MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON

The business meeting held during our August conference in Portsmouth was certainly a humbling experience for me. It was with great hesitation that I accepted the nomination for and became the new Chairperson of the Association. There are so many others who have much more experience than I, and who are certainly better known. On 1 September 1993, the Utah rider training program was instituted and I was appointed the state coordinator. My "debut" with the SMSA was in February 1994, in San Antonio. It was a great experience to meet other administrators and a wonderful surprise to benefit from the open willingness of so many to share their expertise and knowledge. Every Association member I have met has shown a willingness not only to share with others, but also a desire for others to succeed. It is that attitude which allowed me to accept the nomination to be your chairperson.

Over the past few years, the SMSA has made great strides in addressing areas of concern and interest to the membership. New and innovative methods and programs have evolved as a result of the tireless efforts of many. The SMSA is a tremendous organization. By working together and sharing our various experiences and knowledge, we will make the SMSA the place to come to for assistance and to get answers, as well as the place to which we can send ideas that worked and can be shared. We can draw the states together - enhance our unity - by providing state administrators what they need to run their programs. That is a great challenge because of the immense diversity in the needs, interests, and resources of our members. As a membership, we have the knowledge, expertise, and ability to meet almost any challenge and, by tapping into the great wealth of ideas and experiences, we can work together to solve the various challenges of running state programs.

Probably the most significant achievement of the Association in 1998, was the establishment and filling of the position of Executive Director. It is unbelievable how much time and effort Karen Kadar dedicated to her duties as Chairperson. Members of the Executive Committee recognized that there would probably be no one who could accomplish as much as Karen did for the SMSA and still run a state-wide program. There is also an ever growing need for the Association to be represented at conferences and conventions of other organizations, as well as periodic liaison visits with other agencies and corporations. I don't believe anyone, except Jim Kadar, knows how dedicated Karen is to the SMSA, its membership and its goals. How very fortunate we are to have Karen continuing as Executive Director to help guide the progress of the Association!

During the Executive Committee meeting in November, we reviewed the duties and responsibilities of the regional representatives. As a result of that review, we decided to refocus some of our efforts so that we might better serve the membership. The regional representatives were challenged to have more frequent and meaningful contacts with each of the state administrators. We cannot be expected to assist our members unless we know their needs. There was excited agreement in redirecting our efforts and the benefits that will result.

Looking back, we see many steps forward taken by the Association in 1998. There have been changes to unify, strengthen, and expand the Association. We thank each of you for your contributions and support during the past year. We are especially grateful to our corporate and professional members which have provided fantastic support throughout the year - especially during our conferences! Looking forward, we see greater strength and unity in the Association as we better serve our members.
 

ALBERT F. THORNTON
Chairperson
 

OFFICERS AND REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
 

Albert F. Thornton, Chairperson
Erik Eriksen, Treasurer/Central Region Representative
Terry Butler, Vice Chairperson/Central Region Representative
Agnes Mical, Eastern Region Representative
Karen Kadar, Past Chairperson and Executive Director
Morgan Keene, Western Region Representative
Brook Chipman, Secretary/Eastern Region Representative
Ron Shepard, Western Region Representative
 

MEMBERSHIP

At the end of 1998, the membership of the Association consisted of the following:

Allstate Indemnity Insurance
American Automobile Association
American Motorcyclist Association
American Motorcycle Institute
American Suzuki Motor Company
Bell Helmets
Buell Motorcycle Company
Dairyland Insurance Company
Ehlert Publishing Group, Inc.
Excelsior-Henderson
Goldwing Road Riders Association
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
John Ball Insurance/USIS
K&K Insurance Group, Inc.
Kawasaki Motors Corporation, USA
Motoport
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
Motorcycle Safety Foundation
NHTSA
Progressive Insurance Company
SAGA Advertising
Snell Memorial Foundation
Yamaha Motor Corporation, Inc.

The Association holds membership in the following organizations:

AAMVA
AMA
ADTSEA
NAGHSR

The winter conference was conducted in Reno, Nevada. Over 50 participated in the conference and were provided good ideas and training to take back to their states. A big thanks to Jim Utterback for the great work he did as host state to make the conference a success.

During their press conference on 4 March, in Daytona, Harley-Davidson provided the SMSA with a 10 minute spot to promote the "License to Ride" campaign. The SMSA booth was also set up in the Harley-Davidson building for Bike Week.

The Executive Committee voted to establish a web page for the Association. The page, www.smsa.org, was up and running in July. Visit the page and see what's happening.

The August conference in Portsmouth, Virginia, was absolutely the best yet! If you were not able to attend, you missed some great presentations which provided insightful ideas into conducting state programs and dealing with others. During the business meeting of the conference, the Association held elections to replace the Chairperson and four regional representatives. Special thanks to Bruce Biondo and his staff for an excellent hosting job!

The 1997 State Motorcycle Program Survey was completed and distributed at the August conference. Thanks to Jim Blow and Northern Illinois University for the work of compiling the Survey. Also, we appreciate Dairyland Insurance for printing 1,000 additional copies for us to use at NAGHSR, ADTSEA, Lifesavers, and other Association functions in 1999.

In August, The Executive Committee created an "Emeritus Member" category which allows the Association to recognize and honor individuals who have served in the field of motorcycle safety for more than fifteen years, and who have retired from active service or who have had a change in responsibilities and no longer are involved in motorcycle safety. The first individuals honored by the Committee are Don Smith, Michigan State University; Alan Robinson, ADTSEA; and Bob Philpot, Colorado.

In February, the membership approved the recommendation of the Executive Committee to create the position of Executive Director. A search and review process was conducted by the Executive Committee. After examination of the applications submitted, the position was offered to Karen Kadar, who accepted, effective 1 September 1998. The Executive Committee will annually review the continued need for the position and the performance of the incumbent.

During the August conference, the following three ad-hoc committees were established: Instructor Recruitment, Ranges, and Motorcycles. Anyone interested in contributing to or participating on one of the committees should contact a member of the Executive Committee.

After much consideration, and with the concurrence of the MSF, the Curriculum Advisory Committee was dissolved in December 1998. Members are encouraged to continue to submit suggestions and questions concerning training curriculum to their respective regional representatives or to any member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will review all input and either offer recommendations and assistance or, if appropriate, forward the concerns to the MSF for consideration. We extend our thanks and appreciation to each member who served on the CAC for the time and efforts expended on behalf of the Association and membership.
 
 

BEGINNING BALANCE - 1 JANUARY 1998                                                                        $25,042.80

INCOME Membership Dues - 1998                             $18,665.00
Membership Dues - 1999                             $25,745.00
Conferences
August 1997                                                      $150.00
February 1998                                                $6,968.76
August 1998                                                 $47,984.10
February 1999                                                   $390.00
NHTSA Grants                                             $41,941.96
Other
Harley-Davidson - Bike Week                        $2,247.43
Progressive - Computer Quiz                             $297.00
WOW Scholarship Donations                         $1,283.00
Product Sales                                                 $9,376.00

                TOTAL INCOME                                                                     $155,048.25

EXPENDITURES

Conferences February 1998                                      $5,420.33
August 1998                                       $35,853.65
August 1999                                            $426.88 National Office Expenses                              $25,157.13
Administrative Expenses                                 $9,669.25
Executive Director                                          $3,000.00
Executive Committee Travel                           $9,210.72
SMSA Expansion & Recruitment                   $9,012.21
Professional Memberships                             $1,900.00
1998 Annual Survey                                           $35.88
Technical Assistance                                      $3,486.50
WOW Tuition Scholarships                           $1,600.00
Program Assessment                                     $5,998.76
Curriculum Advisory Committee                       $942.89
NHTSA Licensing Project                           $29,845.03
Professional Development                                 $202.53
Money Market Deposit **                            $5,000.00
  TOTAL EXPENDITURES                                                      $146,761.76

**Money Market Account Balance as of 12-31-98 = $5,233.20
 

BALANCE AS OF 31 DECEMBER 1998                                                                                          $33,329.29