azette. Any chapter member may send their submissions
for the newsletter to the Editor.
To keep abreast of the latest happenings always check the chapter hotline at (586) 447-2130. We also have a web page www.glsem-hog.com. Chapter meetings are tentatively scheduled for the first Thursday of every month at the Imperial House, 34701 Groesbeck Highway, between 14 and 15 Mile Road, Clinton Township, MI 48035 at 7:30 p.m. - bring your chapter card. At the meeting, you will find a table filled with flyers and events and our chapter store where you can buy your chapter patch and other chapter items. (You will need to show your chapter card to purchase any chapter items. They may only be purchased before and after the meeting.) It is advised that you purchase a plastic name tag for $5.00 or a cloth one for $10.00. Contact Tina at the monthly meetings.
As a chapter member, you will receive our
monthly newsletter the azette. Any chapter member may send their submissions
for the newsletter to the Editor.
On event flyers, keep an "eye out" for events that are "Capture The Flag Event." This is a friendly competition between Michigan H.O.G. Chapters to encourage participation from different chapters. The chapter who has possession of the flag will offer it at one of their events. The chapter who attends that has the most "members X miles" traveled will capture the flag and will then be able to offer it at their event. This way it is passed from chapter to chapter. Usually the first event of the year is Pig Fest in Lansing, MI., where our chapter usually captures the flag!
During the riding season, we have New Member Runs (weather permitting) . See schedule. This gives you a “taste" of riding in a group that's not as large as our Wednesday night rides and also gives you an opportunity to meet the board members and learn what our chapter is all about. You are strongly encouraged to attend our New Member Runs, which leaves from Mangans Irish Pub, located on the northeast corner of Groesbeck and Cass at 7 p.m. and rides to Bregmans for a nice dinner. We hope to see you there! (Know your Rules of the Road and Group Ride handbook before going on any group rides.)
Wednesday Night Rides are every Wednesday year round, regardless of the weather. They leave from Mangans Irish Pub, promptly at 7 p.m. When weather does not permit riding, members get together socially. The destinations are posted in the newsletter, on the web site and on the Hotline.
Our chapter mileage contest runs from May to May of the following year. You may enter the contest at any time during the year by documenting your bike's mileage with the Run Coordinator. You must end the contest by the specified date announced on the hotline. If you enter the mileage contest, you must exit the contest officially by having your mileage “read" by the Run Coordinator at the specified time and place with your bike. If you do not officially exit the contest at the end of the riding year, you are disqualified from the mileage contest.
Every summer we have a chapter group photo. Once again, time and place is announced on the hotline, We would like as many members as possible participate in the chapter photo.
The Great Lakes Southeast Michigan Chapter is dedicated to providing a place for Harley riders to get together, build friendships, relax and have fun. The major events that we have every year are our Charity Picnic held the first Sunday in June, Toy Run, Poker Run, Chili/Soup Cook-off, Spring Party, Turkey Dinner (for Chapter members only), Christmas Dance and a Holiday Dinner for the "Special Children" we sponsor. We raffle off two bikes every year, one at our Chili Cook-off and one at our Charity Picnic.
Although our chapter is about riding and having fun, we are also about making life a little better for children who are at risk. All proceeds from our events go into our “Fulfill A Dream Fund." Every year we grant wishes to children. Our biggest charity fundraiser is our Chapter Picnic. Each year we raise thousands of dollars for our charity fund. In the years past we have sent children and their families to Disney World (the most popular wish); to Sea World; supplied a child with a television, VCR, and Turbo Graphix video machine; supplied a NASA cooling suit for a child born without sweat glands; purchased a computer; purchased special computer program for a blind child in order to do homework and keep up with schoolwork; purchased a special three-wheeled bicycle for one child; shopping sprees; and other various smaller needs that children have had such as special shoes; toilet for the handicapped; ramps; the list goes on. We support a home for battered and abused kids and also donated money to Pony Express Tour for breast cancer research.
The success of our Charity Picnic depends on all of our chapter members pulling together and volunteering their help. After the picnic, all volunteers are invited to a "Thank You" party in celebration.
We collect tabs. Money collected from saving tabs is used to purchase medical equipment for the children wards in hospitals. Please turn in your tabs in at the general meetings. Keep aluminum tabs separate from tin tabs. Look for our tab runs held during the year.
Each year, chapter members are entitled to an event pin just for being a member.
Our Ladies of Harley encourages female members to take an active part in the chapter. It supports women enthusiasts (both riders and non-riders) in the sport of motorcycling. Two of the events they have each year are Ladies Getaway Weekend and a Teddy Bear Run - where they collect teddy bears for the Police Stations give to children involved in auto accidents.
Our board members are elected for a term of two years. They are volunteers and receive no pay. If you have any questions, feel free to ask anyone on the board. Being members of a large chapter such as ours can be intimidating at first. You will find that by participating, you will get to meet a lot of members. Your efforts will be rewarded many times over.
So get involved and …Welcome!!