STATE COORDINATOR'S REPORT | |
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June 2025
I hope to see everyone at the Spring Opener. We will have a great time. Billi Bowen has done a great job planning this event, and it's worth attending. Great bands, bike games, great ride planned, and always fun catching up with friends.
The 501 (c) (3) is still moving forward. It got a little hung up with the accountant during tax season, but it should be moving forward again. We will let everyone know as soon as the IRS approves it.
I am happy to announce that we have started a new partnership with Metier Law, which specializes in motorcycle accidents. They will also be putting articles in the newsletter. I am very happy to have them working with us. I would encourage anyone who has the unfortunate experience of a motorcycle accident to reach out to them. Their contact information will be in the newsletter, on our web page, and on our Facebook account.
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Ride safe and have a great summer. See you at the Spring Opener.
State Coordinator
Andy McAfee
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Thanks to each of you who submit articles, chapter reports, flyers and photographs for our Freedom Newsletter.
I will send an email confirmation of each submission I receive.
If you do not receive written confirmation from me, your submission did not arrive as planned. Please reach out to me via email so that I can ensure your submission is included in the next month's newsletter.
As always, thank you for sending your submissions by the 15th of each month. NOTE: Late submissions do not guarantee placement in the upcoming newsletter.
With respect and gratitude,
Shari Rose Carlsberg
ABATE Freedom Newsletter Editor
newsletter.abateofwashington@gmail.com
| | | | SPRING OPENER IS JUST WEEKS AWAY! | |
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Can you believe the 47th Annual Spring Opener is just a few weeks away?! Tickets are available for purchase online at abate-wa.org under Events or scan the QR code on the event flyer. Limited printed tickets will be available at the gate for an additional $5.
If you are a vendor or plan on being a vendor, please get your applications & payments turned in no later than June 10, 2025. Our vendor POC is Korrina Murray, 253-227-9046 or cjwe0702@yahoo.com.
I'd like to thank the committee of volunteers that have worked many hours in coordinating & planning Spring Opener 2025. **Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!**
We are seeking volunteers in the following areas: security (Phil Snow), state products booth (Carrie Saagim), & trash clean up (Colleen "Big Red" Littleton). If you are available to work a shift & donate your time, please contact the appropriate committee member.
See you in Randle, it's going to be a great event!!
Billi Bowen
Spring Opener Committee Chairperson
| | | SPRING OPENER - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED | |
| We have great things planned for this year. We have great local entertainment booked, starting with Iron Stallion on Thursday night, Friday night Seattle Cossack's performance followed by the 80's Ladies rockin' the stage, & closing out the Saturday festivities, we have On The Side!! It's going to be another great event! Tickets are available for purchase online, scan the QR code on the event flyer or checkout the abate-wa.org website, under events. We have minimal printed tickets for members & non-members, please contact your chapter coordinator or myself to arrange to get your paper ticket. | |
I want to thank everyone on this year's Spring Opener Committee, your hours of volunteer service don't go unnoticed & I appreciate all that you do to make this a great event. If you or someone you know is interested in taking over as Chairperson for Spring Opener 2026, please contact myself or Bill Dye, State Jr. Deputy Coordinator. It's well organized & can easily be transitioned to a new team leader.
**VOLUNTEERS NEEDED** Please consider stepping up & working a shift of security or a shift in the State Products booth selling swag. Please contact Phil Snow for security detail & Carrie Saagim for products
Billi Bowen
Spring Opener Committee Chairperson
253-221-7806
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Spring has sprung!
Andy and I were extremely busy during March. We took two of the three ‘raffle’ motorcycles over to the Spokane Motorcycle show, and they were a hit!
State set up a product booth along with the motorcycles and partnered with the Spokane ABATE Chapter to not only promote ABATE but to get those tickets sold. Carrie Saagim & Phil Schultz were also there to help out.
Between Spokane and the state, we sold 460 raffle tickets! It was chaotic yet fun and we also made some great connections.
Taking a 4-day break, we headed over to Monroe for our annual Swap Meet. We enjoyed Sky Valley’s ‘Shaken’ the Winter Blues’ fundraiser, listening to excellent music, great silent auction items, and lots of friendship.
Sunday was the swap meet, and the weather gods were in our favor. The air was brisk, however, the rain stopped around 7:30 am, and it stayed that way for the rest of the day. We again had two of the three ‘raffle bikes’ there, which certainly helped promote the sale of raffle tickets.
I can not stress enough that it takes volunteers like y’all to make these events a success and I truly appreciate every one of you.
Chris McAfee
Swap Meet/Raffle Chair
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Guess what time it is? Raffle time!!
We will be holding two separate raffles this year. One for motorcycles and one for guns… yep... we get to raffle guns again!
Motorcycle prizes are:
- 2024 Roadglide
- 2020 Triumph Bonneville 1200 Bobber
- Coleman 186cc gas-powered mini bike
Gun prizes are:
- Henry Golden Boy 357 rifle
- Girsan1911 45acp
- Colt Python 357 6”
Tickets can be bought from any ABATE Chapter that has checked-out tickets.
Please read the rules!
| | | | 🏛️ Transportation Package Update: A Win... For Now | | “Texas” Larry Walker is a nationally certified Rider Coach for novice, intermediate, and advanced training. He is the Senior Instructor for Navy Region Northwest, a long time motorcyclist rights advocate, with over 45 years of riding experience. | | |
The latest Transportation Funding Package made it to the Governor’s desk without raising weight fees for our classification—a small but important win this session. But it's not over yet. The Governor has 20 days (excluding Sundays) to sign it, veto it entirely, or strike sections. A full veto would reopen negotiations and could put our weight fees back on the chopping block.
Our own weight fee bill (SB 5309) didn’t make it past committee, but the fight isn’t over. We're already laying the groundwork to bring it back next session with updated language. Want the full scoop and what’s next?
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"Texas” Larry Walker
Legislative Affairs Officer, ABATE of WA
360-271-9285
| | MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION | |
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🚨 Time to Take a Stand: Help Stop California’s Overreach! 🚨
Protect the Future of the Internal Combustion Engine – Act Now!
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Did you know that California holds a special power to set its own vehicle emissions rules—and other states can follow their lead? That power, granted by the Clean Air Act in 1970, is now being used to push aggressive regulations that threaten the very existence of the internal combustion engine.
But there’s good news: Congress is fighting back. The Stop CARB Acts (H.R. 2218 & S. 1072) aim to end California’s EPA waiver privilege and stop other states from blindly adopting California’s burdensome standards.
Backed by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, and led by Rep. Troy Nehls (TX) and Sen. Mike Lee (UT), this legislation is our chance to make sure one state doesn’t dictate the future of motorcycles—or freedom—across the country.
👉 Click below to tell your Representatives to support the Stop CARB Acts. Let's keep the road open for all riders!
Join the Fight – Take Action Now!
| |  | 🎉 NCOM Celebrates 40 Years of Fighting for Motorcyclists’ Rights!
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Catch the Highlights from the National Coalition of Motorcyclists' 40th Anniversary Event
This past weekend, riders and advocates from across North America rolled into Biloxi, MS to celebrate a major milestone: the 40th Annual Meeting of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM).
The event brought together a powerhouse of organizations—including the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), PRO Convention, COIR, SMROs, COCs, and countless clubs and riders—to discuss the future of biker rights. From anti-profiling legislation to leadership and legal updates, the panels were packed with insight and purpose.
MRF President Kirk "Hardtail" Willard, Club Rep. Russell Radke, and others took the stage to lend their voices to the movement.
💥 Don’t miss the full recap and what it means for the future of motorcyclist advocacy.
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🔥 Help Save the Internal Combustion Engine – Take Action Today!
The CARS Act (S. 995) Needs More Support in the Senate
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The battle for automotive freedom is heating up. The CARS Act—introduced by Senator Mike Crapo—aims to stop the federal government from forcing electric vehicle mandates and protect your right to choose what you drive.
This bill blocks the EPA from using the Clean Air Act to limit access to new gas-powered vehicles and challenges a 2024 rule that would require over half of new cars sold by 2032 to be electric. With 23 Senators already on board, we need your help to grow that number.
| | | | American Income Life - FREE Accidental Life & Dismemberment | |
| We’ve renewed the group Accidental Death and Dismemberment policy providing all active members of ABATE of Washington with $4,000 AD&D coverage, 24 hours a day, on and off the job. | There is no cost to you for this coverage. | | |
Dear Members,
You will be receiving a letter from American Income Life Insurance Company (AIL). As a member of ABATE of WA you qualify to receive a $4,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance benefit at no cost to you or ABATE of WA. We have partnered with AIL for several years to offer these benefits.
Each letter will have a reply card enclosed and by completing the information you will receive your certificate of coverage. An AIL representative will contact you to confirm your beneficiary and issue you a certificate of coverage. If you do not name a beneficiary, the $4,000.00 would be paid to your estate and may be taxable.
ABATE of WA does not provide your name or any contact information to AIL. The only way they have access to your information is when you send the reply card back or CLICK HERE to request your benefits. There are several supplemental programs available through AIL for you to choose from, which will be discussed when an AIL
representative calls.
If you have any questions, please contact Fran Christie, AIL Public Relations, directly at 778-231-0226 or contact AIL at 1-800-495-1213.
Over numerous years AIL has helped ABATE of WA families by paying over 90 Accidental Death claims.
ABATE of WA has no financial interest in AIL in any way.
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Run for the Hills
JUNE 7, 2025
| CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | | |
27th ANNUAL 101 RUN
JUNE 14, 2025
| CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | | |
SPRING OPENER
JUNE 26 - 29, 2025
| CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | | |
FREEDOM RUN
AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2025
| CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | | |
Oyster Run
SEPTEMBER 28, 2025
| CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | | |
STEAM 2025 BOD MEETING
OCTOBER 18 - 19, 2025
| CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | | |
STEEPLE CHASE 2025
CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER
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STEEPLE CHASE T-SHIRT
ORDER FORM
CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER
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STEEPLE CHASE
BANQUET 2025
CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER
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RIDER REIMBURSEMENT
Complete a State-Approved Rider Safety Course to receive $50 reimbursement & more!
CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER
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EPCC
Hello from EPCC!
By the time you read this, our May Mystery Run will be in the rearview and I hope to have seen many of you there. We had a wonderful time, as always, mixing and mingling at SKCC’s Outta Control Night (see photo). Great music, great friends - old and new, and treasures galore in their famed silent auction. Is everybody excited yet for Spring Opener?? We are. See you all in Randle! Wishing you all June Joy,
Laura Cain, EPCC Secretary/LAO
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FOOTHILLS
Greetings from Foothills!
We have been busy supporting other chapters, events & our community. Always somewhere to be or something to do. Our weekly socials have been replaced with bi-weekly socials. As always, open invitation if you are in the area. Please join us & watch Facebook for the location of our next social.
*Save the date* Saturday, August 9th is our 5th Annual Foothills Fallen Chapter Fundraiser & pig roast being held in Buckley, same location as last year.
Lots of bikes out here in our neck of the woods, as everyone has heard by now the Fairfax Bridge is closed permanently. Please continue to ride out to the Carbonado area & support the small businesses up here in our neck of the woods. This closure is certainly an impact.
See you at Spring Opener, ride skillfully & patiently.
Billi Bowen
Coordinator
Foothills Chapter
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PACIFIC COUNTY
Our Pigout Charity Run is in the rear view mirror. We had a good turnout, nice weather, and a fantastic BBQ. This year’s run didn’t include a ferry ride across the Columbia River, due to the Ferry Oscar B. being in dry-dock. We rode to Longview and crossed over from OR to WA and back to Naselle for burgers, dogs and oysters.
Next up is our 101 Run, Saturday June 14. As usual we will be starting at Charlies Sports Bar in Montesano KSU at 10 am, and then rolling down Hwy. 101 ending in Longbeach.
We hope everybody can make it.Check out the flyer below!
Stay Sharp and Ride Safe,
John Tschannen
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SKCC
I hope everyone has been able to get some riding in, we've had some nice weather with lots more on the way. Our yearly fundraiser "Outta Control" has come and gone and I'm happy to report it was a nice success. We had lots of support from Star Lake, Foothills, EPCC, and our always dependable independents. Thanks everyone for coming out and showing your support.
Check your calendars for upcoming rides and get out and support your fellow chapters. The next big event is Spring Opener, it will be here before you know it. Remember to get out and sell the heck out of the bike and gun raffle tickets...you could be the lucky person who wins!
Here's a special shout out to our Brother Bob and his wife Amy, Bob's going through some chemo and the prognosis looks good, let's keep them in our prayers. Until next month, keep your head on a swivel out there, cagers are everywhere.
Kevin Billings
Coordinator
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STAR LAKE
Greetings, everyon,e from Star Lake Chapter
We conducted our chapter meeting on May 4th, 2025, 11am at Rail Hop'n Brewery in Auburn. Discussed the April BOD event and what we could do better if we decide to host another BOD next year. The chapter would like to thank all the state and chapter members that attended the BOD and participated in donating to the Taco meal and raffle ticket drawings. The chapter discussed the route and plans for the annual charity benefit ride on June ]lh. All the establishments are on board and excited to support our event. The chapter will be discussing details at next meeting concerning Spring Opener events, raffle ticket sales, and upcoming rides with other ABATE chapters. Please welcome our newest member of Star Lake, Austia Hale, joined the chapter last week. The next meeting will be on Friday, June 6th at 6 pm at the Nyland home at 4309 S. 73rd St, Tacoma 98409. We will be gathering and preparing the swag for charity ride the next day on Saturday, June 7th.
Be sure to check out all the events in the report below!
Star Lake Chapter, Coordinator
Ken Nyland
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