Cherokee Chapter News

[shelbyinparadise]

The Texas Cherokee Chapter is having it's 2nd "Meet and Greet" exhibit at the Arlington Texas Swapmeet, Sunday, July 21. We invite all AMCA members without a local chapter membership to come check us out. See our Website for full information www.cherokeeamca.org. about this and our National Road Run being planned for April 2014 in the Texas Hill country. Watch this thread for more Cherokee Chapter News. Shelby

[shelbyinparadise]

Since We did so well with our chapter booth in Arlington Dec 31 the Swapmeet Folks at Arlington Cycle Works are allowing us room to put on a large display. Several members have already signed up to bring from pre-teens through early 70's along with some examples of the period Bobbers from the area builders. A large air conditioned building with a big Swapmeet is a good place to hang out in July in Texas. Our "Meet and Greet" events are well attended in North Texas with the newest AMCA folks Getting to meet and socialize with Cherokee Members from all over the area. Shelby

[stevekleincustom]

Membership Growth and Membership Retention is Essential...

To all AMCA Chapters;

The Cherokee Chapter decided in December 2012 that we needed to try something different to attract new members to The AMCA nad to our Chapter. Conventional annual events such as a Bike Show Swap Meet just did not reach far enough. All Chapters from time to time feel the effects of stagnation, less than favorable participation and certainly the 10% Rule whereby a few always serve on the committees and board and do all the work. All organizations wheter private or public, profit or non-profit need new blood to keep the organization fresh and enthusiastic. What worked well in the past probably does not work so well in the future it seems.

We decided to start attending events that we knew would have enthusiasts attending them and set up a small booth to experiment. Not exactly within the intended guidelines of the AMCA, but an experiment non-the-less. We have attended one very large indoor Swap Meet in Arlington Texas last December and the largest Indoor Bike Show in Oklahoma City in January. By simply setting up a table or two, hanging the AMCA and Chapter Banner, having a stack of AMCA magazines and membership sign-up forms on the tables we were able to do very well. We also encouraged members in those vicinities to bring in a frew machines to display as well. The net result of attending these two shows were the addition of almost 30 new members.

You see...There are alot of people outthere that attend car, hot rod, and motorcycle events. They love the old iron. They maybe even have an old bike in their shop or garage. They just did not know there was an organized group or Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts out there in their back yard. For a mere $45 bucks (Nat. asnd Chapter) dues... they can start a comraderie, find parts, get that machine back on the road and start enjoying the sport again.

Since then we have expanded our Booth to over 100 feet long and displayed a selection of machines from pre-teens through 1965 so we could appeal to a broader range of enthusiasts. In Oklahoma City our Club won the Best Display Booth! A bunch of Old Guys with Old Iron and we won! It Works! Try It!

140 Feet.jpg

[shelbyinparadise]

This past Sunday at the Arlington Swap meet, our "Meet and Greet' booth was a big hit with the North Texas Cherokee, pulling off another great Display of Members Bikes. It might not have been as hot as the Ohio meet where some of our members were attending, sitting in an air conditioned building, has its good points Dwight Rinner and several Okla. members came down, the Little brothers, made the effort with Ty bringing out his 1936 Knucklehead and John drove from Houston to attend. My thanks to all of the North Texas Members that brought bikes or who just came to make the new members see what a tight group our growing chapter is all about. Since the Dec 2nd meeting the North Texas group has grown to over 50
% of the Cherokee Chapter. There are plans to do similar events in South Central Texas, and South East in the Fall for the other half of the Chapter. Watch for more news, and our expanded website will be up shortly. www.cherokeeamca.com
Shelby M. Withrow, membership director and event coordinator.

[shelbyinparadise]

The Texas Chrokee Chapter will be attending the Diamond Chapter's 6th annual Antique Motorcycles in the Park, Sept 7th, 2013, in downtown Hot Springs Arkansas. The Cherokee Chapter will take part in some of the week long motorcycle rally in Hot Springs, but we will be setting up a Meet and Greet Trailer at the Bike show, thanks to Steve Klein. The Diamond Chapter and other Chapters attended our spring run in April, and we are pleased to show our support for their event. The Meet and Greet trailer will be the focal point for many Chapters and all AMCA members are invited to stop by and visit, We will be advertising for our Spring National Road Run in the Texas Hill Country 2014. See www.diamondchapteramca.org/ for more information. Shelby

[stevekleincustom]

Hot Springs Arkansas - September 7th. Be There!

Thank You Shelby Withrow for the reminder to all our other AMCA Members.

Mike Thomson, President of The Diamond Chapter of Arkansas was a great supporter of The Cherokee Chapters Spring Road Run in North East Texas earlier this year. He brought a large contingency of his members to ride our event. It is only "the neighborly thing to do to help support his event this Fall" At this date I know of a large caravan of riders, RV's and trailers heading North East to Arkansas.

I am happy to also confirm that The Confederate Chapter is also coming to the same event "from The East" and they have promised to have more members there than The Cherokee Chapter has in attendance. (The Confederates won the Coveted Rusty Blown Piston Travel Trophy from Texas this Spring and have no intention of relinquishing it to us this Fall!) We shall see?

Mike Thomson and all The Diamond Chapter Members do an incredible one day all vintage bike show in the exact middle of the beautiful Historic Downtown area of Hot Springs. Last year well over 100+ machines were on display. There is an all week motorcycle rally in Hot Springs with a huge Bike Show at The Convention Center. Last year the promoter of the Convention Center Bike Show told Mike that The Diamond Chapter Show really hurt his show for attendance as everyone was talking about the Vintage Motorcycle Show in the Historic Downtown. Way to go Mike! This year with two additional AMCA Chapters attending and bringing even more Vintage Motorcycles, we hope to bring that number up significantly. Plus we are putting a living quarters semi race rig at the rear of the Vintage Bike Show parking lot and displaying the AMCA Banner, all three Chapter Banners and setting up three membership tables so each Chapter may sign up new members to The AMCA and their Chapter. Just seems like a great opportunity to catch the attention of thousands of motorcyclists from all over America to potentially be our members when they return home to their respective states. (Doesn't everyone really prefer to ride a vintage machine anyhow? Doesn't everyone have a vintage machine in the rear of their garage that needs to stretch it's legs?)

If you can attend... Most of the Cherokee and Confederate Chapter Members are rolling into Hot Springs ealier in the week September 2-4 to enjoy riding the terrific high lake country back roads and the pre-planned and advertised motorcycle ride routes in the region. The local Chamber of Commerce distributes an exceptional multi-page, full color, pocket sized, Motorcycle Road Route Brochure that The Diamond Chapter helped design several years ago. Individual routes vary from 26 miles to 300 miles each. On Thursday Night, Sept. 5th, The Diamond Chapter is hosting an Appreciation BBQ for all AMCA Members who come to Hot Springs. Make sure you contact Mike to let him know you are coming.

Please contact Mike Thomson at 501.525.9833 or safari100usa@yahoo.com so he has an accurate headcount for the BBQ, to get information on entering your ride in the Vintage Bike Show, local lodging accomodations and everything else worth seeing and attending that week!

Hope to see more of y'all there!

Mike Thomson.jpg Beautiful Arkansas Scenery Photo is of L-R my wife Joan Klein, Mike Thomson and his lady Susie.

[shelbyinparadise]

The new edition of the Cherokee Chapter Newsletter is now posted on www.cherokeeamca.org. Recap of Davenport, Hot Springs And Downtown Dallas events are featured. Our membership continues to grow, our website has now grown to be top Tier, thanks to Greg McFarland, our Director / WebMaster, for his tireless work in this effort. Spend some time looking at the features of each page, lots of links and features to open. Website will continue to grow.

The Cherokee Chapter is fast growing with a lot of old friends reuniting with youngblood just getting started. Check us out!!!!!!!

Shelby, Membership / Events Director

[shelbyinparadise]

The Cherokee Chapter has be approached by the Pistons and Paint car show to exibit our Antique Motorcycles, period choppers and bobbers. Last year they had over 500 custom cars and motorcycles. The event will be held Nov. 9 at the Denton County Fairgrounds. Outside event when it should be cool at night and warm in the daytime. In order for us to let them know how much room we will require, I am asking Texas area AMCA Members to give us some feedback. Like we did at Hot Springs the Chapter will set up Steve Kleins truck and trailer as a base 70 feet long. Custom Cars and Antique motorcycles? sounds good. contact shelbyinparadise@wccs.net with ideas and sugestions. Shelby Withrow, Membership /Events Director Cherokee Chapter. www.cherokeeamca.org

[shelbyinparadise]

The Cherokee Chapter is growing at a fast pace since the website was updated, a lot of AMCA Members without a home chapter are seeing or hearing about us attending events across the country, Davenport, Barber, Hot Springs, Okla. City, and Arlington as well as our Jefferson, Texas road run in the spring. We are going all out for the April 2014 Road Run in the Texas Hill country, 3 full days of planned rides, The famous YO Ranch Resort is our headquarters, With RV, Cabins and Camping on the river nearby. People will plan to stay and enjoy the best riding in the spring in Texas. Several people plan to test their 2014 Cannonball bikes out during the run.

I encourage everyone to view our website www.cherokeeamca.org for our newsletters, future events and photo gallery of past events. We have made it easy to join with online signup. Shelby

[shelbyinparadise]

The November issue of the Cherokee Chapter Newsletter has been posted, and again it is quite a fine example of Steve Kleins Work. He is pushing the envelope with a very easy to read format and covers many different events. A quick check with Fred Davis it looks like the Chapter expanded over 100% in the last 11 months, thanks to our attending both local and distant events where like minded people attend, Car Shows, Swapmeets, Road Runs and expanded Social get togethers. Our expansion into Oklahoma and other states is moving smoothly. Visiting other Motorcycle Clubs events has made us new members. We will be hosting a AMCA National Road Run in the Texas April 2014, Will be top tier Event. www.cherokeeamca.org Check it out. Shelby

[shelbyinparadise]

We are starting to plan the Arlington Bike show and Swapmeet end of Dec, and the Okla. City 2 day bike show in mid Feburary. The Cherokee Chapter will have the Meet and Greet Booth in Arlington. It looks like we may be planning a bigger Display than the 140 foot display we did last year in Okla. Contact me through www.cherokeeamca.org if you wish to be part of the display. We would like to see some of the Tulsa area AMCA members attend. More details to follow, Shelby, Membership Director

[shelbyinparadise]

The Most Excellent Cherokee Chapter Christmas Party and annual Members and Board Meeting with elections was held in Georgetown, Texas, hosted by Steve and Joan Klein. Please See the December newsletter posted at www.cherokeeamca.org for pictures and details. We expanded out from 6 to 8 the number of Board Members. A position of Oklahoma Director was created and was filled by Dwight Rinner of Moore Okla.

Steve Klein was voted in as President, Steve was the senior chapter member on the board with the retirement of John Nixon as president, and we know Steve will honor the heritage of the Chapter while leading us forward as the only AMCA chapter to double in size this year. The Chapter will still remain a Central Texas Chapter as far as our Smithville meeting and Christmas party in the general Austin Area. The present Board is dedicated to grow the Chapter into one of the most active chapters overall, reaching out to new members, Clubs, and Events in Texas Okla. Ark. and Tenn / Miss areas. We will be doing events near La. and N.M. so lets hear of ideas.

A large group of Chapter members are part of the Carson Classic CannonBall Team 2014, and will be supporting the Cherokee, Diamond and Confederate Chapters members as they go from Daytona Beach to Takoma Washington in Sept., 8 riders on Pre-1937 bikes and 8 support members. I hear there may be one or two others from Texas as well. I am lucky enough to be on the support team.

We welcome the out of state AMCA members for their support, and look forward to a great National Road Run in April. Shelby

[shelbyinparadise]

At the December Board Meeting several items were discussed about updating the Chapter bylaws to insure we are in compliance with all Texas Not for Profit statutes. One of the Major topics that was discussed was the manner of voting for Board Members. The general feeling is that every member of the chapter should have equal chance to cast a vote, in person, mailed ballot or by proxy. This will work well in a large area such as Texas, where not all can attend a Election Meeting. The officers will still be elected by the entire board, all of whom are elected by the entire chapter that choses to vote. This years Ice Storm kept many members in the northern areas from attending, giving input and voting at the general meeting. Watch our Newsletter for a survey for membership input on other items of interest.

The Cherokee Chapter Board all agreed to set a good example for the Love of the Sport, and our Members. Watch the website for updates on planned events www.cherokeeamca.org, and look at the contact page for pictures of new officers and board members. Shelby

[shelbyinparadise]

A Large Group of Cherokee Chapter members always go to Florida in the Spring, and this year we are increasing our numbers by double to roughly 25 at last count, with more signing up after the Okla. City Bike Show Last weekend. We plan on setting up at several locations in Volusia and Lake County our Meet and Greet Booth as well as a Gathering of Cannon Ball Riders and Support Crews for 2014. Tom Faber has the Camp Grounds rented for the Speed Week in Daytona like last year.

At present there are 12 Cherokee members in the 2014 Cannonball 3 as riders or support crew, the largest group is the Carson Classic Motors Cannonball Team with 7 Harleys and one BSA. Several others from Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida and Mississippi are joining our group to check out the starting point in Daytona Beach for event in September. Many of us will be found at several Swap meets in the area.

The Cherokee Chapter will be attending many events across the U.S.A such as Barber, and the Cannonball 3 run, promoting recruitment of younger members to the hobby of Antique Motorcycles. Our Chapter has grown from 38 at end of 2012 to 135 now, some old members are rejoining the AMCA as well as many new ones due to our website and newsletters as well as to support our 2014 National Road run in April, Kerrville Texas. Many Cannon Ball Riders will be testing their bodies, motorcycles and their support crews on this run.

www.cherokeeamca.org Shelby Membership / Events Director Cherokee Chapter

[shelbyinparadise]

With all the Success the Cherokee Chapter has had with it's "Meet and Greet" approach to our "Reach Out Program" in both AMCA and Non-AMCA venues to date, We have much to be proud of. Our membership keeps growing with every event, we are bringing in people that have never heard of the AMCA but have for many years collected, restored, admired and ridden antique motorcycles. The Cherokee Chapter is reaching out to a large population of present and future members of the AMCA, and encourages people to join our active Chapter in growing the social aspect of our hobby.

We have had success in reaching out to other Vintage and Antique Motorcycle Clubs and Chapters who want to build lasting events of interest in not only local areas but across the Country. To use Davenport for an example, one of the greatest Swap meets in the Country has thrived without being part of the AMCA because it is an "Event of Interest" to the Antique Enthusiasts regardless of the Host's standing in the AMCA. Barber is another example of a huge Motorcycle event that is a gathering of enthusiasts regardless of brand loyalty and a perfect place to recruit or introduce people to the principles the AMCA was founded upon.

The Chapters and members are the Heart and Soul of the AMCA, the source of activities, events and common interest. AMCA Members should support the Chapters doing good works for the benefit of all by joining. Our Reach Out Program might not work for many Chapters, but might be the right choice for others. Time will tell.

Shelby Withrow, Membership / Events Director, Cherokee Chapter