CBA/ABATE NC of GASTON COUNTY

PO Box 22

Lowell, NC 28098

Newsletter – September 2017

WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLES AND SAVE A LIFE!

To our Members & Friends of Gaston CBA

CBA / ABATE of NC, GASTON COUNTY September 2017 2016 NC Legislative Chapter of Year

NC Chapter of the Year: 2007, 2010, 2012 & 2013

PO Box 22, Lowell, NC 28098 / www.gastoncountycba.com

President’s Message— OUR MEETING DAY & TIME HAS CHANGED BACK TO THE 2ND TUESDAY EVERY MONTH AT 7PM. Our September meeting will be held on the 12th at the Remedies Restaurant Bar & Lounge, 1225 Union Rd, Gastonia NC. Remedies on the right hand side going south on Union Rd after you cross Garrison. Please mark this on your calendar. I have been procrastinating about writing this article because I've been sitting in front of the TV watching the horrible situation in Texas. Just like all the rest of the very damaging weather issues that have happened during my lifetime, they seem to get worse as I get older. If you can help, please do so even if it's $5. Most of us know someone or have friends & family that live in those areas, so please keep those folks in your thoughts and prayers. They will be going through a difficult time for months to come so they will need our support for a long time. September is a very Important month in the life of Gaston CBA. We come together to nominate our officers for 2018. We need you! We need members to step up and run for office. Since we don't have the Homestead anymore, our work load won't be nearly as bad or complicated, so please consider getting involved. For those members that didn't "like" the Homestead and wouldn't participate because of it - this is your chance to come back and help. A list of duties for each office is listed in this newsletter, so please refer to it and see where you can be of help. Let’s get back to what we were organized to do. We can’t survive without you and your help. I know you are aware of the “burned out syn-drome,” well we are approaching that with some of our members because they are pulling the load for all the rest of us. During August we lost two of our members. Sandra Faile and Galvin "Junior" Bolen. Also James "Bud" Chaney lost his son "Lukey". I know there are others that lost family members and we are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. As most of you know, Junior died as a result of a motorcycle wreck that happened in April. This is the 2nd time we have buried a member of Gaston CBA because of a motorcycle wreck in the last 6 months, so please be careful while you are riding. I really don't like to call Mr. Beard from American Income Life and put in a claim for one of our members. It's heart breaking but it has been a life saver for those families when it came time to bury their loved ones. September is full of events for our area. Between the Hellfighters Steeple Chase, CBA State Party at Rider's Roost, the Gaston Toy Run for Kids Breakfast and Creekside Rally, you shouldn't be bored at all. You will find flyers for all these events in this newsletter. Plus the cooler weather makes for great riding so get out and do what you love to do ride! Right now our NC General Assembly and Congress is on summer recess, but that doesn't mean we aren't work-ing on your behalf. CBA members across the state are taking this opportunity to talk to their representatives about what we need and what we are concerned about. Why don't you take this opportunity to contact your representatives while they are at home and talk to them about your concerns. If you don't know why represents you, contact Donna or myself and we will help you get that information. Also our local municipalities will be having elections soon so please get to know who is running in your area and vote! We also encourage you to work for the candidate of your choice. We have always supported a day to meet the candidates, so we will be working on a location for this in the future. If you have any suggestions—please let us know. We have the “Look Twice—Save a Life” signs available again. If you would like one, two or more—come to the general meeting on the 12th and get them. They are only $5 and it will make a very nice edition to your lawn. We will also have them at Creekside. If you would like to help at Creekside at the CBA table, please let me know. We are going to need some help because Donna will be out of town at the Meeting of the Minds in Williamsburg VA. This is a meeting of different MRO (Motorcycle Rights Organizations) from across the country that come together and discuss what we need to work on and what our agenda needs to be in the future. Thanks to CBA/ABATE of NC for sponsoring Donna’s trip. Do you know someone who should be a member of CBA/ABATE of NC Gaston Chapter? If so, please download the application from our website and give it to them. Better yet—if they are a good friend and they have a birthday com-ing up, why not give them a membership in this organization? If every member would recruit one member—our membership would double. We don’t just care about the legislative part of our organization even though that is our main goal. We care about our community and what happens in it. We work for ALL bikers even if they are not members of CBA/ABATE. OK I’ve heard the old excuse “well I don’t want to belong to a club or organization.” But I’ve seen those same folks with NRA stickers on their trucks and cars. We do the same thing for bikers as the NRA does for gun owner-ship. We protect your rights to ride the bike you want to ride and wear the clothes you want to wear. Even if you never step a foot into a meeting or an event—your dues help to protect our rights as bikers. Take care and ride safe! Jill

Gaston County CBA / Meeting Minutes / August 8, 2017

Meeting was held at Remedies Bar & Grill in Gastonia with the meeting being called to order by Jill Stillwell. Pete McGinnis led us

with the opening prayer followed by Jill leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

President (Jill Stillwell) – Jill welcomed and thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. Jill thanked Remedies for providing us the

space for our meeting.

Legislation - Updates are in the newsletter and on the website.

CBA and Other Area Events –

August 12 – Scootin for Bugg Memorial Run (Kilah Davenport ride)

August 12 – Madvapes Bikes and Clouds – 2 pm – 8 pm (Madvapes of Gastonia 2524 E Franklin Blvd)

August 19 – Buncombe CBA Veterans Appreciation Run

August 26 – Travelin Light Steeple Chase Run

August 25 & 26 – Jace Man Run by Cleveland CBA & CCIB

September 5 – CBA Events Committee and Officer’s Meetings 7 pm @ Remedies Bar & Grill

September 12 – CBA General Meeting 7 pm @ Remedies Bar & Grill (food is available for purchase)

September 21-25 – Motorcycle Riders Foundation “Meeting of the Minds” in Williamsburg VA

Bike Nights: This is just a few of the area bike nights: Cycle Gear 2nd Thursday of each month, Little L’s Bar Thursday, Remedies Bar

Thursdays, Winner’s Circle Wednesdays – check their facebook page, Route 55 Thursdays, McCoys Fridays, Sonic of Lincolnton

(every other Wednesday – sponsored by Driven by Grace Ministry)

Newsletter – Anyone can submit articles of motorcycle interest for the newsletter. Just remember to site your source and include

a link if possible. Items for the newsletter are due to Jill Stillwell by the 20th each month (jillstillwell@bellsouth.net).

Vice President (Angela) – Work starting on our Polar Bear Run in January

Secretary (Donna Barnett) – We have 326 members (282 renewals, 44 Life, and 21 juniors). Please remember to contact Donna if

you have changes to your contact information (address, phone, or email) (deb2334@yahoo.com) or if you need a new membership

packet. You can save the chapter up to $25/year by receiving the newsletter online. Renewals are included in the weekly emails,

the monthly newsletter and are posted at the homestead. Memberships: single - $20, couple - $30. Motions made and accepted to

accept both the June and July minutes as posted in the August newsletter.

Treasurer (Pete McGinnis) – Pete read the treasurer’s report. Motion made and approved to accept the reports. Please contact

Pete if you have any questions about the reports or would like to see them.

Master Sergeant at Arms (Jason Beck) – Nothing new at this time.

Western District Coordinator/Sponsors (Gabby) – Not present

MSAP – Please contact Jeff Reif if you are interested in becoming the MSAP coordinator for Gaston County or an instructor.

Products – Shirts are $15 each or 2 for $25 (There are both men’s and women’s shirts). Please

see an officer if you are interested in helping with products. “Watch for Motorcycles” Gaston

County CBA decals are also available for $1.00 each.

Old Business –

New Business –

* State CBA Board of Directors Elections are currently underway (see Donna to

vote – there are no absentee ballots for state elections).

* We are currently looking into purchasing a storage building for CBA items in-

stead of renting space.

* Donna was selected at the July state CBA meeting to attend the Motorcycle

Riders Foundation “Meeting of the Minds” in Williamsburg VA in September.

Congratulations Donna.

* Yard signs have been ordered and should arrive in the next week or so. They

will be $5 each.

* From Griz Tench – CT will be selling Butt’s on October 14th for $35 each (these

will have to be pre-ordered) and BBQ plates will be available that day for $7.00

each starting at noon. Please watch for more information.

Motion made and passed to adjourn meeting and closing prayer. Respectfully submitted, Donna Barnett, Secretary

VP COLUMN— This is going to be a different news article touching base on Domestic Violence in the Biker Community. Apparently, it

is a growing problem that needs to be addressed. Please remember once the violence has started it will not stop, improve or get

better. Once someone realizes they do have the power or control over it Will Not stop. Talk to friend, co-worker or anyone that

can help in the situation. Remember you are not alone.

Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, and/or other abusive behavior as part

of a power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual vio-

lence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dra-

matically; however, the one constant component of domestic violence is one partner’s consistent efforts to main-

tain power and control over the other.

Domestic violence is epidemic affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status,

sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. It is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and control-

ling behavior that is only a fraction of a pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical

injury, psychological trauma, and in severe cases, even death. The devastating physical, emotional, and psychological

consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime. Talk to people who can provide help and

guidance.

Find a local domestic violence agency that provides counseling or support groups. Call 1-800-799-SAFE

(7233) to get a referral to one of these programs near you. If you must go to the police, court or lawyer’s office, you

may have a friend that can go along for moral support.

Be Safe and get Help!

Angela Helms, Vice President

For anonymous, confidential help available 24/7,

call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799

-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) now

Men are just as susceptible to abuse as women so

this article is not just for our lady bikers.

GASTON CBA & AREA EVENTS

September 5 —7:00: Events Committee; 7:30: Officers Meeting @ Remedies on Union Road September 9—Hellfighters 5th Annual Steeplechase (see flyer) September 10—Benefit for Brother Blue at the Dixie Drifters, 1157 W Franklin Blvd., Gastonia September 12—CBA Meeting at the Remedies, 1225 Union Rd., Gastonia NC—Come early and eat supper at Remedies. The food is really good! September 15-17—CBA/ABATE of NC State Party at Riders Roost (see flyer) September 16—Gaston Toy Run for Kids Breakfast (see flyer) September 22-24—Fall Creekside Rally (see flyer)

Bike Nights are held at several locations around the area: Cycle Gear 2nd Thursday of each month. Route 55—Thursday, Remedies-Thursday, Little L’s—Thursday, Tavern 24—Thursday. Winner’s Circle–various

Wednesdays but check their Facebook page. Sonic Lincolnton– Every other Wednesday (Grace Ministry).

Information for the newsletter must be sent to Jill by the 20th of the month. Let us know what kind of articles you would like to see. Also let us how can we improve our newsletter. We try to include all the events of other organizations, but sometimes space prevents this in the printed version, so we encourage you to also view it online. We encourage all clubs & organizations to sent us their event flyers and also become members of Gaston Concerned Bikers Association.

<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none"

src="https://www.fa2002 13TH Avenue Drive, SE

Hickory NC 28602

828 412-8812

www.blueridgehd.com

The MRF does in Washington what our CBA/

ABATE of NC does here. We need both

organizations to succeed if we are to have a

voice or say in the laws that pertain to bikers.

Plus MRF also offers (to their members) a free

accidental life insurance policy.

Please consider joining today!

In Memory of Sandra Faile

Member of

Gaston CBA & Carolina Thunder

In Memory of Junior Bolen

Member of the Southern Gentlemen

& Gaston CBA

Harley Davidson of Charlotte NC

Gaston County CBA is proud to announce that Harley

Davidson of Charlotte is offering to donate $75.00 to

anyone (CBA member or not) who purchases a new

or used motorcycle. Cut out the referral card

(above) and take it with you when you go look and if

you buy, present the card and the donation will be

made to us. Harley Davidson of Charlotte has been a

long time sponsor of Gaston CBA and we appreciate

their interest in our organization and the rights of

bikers. We will put the referral card on our website

and it will be in the newsletter every month. You

can always open the website on your phone and

show it the salesman. Thanks in advance!

Credit Cards

Accepted

We have “Look Twice Save A Life” signs available now for only $5! We will have them at the

officers meeting on the 5th, at the General Meeting on the 12th and at Creekside on the 22nd-

24th. This sign would make a great addition to your lawn or at your business.

BUY A SIGN -

AND JUST MAYBE SOMEONE WILL GET THE MESSAGE

Elections for chapter officers will be held the first meeting in October of each year. Officers shall be elected to serve from January 1 to December 31 of each year, and are elected by a simple majority of those members present at the election.

Nominations for chapter officers will be held at the first meeting in September. Any member may nominate a person for office except as noted in Article I, Sections 9 and 10.

Elections will be by secret ballot. Ballots are to be counted before the members at that meeting.

Any member unable to attend an election may give his/her absentee vote in writing in a sealed envelope to any chapter officer or mail to the chapter post office box one week prior to that election. All absen-tee votes shall be submitted on an original, numbered ballot provided by the chapter and verified by the chapter Master Sgt. At Arms.

If a chapter office is vacated, an election will be held for that office no sooner than the next regular meeting, but within 45 days.

Chapter officers shall include, but may not be limited to: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Master Sergeant at Arms, Sergeant at Arms, and Legislative Coordinator.

The Chapter President is chairperson for the local chapter meetings, and is directly responsible to CBA/ABATE of NC for all actions and decisions. It shall be his/her responsibility to keep the State Presi-dent, State Executive Council and State Board of Directors informed as to what is going on in his/her chapter. The Chapter President’s signature may be one of two signatures on the chapter check-ing account.

The Chapter Vice President shall act in place of the Chapter President in the event of his/her absence. The Chapter Vice President shall maintain communications between other CBA/ABATE of NC chapters and shall also perform any duties requested by the Chapter President. His/her signature may be one of two signatures on the chapter checking account.

The Chapter Secretary shall keep full and fair records of all proceedings and transactions at all chapter meetings, including officers meetings. He/she shall maintain a membership roster of all chapter members. Membership applications shall be handled as stated in the By-Laws Section 1, #4 and mailed to Membership Services. The Chapter Secretary shall keep the State Secretary and

State Information Director informed at all times of the time, place, and date of all chapter meetings,

And shall inform the State Secretary of any chapter officer changes, and prepare a detailed and fully complete quarterly chapter activity summary to present to the State Secretary at meetings of the State Executive Council. The Chapter Secretary shall also insure responsibility of the chapter letter for the state newsletter by writing it him/herself or by delegating the letter to someone else within the chapter.

The Chapter Treasurer shall maintain detailed financial records for the chapter, using a standardized sys-tem of recording expenditures and income. He/she shall forward to the State Treasurer any monies due the State Treasury for membership dues, product sales, chapter event assessments and/or donations to the State Treasury. These monies shall be forwarded to the State Treasurer within ninety (90) days of the event or collection of income. The Chapter Treasurer shall present to the State Treasurer a quarterly financial report for the state records, at the State Executive Council meetings. Membership applications shall be handled as stated in the By-Laws Section 1, Subsec-tion 3). The Chapter Treasurer’s signature must be one of two signatures on the chapter checking account.

The Master Sergeant at Arms shall maintain order at all chapter meetings and functions, supervise secret ballots, and be available to the State Vice President for security arrangements at state functions.

Sergeant at Arms shall maintain order and be under the direction of the Master Ser-geant at Arms.

Legislative Coordinator shall keep our mem-bers informed of what is going on in our General Assembly.

2017 GASTON CBA OFFICERS If you have any questions, suggestions or complaints concerning YOUR Chapter, please contact your officers.

MASTER SERGENT AT ARMS: Jason Beck 704 472-8674 iamjbeck@yahoo.com

PRESIDENT & NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Jill Stillwell 704 922-5437 / 704 913-7281 jillstillwell@bellsouth.net VICE PRESIDENT: Angela Helms 980 429-3948 bcecarrigan@gmail.com

SECRETARY: Donna Barnett 704 287-4309 deb2334@yahoo.com

Gaston CBA Treasurer’s Report July 2017

Beginning Balance : $ 1,370.24 Income: $ 1,500.00 Newsletter sponsor $ 110.00 New & Renewals

Total Income: $ 2,120.00 Expenses: $ 78.29 Storage Boxes $ 50.00 Internet $ 1,259.33 Membership Expense $ 238.80 Newsletter $ 93.62 Trash Total Expenses: $ 1,720.04 Ending Balance (7/31/2017) - $ 1,770.20

Respectfully submitted by: Pete McGinnis,

Treasurer for CBA & Homestead—If you have any

questions at all about the CBA or Homestead report,

please contact Pete at the information listed below.

Homestead Treasurer’s Report

July 2017

Beginning Balance: ( $2,519.33)

Income:

$ 629.00 Concession stand donations

Total Income: $ 629.00

Expenses:

$ 100.00 Storage Building

$ 350.00 Power Bill

Total Expenses: $ 450.00

Ending Balance – (7/31/2017) (2,340.33)

. This will be the last report for the Homestead. All

money from the sale of items at the Homestead will

be put into the CBA account (to pay back what the

Homestead owes CBA).

SERGEANT

AT ARMS

James Jordan Geno Pennington

TREASURER: Pete McGinnis 704 616-7152 mcginnis.pete@gmail.com