A GOLD WING UNIVERISTY MEMBERSHIP ENHANCEMENT SEMINAR

Instructor Guide

TITLE: / HISTORY OF GWRRA
LENGTH: / Approximately 55 minutes
RESOURCES: / LCD projector and screen
White Board or rip chart and markers
One general meeting room - capacity 20-30
OBJECTIVES: / To become better acquainted with the founders of GWRRA
To learn the reason why GWRRA was established
To understand its purpose and goals
INTRODUCTION: / Discussion topics include:
Background on Paul and Shirley Hildebrand
Why GWRRA was established
Principles on which GWRRA was founded
How GWRRA grew over the years
Slide 1:
Title Slide / Introduce yourself and welcome the participants to: History of GWRRA. Let them know that questions can be asked at any time during the presentation.
Slide 2:
•Picture of Paul & Shirley / Pictured are our founders, Paul Hildebrand and his wife (at the time) Shirley.
This is the story of Gold Wing Road Riders Association.
It all began when an electronics firm product manager named Paul Hildebrand traded in his Suzuki 750 commuter motorcycle for his first Gold Wing, a red '76 GL1000. At the time he couldn't have foreseen the outcome of the decision, but by stepping up from a simple commuter motorcycle to Honda's smooth, quiet touring motorcycle, Hildebrand was to embark on a journey that would forever alter the face of American motorcycling.
Early on, the journey began with tiny, almost inconsequential, steps, but soon escalated into an international parade involving thousands of people from all walks of life.
Slide 3:
Objectives
•To become better acquainted with the founders of GWRRA
• To learn the reason why GWRRA was established
• To understand it’s Purpose and Goals
Slide 4:
Overview
•Every organization began as a dream. The persons involved had a specific purpose for establishing the organization.
•We will explore thoughts and information on how GWRRA has developed into a family organization and what makes it work / GWRRA was no different.
Thoughts shared by Paul & Shirley during a 1993 training seminar in Phoenix, AZ
Slide 5:
In the Beginning
•Paul and Shirley began their journey into the motorcycle world
•Cycle 1 – 1972 Yamaha 350
•Cycle 2 – Suzuki 750
•Cycle 3 – 1976 RED GL1000 Gold Wing / Purchased to reduce travel expenses
A step up
Excited Paul enough to want to start of group for Gold Wing owners in the Phoenix area
Slide 6:
Paul’s First Gold Wing
  • Picture of his 1976 GL1000
/ This is a photo of that first Goldwing. He named this machine ‘Theobald’ - who knows why
Slide 7:
Shirley’s Bike
Slide 8:
1977 Letter to All Gold Wing Owners
•Picture of letter / Being a new and proud owner of a Gold Wing aroused A SHARING SPIRITWITHIN, so Paul contacted American Honda concerning Gold Wing Clubs.
The response was quick and led them to the GWOA (Gold Wing Owners Association), and the Hildebrand’s joined.
In May, 1977, Paul became State Representative for GWOA. The machine was unique, and Hildebrand sensed other owners would enjoy getting together to kick tires and swap stories about their mutual interest.
So he typed an open letter to all area Gold Wing owners, inviting them to an informal organizational meeting, and left a copy in every Honda dealership in his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona
Slide 9:
1977 Letter to All Gold Wing Owners
•Dear Fellow "Wing Nut",
You are invited to attend the first monthly meeting of the GL Road Riders Association. "What Fun", you say! "You ain't heard it all yet", we say.
It is our intention to form an informal, non-restrictive, fun typeassociation of proud, unique, and special people--GOLD WING OWNERS!!!! People with whom we can share impromptu rides, experiences, discuss problems, find solutions, exchange ideas, save money, and (most importantly) form new friendships.
Slide 10:
1977 Letter to All Gold Wing Owners
  • If this sounds like something you would enjoy, join us Saturday morning for breakfast--June 4, 1977 at Denny's Restaurant, Black Canyon Freeway at Dunlap, at 8:30 a.m. If you know other Wing Nuts, please invite them along. Just look for the "prettiest parking lot in town"!!!! Questions or
    comments? Call me, Paul Hildebrand--9732357.
    See you there--
    Ride safe!!
    The Boogie Bird
    (Guess who just got a CB?)

Slide 11:
History of GWRRA
•June 4, 1977
•Seven people met at a local Restaurant and formed a Gold Wing Owners Association Chapter
•By November, GWOA had financial problems, so they formed their own group and called it:
“Gold Wing Road Riders Association” / During that first year, the group created and sold a Gold Wing belt buckle and started a monthly newsletter with a ride calendar and tech tips.
Financial problems plagued the fledgling GWOA but perseverance and a dogged determination to see the dream realized kept them going. Fearing the absence of national support from GWOA, the group decided to go it alone and the first GWRRA chapter began in December 1977 in Tucson, Arizona.
In January of 1978, there were 73 members and a new chapter was started in Tucson.
Slide 12:
First GWRRA Meeting Location
•Picture of Denny’s Restaurant / This is where it all began.
Slide 13:
Purpose and Goals of GWRRA
  • To be an association of Gold Wing motorcycle owners & operators
  • To provide a social organization for pleasure, recreation, safety, and information exchange
  • To provide an environment for camaraderie, and friendship of Members
/ Membership has expanded to include any like-minded individuals
Slide 14:
Secondary Goals
  • Improve public perception of motorcyclists
  • Support the Motorcycle Safety Foundation
  • An organization directed by the membership using the association concept
  • Family oriented
/ By supporting civic, police and charity groups
Provide a safer environment for all motorcycle riders
Slide 15:
Ideals of GWRRA
  • The Member is most important
  • Serve them properly and “our” purpose and goals will be met
  • Meetings/Gatherings are for fun
/ These were the original ideals of GWRRA as proposed by Paul Hildebrand. You can see they have endured over the years.
“Business” should be kept to a minimum
Slide 16:
First Home Office
  • Picture of Paul & Shirley’s Home
/ This is a photo of Paul and Shirley's home – the first home office of GWRRA.
Slide 17:
First Patches
•Picture of Patches / Shown here are some of the early GWRRA patches. Notice before it was rider and co-rider it was pilot and co-pilot. Also notice the early rocker for “booster” member, the precursor to associate member.
Slide 18:
GWRRA After One Year
  • Average age of riders was 38
  • Growing rapidly
  • Don Farley had replaced John Mimm as Executive Director
/ A second Phoenix chapter was formed.
As a result of the TV story, word reached American Honda in California, and interest in GWRRA expanded rapidly. Shortly thereafter, GWRRA extended area representation beyond its state borders into Southern California.
Slide 19:
History of GWRRA
  • 1979
  • Monthly Newsletter
  • “WING NEWS”
  • MOTTO :
  • “FRIENDS FOR FUN, SAFETY AND KNOWLEDGE”
/ 1979 saw the introduction of the first monthly newsletter titled Wing News. It contained the GWRRA motto of Friends for FUN, Safety and Knowledge.
10 Chapters in 7 states
The “undressed” GL1000 supplanted by the fancy new GL1100, now a full dressed touring machine
Slide 20:
First Wing News Cover
  • 1979
  • Picture of First Cover
/ The first newsletter was typewritten and reproduced on a mimeograph machine. The cost was partially underwritten by the first advertiser - a local stock broker who placed a business card sized ad. It included a public relations article and urged members to participate in local ride events. Later a ride calendar and exchange of technical tips via “Dear GWIN” which stood for Gold Wing Information Needed was included as was a membership application. Also identity items were offered for sale – the first item being a belt buckle. Local dealers offered discounts to members and a classified ad section was included.
Slide 21:
First Wing Ding
  • 1979 – Points Resort, Phoenix, AZ
  • First Wing Ding Queen – Sherri Mason
/ The monthly newsletter, announced plans for another first: an international Gold Wing convention, dubbed "Wing Ding" by Shirley Hildebrand.
Initial plans for Wing Ding set the rally in Tucson during Labor Day weekend. The event was to be an upscale gathering of friends in a relaxed resort hotel setting—a radical departure from the open-air tent rallies held in open fields by most motorcycle groups. However due to the Association's growth, the location was moved to Phoenix and promised over $4,000 in door prizes, a pin, a 50/50, seminars, etc., making it clear to all that the event would be first class, even in its first year. Preregistration was just $15. Included would be a grand prize drawing would be for a brand new Gold Wing.
647 delegates attended from 24 states and Canada. There were 19 vendors and due to becoming larger than expected over $15,000 in door prizes were awarded.
Slide 22:
Notable Early Events
  • 1979
  • 1200 Members
  • Expanded into Canada
  • 1981
  • Incorporated as Not-For-Profit (501C-4)
  • Established national Rider Education Program
  • 1982
  • 16,000 Members
  • 1983
  • Safe Miles Program
/ To help handle the complexities of the growing association
To reaffirm the emphasis on teaching safe riding techniques to members
Became the foundation for the Rider Education Program
Slide 23:
First Wing World
  • 1982
  • First “Wing World” Cover

Slide 24:
Second Home Office
  • 1983
  • Picture of Office Building
/ Membership of 20,600 could no longer be handled out of the Hildebrand’s home
Slide 25:
Other Notable Events
  • 1988
  • Rider Ed Levels Program added
  • Couple of the Year replaced the Wing Ding Queen
  • 1992
  • Leadership Training Division
  • 1996
  • Membership Enhancement Division added
/ Levels I, II and III provided the only cumulative, skills oriented safety certification program in amateur motorcycling
Lyle & Ora Lee Sova were the first National Couple of the Year
Course materials being developed devoted to training
Slide 26:
Home Office Today
  • Picture of current Home Office
/ In January 1993, GWRRA moved into the IBV-owned building on North 11th Avenue, near Deer Valley Airport in north Phoenix.
Slide 27:
1993 Meeting
  • The Following Question was asked of Paul:
  • “WHERE ARE WE GOING AS AN ORGANIZATION?”

Slide 28:
1993 Meeting
  • Paul’s answer was quite simple:
  • “WHEREVER THE MEMBERS WANT IT TO GO”

Slide 29:
Where are we now?
  • Members – 60,000 plus
  • Successful?
  • Member Driven
  • Numerous Benefits
  • Rider Education
  • Discounts
  • Friends
/ We are definitely member driven. The benefits are numerous and continue to grow as membership increases.
Slide 30:
Summary
  • Dream of two people
  • Why is GWRRA Successful?
  • Concept: The Member is what and why we are
  • Paul and Shirley’s thoughts
/ From a dream of two (2) people a great organization has developed. GWRRA's continued growth, stability and future lays in each member's hands. Officers have a mandate to help lead the way, so we must be trained and prepared. Will we continue to be successful? No doubt about it! Why? Simply because GWRRA is structurally sound, committed to constructive change, conceptually innovative in the Association format, and managed by Officers who put the Member first. GWRRA is worthy of the support of any motorcycle rider who believes in Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge.
Slide 31:
Questions / Take questions to conclude the seminar.
Revision History
Prepared by: / Bob Helm (9/28/94)
Updated by: / Bob Helm (10/24/94
Revised by: / Curt Dixon (12/01/99)
Revised by: / Evelyn Hicks (06/12/06
Formatted and Edited by / Tommy Wilson (12/26/13)
Revised by: / Gayle Wilson (12/27/13)
Revised by: / Tommy Wilson (02/11/14)

Version 02.14 1

Copyright © Gold Wing Road Riders Association 2012