MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON

The year 2001 proved to be a very interesting and active year for the Association. We progressed to a new level despite several challenging issues and situations, a few of which were:

1. Unexpected changes in the officers and membership of the Executive Committee.
2. Creation of the Business Manager position to handle the ever-increasing daily administrative matters of the Association.
3. Relocation of our national office to Centennial, Colorado.

Once again, it was the support of our members that made such a great difference and allowed the changes to be accomplished in a smooth and professional manner.

A very significant step forward for the SMSA came during our Business Meeting in Reno. Early in the year, the Executive Committee found that the current dues schedule would not provide sufficient funds for the Association to be proactive in providing meaningful support to our members in these times of increasing training demands and decreasing fiscal means. The paramount desire of the Committee was to see the Association move forward and to provide the membership with effective support to meet future needs. The Committee struggled for several months to create a new and equitable schedule of annual dues for the voting members. When the new dues schedule was presented at the Business Meeting, the membership overwhelmingly voted to increase the proposed amounts by substantially more than what had been presented. That was a resounding vote of confidence and gave notice to the Executive Committee that the membership wants the SMSA to become a more viable and active source to support members’ efforts in providing the best training possible in motorcycle rider safety.

The August conference in Reno, Nevada was absolutely one of the best! Thanks to a lot of hard work and long hours of all who were involved in planning and organizing the conference, those who attended the conference were well rewarded. Each year the Executive Committee tried to determine what you, the membership, want and what would best assist you in your programs and training efforts. We would appreciate your recommendations for activities and topics to be addressed during our conferences. Please don’t hesitate to tell your Regional Representative or me what you would like presented at our August annual conferences.

I wish to thank each of you for your support and your participation in the Association. Please consider becoming more active in the Association. There is always a need for individuals to serve on our three standing committees and of course, we also need members to serve on the Executive Committee to represent their respective regions. Serving on the Executive Committee is a wonderful experience and a great opportunity to contribute to and participate in the growth of the SMSA. Yes, it does take extra time and effort, but the satisfaction of having served the Association is very rewarding. I am most grateful for the opportunity given me to serve and hope you will continue to support the Association and participate in activities that will move the SMSA to a greater and more significant role in improving rider training.

ALBERT F. THORNTON
Chairperson       

OFFICERS AND REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
 

Albert F. Thornton, Chairperson
Ron Shepard, Vice Chairperson/Western Region Representative
Tom Guerrant, Secretary/Central Region Representative
Bob Secrest, Treasurer/Central Region Representative
Ray Gaulin, Eastern Region Representative
Ken Kiphart, Western Region Representative
John Stokes, Eastern Region Representative

MEMBERSHIP

At the conclusion of 2001, the membership of the Association consisted of the following:

45 member states
No military branches
78 individual memberships
and the following 

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2001

On January 26, 2001 Chairperson Morgan Keene sent a message to the Executive Committee indicating that she was resigning her position as Chairperson. On January 29, 2001, the Vice Chairperson, Albert Thornton, sent a message to all voting members, notifying them of Ms. Keene's resignation. Albert also included in his message that he was assuming the role of the Chairperson position, in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.

In February 2001, the Executive Committee reviewed proposals and applications for the new position of Business Manager. A conference call was conducted to discuss the needs of the Association and reviewed the applicants and proposals to ascertain which applicant best matched the needs of the Association. Ms. L. Ruth Wilson of Colorado was selected. A contract was subsequently executed with Ms. Wilson.

During February and March 2001, the business office of the Association was moved from Fridley, MN to Centennial, CO. To ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Erik Eriksen, former SMSA Treasurer from Iowa, traveled to Fridley and Centennial to help relocate the office. In addition to briefing Ruth on the purpose and focus of the Association, Erik assisted her in sorting through and setting up files, records, and other business related materials, which had been moved from Fridley.

On March 1, 2001, the position of Executive Director was eliminated. On that same date, the new position of Business Manager was instituted.

During March of 2001, Clifton Burdette of Texas was appointed by the Chair to fill the vacant Western Regional Representative position that was caused by the resignation of Morgan Keene.

Also in March 2001, Ron Thompson of Wisconsin was appointed Chair of the Government and Industry Affairs Committee.

In August 2001, the annual Business Meeting and Conference was conducted in Reno, Nevada. The Conference was a spectacular success with many break out sessions and after-hours tours to old West towns. Conference attendees also experienced gambling in the big city after hours. During the business meeting, members voted on new regional representatives and a change in dues structure.

Also presented in Reno was a four-hour professional development workshop "Motorcycle Fleet Management," attended by 67 attendees. Course materials included a comprehensive notebook and a compact disk. The workshop evaluation identified the workshop as well received and the information provided was very useful. The goal of this workshop was to provide administrators with a resource for establishing as well as effectively and efficiently maintaining a fleet of rider education motorcycles.

In October 2001, Karen Kadar, Minnesota, was appointed Chair of the Public Information and Education Committee.

The October 2001 Executive Committee meeting was held in Boise, Idaho — site of the 2002 Conference. During this meeting, a number of decisions were reached, including the subject and presenter for the PDW for the August 2002 conference. North Carolina was selected to host the 2004 Conference. The original Mission Statement of the Association was revisited and updated to reflect the Association’s role. The new Mission Statement is:

"The National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators is dedicated to serving the needs and interests of state motorcycle safety administrators and programs by advocating motorcycle safety and fostering and promoting the exchange of ideas and resources"

Also in 2001, a new motorcycle-related Web page, Motorcycle Awareness, was established with a grant from NHTSA. The web site contains ideas, samples, and other usable information about Motorcycle Awareness. It also serves as a link to and from the SMSA Web site. The new site is located at www.motorcycleawareness.com