Chapter Meeting

Join us for our monthly chapter meeting.

Location: Steel Horse Harley-Davidson

Time: 9:00 am, come early drink coffee and talk trash

Reminder that the Chapter Challenge this year is April 20th, check-in at Lynchburg Harley-Davidson.  You MUST bring your HOG Membership card to check-in.  Copies or an app version will not be accepted.  The winner is determined by the percentage of our members who show up multiplied by the distance from our dealership to the Lynchburg dealership.  

Keith will lead a ride to the Chapter Challenge and then up through the Skyline Drive on April 20th.

The Wild and Wonderful regional HOG rally in Charleston, WV is being held August 21-24, 2024 and is the closest one to us this year.  More info can be found on the event Facebook page at WV Regional HOG Rally 2024.  Let Dave Bradley know if you are interested in attending so Chapter activities can be planned accordingly.

Mark your calendars for the weekend of September 27-29th.  Those are new dates for the Richmond Folk Festival.  This has normally been held in October, but has been moved up in hopes to avoid taking place during bad weather.  We don’t have our specific dates/times for volunteer work yet, but wanted to make everyone aware of the new dates.

Tom Foley, Assistant Director for the Richmond HOG Chapter, announced that they are holding a chili cookoff, starting at noon on March 23rd to which we are all invited.  They will be having a swap meet beginning at 9am on that same day.  Of note as well – Steel Horse Harley-Davidson will be holding a swap meet after our next membership meeting on April 6th.

The 24th America’s 911 Ride will take place August 15-18, 2024.  This is a police-escorted ride starting in Shanksville, PA to the Pentagon then to the World Trade Center.  For more info visit: Americas 911 Ride.

Treasurer, John Forbes provided an update on the financial status of the chapter.  Currently we have a surplus of $5000 over budgeted expenses that we can use for new activities.  Ideas for activities are welcomed and encouraged.

Les Allan, Safety Officer, talked about ‘Rider Radar’.  Specifically, the need to continually evaluate time and distance from objects all around you, as well as weather conditions, when riding to prevent accidents.

Chapter membership is officially at 61 members.  One of our new members was present and acknowledged, Sharida Dobson. Sadly, one of our long-time members, Phil Sherman, lost his wife recently.  Services were held March 4th.  Tom McGrath, another member is recovering nicely at home from hip surgery.

Brenda Gibbs reported that she learned from HOG National that they are no longer doing Ladies of Harley.  You will no longer receive a separate patch and pin with your annual renewal materials. 

Also, we are still in need of volunteers to fill several discretionary officer positions, including an activities officer - to help guide planning for the Christmas party (and others to serve on a planning committee).  Jose Portilla-Cruz is leading the effort to plan our summer picnic – but he could use some volunteer assistants as well.  We also need a photographer – to review photos and ensure appropriateness for posting. For anyone interested in volunteer – simply email [email protected].

Everyone was reminded to continue to use HOGSCAN to look up and RSVP to events and activities that are of interest to you.  HOGSCAN will be our only method for tracking membership participation throughout the year through a point system that will be used to make Christmas awards.  

There are still one month open for someone to volunteer to bring in a “Christmas Basket” for the monthly giveaway: July.  Cost to prepare a basket is reimbursable if desired.  Email [email protected] if you are interested in selecting a month.  This will earn you 10 HOGSCAN Points.