AMVETS Riders Nation,
 
          I want to thank all of you for having faith in me to help lead as your National Riders 1st Vice. We will be having some changes this upcoming year as we move forward. The first change will be to have all DRF’s, dues, and revals sent to the RN1V instead of the Secretary. Next, we all need to work diligently on going paperless will all the DRF’s and revals, this will help a lot with tracking and also to make sure we have correct information. We all need to be patient as we work through these changes. All of us need to do our part with helping to increase membership and I will commit to helping you in any way I can.

         When you are filling out the Dues Remittance Forms, make sure to include all the member information, and have it legible, going electronic will help with that. We need accurate contact information so we can process it and also be able to communicate with all the membership, to include membership numbers. We also need to get updated revals annually, plus any time you have any Officer changes. If we don’t have accurate contact information, we can’t get communications out to you and keep you informed.

          We now have printable membership cards on the website, thank you Kelly Reando. You can find them by going to the PUBLICATIONS tab, then click on the FORMS AND DOCUMENTS dropdown tab. From there you can also fill in the cards before printing them.
​
          We will also start doing a membership conference call, it will be the 4th Sunday of all even numbered months, starting October 24th. This conference call is created for all 1st Vice’s, but open to anyone that wishes to participate. The notice will be getting sent out to all 1st Vice emails we have.
 
LRB/LRS
RN1V
Dan Macdonald
1422 Iowa St
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 415-2822
dnmacdonald@aol.com

Greetings AMVETS Riders,

The Mid Year Rally is graciously being hosted by Chapter 61 at Post 61 in Louisville KY and is rapidly approaching us. As of right now, the Mid Year has not been canceled due to the current Coronavirus outbreak, But Individuals should use their own judgment for their own safety and welfare. Kentucky is currently allowed 50% occupancy at gathering places and Post 61 well exceeds our needs.

Right now, your National Officers are preparing their reports, classes and information for the Mid-Year Rally. This Rally is one of the corner stones of Tradition for the AMVETS Riders. This meeting is where policy is discussed in a more relaxed atmosphere. We also do first round of nominations for all of the National Officer Elected positions.

One of the unique qualities of the Mid-Year rally is that we are able to chose to meet at a Riders
Chapter’s Post. When this Post hosts an event, every organization within that Post has the opportunity to benefit. At most Mid-Year rallies, the local Ladies Auxiliary and Sons Squadron’s have provided lunches at minimal cost. Good food, cheaper than going to fast food. The Post canteen generally profit very well when we have Legendary AMVETS Riders in the house so the Post wins.
I encourage you all to go to amvetsridersnational.org and register to attend the National Mid-Year
Rally in Louisville, KY. A list of hotels is provided.

See you at the Rally.

LRB/S,
Tom McNamara
National President
AMVETS Riders

On behalf of the of the National AMVETS Riders Executive Board, I regret to inform the Riders Nation that because of an act of God, we must cancel this year’s Mid-Year Rally hosted by Illinois Chapter 169 in North Pekin, Ill. This is by no means the fault of the hosting Chapter; they have complied with all timelines and was actively preparing to host this event. The Governor of Illinois has shut down all establishments for the foreseeable future. We decided that we could not push the date of the Mid-Year because of the uncertainty caused by Covid-19 (Coronavirus). We feel that the only option at this point is to add a day onto the front of the National Riders Convention to conduct necessary business. 
 
If you had pre-registered for the Mid-Year rally, our National Treasurer, Paul Spuhl, will be contacting you for the return of your money.
 
We will be moving onto the planning of the Mid-Year for 2021, this is my personnel favorite meeting of the year. I hope to see all of you in Springfield Ill for the National Convention.
 
When our Post start to open up, please support them as many Post are small and it will be hard to recover monetarily. Please look out for one another and stay in contact with you Chapter Presidents.
 
 
LRB/S,
 
Tom McNamara
National President
AMVETS Riders

NATIONAL RIDERS CONVENTION MINUTES 2019
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY AUGUST 23- 24, 2019
 
Riders National Convention called to order by President George Cummings at 8am EST, August 23rd.
 
Prayer led by National Chaplain, Jeremiah Botkin.  Pledge of Allegiance by membership.  Convention Rules read by National JA, Jim Whitcraft.  Motion made to accept, motion 2nd and passed.
 
Motion made to move into nominations and elections of National Officers, motion 2nd and passed.
 
President Cummings:
“JUDGE ADVOCATE:  Jim Whitcraft, you were nominated at Mid-Year, do you accept?  Jim-Yes.
Are there any other nominations for JA? (X 3).  Hearing none, nominations are closed.”
 
“SERGEANT-AT-ARMS:  Mike Campbell, JD Dotson, Curtis Allen and Larry Saad, you were nominated at Mid-Year, do you accept?  Mike-Yes, JD-Yes, Curtis-Yes, Larry-No.  Are there any other nominations for SAA (X 3).  Hearing none, nominations are closed.”
 
“TREASURER:  Beverly Munoz, you were nominated at Mid-Year, do you accept?  Beverly-Yes.  Are there any other nominations for Treasurer (X 3).  Hearing none, nominations are closed.”
 
“2nd VICE:  Dan Macdonald, Kristin Orem, you were nominated at Mid-Year, do you accept?  Kristin-Yes. Standing in for Dan Macdonald is Don Cox.  Dan accepts nomination as written in a letter to the membership.  Are there any other nominations for 2nd Vice (X 3).  Hearing none, nominations are closed.”
 
“1st VICE:  John Reando you were nominated at Mid-Year, do you accept?  John-Yes.  Are there any other nominations (X 3).  Hearing none, nominations are closed.”
 
“PRESIDENT:  Tom McNamara, you were nominated at Mid-Year, do you accept?  Tom-Yes.  Are there any other nominations (X 3).  Hearing none, nominations are closed.”
 
JD Dotson elected to SAA position.  Dan Macdonald elected to 2nd Vice position.
 
Secretary, Karen Cox, casts one vote for all uncontested nominees (JA-Jim Whitcraft, Treasurer-Beverly Munoz, 1st Vice-John Reando, and President-Tom McNamara).
 
The newly elected National Riders Executive Board:
   Tom McNamara-President
   John Reando-1st Vice
   Dan Macdonald-2nd Vice
   Beverly Munoz-Treasurer
   Jim Whitcraft-Judge Advocate
   JD Dotson-Sergeant-At-Arms
   George Cummings-Immediate Past National President
 
Meeting adjourned until 3:00pm, August 24th.
 
August 24, 2019   3:00pm Riders Convention continued.
Officer Attendance: All present except Dan Macdonald-excused.  David Ray-excused.
Delegate count:  Total Registered:  117
                               Total Delegates:  82
                               Voting Delegates:  81
                               In Attendance:  111
                               Majority Vote:  41
 
1st Vice Report, Tom McNamara:  124 Chapters.  Just approved Hawaii-III as a new chapter.  We have several new chapter applications.  I submit my report as written.
 
2nd Vice Report, John Reando:  I appreciate all the programs that were reported and participation in the fund raising.  There are training videos on our website.  I submit my report as written.
 
JA, Jim Whitcraft:   Nine resolutions were submitted.  The committees recommended all nine be passed. Motion was made, separately, on all nine.  Each were 2nd and passed by the membership.  Submit report as written pages 13 through 22 (to include all resolutions).   To see details of all resolutions, please visit our website.
 
Chaplain Report, Jeremiah Botkin:  Chairing the Gold Mothers Ride.  Looking for chaplains or anyone who would like to be on the committee.  Submit my report as written.
 
PNP, Don Cox:   Keep up the good work.  Thanks for all your help over the past 8 years.  Report is in book. Submit report as written.
 
Secretary, Karen Cox:  DRF’s and Revalidations, most submitted them on time. To see how to do an application to start a new chapter, see this one submitted by MO.  It’s perfect.  Report is in book.   Submit as written.
 
Communications Officer, Kathy Campbell:  It’s been my honor to work with Rolling Thunder.  I’ve started a list of volunteers.  Trying to get as many riders as possible.  It’s been my honor to work with our President, George Cummings.  A gift was given to George. A banner of “Rolling Thunder”. It was signed by all the National Officers.
 
Publications Officer, Kelly Reando:  I have brochures available.  I will be ordering new ones with Tom McNamara’s picture on them. I have been working on a training section to put online.  It’s on our website now. It’s online help with programs, filling out different forms, etc.  My report is in the book.
 
Historian, David Ray:  Had to leave for family reasons.  Health concerns with his mom, so please keep them in your prayers.  He has been working to finish a book on the history of the organization.  His report is in book. 
 
Treasurer, Bev Munoz:  Thank you for allowing me to serve in this position.  Reports are on pages 8-12.
On page 8 there is a correction.  The $5000 donation going to WI-13 will be split in half.  $2500 will go to WI-13 to help veterans with dental care.  The other $2500 will go to 22-Everyday in District 1 in NY.  The committee doing the external audit found a few minor issues.  The credit card reward dollars can be spent at Mid-Year and Convention.   We will put aside $3000 for donations next year.  Also, Death Benefit.  There was an overage of $250.  We had $10,400 from previous year; adding the $250 brings us to $10,650.  Each year $2000 gets added so we now are at $12,650.  Motion to accept finance report, motion 2nd, passed.
 
George:  We made donations of $200 to the National Commander’s project; $150 to Sons and $150 to Ladies.  At Mid-Year, Ladies Auxiliary donated $100 to my project.  Son’s donated $250. PNC’s did 22-Push-ups and a lady donated another $100.  The $250 will go to the Saluting Marine, Tim Chambers.  He does free dental work for homeless veterans.  He will be at Rolling Thunder.
 
OLD BUSINESS:  None.
 
NEW BUSINESS:  Motion made to increase Death Benefit (Riders and Supporters) from $250 to $350.  Motion 2nd, passed.
 
FL Department has 30 Days of Christmas raffle.  OH Department also has 30 Days of Christmas raffle.  John Reando suggested we do a raffle, winner take all, at Mid-Year and Convention.  Donation would be $1.00. 
 
1st Vice, Tom McNamara:  There were 12 chapters up for revocation. 2 turned in their revalidations.  Now 10 are up for revocation:  No dues or reval turned in:  AK49, FL19, FL26, FL34, MA32, MO181.  No reval turned in:  FL941, MD10, PA187, VA35.  Motion made, 2nd, passed.
 
GOOD and WELFARE:  Had 35 out of 124 who qualify for Quality Chapter.  Qualifications are pay dues, turn in revalidation, report programs at least twice a year (Jan-Jun and Jul-Dec), and Increase your membership by at least 1 from previous year.  Congratulations to following Quality Chapters:  AZ770,FL35, FL42, FL60, FL81, FL88, FL292, FL444, GA118, IA2, IA6, IA31, KY61, LA66, MI57, MI93, MI1941, MI1988, MO1, MO6, MO42, MO48, MO55, MO113, MO114, MO180, NY8, NY245, OH21, OH26, OH43, OH51. OH112, OH333, OH1994, OH2003, VA40.  Certificates given to all.
2nd Vice, John Reando:  Programs Awards:  Chapter of the Year-OH-1776 with $13,837.  Total Department Programs Reporting-Department of OH with $1,855,000. Revals and Most Improved Programs Reporting: OH71 with increase of $18,000.  Membership Largest Chapter:  MO-48 with 70 riders and 25 supporters.  Membership Award for LRB/LRS. Revals and overwhelming Aspects:  Bob Anderson, MO Department President.  Supporter of the Year: Bill Adkins, KY-61.  Rider of the Year: Tom “Block” Aiken.  Department Rider of the Year: Paul Spuhl, MO-1.  Presidents Prestigious Award, Most Improved Chapter: LA-66.  Presidents Award for Outstanding Achievement:  OH-51. 
 
Incoming President (Tom McNamara) gave the outgoing President (George Cummings) a Riders vest with all National Officer signatures inside.  George received his royal blue beret. Tom received his baby blue beret. George wished Tom all the luck and to call if he ever needed.  Tom said it was the first time 3 PNP’s were in the room at the same time:  Rob Quick, Don Cox and George Cummings.  Our new President, Tom, said it meant a lot to him to be on stage for joint installation and looked out and all he could see were all the red shirts the riders worn.  He thanked the riders.
 
Motion to adjourn at 4:46pm, 2nd and passed.   Prayer by Jeremiah Botkin. Retirement of colors by JD Dotson, RNSAA.
 
Karen Cox, RNS

Please see the attachments from National JA Jim Whitcraft.

You will find the 2019 Convention Rules and 9 Resolutions to be presented at Convention in Louisville.

Make sure your delegates have copies of these documents.

• 2019 Convention Rules
• Resolutions 01-2019 through 09-2019 (9 total)

Hello Riders!

With the 2019 Convention approaching, it is time to send in your nominations for Rider of the Year and Supporter of the Year.

One award will be given for each of these categories.

Please see the attached letters.
​
Have a great day and we hope to see you all in Louisville!

sent from:
Kathy Campbell RNCO
amvets.rnco@outlook.com
kc.chptr7@suddenlink.net
(318)793-0263
(318)277-4593-cell

ROLLING THUNDER LETTER
 From: AMVETS Riders National President George Cummings
 
Greetings my brothers and sisters of our great AMVETS Riders organization.  

It is with great honor that I bring to you information that I have been working on collaboratively with the AMVETS.

We have been working to continue the Call to Action demonstration which was started in 1987 in Washington D.C. by Rolling Thunder to bring attention to those service men and women that were serving our country during war whom never came home. Over 82,000 of these brave men and women, also known as POWs and MIAs, never returned home.

National AMVETS Riders will continue this event starting in 2020 and every year after until we can bring them all home.

What I am asking of all of you is, will you join us in making this a success. We will need many boots on the ground to pull this off.

Rolling Thunder has done a great job showing us the way so let’s keep the message going in the AMVETS Riders traditional ways.

Please contact the Riders National Communications Officer Kathy Campbell or myself if you would be willing to take this pledge.

More information will be coming down the pipeline with possible perks for anyone who volunteers to help put on this event.

This year’s 2019 event had over 1.5 million bikes in attendance!

We project that a lot of the attendees would join our rank and file membership and grow our cause to assist all Veterans far and wide.

​AMVETS Riders to the forefront!
 
Your AMVETS Riders National President;
George Cummings