|
Four years ago, shortly after I purchased a Kawasaki Concours, I received a phone call from a guy named John McDaniel (unclejohn). He also had just purchased a Concours and had seen my name on some internet list somewhere and decided to call. Turns out he lived about 2 miles from me and we soon became friends and did a lot of riding in the local area.
One day he called and invited me to go to a lunch in Baton Rouge, LA and he told me about riders coming from Texas, Tennessee, and some guy named Alan from Indiana. I asked him why were they going to be in town and he simply replied, "Lunch". I thought to myself, "these people are weird".
That was my first contact with the MTF. I didn't know it at the time, but John was a charter member. I met Alan, Jason, Braz, Wings, Just Bill and a few more whose names I can't remember. Prior to that day, I didn't even know the MTF existed, much less what it was all about. But I started reading the post, mostly to have something to talk about with John, and before long the forum had become a major part of my internet browsing.
When I purchased my Concours, I really had no idea how I would be using it. I thought I would mostly ride on weekends with an occasional overnighter. Soon I was hooked. John and I rode to Waco for a lunch and did a SS1K on the way. Shortly after that we both bought Gold Wings and planned to make it to the Founders Feast put on by Alan in Indiana.
Forum membership had been growing steadily and the turnout at that Founders Feast was pretty good. I knew Alan was doing all the administrative work himself and I told him if he needed help with any bookkeeping issues I would be glad to jump-in. Of course he immediately put me to work selling t-shirts and hats and counting all the money.
All of that is getting to the point of this article. Shortly after that Founders Feast, Alan contacted me saying that he was going to incorporate the MTF into a non profit corporation and asked if I would help out with the accounting and financial aspects. Well, having volunteered only a few months earlier, I couldn't back out now.
I think, in one way or another, that is how all the board members came to be where we are. We all volunteer our time and talents in an effort to make this the great organization it is. But it is not just the board members, many other forum members volunteer as well. It takes more than a handful of people to manage the forum itself. Forum moderators, chat coordinators and the like keep the threads running smooth and peaceful. Others help put together events, such as last years Regional SS1K rides, which were a big success, or this year's Founders Feast and Ride Around Texas.
Volunteers are the heart of the MTF. People giving of their time to help promote something they feel strongly about. If you feel strongly about motorcycles, touring, distance riding or other areas, why not give a thought to getting involved yourself. Contact one of the Board Members or other volunteers (they're listed on the MTF web page). You'll be glad you did.
|