Michigan Chapter
Valkyrie Riders Cruisers Club
Newsletter
Hi Folks...well seems like
a lot of changes have taken place since the winter gathering. Slyk Willy has
announced that he was stepping down as our State Representative and he asked me
to take over the job for him. I can assure you that this was a complete surprise
and took me back for a while. I had to sit back and evaluate what this position
would mean to Devon and I and how it would affect our relationships with the
folks in the Michigan VRCC. Many of the chapter leaders had called and emailed
me and with their support and that was a big help for me to make the decision to
accept the position.
Now how will this affect the State club? We in
Michigan have been lucky to have a very good group of members that all enjoy the
experience of group riding. We have a strong base of folks that are friendly and
enjoy each other’s company. We have been blessed with good leadership starting
with Richard (Rude) Doner who established our Michigan club and brought about
the Michigan Chapter system. When Bill took over from Richard he moved our club
to new heights that other State clubs have yet to reach. He set up a system of
management that allows our Chapters and chapter leaders to decide what works for
them. We have a fair and open system with support from the National VRCC. Some
folks have asked how our system is managed…well I will try to explain shortly
the system we have in place.
1) The State
Representative is an appointed position from the National VRCC Club. They take
advice from the State leadership and decide on the information given to them.
2) The State Chapter
leaders are appointed by the State Rep. The representative will take advice and
counsel from each Chapter then appoint the chapter leader.
3) Each Chapter leader can
then decide which system of leadership their chapter will follow. Such as
chapter officers, road captains, treasure, secretary this is all decided by the
chapter. Some chapters don’t have any officers, whatever works for them.
4) How are chapters formed? A
new Chapter can be formed when groups of people decide they would like to ride
together as a chapter. This could be 3-4 people with a set plan for a chapter. A
proposed new chapter can petition the State Representative and set forth their
intent and purpose for their chapter. The State representative will make a
decision based on this and a new chapter can be formed.
The State Club
does not allow any unlawful, harmful,
threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, racial and/or
ethnic slurs or intimidation at any of our events or on our message boards and
forums. The Chapter leaders and the State Representative will enforce this as
they see fit.
There is one thing that I
would like to stress as the State Rep. I want everyone to know that first and
foremost I am a Michigan man. I will always be a Michigan man; the State club
will always come first. You are the people that I have been riding with all
these years, love me or hate me at least you know me.
Second in my position as
Tri-City Chapter leader I organized events and rides aggressively when there was
a need for an event. But as other chapters began to grow and organize I always
supported to the best of my ability their events and rides. I have many friends
in the Tri-City Chapter and I will continue to ride with them BUT I also have
many friends in other chapters and will support and ride with them equally. You
may ask where my loyalties are…well they are with everyone in this State that
wants to ride and enjoy the company of fellow riders.
I fully intend to promote
and grow our club; I plan on opening communications between chapters. I will
strive to strengthen our State club through trust and example and build on the
friendships we have formed over the years. I will openly welcome new members and
you will see me in the wind from one end of this State to the other.
Michigan Chapter Leader
Robert RTaz Tasior
Michigan
Chapter State Newsletter....
Posted on November 18, 2008
Valkyrie Riders Cruisers Club
Michigan Chapter
Hi folks…well another riding season is in the books for most of us, I know there
are some die-hard riders that never put their bikes away so for you guys please
be careful, for the rest of us please try to stay warm. The 2008 riding season
was slow in starting with cold temp and a rainy spring, but things did warm up
and dry up and I think we had one of the best riding seasons so far. Our
Michigan Riders club ended the season with a total of …375’160 miles since April
1st…not bad considering 73 members that signed up and 9 of those only sent me
miles one time for under 500 miles… Good job riders and remember next year lets
all send in those miles…
There have been some changes this year in the Michigan Chapter, in May of this
year Bill (Slyk Willy) Bunker stepped down as State Rep after 5yrs and I was
asked to take over the position …I want to once again thank Bill for the great
job he has done and for his continued support of our club.
In August, Gary Swan from our Capital City Chapter also decided to step down and
enjoy his retirement up in Houghton Lake. Gary has worked hard in trying to get
things rolling in the Lansing area thanks Gary for all your hard work and we
hope we will see you riding with the Northern Wolfpack. We have decided to leave
the Capital City Chapter in limbo until somebody decides they would like to step
up and try once again to make a go of it. Now the good news is Greg Graves the
Capital City Captain under Gary has decided to re-open the Southern Michigan
Chapter, which is located around the Jackson area. Greg has put on a wonderful
ride to Brooklyn this year and I hope to see this turn into a signature ride for
them. Thanks Greg and Patty for taking on this role and I’m sure we will be
seeing a lot coming out of this Chapter in the future. Contact Greg at:
Southern_Mi_VRCC@Comcast.Net
Our Flint Chapter has also had a change in leadership, with Scott and Lori’s
purchase of a farm up in the Alger’s area and all the work that it takes to
restore a 100 yrs old farm, Scott has decided to step down from the chapter
leaders position in Flint, I want to thank Scott and Lori for their hard work
and we hope to see them on the road in the future. With this opening in the
Flint Chapter I asked Norm Bacon a long time Genesee county resident and a
Michigan VRCC supporter if he would be interested in taking the job, I am glad
to announce that he agreed to take on the job of Chapter leader. So the Flint
Chapter is now called the Greater Genesee Chapter or the GGC with Norm Bacon as
the Chapter leader. Norm has led us on rides before and he put on an excellent
late fall ride this year…I’m sure we will be seeing and hearing more coming out
of the GGC next year. Contact Norm at: norm@birchrunmotorsports.com
A long time Michigan VRCC chapter leader Gary (Stitch) House of the Grand Rapids
Road Ryder’s made it known to me that because of other business interest’s and
work commitments, he will be taking a limited role next season in the Grand
Rapids Chapters. He has agreed to stay on as Chapter leader but in a limited
role, so if you are in the Grand Rapids area and would be interested in giving
Gary a hand please contact him. Thanks Gary for your continued support of our
club and for your friendship, a big part of the Michigan VRCC success is because
of Gary and all he has done for the club. Contact Gary at: GR-VRCC@comcast.net
Next up is our Northern Wolfpack Chapter, Dave (Timberwolf) Spencer and Faith
(Chilipepper) Dandois has done a great job up in the great white north. The Q in
da Woods has become a must do event in the Michigan VRCC and is talked about
though out the National VRCC. They have also put on an excellent ride to Copper
Harbor that was one of the most beautiful and picturesque rides of the year, and
rumor has it they plan on doing it again next year. Thanks Dave and Faith for
your efforts and continued support of our club …if you are from the Northern
Michigan area and would like to participate in the Wolfpack Chapter contact Dave
at…Northernwolfpack@yahoo.com
The Tri-City Chapter has also undergone some changes. With my new title as the
Michigan Chapters State Rep. I resigned as the Tri-City Chapter leader after 5
years and turned the reigns over to my good friend Joe (Ridingdragon) Errante as
the new Tri-City Chapter leader. Joe and Pam have done a great job this year and
have led us around many rides this season. They plan on continuing many of the
Tri-City signature rides like the Lumberman’s Monument picnic and The Fall color
tour along with the many weekend last minute rides like the Tawas Loop Ride and
the Sunday dinner rides. The Tri-City Chapter has a long history of rides and
friendships and continues to grow as a valuable asset to our Michigan VRCC club.
Thanks Joe & Pam for the great job that you do. Contact Joe at: jeceramic@yahoo.com
Our Michigan VRCC chapter is proud to announce the addition of a New Chapter in
the Northern Macomb and Oakland counties, they have chosen the name of the Rogue
Riders Chapter and have Gary (Romeo) Henry and Jeff (Scar) Emrich as their
chapter leaders. Gary and Jeff have both been very active in our club for many
years and with a name like the Rogue Riders we can expect a fair amount of
attitude coming from this chapter. Both Gary and Jeff have a no nonsense
approach to rules and regulations and an attitude for enjoying the ride. I can’t
wait for their first club ride and expect good things from this chapter. Lets
all welcome Gary and Jeff and all the ROGUE RIDERS. Contact Gary at: gjh@mich.com
or Jeff at: Valkydrgn@Gmail.com
Okay this brings us to The Southeast Michigan Chapter; over the years there have
been many changes to the makeup of the Southeastern Michigan Chapter. It is a
combination of many chapters into the one chapter that we have today. After many
years of service and the forming of the Southeast Chapter both Big Bob and TonyZ
have decided to step down as chapter leaders. They have both assured me that
they will continue to be a big part of our club; they both believe that now is a
good time for the Southeast Chapter to grow under new leadership. With that said
at the Southeast chapters monthly dinner meeting George (Momz) Fischer was asked
to take the reign’s as the New Southeast Chapter Leader which he accepted and I
am proud to announce to all here today. George is a long time biker and member
of our club and well-respected road captain with the Southeast chapter. I am
sure George will do a great job and I look forward to the many greats rides
coming from the Southeast Chapter next summer. Contact George at: Dukenjoey@yahoo.com
We are presently working on our 2009-riding calendar and have posted some events
already on the website at: http://www.valkyrieriders.com/mi/Pages/Calendar.htm
Our 2009 Michigan Chapters Winters Gathering is: February 7th 2009.
Where? Soaring Eagle Inn & Conference Center Mt Pleasant MI www.hiresort.com
When? Feb.7th 2009
Here are some of the particulars, we’ll meet at 3:00-5:00 pm for social hour,
we’ll eat about 5-5:30…Dinner Buffet will be available for under $20. Prime Rib
and Shrimp are featured. During dinner we’ll begin the “meeting” portion. Then
Boomer’s Lounge will be open with DJ featuring Classic Rock type music, nice
dance floor, and a great bar. You could spend the night if you want to; I’ve
gotten a room rate of $109 if you mention the VRCC.
Soaring Eagle Conference Center (formerly Holiday Inn)
5665 E Pickard
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
(989) 775-9012
(800) 292-8891
Michigan Chapter Leader
Robert RTaz Tasior