Re: State Newsletter

Fellow VFWMG Riders,

I hope your holidays were enjoyable and safe. Let me say that we have “Come Along Way” in a very “Short Time” since our State Convention in Corpus Christi last summer. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Motorcycle Group (VFWMG) has been going full throttle since formation last July, and that is because of your hard work and efforts to make us successful. The Motorcycle Group is growing faster than anyone expected with 3 units formed totaling 79 members. The number of prospective members keeps growing and inquires from all over Texas are received daily. Unit 1 has participated in 15 events in the last few months and I understand Unit #2 and Unit #3 have also done a fantastic job in participation in various Rallies and Events also. Please send me any pictures, information, or whatever you can so I can post it on our web page.

Several of the officers from each of the 3 Units attended the A.M.A. Workshop for Risk Management in Austin on December 31^st. This was our first meeting of such, and all of our Motorcycle Units were represented. I can’t say it was the best training class I’ve been to, but at least are certified for the next 2 years with the A.M.A. We gathered a lot of good information after the meeting and made some good contacts from the Regional Director to local board members of the A.M.A. We also outnumbered the other groups present with a total of 9 VFWMG members in attendance. I think that is darn good considering it was New Years Eve, and most had at least 200 - 300 miles to travel. I want to personally thank everyone that was there. We made a good showing for the VFW and it’s newly formed VFWMG.

A meeting is planned for Friday January 27^th at 2:00pm, and the meeting place will depend on the number of members present and will be posted in the lobby of the Double Tree Hotel. This will be our first meeting with all of the VFWMG Dept. of Texas Units and a chance to discuss the future of our Organization.

As we continue to grow and add new members we need to look closely at our By-Laws. They need to reflect the wishes of our members and we will be discussing possible changes to our By-Laws at the meeting. The proposal attached, is to amendment to the By-Laws to allow the Support and Auxiliary members to hold appointed positions in the Units. The current By-Laws only allow Rider Members to hold any office be it elected or appointed. The Elected Offices will remain the same however this amendment would allow our Support and Auxiliary members to hold only appointed positions. See attachment under Article 7, Section 3 for classification. This is a positive change and will help us fill positions in our Units and make our Support and Auxiliary members a valuable asset to our group. Changes can be good and we can remain flexible if it is for the greater good of our group. I welcome any ideas or opinions you might have. This is your group don’t hesitate to speak out, and as long as changes are approved by the majority of the members and they are for the betterment of the Organization we will work with everyone. We want to work together to make this Organization something to be proud of and a model for other States to learn and pattern from.

We have a couple other items of business to take care of at the meeting. We need to discuss setting up the VFWMG it’s own Website. At present it is on VFW Post 12024 website. However due to trying to post pictures and events it may be easier to put it on it’s own site. Also at the meeting I will be presenting Unit 2 with their official Charter. So please be sure to come and lend your support.

Weather permitting I will be riding up to Mid-Winter. If there are enough bikes present and time permits perhaps we can squeeze in a short ride. Nothing official, just to make a showing that the VFWMG is here.

I am the Hospitality Chairman for District 17 and our hospitality room is scheduled from Thursday thru Saturday in room 486. I will be in room 488 from Wednesday on. So if you can come by the Hospitality Room and say hello.

I look forward to seeing everyone there and until then keep the wind in your face and ride safe.

Your Fellow Veteran Rider,

Norm Brawner

Norm Brawner

VFWMGState Chairman/Unit 1 President

CNB: jmb

Cc: file