DIXIE ABATE STATE MEETING NOTES: 6/20/26 Canton House, Decatur, AL
SIGNED-IN ATTENDEES:
Ben Childers
Cheryl Childers
Tim Smith
Kinsley Smith
Kerry Jenkins
Drew Davis
Caleb McVeay
Davis Hoha
Charlea Velotta
Amy Rose Ogle
James Hall
The meeting was called to order by Tim at 2 PM in the dining room at Canton House restaurant.
The meeting notes from 4/18/26 are accepted; likewise, the Treasurer’s report.
Everyone introduced themselves.
Legislation updates:
Currently not in session
We discussed the vacancies in the Dixie ABATE Board, and solicited for volunteers to fill positions.
No takers yet.
We discussed the transition for board ABATE Secretary / Treasurer from Kris to Tim, and that the change-over has been completed.
The need to get motorcycle awareness content into Driver’s Ed classes was discussed. We are looking for an opening for this opportunity.
The Summer ’26 ABATE Billboard campaign was discussed. We were able to get two billboards erected (One in Mobile, and one in Gadsden – Thanks to Matt Schroeder!)
We also discussed at the last meeting about having ALDOT include motorcycle awareness messages on the overhead digital billboards for the month of May. As it turns out, this is already a pre-programmed message by ALDOT and is displayed during motorcycle awareness month.
We passed around a sample flyer drawn up by Kris for members to hand out at bike night events, and leave with local motorcycle dealers to help get the word out about ABATE and possibly drive some membership applications.
A motion was made (seconded and approved) to spend $350 for 500 of these flyers made by The UPS Store.
We also discussed getting a quote for some smaller business card sized handouts to give to members to distribute.
David Hoha was also in attendance, and spoke about MRF membership, and how slow the growth has been lately. He also spoke about their local car / motorcycle show that is coming up, and pitched ABATE purchasing a half page ad in their booklet for the car show. (as in previous years). The motion was made for this (and seconded and approved) to spend $500 for this ad.
We gave out small pocket sized QR codes to Dixie ABATE Instagram and Facebook pages to all members present to have on hand to hand out to other bikers. Kerry Jenkins also took the remainder, and offered to hand them out at MSF BRC Courses to new riders to help raise awareness.
We have been out at bike nights especially in central AL this summer spreading the word. Cycle Gear bike nights, Big #1 bike nights, Green Top BBQ bike night, etc..
This has been a big help with garnering attention for our petitions and getting signatures, as well a few memberships.
Amy Rose Ogle, the organizer of the Legends of the Bells Motorcycle Show in Huntsville attended, and she explained that LOTB is aimed at getting new riders out on the road and getting them educated. They have already sponsored a few new riders to attend the BRF from the funds they have raised.
We plan to attend and speak briefly about Dixie ABATE.
The MRF Report:
This link will take you the MRF’s Legislative Priorities online document for 2026. Many of these directly line up with Dixie ABATE priorities.
The next few months will kick off the election cycle in Alabama, now is the time to make friends with your legislator! Send them a link to our site(s) and make our voices heard.
Our priorities for the upcoming year:
• Hands free device use by drivers being a “Primary Offense”
• Reforming Alabama motorcycle licensure or improving access to training
• Definitions of a motorcycle in legislation
• Safe on Red initiative
• Lane filtering
Dixie ABATE’s next meeting is at 1 PM on Saturday, August 15th, 2026, on the patio at Champy’s Chicken in Alabaster, AL 35007. The phone number there is 205-621-3991.
