyclists in the past five years. Competition for road space is often fierce, especially during rush hours or on busy interstates and streets. Vehicle operators are more distracted than any of us could have imagined with cellular telephones, concentration on talk radio shows, and stereo systems so loud, outside noise is completely shut out of the inner sanctum within their vehicle. In our judgment, we have crossed into a new era that will need the cooperation of all highway users to cope with our modern-day traffic congestion. It is time to expand our focus beyond just our own Member/Riders and Co-Riders. It is time to take an active role in helping to educate other highway users that motorcycles and trikes share the road with them every day.”

My name is Roger Riley and I am Chapter I's GWRRA Motorist Awareness coordinator. In 2001, my illusion red, 1800 was t-boned by a young driver. The first words out of his mouth were "I didn't see you!" We were practically head to head when he pulled out and I distinctly remember making eye contact with him. How could he not see my motorcycle with two passengers on it and our headlights on high beam? Yet, time and time again, that's what motorists say..."I didn't see you!"

In these economic times, more and more people are turning to motorcycles and trikes to beat the high prices of gasoline. It's everyone's job to make the public aware that motorcyclists are out here and we all need to share the road safely.

Every time we get on our motorcycles or trikes, we are ambassadors to make the public aware by riding safely, knowledgeably and aware of our surroundings. Working together towards opportunities to make the public aware of motorcyclists on the highways and byways will insure that everyone has a good riding experience each and every time we take our motorcycles and trikes out for a ride or trip. Be aware,ride aware, make others aware - motorcycles are everywhere.