GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION (GWRRA)
VIRGINIA DISTRICTREGION N
GWRRA was started in 1977 by a group of seven people in Phoenix, AZ. GWRRA is the world’s largest nonprofit, non-political, non-religious socialorganization of motorcyclists. Dedicated to the motto, “Friends for Fun,Safety, and Knowledge”, the 60,000+members in all 50states and 54 foreign countries enjoy the commoninterest of motorcycling.
The organizational structure of GWRRA includes Regions (multiple state areas), Districts(States), and individual Chapters. Region N is comprised of Virginia,West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The “grass roots”element of GWRRA is the Chapter!
There are 18 chaptersinVirginia, with over 1200 members. Followingthe guidelinesset by theNational organization, each chapter has a volunteer staff including a Chapter Director, Educator, Membership Enhancement, Treasurer. Other staff positions such as Motorist Awareness, Newsletter Editor, Couple of the Year, Chapter of the Year Coordinator, and webmaster are filled as a chapter flourishes and increases membership. Chapters provide the means for participants to meet andplan activities designed to increase their riding knowledge, enjoyment, and safety. Most chapters also strive to enhancetheir community through involvement in various charities!
Chapters may supply services and fund raising activities for local charities, marshal events, and provide safe motorcycling information. Some Chapters hold annual events such as game and fun days atnursing and children’s homes and other community service organizations. GWRRA Virginia Chapters have helped raise thousands of dollarsforthe National Women’sRelay Ride for Breast Cancer Research, theMake-A-Wish Foundation, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, CampFantastic Camp for Children with Cancer, St. Jude’s Hospital, ChildHelp ofVirginia, and many otherlocal and national charities!
GWRRA encourages rider safety by promoting GWRRA safety courses and seminars and the Motorcycle SafetyFoundation (MSF) Rider Education Programs. Each chapter has aneducator who oversees local participation in GWRRA Rider EducationPrograms and provides safety instruction at Chapter gatherings. GWRRA is regularly recognized by MSF for its efforts!
Who is GWRRA? We are your next-door neighbor, your work associate,your doctor, or your child’s teacher. We are people from all walks of lifewho have come together through a common interest in motorcycling tomake what some say is the largest “family” in the world!
Suggested items to include in a prospective or new member packet for Virginia District Chapters:
- Letter from your Chapter Director introducing your chapter (enclosed is a sample letter), you may download this, and tweak it to fit the interest and profile of your chapter.
- Chapter/District Calendar of events for the at least the next month.
- Rescue and Rescue Plus information.
- GWRRA Application.
- General information/history on GWRRA.
- New Member Orientation Guide.
- Chapter Newsletter
- Schedule of events the chapter is planning to hold and participate in.
- Wing World Magazine (if you have extra).
- Items of Interest or Charities that your chapter is involved in.
- List of Chapters in your general area and contact information.
- Some information from Riders Education (Group Riding Hand Signals, T-Clock inspection, and the GWRRA Emergency Information Form).
All of the above are just suggestions, you can add or subtract any item –tweak it to your chapter’s interest and profile. If you come up with another suggestion to be included, pass it on to us and we will add it.
Welcome to the World of Gold Wing Road Riders Association
Chapter , , VA.
GWRRA’s motto is Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge.
Chapter ___ of Virginia meets in ______, the ______of each month at the ______. We are constantly looking for more motorcycle riders, and GWRRA members to share in our activities. A list of our planned activities for the years riding season is attached (or on Website). Our Web Page is: you will find more information on current happenings.
Feel free to call, or send a message with any questions you may have about GWRRA, the Region, District, or any of our upcoming Chapter activities. Send messages to any of the following addresses: Chapter Director: ______at ______or our Membership EnhancementProgram Coordinators: ______at: ______we will try to answer your questions and invite you to our next ride, activity, event or meeting.
Chapter VA. ___ prides itself on having a diverse group of motorcycle riders, who go somewhere almost every weekend and some evenings during the week. Just show up or call one of the above for directions. You’ll be welcomed with open arms. We frequently have Chapter visits, where we travel to other Chapters in Virginia (there are currently 18 in Virginia) and participate in their monthly gatherings or one of their events, monthly Chapter dinner rides, plaque capture runs, etc.
In the past, we have put on Mall Shows, where we set up shop in one of the local Malls, display our bikes and talk with the public to promote good Public Relationships. If there is interest again in this area, we may plan to do this again.
We annually have a fundraiser, usually a poker run; this is a riding event attended by members from many other chapters. The host chapter outlines a route through the back roads of Virginia. They give written instructions to the next scheduled stop for a card, and upon completion, the riders with the top three hands win trophies and/or money. There are game prizes and door prizes given out, food and good fellowship with wonderful people.
As we are so fortunate, we usually try to do a charity fundraiser as well, with all proceeds going to an established charity organization.
We try to attend some of the major motorcycle events as a group during the year. Annually, we have members conducting/coordinating long distance group trips to such events as motorcycle rallies, such as the Wing Ding, Rally in the Valley, Americade, along with long and short leisurely rides to no place in particular.
Our ride coordinators are usually our group leaders, and tail gunners for group rides, and are certified from attendance at the “Road Captain” course. They will insure you have a safe and scenic ride every time out. We practice and use Group-riding techniques.
Our Chapter Educator schedules ERC and Road Captain courses, First Aid/CPR classes, lends riding videos and provides monthly riding and bike safety advice at gatherings. Check with the Rider Educator and start your Safe Miles Awards Program.
Chapter VA______always attends Virginia District’s annual convention, Rally in the Valley. This is the District’s showcase, and it is getting bigger and bigger each year. You do not want to miss the Concerts, the Motorcycle Drill Teams, the free Seminars or the Vendors.
Chapter VA.____ is an active Chapter that believes in Fun and Safety first, Fun and Knowledge next, and Fun with Friends always. Our enjoyment is always Familyoriented.
As a GWRRA member, once you pay your annual membership dues to National, you can go to, and will be welcomed at any GWRRA Chapter in the United States and Canada, as well as those in other Countries. There are no other Chapter dues or fees required. Our gatherings are open to anyone and our Rides are free. If you have an urge to ride with a group of good riders, a sense of adventure and a desire to have fun; come visit us, and we’ll provide the good times and all the riding and activities you can fit into your schedule.
We invite you to bring any riding friends to our gatherings or just show up if you would like to go on any Rides, or Chapter visits, or any event listed. We have female and male riders, young and old, hillbillies and city folk, veterans and good civilians. Everyone fits in and has fun. Again, welcome and hope you come visit us soon.
Sincerely:
______
Chapter Director, VA. _____
Phone number______; e-mail ______
______
Membership Enhancement Program Coordinator, VA. ___
Phone number ______; e-mail ______