By The Book

           

Region H Trainer:   Dale and Susan Wingrove

                 regionhtrainer@hotmail.com

The “By The Book” articles are intended to help familiarize Volunteer Leaders and

GWRRA Members with the guidelines, policies, procedures, and information contained

in the GWRRA Officer’s Guidebook.  Please feel free to reprint these articles in Region, District and Chapter newsletters. This By

the book article is a re‐run of an article from former Region Trainer Harry Dollarhide.

Are there riders of “Other Brands” of motorcycles in your chapter? Does this cause some concern or negative emotion for some

Gold Wing or Valkyrie riding Members?

First lets review the Associate Membership classification. “…a non‐Member recognition program for people who cannot qualify

for “Individual” or “Family” Membership. This is a form of recognition for those participants who may not own or ride a motorcycle,

or who own or ride a motorcycle other than a Gold Wing or Valkyrie.” Associate Members are welcomed and encouraged to hold

staff positions, but are not eligible to hold a line officer position. An Associate Member may serve as Rider Educator if properly

qualified and with the approval of the appropriate Leaders. Associate Members will be granted the same fees to rallies and

Wing Ding as Full Members, and will include national, regional, district, and chapter events.

So, even though the title is Gold Wing and Valkyrie riders, there is an obvious intent to accommodate participants who ride

“Other Brands”. International Headquarters is setting the tone with Wing World article such as “Ridden & Rated”, “Riders Other

Rides” photo section, etc., all aimed at becoming more inclusive to riders of “Other Brands”.

Why should you and your Chapter embrace this approach? Opportunity! Opportunity to understand our sport better by exposure

to others. Opportunity to have a positive influence on our sport. Opportunity to expose other riders to the fantastic GWRRA Family.

Opportunity to expose other riders to the premier GWRRA Rider Education program. (This is a major benefit that is not generally

available to riders outside GWRRA.) Opportunity to expand our family of friends. Opportunity to recruit younger Members. And the

Opportunity to expose other riders to the Gold Wing & Valkyrie motorcycles and possibly influencing their choice of owning a Gold

Wing as their next machine.

So when you see that “Other Brand” rider participating with your Chapter remember the “Opportunity” and look beyond the brand

of the ride, the choice of safety gear and personal style. Remember you can have a positive influence on your fellow riders and the

sport of motorcycling.