AMCA Hires New Executive Director

[motorpickle]

Well wishes on your new position with the AMCA. I am one of the crusty old farts that over the years has seen many changes in this club. Debating these changes is sometimes contentious(I lifted this from a previous post) but always interesting and entertaining. I will be working with you in the upcoming AMCA Judging season and welcome opinions/critique/support to help better the Judging System as it exists in the AMCA. I can't wait for 2014 to get here. It is currently 7 degrees here in Wisco and riding motorcycles is but a distant memory(YUK!). I have a handshake and many questions for you when we meet. Later.....Don
Don Dzurick
Chief Judge
P.S. I want to once again thank all of the apprentice, field, senior, and deputy chapter judges that made 2013 a huge success. I and my Assistant Chiefs will work with every National Meet to ensure the same results for 2014. See you on the road!

[JJCerilli]

Well wishes on your new position with the AMCA. I am one of the crusty old farts that over the years has seen many changes in this club. Debating these changes is sometimes contentious(I lifted this from a previous post) but always interesting and entertaining. I will be working with you in the upcoming AMCA Judging season and welcome opinions/critique/support to help better the Judging System as it exists in the AMCA. I can't wait for 2014 to get here. It is currently 7 degrees here in Wisco and riding motorcycles is but a distant memory(YUK!). I have a handshake and many questions for you when we meet. Later.....Don
Don Dzurick

Chief Judge
P.S. I want to once again thank all of the apprentice, field, senior, and deputy chapter judges that made 2013 a huge success. I and my Assistant Chiefs will work with every National Meet to ensure the same results for 2014. See you on the road!

Don - Thanks for your kind words. I too, look forward to meeting you in person, and learning more about the AMCA Judging System. For those of us here in "The Valley of the Sun" (aka the Phoenix area), this is our "paradise season", with warm sunny days and cool nights. However, after Memorial Day, it is HELL ON EARTH for 4 months with temperatures exceeding 110-115 degrees in the daytime (one day last August, it actually hit 119!!), and no cooling off at night. If you ever visit Arizona in the winter, I have fine vintage two bikes for you to choose from to ride.
Take care and RIDE SAFE.

Best regards,

JJ Cerilli

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear John, to repeat Lonnie's point, don't let low population density be a barrier to forming Chapters. We've trebled European membership since our Chapter was formed, and we have no Clubhouse or monthly meeting place, plus several different languages and currencies. Internet contact can keep people in touch, even when you only rarely meet in person. It only takes eight members to form a Chapter, so surely a South-West US Chapter (and an Australasian Chapter) are well overdue.

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear John, and while we're brain-dumping, speak to Don Dzurick about the judging system. It is a minority interest, but all members seem happy for it to continue, and it distinguishes the AMCA from other bike clubs. I've wondered for a while why the Tenino meet is not a National, as this would give our hard core West Coast and Canadian members a place to have their bikes judged now that Davenport no longer conducts AMCA judging. Try your hand by signing up as an Apprentice Judge at your next AMCA Meet. You'll be surprised at what you know, and it's a chance to put your knowledge back into our Club.

[JJCerilli]

Dear John, to repeat Lonnie's point, don't let low population density be a barrier to forming Chapters. We've trebled European membership since our Chapter was formed, and we have no Clubhouse or monthly meeting place, plus several different languages and currencies. Internet contact can keep people in touch, even when you only rarely meet in person. It only takes eight members to form a Chapter, so surely a South-West US Chapter (and an Australasian Chapter) are well overdue.

Steve -

Again, thank you again for your feedback and insight. There is a HUGE vintage motorcycle contingency between Phoenix and Tucson, and I for one, would like to see more AMCA members and more AMCA activities here in the future, so I will do my best to move this forward in 2014.

Regarding Australia, (and even New Zealand), maybe I can rally my contacts through the MGNOC (Moto Guzzi National Owners Club) down there to add some new AMCA members and get rolling.

Best regards,

JJ Cerilli

[JJCerilli]

Dear John, and while we're brain-dumping, speak to Don Dzurick about the judging system. It is a minority interest, but all members seem happy for it to continue, and it distinguishes the AMCA from other bike clubs. I've wondered for a while why the Tenino meet is not a National, as this would give our hard core West Coast and Canadian members a place to have their bikes judged now that Davenport no longer conducts AMCA judging. Try your hand by signing up as an Apprentice Judge at your next AMCA Meet. You'll be surprised at what you know, and it's a chance to put your knowledge back into our Club.

Steve -

Thanks again, for your excellent suggestion, and I will definitely meet and talk to Don in the near future. I have personally judged more than a few vintage motorcycle shows in my career, but never an "official AMCA judged event" and I would be honored and privileged to sign up as an Apprentice Judge at an upcoming AMCA event. I will look into the details.

Best regards,

JJ Cerilli

[shelbyinparadise]

Dear John, to repeat Lonnie's point, don't let low population density be a barrier to forming Chapters. We've trebled European membership since our Chapter was formed, and we have no Clubhouse or monthly meeting place, plus several different languages and currencies. Internet contact can keep people in touch, even when you only rarely meet in person. It only takes eight members to form a Chapter, so surely a South-West US Chapter (and an Australasian Chapter) are well overdue.

I agree with Steve, The Cherokee Chapter in Texas has no meeting place or meetings except for twice a year we try to have a central location for required Board Meetings and Elections. Our chapter went from 48 last year to 112 in 12 months. We have our core members scattered all over Texas, Ark. and Okla. Members are up to a 1000 miles apart from north to south, but by setting up "Meet and Greet" displays or booths in locations of intrest to Antique Motorcycle owners we sign up people that have the same intrests. Our excellent newsletter and Website www.cherokeeamca.org has drawn in AMCA members that have no local chapter but offer information of regional events to attend as a group. Our Dec. newsletter will be posted this weekend showing our Christmas party and Elections.
Shelby

[Lonnie]

I agree with Steve, The Cherokee Chapter in Texas has no meeting place or meetings except for twice a year we try to have a central location for required Board Meetings and Elections. Our chapter went from 48 last year to 112 in 12 months. We have our core members scattered all over Texas, Ark. and Okla. Members are up to a 1000 miles apart from north to south, but by setting up "Meet and Greet" displays or booths in locations of intrest to Antique Motorcycle owners we sign up people that have the same intrests. Our excellent newsletter and Website www.cherokeeamca.org has drawn in AMCA members that have no local chapter but offer information of regional events to attend as a group. Our Dec. newsletter will be posted this weekend showing our Christmas party and Elections.
Shelby

Shelby, I have followed with great interest the initiative that you, Steve, Numo and the others have invested in growing your chapter. I think that a lot of chapters could take pages from your book and put them to use in their own area and those wanting to start one could certainly do so also. Perhaps at some National Meet you could put on a seminar so those interested could listen, ask questions and learn.

[JJCerilli]

I agree with Steve, The Cherokee Chapter in Texas has no meeting place or meetings except for twice a year we try to have a central location for required Board Meetings and Elections. Our chapter went from 48 last year to 112 in 12 months. We have our core members scattered all over Texas, Ark. and Okla. Members are up to a 1000 miles apart from north to south, but by setting up "Meet and Greet" displays or booths in locations of intrest to Antique Motorcycle owners we sign up people that have the same intrests. Our excellent newsletter and Website www.cherokeeamca.org has drawn in AMCA members that have no local chapter but offer information of regional events to attend as a group. Our Dec. newsletter will be posted this weekend showing our Christmas party and Elections.
Shelby

Shelby -

Thanks so much for your feedback. As I get my feet wet, I would like to get a chapter and other activities going here in the Phoenix are and Southwest in general. I look forward to meeting you in person in the near future.

Best regards,

JJ Cerilli

[shelbyinparadise]

Lonnie, I thank you for the kind words and if that is an invitation for Denton Farms, I plan on being there 2014. Missed last year due to Mothers health issues but was there for the first 3. As you may know I am a very serious person when it comes to our hobby and not always in lockstep with decisions that might effect me. That being said I plan on spending whatever time I have left of good health promoting the growth of Vintage and Antique Clubs such as the AMCA and the Cherokee Chapter.

[shelbyinparadise]

Can not miss the chance to invite you to the Cherokee National Road Run in April 2014 in Kerrville Texas, That is meeting you about half way as the crow flies. Shelby, Membership / Events Director, Cherokee Chapter

[Steve Slocombe]

I did the last Texas Hill Country Road Run out of Kerrville and can thoroughly recommend it. On new Chapters, I also applaud what the Cherokee Chapter has been doing recently. Eight AMCA members plus someone to write a Website and newsletter can form a new Chapter which will attract many new members. The old bikes and the guys are out there already, they're just not AMCA members yet.

[frichie68]

I did the last Texas Hill Country Road Run out of Kerrville and can thoroughly recommend it.

Good point, Steve. I have inside information that they still have a few openings available for the run....
Are you going again in April?
Rich

[Buzz Kanter]

Congrats JJ and well done. I have enjoyed viewing and reading your many posts on Facebook, so I know you are an enthusiast. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you in your new position.

[JJCerilli]

Congrats JJ and well done. I have enjoyed viewing and reading your many posts on Facebook, so I know you are an enthusiast. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you in your new position.

Buzz -

Thanks for your kind words and I look forward to talking with you at a future AMCA event!

Best regards,

JJ Cerilli