The leadership of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) continues our visits to annual state meetings with recent visits to Wisconsin and Ohio.
MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard and Washington, D.C. lobbyist Rocky Fox made the trip to Marshfield, Wisconsin for the ABATE of Wisconsin Officers Training event. This annual event provides seminars and training to the regional and district leaders of ABATE of Wisconsin and helps establish expectations and goals for all members. Seminars included the ABCs of Running a Successful Region, Strategic Planning Procedures and How to Effectively Lobby Lawmakers.
Saturday night, Rocky provided the keynote speech where he discussed the power of political engagement and the role that citizens play when petitioning their government about the issues they care about.
MRF Sustaining State Motorcyclist Rights Organization Representative Dave Dwyer and MRF Wisconsin State Representative Jennifer Abraham discussed the importantance of joining the MRF and how vital it is for state organizations to support the MRF’s efforts in Washington, D.C.
Sunday morning ended with Hardtail talking about the 2022 MRF legislative accomplishments and 2023 goals. It was a great weekend in Wisconsin and this year the temperature was a comfortable 21 degrees, a far cry from last year’s event where temperatures hit 19 degrees below zero! But just in case ABATE of Wisconsin gifted Rocky an awesome insulated bib for the trip back next year.
Earlier in the month, ABATE of Ohio hosted its annual event in Columbus, Ohio. Hardtail also made the visit to Columbus in his official capacity as MRF President and by his side was Jay Jackson, MRF Vice President. The two were joined by former ABATE of Ohio Executive Director, Gary Sellers, who also served as a longtime MRF board member. Dick “Slider” Gilmore a passionate MRF supporter also made the trip to the Buckeye State.
Jay Jackson spoke about the victories and challenges bikers are facing in Washington, D.C. with an eye towards what’s ahead in the coming years. One of the highlights of the event was Slider’s presentation titled “What Every Street Rider Should Know.” Slider is a legend in the motorcycling community and when he talks everyone should listen!
Thanks to the riders in Wisconsin and Ohio for inviting the MRF to participate in your statewide events. We look forward to visiting more states in the coming weeks as the MRF continues our 2023 road show.
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