STATE COORDINATOR'S REPORT | |
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I don’t have much to talk about this month. STEAM and BOD should have just finished, and I have a number of projects we are starting to work on.
Project one states that policies must be reviewed to ensure they meet the state bylaws. We have a few places where they don’t meet up, and we need to fix that. When in conflict, the bylaws win, not the policies. All of the STEAM manuals need to be updated. There are places where the manuals for each position differ from state policies and state bylaws. They should be aligned, so we will be working on that. Again, when in conflict, the ground document is the bylaws.
One of the policies that we will be working on first is the policy for volunteering at state-sponsored events. We need to clarify and consistently define how that works and what you get for volunteering at an event. This will be a big project.
I plan on attending Black Friday this year. Get it on your calendar now. Ask for time off if you need to. Let's make a great showing in Olympia to push for motorcycle issues.
Ride safe, and enjoy the ride.
Andy McAfee
State Coordinator
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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!
Chris McAfee
2025 Raffle Chair
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It's Back! The Motorcycle Swap Meet!
The Motorcycle Swap Meet, hosted by ABATE of Washington, is scheduled for Sunday, March 23th, 2025 at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. We are optimistic that shoppers will be eager to turn out. Many of our vendors have indicated they will participate, and we hope you can too. We’ve reserved the Event Center and Pavilion, providing over 46,000 s.f. of indoor shopping space. Click here for all the details.
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STATE PRODUCTS COORDINATOR - NEEDED!! | |
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We are in need of a new State Products Coordinator. If interested, don't hesitate to get in touch with Bubba Bowen at srdeputy.abateofwashington@gmail.com. A special thank you to Cheryl Holtquist for all her hard work. | |
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MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION | |
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It's CARB ...It's Always CARB
This week, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced the rescheduled date for a hearing regarding “On-Road Motorcycle Emission Standards and Test Procedures and Adoption of New On-Board Diagnostics and Zero-Emission Motorcycle Requirements.” As you may remember, the original hearing was planned for January 25, 2024 and was postponed less than a week before its scheduled date. The new hearing will be on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Read the full story here.
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MRF 40th annual Meeting Of The Minds (MOTM) St Louis, Missouri
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) held its 40th annual Meeting Of The Minds (MOTM) in St Louis, Missouri last month and ABATE of Washington was well represented with four legislative members in attendance. With bikers from every state participating, this MOTM was a fantastic way to interact with like-minded riders from across the country and to learn what each state is doing to actively protect MC rights and promote our freedoms on the roadways. Click here to read more.
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Freedom Of Choice
Wear A Helmet If You Want To Wear One
Earlier today, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released a study claiming that since the mid-1970s more than 20,000 motorcyclists would have survived crashes had they been wearing a helmet. In total, the IIHS report says, 11% of motorcyclist fatalities over nearly 50 years would have been prevented by helmet usage. Click here to read more.
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50 Years Of Motorcyclist Rights
Easyriders magazine editor Lou Kimsey made a plea in issue #3, October 1971, for bikers to unite to fight impending restrictions by joining a new national organization called the National Custom Cycle Organization. However, because of a conflict with the acronym, the name was changed in February 1972 to A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments (ABATE). Easyriders began granting state charters around 1974, making Keith Ball the original national coordinator. Click here to read more.
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American Income Life - FREE Accidental Life & Dismemberment | |
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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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Black Diamond Community Center
Donation Drive
November 3, 2024
| CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | |
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TACOMA CHAPTER TOY RUN
December 14, 2024
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Motorcycle Swap Meet
March 23, 2024
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CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | |
STEEPLE CHASE T-SHIRT ORDER FORM | CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER | | |
RIDER REIMBURSEMENT
Complete a State-Approved Rider Safety Course to receive $50 reimbursement & more!
CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FLYER
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EPCC
Greetings from EPCC!
As the weather starts to get colder, be sure to remain careful and vigilant. Some amazing events are coming up. Support your other local chapters as well as your own. Fellowship is something you can never have enough of. Welcome to our new board members--Minda Johnstone stepped up as our Treasurer, and Bob Young stepped up as our Master Sergeant at Arms. Thank you both.
Keep the rubber side down,
Joe Cain
Coordinator
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FOOTHILLS
Hello from your Foothills Chapter, since the last time we talked its been a great end of summer. We seated a new Treasurer in the month of Oct, congrats to Micheal Hauer and a special thank you to Teresa Chastain for stepping up and taking the treasurer position until a new one could be found. We have been busy riding different events like the Breast Awareness ride, it was awesome. then we rode for the B.A.S.H turkey run helped them make some money to buy turkeys for the community, awesome job guys. Next up will be the turkey handout at the BASH office on Friday the 22 of November. In the meantime please stay safe and keep the rubber side down be mindful of the roads this time of year. Please watch for the flyers of the different chapters and their events and attend as many as you can as it is always for a good cause.
From your Foothills Deputy Coordinator
Kirk Ball
210-845-3086
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PACIFIC COUNTY
Our Fall Run was great! The weather cooperated, and some good friends from Oregon came along for the fun.
The mileage champ award goes to Ed, who rode all the way up from Vancouver just to begin the run. It is our longest run of the year at 160 miles.
Don’t forget to start putting in some fuel stabilizers as the rains return, and check those tires.
John Tschannen
Coordinator
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STAR LAKE
- Star Lake Chapter 2024 participation at recent and future events:
- Participated at other ABATE chapter rides and events
- Participation at the donation event for Black Diamond Community Center (November 3rd, 2024)
- Chapter fall ride October 26th
- Review and ratification of the chapter By-Laws (officers and chapter members)
- Planning Chapter Benefit Ride June 7th, 2025
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SKCC
Here's a shout out to all the new officers and a special one for AnnMarie who is our new Deputy Coordinator.
Wow, midway through October already...so far the weathers been holding out and ridings been good. Oyster Run is now in the history books for 2024 and it appears to be another successful run. We met up at what's now become our gathering spot at the Lundt's at Fidalgo Bay Resort where Sunday morning the Mays put on breakfast for the crew and rumor has it it was very good.
On Sept. 29th we jumped on over to help support Rat City's "Salmon Run" and from what I could see they had a really nice turnout and the weather was beautiful. Next on our list is STEAM/BOD in Yakima, this has turned out to be a really nice spot for our fall meeting, it's on Oct. 19-20th, hope to see you there.
On Nov. 9th SKCC will be participating in Auburns Veterans Day Parade, it's the largest Veterans Day parade West of the Mississippi and we're proud to represent ABATE Of Washington. If you'd like to ride with us in the parade get ahold of Eric Lundt or myself and we'll give you the details.
As we enter the fall season there's still plenty of good riding days left, however leaves will be falling and rain is coming. Remember to be extra cautious in the twisties, those shaded areas with wet leaves on the roadway are not your friend. With that being said, it's always sound advice to keep the maintenance up on your ride so you it'll do what you need it to do to get you back home safe and sound.
Kevin Billings
Coordinator
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SPANAWAY
Greetings from Spanawy Chapter, as we head into the wet and dark months of the year, we are looking forward to our Halloween Party with Tacoma Chapter on October 26th and our Christmas Party and Bake Sale December, 15th. Both events are at the VFW on 35th & McKinley in Tacoma.
The “off season” is a very busy time for our chapter as we participate in many projects that are very important to our members. We collect toys for the BASH food bank. We adopt several residents of the Orting Soldiers Home. Supplying them with items from a wish list provided to us each year. We also collect and deliver Christmas gifts to the residents of Marymount Manor. We sponsor Wreaths Across America and participate in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Orting Soldiers' Home Cemetery. If you're interested in any of these events, please don’t hesitate in reaching out.
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Need to reach a specific Chapter?
Get their contact information here:
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Who We Are
We’ve been helping people for almost 30 years. We’re smart, efficient, and sophisticated. We measure success by the results achieved for our clients. Most of our cases involve a motorcycle, bicycle, and auto collisions. We work on a contingent fee basis. We only get paid if there’s a recovery. Not only do we do all the work, we also advance all the costs necessary to prepare the case for trial. Clients don’t have to pay any money upfront.
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The Value of Human Life: May 1st, 2024 | |
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How much is a human life worth?
It’s a question that’s asked in every wrongful death case.
It’s also a question that’s asked when proposed regulations are evaluated. The government weighs the cost of implementing the proposed regulation and the value of the lives it will save.
For a long time, the government focused on how much people earned and equated their income to the value of their lives.
View the original newsletter here! We want to work on issues that are important to you. What kind of help can we provide to your club?
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Pinewood Derby
When you get past the surface, no one is an average or run-of-the-mill person.
That begs the question: Does it make sense to go beyond the surface? In a case with $8,000 of chiropractic treatment it probably doesn’t move the needle. And it’s probably not necessary when someone has lost limbs or been rendered quadriplegic... Click here to read more.
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The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword
Not many First Amendment cases get filed. The vast majority—maybe 99 percent—get dismissed.
But ours didn’t. Last week we tried an important First Amendment case in the federal courthouse in Richland.
Click here to read more.
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Thirty Years in the Saddle
And just like that it’s been 30 years since I started practicing law.
My first job was at a law firm. But I didn’t like being told what to do. So three years (and three firms) later I started Myers & Company. My first business card read: Comprehensive Legal Services.
I didn’t want to miss an opportunity. Ever since then I’ve been narrowing my practice. At this point I just represent people who have been hurt—physically or financially—by someone else.
Click here to read more.
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Small Things Make a Big Difference
Most stories have a theme:
Fate v. Free Will
Good v. Evil
Man v. Nature
So do personal injury cases. Themes help tie together evidence and remind juries why what they’re hearing is important.
One of the big struggles is figuring out what theme really fits the facts of the case. A theme that isn’t quite right... Click here to read more.
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Filling in the Blanks
Most people have a pretty clear memory of how they got hurt. Frequently their memories are punctuated with very specific details. “That son of a bitch looked me right in the eye before turning left.” “The front door mat was a bright pastel color.” “The impact made a sound just like an M-80 going off.” But when you go through something traumatic, like a motorcycle wreck, the brain isn’t focused on making memories—it’s focused on survival. The same mechanisms that keep the brain sharp enough to escape immediate danger may also make it harder to accurately recall the event.
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He Passed Me Going 90 MPH
In just about every motorcycle case we have there are allegations that our client was speeding. There are a couple of important things to know about the issue of motorcycle speed. The first relates to the reliability of witness observations. The second deals with the way courts deal with favored drivers exceeding the speed limit.
Witnesses are almost always wrong about motorcycle speed. It may be based on the relatively small size of motorcycles compared to other vehicles. Or it may be based on witness bias.
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What the Jury Doesn't Hear
The evidence rules have a big impact on what the jury gets to hear (and what it doesn’t get to hear). Evidence can seem a lot like an iceberg: 10 percent visible, 90 percent below the surface.
A lot of the evidence rules are counter-intuitive. Here’s what the jury doesn’t get to hear in a personal injury case.
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