ABATE of MN - LAKE CHAPTER
CHAPTER MEETING
Place: Delano American Legion  Date: December 3 2005 Time: 4:00pm

Officers Attending:
President: Todd Riba X
Vice President: Jim Kreitlow X
Treasurer: Dave Anderson X
Chapter Rep: Gene Bolgrean X
Secretary: Mary Berger X
Sergeant @ Arms: Dave Dibb X
Vulture Not present
Fred X
John Harty Not Present

Total Number of Members attending: 47
Guests: 2

AGENDA

Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance: Todd

President's Remarks - Todd: Thanks for coming. Todd passed out the ballots for the Steven J. Kreitlow award 
so those that weren't present at the November meeting could cast their votes. Mary Berger has been appointed 
to fill in the balance of Evie Smoluch's term as State Secretary. Rosa has volunteered to finish out Mary's term as 
Secretary until elections in March. Start thinking about Officer nominations.

Vice President's Remarks - Jim: Thanks for coming today. This is a special meeting for Jim because of the 
Steven J. Kreitlow award, given in memory of his brother. Thanks to everybody who contributed to Toys for 
Tots. Give a hand to Lee and everybody else. Have a safe and Happy Holidays!

Welcome to New Members and Special Guests - Todd: Two guests will be joining us shortly.

Minutes from the Last Meeting - Mary:
Motion: Mike - to waive the reading of the minutes from the last meeting. 2nd: Noma. Discussion: none. 
All in favor, none opposed. Passed by hands.
As always, Mary has several copies of the minutes here if anybody wants to read them.

Treasurer's Report- Mr. Anderson:

Beginning Balance: $643.37
Income:
Memberships $90.00
Products Sold $438.50
Cash Received for donation to Rod Quist $73.00
Cash Received for Donation in memory of Bob Moy $118.00
Total: $719.50
Expenses:
1st Class Postage for Road Noise $2.00
Donation to Rod Quist $73.00
Donation in memory of Bob Moy $118.00
Reimbursement for postage $214.41
Reimbursement for ink cartridge $29.99
Total: $437.40
Ending Balance: $925.47
Petty Cash: $29.16
Toys for Tots Fund $2,340.00
M.R.F. Donation Fund: $193.00
Total: $2,562.16
Grand Total: $3,487.63

Lee asked what about the donation in memory of Bob Moy? The funds were collected at the meeting 
but the cash was brought directly to Kimmer at the funeral and was not processed through the Treasurer. 
The donation was included in the Treasurer's report above.

Motion: Ken - to accept the Treasurer's report. 2nd: Fred. Discussion: none. All in favor, none opposed. 
Passed by hands.

State Rep Report - Gene: Mack has appointed Mary Berger to fill in Evie's term as State Secretary. 
Maple lake Lions Club has donated $250 to our Toys for Tots fund. We received the money after our 
shopping spree, so the check will be donated at KARE 11 along with our toys. Gene has the remaining 
State Rally Volunteer Door Prizes, please pick them up today. The A.B.A.T.E. U Raffle tickets are available 
for $100/each. See Gene for tickets. If you have written a letter to your elected officials, please turn in a 
copy of the response letter to Gene or Frank Ernst and you will receive your "Write to Ride" patch. Gene 
discussed the Defibrillator motion. The last action was the Gambling Committee donated $5,000 to the 
Litchfield Fair Board, and they asked them to purchase a defibrillator. It may not be available for A.B.A.T.E. 
to use at A.B.A.T.E. U. The motion is still tabled, Gene recommends that we leave it tabled until we see if 
the Fair Board buys it and makes it available to us for A.B.A.T.E. U. The State is now printing our membership 
cards rather than NCOM doing it. We will discuss Sherry's raise under Old Business.

Membership and Retention Report - Kenny: Kenny discussed the new membership cards and introductory 
letter. This is our slow time, we are down to 450 members in Lake Chapter. The State had 4,200 members in 
August, we are now down to 3,600.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Report - Todd: Todd is starting a membership drive for the M.R.F. He 
discussed what the M.R.F. has done for motorcycle rights since 1991 - fighting against helmet laws, fighting 
against the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang law, fighting against the Brain Injury Act, fighting against EPA standards, 
etc. Todd wants to send out a letter and MRF tri-fold to the expired MN M.R.F. members and to some custom 
Motorcycle shops.
Motion: Charm - Lake Chapter to cover the costs of the mailing. 2nd: Stroke. Discussion: Stroke mentioned the 
M.R.F. Roadside Assistance plan. Todd explained the details - 2 cars and 2 bikes for $49.95/year. All in favor, 
none opposed. Motion passed by hands.
Todd passed out MRF Reports and membership brochures.

Government Relations Report - Mike: Mike discussed statistics and how they can be used against us. He 
talked about how we need to be informed about our Motorcycle rights issues, and how we need to know our 
talking points. We do not want to be victims of statistics. Mike talked about the problem with the Failure to 
Yield Bill - ticketable vs. indictable; big fines vs. felony convictions. Mike also discussed the political contribution 
refund ($50/individual or $100/couple). See Mike for the refund forms.

State Coordinator - Mack: Mack also commented on the NHTSA statistics. They use statistics like a drunk 
uses a light bulb - it's more for support than illumination. The Failure to Yield bill will be the main focus of Biker 
Day at the Capital 2006. This is the single most important thing you can do for motorcycle rights. Please contact 
Mack with any questions or comments about A.B.A.T.E. of MN.

Chapter Retention - Jim: Jim agreed with Kenny that our membership is down. In January he will be pushing 
attendance at the Grounded Hogs party. Jim has a vocabulary list that covers some of the things we talk about: 
Write to Ride, Share the Road, Biker Day at the Capital, the Steven J. Kreitlow award, ashtrays, etc. The 
winner of the $5 off products drawing this month is Chris.

MN MC Safety Advisory Committee - Mike: MMSAC made a motion to partially fund MN Motorcycle 
Dial-A-Ride. They will be investigating this at the next MMSAC meeting. MMSAC also asked if they could 
be added to the comp list to receive the Road Noise. NHTSA will be going on a countrywide tour to put 
together an appropriate motorcycle practices recommendation sheet. They will be in MN in March or April. 
We don't know if this will be a good thing or a bad thing.

Public Relations Report - Todd: Toys for Tots bartending pictures have been added to the photo albums. 
We had 12 people do the shopping, spent over what we had earned. Mitch covered the difference.
Motion: Noma- that Lake Chapter reimburse Mitch $100 for the money she spent on Toys for Tots to cover 
what we over spent. 2nd: Charm. Discussion: Fred made a friendly amendment hat we pass the hat first, and 
that the Chapter cover the difference. If we go over, Mitch can donate the money back to the Chapter. Becky 
asked that we just have the Chapter pay it, we have already passed the hat. Fred withdrew his friendly amendment.
Mr. Anderson made a friendly amendment to change the amount to $107.31, the exact amount they went over. 
All in favor, none opposed. Motion passed by hands.
A Thank you note was sent to Target in Rogers. We are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10th at 6pm at KARE 11. 
They asked us to limit it to 15 people. Becky gave directions. Meet at Perkins on Boone Ave and Hwy. 55 at 
5:30pm. Stroke and Todd discussed that Stroke is usually our spokesbiker, but it may not be the best public 
image for A.B.A.T.E. of MN to have him on camera in his halo from his bike accident. Mike Berger will fill in 
for Stroke this year. Smack Downs also collected toys and will be joining us at KARE 11. Todd passed 
around copies of newspaper articles about Lake Chapter events.

Products Report - Keith: Keith has 2006 calendars for $15/each. Keith will have the LCWD patches at the next 
meeting. He has long sleeve t-shirts, too. See Keith for your Active Member patch. We need more Lake Chapter 
pins. Todd asked if we could get them in by the Grounded Hogs party? Becky mentioned that she has some pins 
at home. Todd suggested we hold on to the Steve era pins for something special.
Motion: Noma - Keith to order 100 LCWD pins. 2nd: T.C. Discussion: there was discussion about how much 
they cost. Keith will get that information for us. All in favor, none opposed. Motion passed by hands.

Special Events Report - Rosa: Make your reservations for the Grounded Hogs party at the Silver Fox Best 
Western in Monticello (763-295-4000). $55.00 + tax. You must mention Lake Chapter to get this rate. We 
have reserved the whole pool area, we can smoke, but no glass bottles. There is also the Sleep Inn in Becker,
763-626-7700. This is the quiet hotel. Jane @ Salida is booking the band.
Front Door - Noma Silent Auction - Kenny
Food - Judy Live Auction - Shad and Jimmy
Door Prizes - Mike Berger Products - Keith
Money - Mr. Anderson
We need help with:
Shuttle bus/Dial A Ride - Smoker (and maybe Matt Collins)
Emcee - Chris and Stroke
Clean Up - Dawn Riba
We need power strips, door prizes, and silent and live auction items.
Motion: Lee - Chapter to donate (3) t-shirts and (2) Laura the Potter mugs for the auction. 2nd: Keith. Discussion: 
none. All in favor, none opposed. Passed by hands.

Motion: Becky - Chapter to spend up to $100 for food products and paper plates. 2nd: Stroke. Discussion: none. 
All in favor, none opposed. Passed by hands.
We are checking in with Kim Sawle and the Gambling Committee about regulations for the door prizes. We are
 contacting MN Dial-A-Ride about shuttle service, cab service provided by Salida Depot. Julie Anderson has the 
advance tickets. $12/advance and $15/at the door. Please turn in tickets at the February meeting. Rosa passed 
around the flyer. Sheila will be emailing them out to people.
Motion: Keith - Lake Chapter to donate $200 to MN Dial-A-Ride. 2nd: Noma. Discussion: Todd made a friendly
amendment to add 6 advance tickets to the donation. All in favor, none opposed. Motion passed by hands.
Kenny asked what are the hours of operation for Dial-A-Ride. We need transportation at bar close; last year they 
ended at 11:00pm.

Lee talked about the Vintage Snowmobile Show and Swap Meet, Jan. 29th and 30th. We get the Dial-A-Ride 
trailer and hang out. Lee has 4 passes each day. Admission is $5.
Motion: Charm - reimburse Lee $30 for his membership/registration with the Snow Mobile organization. 2nd: 
Noma. Discussion: none. All in favor, none opposed. Motion passed by hands.
Rosa pointed out that we are going with a set menu this year, as we ran out of food last year. So please sign up 
for the specific items on the list.

State Rally Report - Too Tall: Too Tall is no longer the Rally Chair. Becky will give us a Rally Report at next 
month's meeting.
Motion: Keith - Lake Chapter to make a plaque to give to Too Tall in recognition of his contributions to the State 
Rally and MSAC. 2nd: Stroke. Discussion: none. All in favor, none opposed. Motion passed by hands.

Old Business: Todd brought up our Adopt a Highway sign. It says "A.B.A.T.E. of MN". Outside of this room, 
most people don't know what that stands for. We can change the sign, but we can only use 18 characters, 
including spaces and punctuation.
Motion: Stroke - that we use the web address "www.abatemn.org" on the sign. 2nd: Keith. Discussion: none. 
All in favor, none opposed. Motion passed by hands.

We have two new members here tonight - Kris Olson and Dawn Soltis. They have their own clothing line - 
CHP Wear.

The benefit for Stroke is Feb. 4th, Monticello VFW. We need door prizes. Come and have fun!

Last year we made a motion to buy a new wheelchair for Smiley after is old one was broken. The motion was 
amended to help him out with an electric wheelchair, we have $287 set aside for this. Dawn's dad collects 
"treasures". He has a little three-wheel scooter that is within our price range.
Motion: Stroke - Lake Chapter to spend $200 to buy the cart from Dawn's dad. 2nd: Keith. Discussion: 
Dawn is opposed to only paying $200. Dawn is opposed, the rest in favor, none abstained. Motion passed 
by hands.

New Business: Mr. Anderson let us know that both Ryder's and Tommy's memberships have expired. Tommy 
is a member from Arizona. The new owner, Rick, has not done much to support us. The Chapter agreed to drop 
their memberships and not renew them.

Randy Deter's membership is up in January.
Motion: Mike - Lake Chapter to pay the renewal for Randy's membership. 2nd: Becky. Discussion: none. 
All in favor, none opposed. Motion passed by hands.

Matt Collins, Lake Chapter member and N.E. District Director had his appendix removed. We send him 
well wishes.

The Steven J. Kreitlow award. Keith made the beautiful wooden case that holds the flag that was flown over 
the National Capital on the anniversary of Steve's death. Steve was a one-man gang when it came to 
promoting A.B.A.T.E. of MN. His spirit drives many of us. Lee was the first winner, Becky was the 2nd 
winner of this award. Becky, Lee, Jimmy and Rosa presented the award to Charm Bolgrean.

Kenny told us that the Central Chapter party was cancelled tonight because Jan DeWitt's father died. 
The funeral is this afternoon. Charm will make a card, we can sign it at Toys for Tots.

Keith pointed out hat we need to order patches in Memory of Bob Moy.
Motion: Popeye - to order 100 "In Memory of Bob Moy" patches. 2nd: Noma. Discussion: none. All in favor, 
none opposed. Motion passed by hands.
Upcoming Events:
Dec. 10th - Toys for Tots drop at KARE 11, 6:00pm. Meet at Perkins at 5:30pm.
Jan. 7th - Lake Chapter meeting, Smack Downs, Albertville, 4:00pm (start officer nominations)
Jan. 28th - Metro Chapters Winter Bash, Povlitzkis, Spring Lake Park
Feb. 4th - Lake Chapter meeting, Salida Depot, Becker, 4:00pm
Feb. 4th - Benefit for Rod "Stroke" Quist, Monticello VFW, 6:00pm
Feb. 11th - Lake Chapters Grounded Hogs Party, Salida Depot, Becker
March 8th - Biker Day at the state Capital
April 21st - 23rd - A.B.A.T.E. U, Alexandria, Holiday Inn

Adjourn: Motion: Noma - to adjourn. 2nd: Dave. Discussion: none. All in favor, none opposed.
 Motion passed by hands.

Time: 4:45pm