New Member Guide Alamo Chapter Harley Owners Group San Antonio, Texas Chapter 2502 - Est. 1986
Table of Contents Section Page I About Our Chapter 4 II What H.O.G. Is and Is Not 4 III Membership Dues 4 IV Meetings 5 V Events 5 VI Communications 6 VII Earning Your Rocker 7 VIII Ladies of Harley 7 IX Chapter Officers 8 HOG Motto: Ride Safe and Have Fun
ABOUT OUR CHAPTER Alamo Chapter H.O.G. (ACHOG) is sponsored by Alamo City Harley-Davidson of San Antonio, Texas. Our Chapter number is 2502, and was established in 1986. The sponsoring dealer ensures that our Chapter is upholding the standards set forth by the Annual Charter of H.O.G. Chapters. Without a sponsoring dealer, there can be no H.O.G. Chapter. Alamo City Harley-Davidson goes beyond just sponsoring our Chapter. Our dealership actively supports our Chapter in many ways, such as assisting with fundraising, offering specials to Chapter members, and opening the dealership for special Chapter events. WHAT H.O.G. Is and Is Not First and foremost, our Harley Owners Group is NOT a motorcycle club (M/C). We are an organized group of Harley-Davidson owners who gather for fellowship and to share in the joy of riding. The ultimate goal is to ride and have fun! We are NOT a charitable organization. However, we do support a number of local charitable events each year. Since 1908, MDA has been the official charity of Harley-Davidson and National H.O.G. MEMBERSHIP DUES Annual dues for the local chapter are $24 per year, are due each January and are not pro-rated. Dues are for our calendar year which runs January 1 through December 31. In order to be eligible for membership in the Alamo Chapter H.O.G., you must be an active National H.O.G. (or BRAG) member. Members are responsible for maintaining their own membership with National H.O.G. Upon your paid local enrollment, the dealership offers a 10% discount for select merchandise and parts. There may also be member only events and specials offered to membership only throughout the year. Participating in Chapter functions and becoming involved with the Chapter will only enhance your motorcycling experience and broaden your circle of motorcycle friends. The Chapter Secretary maintains an updated list of National H.O.G. memberships and will verify your National H.O.G. membership status. If your National Membership needs to be renewed, it must be done in a timely manner or your local membership will be discontinued until renewal is complete. Your membership rewards will be discontinued, including Chapter discounts, receipt of emails and/or newsletters. MEETINGS General Membership Meeting The General Membership Meeting is held monthly. When there is an unavoidable change of the meeting date, it will be posted on the web, in the newsletter, and by email. The membership meeting serves to update members on current and upcoming events, schedule guest speakers, and to enjoy the camaraderie we share as Harley owners.
New Member Orientation and Safety Briefing This meeting is designed to introduce new members to Chapter officers in a casual setting, and introduce new members to the safety and group riding standards of ACHOG. Members are encouraged to ask questions and/or make suggestions for Chapter events. This meeting is held monthly and you can find the next available date at www.achog.com. We operate on a totally volunteer basis, combining your suggestions and local area activities for rides. All Chapter members work diligently to combine safe riding, making new friends and having fun, while also listening to all compliments, complaints and suggestions. So introduce yourself and volunteer! NOTE: We do not allow our Chapter to be used as a networking system. Officers Meeting The Officers Meeting is a monthly planning and organization meeting. The Officers review suggestions and recommendations proposed at the general meeting, as well as the upcoming rides submitted by the Activities Officer and Road Captains. The meeting is open to all officers and members. Time and location of this meeting is posted on the website. EVENTS There are monthly ACHOG Membership Meetings, breakfast rides, lunch rides, dinner rides, special day rides, weekend rallies, overnight rides, cook-offs, campouts, holiday parties, as well as many other activities. If at any scheduled event we have drizzle or rain, the participant may choose to participate on two wheels or four wheels. We do not cancel an event due to rain (except in extreme weather conditions). Participants may choose to drive their four-wheeled vehicle behind the Rear Sweep Road Captain or meet the group at the final destination. IF an event should cancel due to circumstances beyond our control, a message will be posted on the website and an email will go out to all members if at all possible. Closed Events: Closed events are open to Chapter members and one guest per member. Guests are required to sign a waiver before the group ride begins. Member Events: Member events are events that are open only to ACHOG members. Open Events: Open events are open to Chapter members, National H.O.G. and BRAG members, and other guests. Guests are required to sign a waiver before the group ride begins. Guests: Members are welcome to invite a guest to closed events. Guests will be required to sign a waiver when participating in group rides. Guest Conduct Members and guests are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at rides and events. They are responsible for their own actions, safety and adherence to government laws; in addition, members are also accountable for their guest s behavior. At the discretion of a Primary Officer, unruly guests and their sponsoring member may be asked to leave an event in progress, and/or not attend future events. By participating in Chapter events, members and guests give the Chapter permission to use their photograph(s) in Chapter publications and/or on the website. HOG Motto: Ride Safe and Have Fun
COMMUNICATIONS Chapter Newsletter The Mission Summary, our Chapter Newsletter is published throughout the year, and is currently distributed via the ACHOG website. Members are encouraged to submit articles to the Editor for publication at editor@achog.com. Chapter Website The Chapter website is www.achog.com and is the fastest way to view the Events Calendar, see photos of past events, get contact information for officers, read the latest Safety Briefing and/or the Newsletter. E-mail E-mail communication is the fastest way to keep members informed of weekly events. Please keep your e- mail address updated with the Chapter Secretary to make sure to receive your weekly email. To obtain an Officer s email address, visit the Officers page on our website www.achog.com. EARNING YOUR ROCKER Alamo Chapter Rockers are awarded to new members who have met the criteria set forth by the Chapter. Rockers are worn above the H.O.G. insignia patch. New members must meet the following criteria in order to receive their Alamo Chapter Rocker: Attend the New Member Orientation and Safety Briefing Attend at least three (3) Chapter Meetings Attend at least five (5) rides/events Attend at least one (1) Trash Pick-Ups (held quarterly) Work at least one (1) shift in the Chapter HOG Kitchen Rockers are awarded based on the honor system. Once you complete the above requirements, you should sign up for your Alamo Chapter Rocker, provided your dues are current, at the monthly General Membership Meeting. Alamo Chapter rockers (large and small), along with other patches, are available for purchase from the Quartermaster at the General Membership Meeting. Lower rockers (or road names) are worn by some, but not required or endorsed by H.O.G. We promote wearing your National H.O.G. and ACHOG rockers at Chapter functions and rides to identify our group. Jackets and/or vests with our Chapter rockers are not required. LADIES OF HARLEY (LOH) Ladies of Harley is a program sponsored by the H.O.G. to support women motorcycle enthusiasts, both riders and/or passengers. It is not a separate organization, but established to encourage women to become more active in H.O.G. and their local chapters. Ladies of Harley membership allows you to participate in all LOH activities at various H.O.G. rallies and events. These may include workshops, seminars, photos, and other special events. Alamo Chapter LOH does not hold separate meetings. You may register for LOH by calling 1-800-CLUB-HOG (258-2464.) You need to be a National H.O.G. member to join, but there is no additional fee. You will receive the embroidered LOH patch and pin, and subsequent rockers for each year of membership. Events listed on our Chapter Events Listing identified as LOH are open to all members. LOH sponsors monthly rides and get-togethers, and all members are encouraged to attend.
CHAPTER OFFICERS The Chapter has both Primary and Discretionary officers that are elected by our chapter vote. The description of each officer s duties can be found in the Annual Charter for H.O.G. Chapters. Primary Officers Director (2012-Jim Staggenborg) The Chapter Director is directly responsible for the overall management of the Alamo Chapter H.O.G. The Director is the key interface between the Sponsoring Organization, the Sponsoring Dealer, Alamo City H-D and the Regional H.O.G. Manager. You can email the Director at director@achog.com. Assistant Director (2012-Robert Bressler) The Assistant Director assists the Director, promotes H.O.G. and ACHOG Chapter to potential members. They also keep Chapter members educated about H.O.G. programs and benefits. You can email the Assistant Director at asstdirector@achog.com. The following officers also assist in this function: LOH Officer - Ladies of Harley rides and events Safety Officer - Motorcycle safety programs and Safe Rider Skills Head Road Captain - Towing Reimbursement program Treasurer (2012-Tom Gunning) The Treasurer collects Chapter dues, manages all Chapter funds, and reports the monthly financial activity at the ACHOG meeting. The Treasurer complies with Article V of the H.O.G. Charter for Local Chapters and Section C (Job Descriptions) of the H.O.G. Chapter Handbook. In addition, the Treasurer will, on a regular basis, provide the general membership with a Chapter financial statement. The Treasurer is responsible to insure good financial procedures are followed. You can email the Treasurer at treasurer@achog.com. Secretary (2012-Pamela Babb) The Secretary ensures that the National H.O.G. online database corresponds with the ACHOG roster; therefore it is imperative that you keep contact information up to date. The Secretary also maintains annual enrollment forms, current mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses for each member. You can email the Secretary at secretary@achog.com. Discretionary Officers Activities Officer (2012-Joe Castano) The Activities Officer looks for new restaurants, rallies, ride possibilities, local activities, and long distance events. We are always open to and welcome suggestions for activities, restaurants, and rides. You re even welcome to assist with the planning. Please keep in mind that the establishment has to be able to accommodate a group of 20 or more people and have adequate parking. The restaurant must allow for separate checks, group tables together and have an open menu. Please provide a contact person, the location address, and telephone number. What may work for four people does not always work for 20 people, so don t get discouraged if we cannot use your suggestion. Please come forward with your suggestions and let us know what you want to do and where you would like to go! You can email the Activities Officer at activities@achog.com. Editor (2012-Barry Booth) The Editor publishes The Mission Summary, our Chapter Newsletter, to keep members informed of ACHOG activities. We welcome and solicit Newsletter contributions and photos. There is a Letters to the Editor section in the newsletter; make submissions to the Editor at editor@achog.com. Historian (2012-Felix Perales) The Historian organizes a pictorial history of ACHOG in order to dispel the bad biker image and show all members the different types of activities in which our Chapter participates. Each year has its own photo album. We welcome contributions of photos for the albums. Please date or label the backs of the pictures HOG Motto: Ride Safe and Have Fun
if possible. Do not remove contributed photos from the albums without checking with Maestro first. You can email the Historian at historian@achog.com. Ladies of Harley Officer (2012-Norma Case) Ladies of Harley (LOH) is about involving women in the sport of riding, through active participation and group activities. With or without your significant other, all LOH sponsored activities are open for all ACHOG members to enjoy. LOH sponsors a monthly dinner ride and several other functions throughout the year for the entire club to enjoy. LOH is not a separate club within Alamo Chapter; therefore does not have separate meetings. LOH promotes the Beginners and Advanced Riding Classes and Lady Road Captains. You can email the LOH Officer at loh@achog.com. Membership Officer (2012-Vickie Perez) The Membership Officer gets people involved in Chapter activities and to make direct contact with new members. The Membership Officer is available to answer any questions new members may have about the Chapter and to talk with prospective members about joining our Chapter. You can email the Membership Officer at membership@achog.com. Quartermaster (2012-Emil Hirsch) The Quartermaster is in charge of the Chapter store, coordinating with H.O.G. and Alamo City H-D to purchase Chapter items, ordering H.O.G. and ACHOG patches and rockers. The Quartermaster is also responsible for servicing and maintaining any equipment owned by the Chapter. Rockers and other items will be for sale at the Chapter Meetings. You can email the Quartermaster at quartermaster@achog.com. Safety Officer (2012-Larry Rodriguez) Head Road Captain (2012-Don Dobbs) The Safety Officer and Head Road Captain work together to provide the ACHOG membership a safe group riding. They offer Motorcycle Safety Foundation information concerning Safe Rider Skills Advanced programs. At the same time, they keep a watchful eye over the current Road Captains and the training of new Road Captains. Each club ride has a Lead Road Captain and a Rear Sweep Road Captain, along with Road Captains in the center of the group as needed. They will educate members about group riding techniques and inform members of any new and/or changes to hand signals used by the Chapter. Please read the Group Riding Rules before participating in an ACHOG group ride because learning the hand signals for group riding and riding techniques is for your safety and the safety of everyone else. Safety is FIRST with ACHOG. Road Captains (2012-Jim Staggenborg, Robert Bressler, Larry Rodriguez, Donald Dobbs, Sandra Staggenborg, Joe Castano, Ed Case, Howard Peak, Richard McWhirter, Chris Ruiz, Bill Johnson, Jeff Walker, Joey Depuis, Darren Briggs, Al Perez, and Pete Larrieu.) Road captains are a team of experienced Chapter Members who provide a Lead Road Captain and a Rear Sweep Road Captain for each club ride. They also plan club rides, plotting routes, pre-riding, and arranging fuel and food stops for the designated route. Sergeant-at-Arms (2012-Johnny Thompson and Darren Briggs) The Sergeant-at-Arms ensures Law & Order during our monthly ACHOG meetings and are always ready and willing to assist other Chapter officers and the club as a whole wherever and whenever necessary. Webmaster (2012-Stephany Hirsch) The Webmaster is responsible for updating all information on the ACHOG website, keeping the Event Calendar up to date and posting event pictures. This includes replying to emails from members, inquiries from outside sources and/or forwarding them to the appropriate person(s). You can email the Webmaster at webmaster@achog.com.