Press Releases, News & Notes
October, 1997

NCOM BOARD MEETS
Organizational Committees Set Direction and Focus

NCOM, October 24-25,1997 - As the National Coalition of Motorcyclists' Board of Directors sat down at the familiar "U' shaped meeting table for the 25th time in twelve years, the mood was different...the excitement and enthusiasm of steering the vast NCOM organization was evident, but the optimism at seeing NCOM arise from recent barrages to become even stronger, tighter and more effective set the tone for the meeting. ABATE of Georgia hosted the NCOM board meeting and Regions V & VI Regional Meeting & Seminar at the Atlanta Days Inn Airport, October 2~25, and deserve kudos for their hospitality and professionalism.

The board met in executive session on Friday, Oct. 24 to review goals of the meeting and make administrative decisions. By unanimous vote, the board approved two new members of The NCOM Board of Directors: Torn Dulee, State Coordinator of ABATE of New York, as director for Region VIII (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont): and Roger "Priest" Hum, Chairman of the Board for the Modified Motorcycle Association (MMA) of Arizona as co-director for Region IX (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah). The board also confirmed two new members of the NCOM Legislative Task Force: Virginia State Delegate Jackie Stump and Florida State Representative Nancy Argenziano, both avid motorcyclists and strong supporters of motorcyclists' issues in their state legislatures.

New NCOM member organizations were then introduced to the board; the Cruisers Clubs of America and the Pennsylvania Coalition of Motorcyclists. The board was also informed that the Concerned Bikers Association of North Cam/ins recently voted unanimously to rejoin NCOM.

Members of the board then broke out into organizational committees to discuss and address areas of concern. It was decided to eliminate the Marketing/Public Relations Committee as those areas are the responsibility of the central office. Major recommendations of those committees are:

Budget & Finance Committee: That NCOM should accept no outside grants or funding other than through the AIM attomey network, so as to avoid conflicts of interest: To promote AIM legal services within NCOM member groups to ensure continued funding at the current level of $250,000 per year: To promote NCOM pins, patches and stamps to generate money for the Freedom Fund, over which the board has discretion.

Organizational Structure Committee: To produce a Policy & Procedures Manual for board members, describing duties, responsibilities and all AIM/NCOM programs:

MRO Services Committee: Discussed how to 'reach out' to attract more minority riders groups; and the possibility of creating web sites for NCOM member groups. Will produce a catalog of AIM and NCOM services. The board will also look into the feasibility of providing access to reasonably priced event liability insurance for NCOM member groups.

Meeting/Convention/Event Planning Committee: Focused on the upcoming NCOM Convention in Dallas/Fort Worth next May; the theme will be "Reaching Out," and in addition to the usual meetings and seminars will feature a discussion of the Intelligent Transportation System ), a Motorcycle Insurance Forum, International Legislation and Its Effect on Your Future, and a motivational seminar by Slider Gilmore. The board nominated and voted on Silver Spoke Award recipients, and they also picked alternates in case any of those selected are unable to personally attend the NCOM Convention to receive their awards. Those who have already confirmed include: Government, shared between South Dakota State Representative Jim Putnam and Wisconsin State Senator Dave ten: Legal, Florida AIM Attorney Steve Tishler, and the Ron Roloff Lifetme Achievement Award which will be presented to Charlie Umbenhauer, Legislative Coordinator for ABATE of Pennsylvania. Those awards not yet confirmed include Commerce and Entertainment while nominations am still being considered for Media and the Fred Hill International Award.

The board will meet again during the NCOM Convention next May 7-9.1998, to review these recommendations and continue the committee process to further the goals and objectives of NCOM as a national resource and benefit to state motorcycle rights organizations around the country. Make plans now for the 13th Annual NCOM Convention to be hosted by the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association, the Texas Motorcycle Roadriders Association, and the Confederations of Clubs of Texas, at the Harvey Hotel & Suites in Irving, Texas, next Mothers' Day weekend.