Minutes
November 16, 2011
In attendance:
Beau Rooney, The Riders Magazine
Bob Godin, The Celtic Brothers
Debbie Davis
Derek Pitcher, Eagle Custom Choppers
Don Hutchinson, Los Silverados
Dora Cook, Motor Maids
Mike Bossio, Ontario East Retreads, National Memorial Rider, the French Connection and ORRA
Mike Laflamme, Ottawa Safety Council
Rick Cathcart, Capital City Bikers Church
Shane Wood, Ottawa River Riders
Susan Duncan, OVTC, Motor Maids
Wayne Simmerson, CMC Chapter 011
Gabriel Arshoun
Andrew Davies, National Memorial Ride
Derek Pitcher, Eagle Custom Choppers
- Introduction
- Review and Approve Previous Minutes September 19, 2011 - approved
- Review Executive Committee List – Who’s in, Who’s out, Who’s missing
- Dora reviewed our current list with the group to update it
- Asked group to think of others who might be interested
- Discussed the possibility of inviting an interested media personality to our meetings. Feedback was that we should cultivate these but not necessarily invite to our meetings. They would be good contacts for topics/stories to tell, once we have something for them.
- Free Parking Petition Results
- Gathered signatures with postal codes that we could relate directly to the councillor for that ward. We need to collect more to create an impact. Dora has created a spreadsheet that broke down the signatures by ward, as well as the number of people and approximate number of motorcyclists in that ward.
- Schedule for Nov and Dec 2011 to collect more signatures
- We need to collect more signatures and we have a list of places and times where we could volunteer. Some dates are not fixed yet, but will be shortly. Dora asked for volunteers. Got some but not as many as we need.
- SOAR logo – Beau Rooney – update of colour and appearance for website, stationary, posters/banner, crests, helmet stickers, etc.
- Beau said that stickers can be created fairly inexpensively, but it’s more expensive to make t-shirts and patches. Talked to other bikers and they didn’t think the logo would be something they would wear. Beau has played a little with the logo and thinks we could make it more saleable.
- Dora discussed the history of the logo and the possibility of updating the logo and producing something for the next AGM.
- Beau offered to create some t-shirts for the volunteers getting signature.
- As an addendum there was a discussion about putting information about SOAR with the petition and gather email addresses of those who want to continue to receive information about SOAR as it’s available.
- Mike L. offered to see about putting items in with the new rider package with the Ottawa Safety Council.
- Loud pipes update – Beau Rooney
- Calgary has come up with a new standard to gauge loudness and Edmonton is looking at what Calgary is doing as their current law was successfully challenged. The EU is proposing all sorts of rules including fluorescent vests, no older bikes, and no customized bikes. These laws are not going away and we need to keep on top of them and be pro-active.
- Motorcycle Awareness Month – Mike Bossio
- In May – Mike looking for contacts to help promote this: councillors, news personality, others. Ministry of Transportation – share the road with motorcycles – Dora contacted them, and they replied that beyond the website, they provide info to 150 road safety partners that further promote. It’s possible to apply to be one of those road safety partners and possibility receive funding. Dora is seeing if we meet the criteria. ORRA would be able to sponsor us for some items.
- We have a contact with the mayor and will put together something so that we can approach him about making May motorcycle awareness month, along with the watch for bicycles
- Website update – Susan Duncan
- Ongoing updates are done, but have not done the redesign with the new logo.
- Facebook and Yahoo group site – General Discussion
- We will shut down the Yahoo site after giving notification to everyone. Facebook and gmail will continue.
- 2012 Calendar of SOAR events, meetings
- SOAR meeting – January, March, May, July, Sept, Nov
- SOAR AGM – April 14, 2012 – 10am to 12 noon Biker’s Church
- Biker’s Church – info day and swap meet
- May Motorcycle Awareness Month
- Biker’s Church – MAD
- Bike Events – general discussion and how we get more signatures for the free parking for motorcycles in Ottawa (Facebook Motorcycle Beau’s biker events) Bob Godin will look up and distribute the updates to Dora and Sue.
- New Business
- Ottawa International Motorcycle Show – do we have contacts, do we want to be there to collect signatures? Mike will see if we can have the sign-up sheets with the OSC booth that will be there.
- Add to motorcycle links – osc training; tip of the week; safety links
- Next meeting – January 18th
Contact city about ‘watch for motorcycles’ to add …..