Welcome to the New Year!  It is hard to believe we are already in the middle of 2010.  I hope everyone has had a great summer and a great riding season so far.  I guess since we are talking about the middle of 2010 it is time for to update all of you what I have been doing for you these last few months.

 

2009 was a busy year for the Southern Director.  I spent an average of 64.5 hours per month on Southern Director business and have averaged 72 hours a month so far this year.  This total includes answering phone calls and emails, as well as keeping up with my log and making sure I have all my records up to date.

 

I have worked to get the Maryland State Association running strong.  Maryland now has a state license plate run by the Association.  They have become a model for us all to follow in a very short time.

 

I attended the Southern Region Dixie Rally in New Orleans. Ocean City is hosting 2011 Convention and they are going to put on a show for us all.  I spent a lot of extra time on the phone and with emails this year trying to explain all the International By-Law changes that were presented by the membership at the International Convention.  I strongly encourage all of you to read up on the By-Laws and learn them.  If you see a change that you would like to see made, bring it up and it will be voted on at the Convention.  YOU run this club, not the Executive Board. 

 

Also, look at the new proposal for voting in your Executive Board.  It may be a great success to have 100% possible participation in electing your board.  I believe the changes and proposals are going to be a great success in making us run as one big family instead of 340+ little ones. 

 

I stayed quite busy on the road this year.  I attended the Spring Board meeting in Syracuse, NY in ’09 and ‘10.  I attended the NC State Rally in September as well as the Dixie Rally in May.  During the Dixie, we had a re-organization of officers to simplify the way the Southern Region holds elections.  We had some great discussions for the future of our regional association and I look forward to attending Winter Haven, FL in 2011.

 

I was part of the World’s Largest Poker Run in Morehead City in ’09 and Raleigh in 2010.  The International Convention in Ft. Lauderdale was a great time and I am looking forward to attending in Niagara Falls, NY.  I attended many chapter meetings trying to get to know as many Red Knight brothers and sisters as I could. 

 

The Southern Region is growing rapidly.  I guess southern hospitality works for motorcycle clubs also.  I was also very unfortunate to have to attend to many Red Knight funerals in 2009.  It was an honor to represent the RKIFMC at these funerals.   

 

We have five new chapters in the south just this year.   NC, SC, GA, TX, and AR all have added new chapters to call family.  I have also been in contact with several others, wanting to either join a chapter or start a new one.  While on the subject of new chapters, I would like to send another reminder out to all my chapters that we need to get those dues and Chapter Business Trademark License Agreements in ASAP.  I do not want to lose any of you and I hate to say no to people because they forgot to send something in.

 

I am looking forward to making 2011 a great year for the Red Knights and cannot wait to run again as your Southern Region Director in Niagara Falls.  These last two years have been great and we have gotten a lot accomplished together.  Now that we have the ball rolling, I would love to be able to pick up speed this year.  I hope to get to see as many of you as possible over the next year.  If I do not get to see you, keep the shiny side up and your knees in the wind.  Well, the sun is shining and the bike has a full tank of gas.  I will see y’all later.

  

 Loyal to Our Duty

 Jack Jarvis