 The Leading Edge - Summer 2006
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In this Issue...
Welcome to the fifth electronic version of The Leading Edge, the SMSA's official newsletter.
As we try to stay cool in thie midst of summer, we hope you will find this issue refreshingly enlightening.
The 2006 Motorcycle Safety Conference is right around the corner, and it's not too late to register. The SMSA is also happy to introduce a new Emeritus Associate Membership category. Read on to learn more...
Is there something you would like to see included in The Leading Edge? If so, send it our way: LeadingEdge@smsa.org.
We look forward to receiving your feedback!
Mission Statement
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.
2006 SMSA National Motorcycle Safety Conference
Austin, Texas ~ August 19-20, 2006
By Clifton Burdette
 On behalf of the State of Texas, the City of Austin, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Motorcycle Safety Program, I’d like to invite you to the 2006 SMSA National Motorcycle Safety Conference. What better location than Austin to have a conference with a theme of expanding your horizon.
Austin is a young-at-heart and vibrant community of about 750,000 residents that call our fine community and the Texas Hill Country home. Austin’s laid-back life style is conducive to those wishing to think or look outside of the box for answers to their questions. A prime local example is of a young man named Michael was attending the University of Texas. He decided that he could do better on his own building a few computers in his garage. Today Dell Computers is the largest computer company anywhere. Michael Dell is only one of many that have looked at Austin as a place where they could look outside the box to “Expand their Horizons.”
 The SMSA National Motorcycle Safety Conference is loaded with topics for discussion that will help you and your program, state or local, Expand your Horizons. The conference opening ceremonies feature the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Honor Guard and welcoming comments from David McEathron, TXDPS Assistant Director. Mark Sassman, retired TXDPS officer, is the keynote speaker and will provide a customized presentation designed with the “Expanding your Horizon” theme in mind.
After lunch the first day and throughout the remainder of the conference there will be a barrage of breakout sessions. No less than five sessions at one time. Visit the SMSA website at www.smsa.org for additional information regarding breakout sessions that will be provided.
Each session will start at the scheduled time and as always with a round of door prize drawings so don’t be late or you may miss out. During the conference closing there will be a number of significant door prizes such as the unique, collectible item shown here.
Not to worry, there will be a vendor on hand Sunday to make sure all of your items are carefully packaged and shipped to your home.
 So, as the saying goes, ya’ll come on down to Austin and network with the nation’s best motorcycle safety professionals and “Expand your Horizons.”
See Ya There...
Sunday Afternoon Breakout Session seeking Contestants
We are seeking 8 contestants to bring your best classroom concepts to this session. You will have 7 minutes to set up, introduce and complete your segment. You may do whatever you can in the allotted time. You may choose to lecture, roll play or whatever it takes to present your concept. Contestants will be limited to Units II, III, and IV of the Rider Handbook. Any special props, effects or people to help you will be your responsibility. Judging will be a special format preformed by your piers with the winner takes all prize. (A serial numbered picture of Benjamin Franklin, valued at $100.00)
We are limited to only 8 contestants so sign up early. Sign up by emailing Karl Snell kwsnell@bellsouth.net and place “Seven Minute Challenge” in the subject line.
In the unfortunate event that this contest is not closed out prior to the conference starting there will be a sign up form at registration.
State Survey Report Highlights Summary now available
Jenne Meyer, Communications Chair, has compiled a summary of responses from the past years’ State Surveys. Download the PDF version of the report here.
Collection of data for the 2005 State Survey is underway over the coming weeks.
Keeping the Passion Alive
By Jenne Meyer, Communications Chair
I once heard someone refer to those older than me as “experienced”. I love this term; it certainly provides the respect, experience, and knowledge to those who have spent many years doing what they do best. It also scares me when I realize that someone with all this experience might be departing and moving on to their next lifestage (retirement, here I come!). So what do we do about the tribal knowledge that exists with us? How do we ensure that the next generation will continue to lead with the same objective and passion that we do?
Here are some suggested steps to consider in transitioning to new leadership:
- Think about potential successors, work with organization to identify potential successors
- Identify if there are key skills or needed information that this individual could benefit from before taking over a new role. Develop tools or plans to convey key information
- Develop a transition process. Is this process a quick and complete move or are there projects that the individual could be involved on to ease into a new role
- Introduce new stakeholders and avenues in which the individual could develop stakeholder relationships
All of these steps may not be feasible for your organization, but I would think about how you can impact the next generation to ensure the passion for rider education is continued. Two questions alone could make a difference. Have you thought about who might take over? And have you given them every chance of succeeding?
There will be a session at this year's conference “The Passing of the Torch: Preparing Your Program for the Next Generation of Leadership” to review these steps and more. Be sure to attend.
What are you doing to keep the passion alive?
Join or Renew your SMSA Supporting Membership during the August 2006 National Motorcycle Safety Conference
Make sure to visit the SMSA table during the conference to join or renew your SMSA supporting membership.
Your membership assists the SMSA in our continuing efforts to improve motorcycle safety throughout the nation while providing you with valuable membership benefits such as:
- Access to restricted reports on the SMSA website
- The Leading Edge Newsletter
- Email communications
- Membership Card
SMSA Supporting Memberships are effective September 1st through August 31st on an annual basis.
Annual Membership Dues $35.00
NEW! SMSA now offers a two-year discounted supporting membership.
Sign up for two-years and receive a $5.00 per year discount!
Two-year membership dues are $60.00.
For more information on supporting memberships, please visit our website at
http://www.smsa.org/membership/supporting_members/
New Emeritus Associate Membership Category
The SMSA now offers an Emeritus Associate Membership. Each applicant for membership as an Emeritus Associate member must be an individual retired or transferred from the position of State Administrator or State Coordinator of a state motorcycle safety program. Emeritus Associate members who serve on standing committees shall be entitled to vote on issues relating to that standing committee.
Dues are $35 – for one-year or $60 – for two-years.
Memberships are effective January 1 through December 31 annually.
For additional information and membership application, please click on the link below:
http://www.smsa.org/membership/emeritus_assoc_members/
A reminder of our goals and the student-focused aims of Enlightenment
By Jenne Meyer, Communications Chair
Refreshing the Message—Doing it with E’s: We are to be reminded that the pillars of excellence should continue to be our credo as we provide the product of education to our students. However, with the charge to Engage, Encourage, Energize, and Enlighten, we must also make sure that we become Efficient and Effective with our efforts to deliver Edutainment. Our goal is not to become class clowns or to only entertain our students, but to make sure that we are using the best classroom management techniques and strategies to create the best learning environment possible. With all of these E’s, we must also, create an attitude that executes excellence.
Your Regional Representatives
Eastern Region
Mr. Chad Burns
(Term expires 8/2007)
Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program
5036 Highway 85
Forest Park, Georgia 30297-2405
Phone: 404-669-2950
Fax: 404-669-2986
Email: cburns@dds.ga.gov
www.gadmvs.com
Mr. Michael Melis
(Term expires 8/2006)
697 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, New York 10025-6933
Phone: 212-579-5543
Fax: 212-579-7401
Email: mmelis@manys.org
Central Region
Mr. Robert Secrest
(Term expires 8/2007)
Motorcycle Ohio
P.O. Box 182081
Columbus, OH 43218-2081
Phone: 614-466-4041
or 1-800-83-RIDER (800-837-4337)
Fax: 614-728-8330
E-mail: bsecrest@dps.state.oh.us
www.state.oh.us/odps/mo
Mr. Ronald Thompson
(Term expires 8/2006)
Wisconsin Motorcycle Safety Program
4802 Sheboygan Ave., Room 551
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7936
Phone: 608-266-7855
Fax: 608-267-0441
Email: ron.thompson@dot.state.wi.us
Western Region
Ms. Carol Thurn
(Term expires 8/2006)
North Dakota Department of Transportation
Office of Traffic Safety
608 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
Phone: 701-328-4354
Fax: 701-328-2435
Email: cthurn@state.nd.us
Ms. Michele Calvert
(Term expires 8/2007)
Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety
MSU-Northern
P.O. Box 7751
Havre, Montana 59501
Phone: 406-265-3565
1-800-922- BIKE
1-800-662-6132 ext. 3565
Fax: 406-265-3570
Email: mcalvert@msun.edu
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