June 2009 President's Message

Basic Rider Courses are in full swing now and will be going to mid October. If you know someone who wants to learn to ride this is the best way for them to learn the basic skills and strategies to be a good motorcyclist. Once they complete the class their completion card will waive the riding and written test at the SD driver exam stations. Also Experienced Rider Courses are underway in Rapid City and Pierre, and I plan on adding some in Sioux Falls soon now that the ERC range is open. To see the course calendar go to www.southdakotasafetycouncil.org.
Lastly we are in need of more business cards to hand out for recruiting. We need something that is a little more weather resistant than what we had before. So we need something more than what Staples can provide, like an embossed type card or similar. Does anyone have a line on a good printer in town?

Ride Safe.

Chad Gillen, Prez

I would like to personally apologize to Larry Flowers and all of the members of the club for not getting my facts straight before printing the May President’s Message. I was incorrect in stating that he has never owned a BMW motorcycle. Larry owned a BMW in the past, but he did not own one at the time of joining the Autobahn Society. Which is still in violation of membership criteria of the 1977 bylaws, and still a reason to examine our bylaws. Again, I am sorry for not getting the facts straight before writing my message. The last thing I wanted to do by becoming President was to anger or begrudge anyone. I love BMW’s, I love riding, I love our club, and I want to see it grow.

Chad “skid” Gillen, Prez
www.autobahnsociety.blogspot.com

May 2009 President's Message

First and foremost, let me start by saying that amending the bylaws was not my idea. This task was put onto me at the annual meeting. Now it has come to our attention that there are two sets of bylaws, one circa 1977 and one circa 1988. It has also come into question, which one we are operating under, and to me that is one good reason to go through the bylaws again. Also we currently have a member and officer of the club that is not and has never been BMW owner, but nothing was done to prevent this and now a precedent has been set. Which is a second good reason to go through the bylaws. And any suggested amended bylaws will be voted on by the membership of the club before acceptance. So the bylaw committee will continue to meet and come up with something that everyone will agree on.
Next, is a reminder to be careful riders and set a good example for others to follow. In the last month I have arrested two motorcycle riders for DWI, one Beemer & one HD, and both had twice the legal limit for blood alcohol content. I have investigated one sportbike injury accident that easily could have been a fatality. And I know three scooter riders that wrecked their scooters on simple right turns at intersections. So lets be careful out there and not be a statistic.
Breakfast at Arlene’s in Alcester was a success. At least in the sense that those who came had fun, and the food was great and cheap. We all know that BMW riders love a good deal. Sadly only eight Autobahners and only ONE Big Sioux Rider showed. The Big Sioux Riders should plan the next group meet, I say.
Lastly, I’m looking for pictures and logos to put on the blogspot website. If you have some in .jpeg or .gif format please send them to me so I can post them and dress up the site.


Chad “skid” Gillen, Prez
www.autobahnsociety.blogspot.com