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First of all I would like to thank John Wynes (XGMan) for formulating the concept of an electronic newsletter, in which this will be the inaugural issue. I would also like to thank Kevin Lechner (Leck63) who has been prodding me to write this first message on behalf of the MTF Board of Directors.
The success of the MTF has been phenomenal and has far exceeded any expectations I might have had. More importantly it has really become a family to me. I have many cherished friendships that have developed over the few short years we have shared.
A couple of years ago, I recognized that for the MTF to live beyond Alan Leduc (1343) it was important to let it evolve to a new level. It was at that time I reached out to Bill Neese (Just Bill) and ask if he would help me to incorporate the MTF. Like so many people have done to make the MTF what it is, Bill volunteered his skills as an attorney to do this and agreed to serve on the Board of Directors. I knew Terry Braud (TBraud1) was an accountant and recruited him to serve as our Treasurer. The other two original board members were Roger Bliss (Wheeldog) and Jason Jonas (Nankoweap). Roger was selected because he was one of the first visitors to the forum, a charter member and a mainstay of the forum. Jason was chosen because of his Long Distance Riding experience and well, because he is Jason and someone that I would entrust my life (oh, he was forced into that roll. LOL)
I believed it was an important, as board structures go, this be an active board. That is each board member would have some area of expertise. We had some gaps so the board decided last year we would expand and we added two other members to the board: Kevin Lechner (leck63) and Andy Simons (Andy112652). Kevin had volunteered and was doing a terrific job with our web site and Andy was interested in rough road riding and we felt "Rough Road Riding/Adventure Riding", or what ever Andy decides to call it, was an area that we include in our platter of entrees. Roger resigned his position (likely doing to an overbearing President), Bill decided he was a terrible Flower Sniffing Manager, so we recruited John Wynes (XGMan)to take over responsibilities for Flower Sniffing. You can see the other director responsibilities at: http://www.mctourer.com/honors/MTF_Org.html
There is an underlying characteristic of all of these board members: They are givers. They are not concerned about having a title or power. And they understand the higher you are in a volunteer organization the more important it is for you to commit to serve, not to attain power. They donate their time and efforts with only the expectation of participation. This is critical in a volunteer organization and I thank them for their willingness to accept these responsibilities.
Where do we go from here? Over the next several years we will try to evolve the MTF Board from an active board to an oversight board with the hope of my influence forever dwindling. This means several things. We will be seeking volunteers to assume key directorships. This is critical to taking the weight off of the board. I can't tell you how many hours they donate and it is important we lighten their load. That is easy to say as the first year of lightening that load often comes with the frustration of delegation and training. Patience becomes a virtue. Sometimes folks volunteer for jobs they don't have the time or skills to do and then we have the task of resolving those issues. These are our friends and it is not always an easy task, but it is critical to our growth. The board members have the challenge of working through these issues.
I would also like to take this time to thank the many, many other volunteers who have donated so much to make the MTF what it is.
I will take my turn at this little corner of our newsletter but the title is "A Note from the MTF Board". I think you will get a better understanding in future issues of the competency and value of our board members. This will provide them with a venue to share their philosophy, vision for the future, and recognition of the many volunteers who donate their time in support of our efforts.
Thank you for participating in the Motorcycle Tourer's Forum and for your friendship.
Until we meet on the road, Alan Leduc.
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