ABATE of Michigan President ~ Gary Kopta

Hello everyone,

 Well some of us got our first taste of winter over the weekend. I wound up with 4 inches of snow on my deck. Looks like its gonna warm up and melt away during the week but it was just a nasty reminder of whats coming.

Today Jim Rhoades, Bear and myself met with our lobbyist Noel. We are coming up with a plan for next year and have a few things to start on this year. Nothing will get done until next year because of the fact that the elected officials will be on breaks through the holidays. But we are still going to get a start on things this year. You can help by visiting the politicians in district at their coffee hours and just say hi and let them know you are an ABATE member and let them know that the legislative team will be contacting them about our issues soon. Let them know that the legislative team represents you. Please don't try to talk about things your not sure of. The last thing we need is a bunch of misinformation going out. If they are hearing different versions of what's going on it makes us look unprofessional and like we dont know what we are doing. If they ask you a question and you're not sure of the answer just say the legislative team will speak to them and then call Bear and let him know who you talked to and if he needs to contact them. 

Merry and her committee are working hard on the seminar and it looks like it will be a good time. I just got word from Merry that we can have our own drinks and food in the ballroom. So now everyone can hang together and enjoy each others company. Hope to see everyone there. 

The company that offers our death and dismemberment insurance has new services to offer. I am going to ask Silla to post a copy of the programs they are now offering. (Thanks Silla). Things like Estate planning and child safe kit among others. So please contact them if you are interested in getting information. 

  Other news is the raffle will be a cash raffle instead of bike raffle this year. The board voted on the change because every year the motorcycle raffle was making less and less money. First prize will be $10,000.00, 2nd prize $5,000.00, 3rd prize $2000.00 and two $500.00 prizes. We will see how this turns out and revisit the raffle next year. If every member would buy or sell one book of tickets our financial problems would pretty much disappear. If you break it down it amounts to about $10.00 a month. 

  On a last note make sure you have a good thanksgiving

Ride safe if you can still ride.