Starting a Sub Chapter

[Frank/Coletto]

Just wanted to let everyone know that Ross (owner of AOR) Scott (works at AOR and a NIVR member) and I will be attempting to start a LC, sub-chapter, what ever the heck one would call it out of Americas Open Road. I am looking for the groups approval because, I consider all of you my friends, I still want to ride with the group and want the NIVR affiliation. We have generated a list of people in the North, Northwest, Northeast and Chicago that we will send a letter too and the date of the first meeting. I will copy you all on the letter. After the first meeting, we will set a date to complete the necessary paperwork to become a chapter. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks

[daveltb]

Go for it!
We all knew that you Chicago guys would want to go that direction in time.
When you get your group going and they want some rides out here in the sticks, just let us know, we'd be happy to host them out here.

[BigJim]

As someone who lives in the Northwest Suburbs I would like to see a local chapter. However, I don't want the chapter to serve as a means for AOR to grow its business by luring customers away from Randy's Cycles. I purchased my Vic from Randy in Huntley and would like to see you guys approach Randy about be part of this. Maybe Ross and Randy could be joint sponsors and their shops could take turns hosting events.

[Frank/Coletto]

As someone who lives in the Northwest Suburbs I would like to see a local chapter. However, I don't want the chapter to serve as a means for AOR to grow its business by luring customers away from Randy's Cycles. I purchased my Vic from Randy in Huntley and would like to see you guys approach Randy about be part of this. Maybe Ross and Randy could be joint sponsors and their shops could take turns hosting events.

The reason for me wanting to do this is because I love riding and supporting the the Vic brand. If a dealer that I work with wants to offer up his place for meetings, and participate in some of the expense, provide refresements etc. That's OK with me if he would like to see this as an oppertunity from a business perspective, I would. Besides, he just purchased a 04 Pin (himself, not the dealership) and will participate as a member, and ride with the club. The club should support all dealers that sell Vic's and I see the group riding to the Dealers that support the NIVR and contribute to this site. There is nothing that says Randy's and/or yourself can not start a LC once this gets off the groud and you determine there is enough members to support it. Or if you feel that there's enough potential for a chapter now, please start one (the more the merrier IMO). Again, this will still be part of the VMC/NIVR that will support the same dealers, vision, likes and dislikes. Jim, this is just in the talking/planning stage. I could use all the help I can get, please feel free to jump in. Thanks

[Daffy]

Frank,
Seems logical to me. Multiple Chapter Rides....... I like it.

[BigJim]

If there were as many Vic owners as there are HD owners I could see mutiiple chapters in this area. However in reality I doubt there are enough Vic owners interested in activitly participating to make it worth while. I agree we should support all Vic dealerships, and that is why I think you should at least offer Randy a chance to be part of this. If he says no then fine, let Ross use it for all it's worth to grow AOR. But not offering Randy a chance to be part of this goes against "supporting all Vic dealerships".

BTW, I am willing to help you get this thing going (after you check with Randy). I am even willing to approach Randy about this if no one else wants to.

[SIDECAR]

Jim, Try to make to the meeting on Sunday. You can get alot of your concerns answered there. Randy's is a sponsor of this Club. I was hoping that you could handle the rides pulling out of Randy's this year.
This is my vision for this site and the VMC chapters in ILL.
1) For this Site to be used by ALL Illinois VMC chapters. 2)For each Dealer in ILL. to be a Sponsor/Host to a Independent VMC chapter. i.e. Doulas & Frye were the first to support the NIRV and in the future will be the only sponors of the NIVR chapter of the VMC. If you can get 6 to 10 people to start a Chapter out of Randy's Cycle then Randy's could be the sole sponsor of your Chapter. Until we can get enough members to form 7 chapters in ILL. for the 7 Dearlers in ILL. we must all work together to build these Chapters using all the dealers we can. (note: I have been to Randy's 3 times in the last 2 months signing him up as a Sponor, Showing him though this site and going over the Rides we want to do this Year.)
3) There will most likly be a Central chapter froming also. This Chapter will as of now have no local Dealer anywhere close by. This Chapter will most likly be also sponsored by Douglas & Frye since most or all of them are thier customers, unless a new Dealer opens in Central ILL..
4) To have good relationships between our local chapters and thier dealers 5)To have ILL become the first State VMC organization with multiple chapters. ( The VMC of Illinois)
I believe these are the views of the NIVR members. Some of them may only be mine. We have had talks as to adding chapters as the group grows and there is full support for this.
Hope this helps?

Frank, We knew it would only be a matter of time before the next ILL. chapter is formed. Is it to be a VMC chapter? I guess I should ask.

Hope to see everyone at our next meeting,
Tim T....sidecar

[Frank/Coletto]

The intention at this time would be yes it will be a VMC chapter. There are positives and negatives associated with the VMC but in the long term, the positives will out weigh the negatives.

[Red SC Rider]

Frank, wishing you success in your endeavor to start a local chapter. More riders, more rides, I like it! Let us know when your meeting is, maybe some of us could attend to add support.

[Frank/Coletto]

Hewre is the letter that is going out that was posted on the VMC site.




I have compiled a mailing list over the years of Victory Owners that I will be sending out the letter below over the next few days. So if I do not have you on my list please read the note below. We will still be affiliated with the Northern Ill Victory Riders, Just attempting to get a group of Vic owners that live closer together for riding. Look forward to seeing you on April 10th!!!



Northern Illinois Victory Riders
A Local Chapter of the Victory Motorcycle Club
Forming a new Chapter in Arlington Heights Illinois
First Meeting Sunday, April 10


Own a Victory motorcycle? Want to ride with others that chose a quality AMERICAN-made motorcycle? Want to be part of a group that enjoys riding and having fun? Then you might want to come to our first “Get Together” on Sunday April 10th at 10:30 a.m. at America’s Open Road at 1975 E. Rand Road in Arlington Heights Illinois. Their phone is 847-368-0900 or visit their website at www.americasopenroad.com.

For those of you who do not know me, my name is Frank Coletto. I have owned a Victory Motorcycle since June of 2000. I am the Victory Ride Coordinator for Chicago (VRA); a charter member and past board member of the Victory Motorcycle Club (http://www.thevmc.com) and a member of the Northern Illinois Victory Riders (http://www.illinoisvictoryriders.com).

Ross Schliesmann, owner of America’s Open Road, has agreed to sponsor a local riding chapter out of their store and allow us to have our meetings and originate rides from their location. Ross, who owns a Kingpin, and Scott Durham, an AOR employee, Victory owner, NIVR member, and VMC member want to ride with us and have volunteered to help us put this together.

Here is what we would like to accomplish on the 10th at our first meeting:

1.Outline for everyone the process of becoming a Local Chapter.
2.My intention is to not make this very structured, but to be successful we would require some. We will need a President, Secretary/Treasurer, Ride coordinator. We will need at least these three positions to satisfy the Local Chapter requirements of the VMC.
3.Determine how/when the rides will take place. Day, ½ day, weekend, charity etc.
4.Safety, this is my personal priority when riding with any group. We can’t talk about it enough, can’t practice it enough and need to be aware of it always. Riding in a group is different.
5.All members will be required to be a paid member of the VMC. If you don’t know about this site/club, go to the website at www.thevmc.com and see what they are all about. $15 for the first year (includes a patch) and $10 every year after. If you want to know about your bike, where to buy parts, get discounts, this is the place.
6.Dues, if any, you decide as a group.
7.How will we communicate as a group.
8.Have Fun!!

The first ride of the Northern Illinois Victory Riders is scheduled on Saturday, April 16th. We will be leaving America’s Open Road at 11:00 a.m. sharp. Please be there by 10:30 to discuss the route. We will end up at Tim Thompson’s home in Maple Park at 3:00pm for a cook out. The donation for the food is $5. (Will winter ever go away?)

I am sure there’s a lot more that we will discuss at the meeting on the 10th. Let me know if you plan on attending. We want to make sure we have enough coffee and pastries. Please send me an email at victory2909@ameritech.net or call me at 847-719-2909. We look forward to meeting and riding with you.

Frank Coletto
Fellow Victory Owner

[sstodvictory]

Closing this thread. It seemed appropriate to do so, since it was started to announce the Arlington Heights Chapter, which now has its own forum here.....

http://www.illinoisvictoryriders.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30

Steve