State Meeting Notes – April 13, 2025

DIXIE ABATE STATE MEETING NOTES: 4/13/25, GREEN PARK, DAUPHIN ISLAND, AL
SIGNED-IN ATTENDEES:
Kris Cook
Freddy Wheeler
Susan McKinley
Chuck McKinley
Fran Barber-Bruyn
Neil Bruyn
Brian Isphording
This was an abbreviated meeting, held in tandem with the Mobile Bay Vintage Motorcycle Show at Dauphin Island.
Kris will write herself a check for a drum unit and a toner cartridge for the big ABATE printer. The amount will be $308.34. We’d voted at the last meeting for this to happen, but she hadn’t done it yet.
The meeting notes from 2/15/25 will be accepted; likewise the Treasurer’s report.
Kris reported on the new American Income Life benefit, the Legacy Will Kit. Brian (a lawyer) inspected it and declared it good, especially for a free resource. It is missing a waiver of accounting section, he said.
Freddie reported on the ending of this year’s legislative session, noting that our legislators put more effort into a shark alert system than more important legislation. He urged us to call our reps and weigh in against this initiative. He talked to someone with the AMA’s legislative arm about our proposed licensing legislation, using not necessarily the MSF but an “approved rider education system”. They are willing to help us. He talked to the AMA representative during bike week in Daytona. He is still looking for training ranges.
Freddie told us he is fighting prostate cancer. He will win this fight!
The city of Mobile has mayoral elections in August. Neil said there was a meeting soon of the SAVC Post 88, and it would host all candidates for positions coming up in the Mobile area. Now is the time to meet them all and ask them what they will do toward motorcycle safety.
Someone asked what our mission statement is. That prompted some digging by the Secretary. In Article 1, Organization Identification, of the By-Laws, Section 1, line A reads, Dixie ABATE, Inc. (ABATE) is a not-for-profit organization, not a motorcycle club, whose primary goal is to preserve the rights, improve the image, and promote safe operating practices of Alabama motorcyclists.
In the preface to the Policies and Procedures Manual, the opening heading is “What is Dixie ABATE, Inc.?” Under that heading, statement #1 says Dixie ABATE, Inc. (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) is a not-for-profit organization, §501(c)(4), dedicated to preserving the rights, improving the image, and promoting the safe operating practices of all Alabama motorcyclists.
The P&P Manual Preface then goes on to say that ABATE is a freedom of choice organization, dedicated to the premise that those who ride should have input into the laws of the state of Alabama that pertain to motorcyclists and motorcycling.
The primary objectives of ABATE are:
a. Monitor legislative activity in regard to laws affecting motorcyclists, especially those designed to restrict our freedom of choice, and to encourage all members to become politically involved in order to effect positive legislation and deter that of a negative nature to motorcycling.
b. To mount vigorous campaigns in support of motorcycle rider education and related safety programs.
So from all this, the mission statement of Dixie ABATE, Inc., our 501(c)(4), is, “Dixie ABATE’s primary goals are to preserve the rights, improve the image, and promote safe operating practices for Alabama’s motorcyclists.”
The mission statement of Dixie ABATE Awareness & Education, our 501 (c)(3), is: “To reduce motorcycle-related fatalities in Alabama through education and training of both motorcycle riders and the vehicle drivers who share the roads with them.” Short and simple.
Our next meeting is at 2 PM on Saturday, June 21, in the Riding Academy room at Hooligan Harley Davidson, 231 Davis Loop, Oxford, AL 36203.