Chicago Region BMW Motorcycle Owners Assoccrbmw

Welcome to the Chicago Region BMW Owners Association! That's a mouthful so I'll just abbreviate it as CR. I have written a "welcome to the club" letter that goes in the new member packets. I've tried to describe what we are about and to list some of the resources they need to know about. I'd like to share that information with present members as well so that you know what I'm trying to convey to new members. I also hope to update existing members on the club resources you should be aware of. Please read on (click 'Read More...' below) for the text of the message.

Welcome to the Chicago Region BMW Owners Association. We are a group dedicated to the camaraderie of fellow BMW riders and like minded individuals. We get together periodically for meetings as well as a wide variety of activities. Your membership entitles you to participate in these activities and you will benefit by seeking out and attending those that you can fit into your schedule.

Here are just a few of our typical activities:

• Monthly meetings – held at the Elks in Villa Park. This is a good chance to get together with other club members and stay in touch on a face to face basis. Your board will strive to provide interesting and useful programming which we announce in the newsletter and on our web site.

• Hot Dog Rides – You will find a schedule for this Monday night get together in this packet but be sure to check for updates on our web site should we need to divert to another location. If you have feedback on a location or would like to suggest one of your favorites, let us know!

• Spring Starved Rock Ride – This is a season opener which is attended either by stalwarts or almost everybody, depending on the weather we get.

• Memorial Day Weekend in LaCrosse, WI – An opportunity to ride some of the best roads in the Midwest. Ride there with a group or on your own and choose between camping or hotel accommodations.

• Fall Picnic – This will be the third year we are doing this at Herrick Lake in DuPage County.

• Chitech Seminars – Here is an opportunity to learn to wrench on your bike or watch others do the same.

• BMWMOA Rally – The club has rented a canopy, tables and chairs since the West Bend rally to provide a focal point for club activities at this international rally.

• There's more, more, more, but I have to finish the list somewhere ... Please read on to make sure you don't miss any!

We have a number of resources that you should know about to make sure you can stay appraised of upcoming club activities.

• Newsletter – This is our monthly publication where we publish our schedule of upcoming activities as well as general interest articles and pictures. We also have some limited motorcycle specific advertising and a classified section. This is the one information conduit that reaches each and every member of our club.

• Web site – www.crbmw.com is our on-line club presence. In addition to articles and information on upcoming activities, there is a calendar of club and motorcycle related activities and a forum where members and non-members can share information. You will also find email links to board members.

• Yahoo groups email list - This is a relatively low volume list used to provide general notification and updates on upcoming events. You must subscribe to the Yahoo list to receive notices and will find a link to do so on the web site.

You can expect to hear from our welcoming committee who will answer your further questions and help to get you off to a rolling start with our association. I look forward to meeting you at an activity or meeting.

Hank Barta

CRBMWOA President