Minutes, January 12, 2004
John McGinn, Vice Cow, welcomed everyone and opened this first meeting in 2004 by having everyone introduce themselves to the group. This meeting over 70 members and guests were present. Approximately 20 first-time members signed up this evening.
John gave a recap of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Parade. It was a great success with about 50 bikes showing up to excite the crowd; we made the local TV and AJC paper! There is a great photo shot of Wayne Farr doing "wheelies" on his bike with the sidecar.
Wayne asked that we recognize the great service we received this evening from the Fayetteville Dwarf House Chick-fil-A servers. This restaurant puts up with us once a month and we always receive cheerful and dedicated service along with some great food and fellowship.
Mark Trail asked that everyone prayerfully consider donating time and money to help B&F refurbish and install showers, sinks, and other bath fixtures in the training room area of the B&F building. Mark believes it will take approximately $3,000.00 to buy the material and if we can provide the expertise and labor, then this would give B&F much needed improvements to the facilities.
John Pekarske proposed we use some of the funds in the MooCow dues checking account to help with the cost and labor. John McGinn indicated the officers would meet in the next few weeks and discuss this proposal.
Saturday, February 7, is the Law Enforcement Ride to Warm Springs, Georgia. This ride supports police officer charities during the year and is a great ride. There will be prizes, a 50/50 drawing, and other great festivities. Ride registration starts at 08:30 at the Camp Creek Police Precinct.
Saturday and Sunday, January 17-18th, is the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows (http://www32.brinkster.com/grandprixcities/cycleworldmotorcycleshow2004.html) at Cobb Galleria shopping center.
Official MooCow rides for riding year 2004 have not been published. The officers will establish a riding calendar in the next few weeks. The calendar will be published by the next meeting date.
Wayne Farr proposed that we establish a monthly "Saturday ride to the mountains." He will happily lead the ride, it can be the first or any other Saturday, and he promises not to take the group on the same road twice. Begin/end could be at Graybeard's Restaurant.
If you have any suggested ride "ideas" provide the information to our new Ride Captain, Leon West.
The next meeting dates for CalendarYear 2004 are: February 9, March 8, April 12, May 10, and June 14, and July 12 (for the next six months).
The minutes for December 2003 are posted on the website at http://www.moocowbikers.org.
a. Membership: : John Pekarskae is taking membership dues for 2004 right now. Dues are only $15.00. John gave a membership status brief: we have 253 members signed up from 2000 to present. There are 142 paid members from 2003.
b. Budget/Funds: John Pekarske gave a year-end budget update. We donated $21,275.00 to B&F last year, and we have approximately $6,000.00 in the membership dues fund. Wayne Farr reminded everyone that the sale of MooCow Biker clothing, food-cost donations, and other miscellaneous donations all go to benefit our ministry at B&F. We have plenty of merchandise left: vests, jackets, shirts, hats, etc.
John McGinn introduced the new elected officers for the 2004 riding year. If you want to serve in any capacity contact one of the officers or John at jcmcginn01@aol.com.
Leon West gave an update on the motorcycle safety training we are hoping to conduct this year. The training will be for all ride leaders first, and then other group members are welcome to attend. The training will be based on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course material. The date and times will be published at a later date, however, if you are interested in the course sign up now.
Two t-shirts from the Harley-Davidson Kuwait City, Kuwait were auctioned off to the highest bidders with one shirt going for $125.00 and the other for $155.00. All proceeds from this sale go to B&F.
Ride Captains are reminded they are responsible for a safety brief before each scheduled group ride. Everyone should check out the website for safety information on riding in groups, hand signals, etc. http://www.moocowbikers.org/handsignals.htm
Head-Cow Dan Cathy spoke to us about the current Chick-fil-A operating status and what a terrific year they just completed in 2003! And that the company is off to a great start for 2004. The Peach Bowl game set an all-time attendance record for a sporting event at the Georgia Dome. The company has 72 new freestanding store openings planned this year and Dan tries to make it to each grand opening. They've noticed that a CFA promotional event tends to pull the chicken fanatics out of the "wood work." Openings end up being one great big tailgate party. As Dan's brother says, "If your not having fun, then you're not doing it right." Well, at Chick-fil-A they are still having fun according to Dan.
Dan thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting and encouraged us to continue to be a blessing to those around us, and continue to be God's light in this dark world we live in. Dan spoke to us about a lesson he tried to convey to his young sons several years ago, regarding the moon reflecting the sun's light. If God can perform such a wondrous miracle with the craters, dust, and crud on the moon's surface, His light can certainly reflect through our "crater and dust filled" lives, if we only let it.
Dan gave us a short devotional from the Gospel of John: John 17. In this chapter Jesus prays for Himself and for His disciples. "Father, I have brought you glory on earth, by completing the work you gave me to do." We should each ask ourselves "are we completing the work God gave us to do?" There is lots to do in any New Year….at the end of this year ask yourself: have you completed what God had planned, or completed what you had planned? Dan encouraged us to "be about God's work" in spirit and unity with Him. Go out into the world, get into the muck and gunk, get involved, and start reflecting His light. Only then can you say to God with assurance "I have completed everything You gave me to do."
_____________/signed/_________________
Dan Cathy, President