October 2003

Hope everyone is out there getting in some riding before the weather starts to change. At our next  meeting this coming (Thursday Oct.2) we will be having State Representative Jim Plakas presenting us with a Tribute" from the State Of Michigan. This "Tribute" was signed by the Governor and is in recognition of all the work we have done over the past ten years. I hope to see a lot of you at the meeting to give Representative Plakas a warm welcome and to let him see what we are all about.  

Also just after the regular meeting we will be having a meeting for the Santaland Parade committee. Lt. Mel Meir from the Garden City Police Dept. will be there to provide formal updates on road closures and barricades for the Parade. The Santaland Parade is a 42 year tradition in Garden City and, will again, be hosted by the American Legion Riders on Saturday Nov. 29th. Due to budget cuts in the City we have to raise the money to put this parade on. We are seeking donations from businesses and other sources to raise the approximately $8000.00 needed to fund this event. So far we have managed to raise around $4500.00 from outside the Chapter. If you are willing to help out on this event please attend the committee meeting on Oct. 2nd. 

Tickets are now on sale for the American Legion Riders 10th Anniversary. The Party will be held on Feb. 21, 2004 at the Amvets Hall in Westland. Post 396 Chapter members have first pick at these tickets until Nov. 6 . Tickets are $20.00 Ea. and can be purchased from Leslie Diehl at the meeting or give her a call at (734) 422-6488. 

Also another function that has been strongly supported by the Riders is the Mayors Committee for Underprivileged Children's Dinner Dance. This will be held at Roma Hall in Garden City on Nov. 1st. Please see myself or Pat or Crazy Bob Squires for more details and ticket purchases. 

Just to keep you up on a few items. Our Chapter membership continues to grow. Also the number of Chapters across the country has topped over 100. With the expansion in growth, in both our chapter and in chapters across the country, I see signs of what I like to term as "Growing Pains", more people, more personalities, more ideas, more problems. Since my election as the ALR National Director by the chapter officers at Rolling Hills Romp in 2002,1 deal with other ALR Chapters across the country on an almost daily basis. Most problems come about when a chapter loses its focus on why they are there. I usually try to remind them of what the ALR is all about:  

"To participate in parades and other ceremonies that are in keeping with the Aims and Purposes of the American Legion. To promote motorcycle safety programs and to provide a social atmosphere for American Legion members who share the same interest To use our Association to promote and support programs of the American Legion through service to the Community, State and Nation".

When I ask how their problem relates to the above mentioned "purpose" I usually get a moment of silence. More often than not the problem usually stems from a personality conflict or someone trying to do something that is outside the realm of our by-laws. As I have seen chapters grow they seem to experience a similar problem. Because the chapters all started with a small group of people (just like we did) the communication was easy, a small group all talking across a table. As the chapters grow there is a need to spread out and use more tables, so therefore communication becomes more difficult. I have seen a little of that start to happen in our chapter. Generally speaking I always try to use our chapter as an example when another chapter calls me with a problem. Since our Chapter was the very first ALR chapter, the other chapters try to keep an eye on what we do. They expect us to take the lead because we simply have been around longer. We have so very much to be proud of, which is why we are being honored by the tribute from the State of Michigan. Think back over the years and realize what an impact we have had and the many accomplishments we are credited with. We have made a huge impact in our own community, we have provided for our veterans, we have been participants in many parades and ceremonies, we have provided to many charities. We have done so much good in service to our community, state and nation that we should be all so proud of what we do. I always felt so good because our chapter could practically just run on "Auto Pilot". The rules were simple and easy to follow. As the current chairman of the ALR National Advisory Committee I can say that we have agreed to try to keep things simple and related to the to what the ALR is all about. We have existed quite successfully with very little changes from our original by-laws and that is what we try to impress on other chapters (K.I.S.S.). 

I believe it is important that we learn to communicate as we continue to grow. Communication is the key to avoid problems. I think that all current committees should give a monthly report on what they are doing, and if a member has a problem they should address that problem to the committee at the committee meeting - if nothing else then at least voice your opinion to a member of that committee. We are all adults here (except for Spanky and Animal) and we should be able to communicate with each other. If anyone had a problem with the way I am doing my job I would expect them to come to me and talk about it. If someone has a problem with the way any chapter officer is doing their job then they should talk to them. We just need to communicate openly and honestly, and if we do that, we will avoid many of the problems I see happening in other chapters, and in many organizations in general. Meetings are supposed to be fun and informative, that was always one of our biggest successes. If you have a problem with another member, or another officer or committee then please try to sit down and calmly talk to them about it. If you can't seem to work it out then both parties can come see me (at the same time) and maybe we can all sit down together and hammer out an agreement. We are all human and we will not always agree, but we must communicate or we will suffer the fate of so many organizations before us. I can honestly say that there is not a person in our chapter that I couldn't call "Friend". Friends talk when they have a problem. 

I sometimes feel blessed that I have had the opportunity to meet so many good people through the ALR. I met quite a few ALR members, from other chapters, when I attended "Rolling Thunder" in Washington D.C. and then when I seen them again at the Rolling Hills Romp in Southern Indiana (in July) it was like we had known each other for a long time. I have been able to meet other ALR members when I went on the run sponsored by the Holt Chapter (a few have even came to visit me and Diane at our place in Jackson - by the way you are always more than welcome to come see us, love to have you). I have had the pleasure of having a conversation with almost every member of our chapter at some time or another. I've even had the pleasure when "Iceman" from Texas was coming through Michigan and needed a place to stay for the night - he didn't leave for six days!! I have so many great memories and I intend to have many, many more. So many friends!

God Bless and Ride Safe!!!!!!! 

Bill Kaledas - Director, Michigan Chapter Post 396 

Visit our website at: http://americanlegionriders.net (see our 10th anniversary tribute and get more info, on the ALR)