ABATE of Michigan President ~ Gary Kopta

Hello everyone,

    I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays with family and friends.

While your hanging with your family and friends have you ever mentioned ABATE to your riding non member friends? Maybe bring up a fun event that ABATE has sponsored or something like that. I have had people tell me they don't want to get involved with organizations. Let them know that they can be as involved as they want to be. Let them know we are not just the helmet guys. We are the people that are trying to keep motorcycling as enjoyable as it can be. Ask them if they know about the insurance disaster that could end up bankrupting them if they are involved in an underinsured motor vehicle accident. Ask them if they know about the bill to make our bikes quiet. I believe loud pipes save lives. 

    I bring all this up because we are looking to increase our membership. At the seminar I will be introducing a membership incentive program. Which is another reason to attend the seminar besides all the great breakout sessions and guest speakers Pam has lined up. 

    The seminar will mark my first full year as your ABATE of Michigan President. I will say it has been overwhelming at times, difficult at times but most of all it has been fun. I really didn't know what to expect and I just didn't want to screw things up. It's been a year of decision making. Some good and some bad. It's been a year of more public speaking than I'm used to. Which is not one of my strong suits. But most of all I seen alot of respect and patience for me as President from board, from membership and even from lawmakers and bureaucrats in Lansing. We need to continue to play the political game that goes on in order to stay relevant and function in Lansing. 

    Try to enjoy the winter and get everything ready for spring.

Stay warm and ride when you can.