2012 International Board Candidates

In no particular order

Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club^®

International Board of Directors

Nominee Profile

Region 7

 

1)      Personal Profile

a)      Name: Thomas Delboi

b)      A.K.A. / Nick Name: TomTom

c)      City,  State / Province, Country: Wilchingen, SH, SWITZERLAND

 

2)      Red Knights Information

a)      Current Home Chapter: Switzerland 1

b)      Positions Held at Chapter,  State/ Provincial, International Level: : President Switzerland 1, Regional Director Region 7 / Europe

c)      Years (total) In RKIMC: 3

d)      Other (optional): charter member and president chapter Switzerland 1 2009 - today
           RKMC European Ambassador 2010-2011

           RKMC Regional Director Region 7 / Europe 2011-today

 

3)      Fire Service Affiliation

a)      Name of Department(s): Feuerwehr Wilchingen-Osterfingen

b)      Number of Years in Department(s): 2

c)      Positions Held: Lieutenant

d)      Other (optional): my Job: Emergency Call Center dispatcher, Fire and EMS

 

4)      Platform For Election

a)      Primary reason(s) for running:

         During my time as the European Ambassador I worked very hard to introduce the RED KNIGHTS to the firefighters of Europe. It  was  an honor for me to support and be part of the FOUNDING of most of the European Chapters. Even though we have grown we still have a lot of work and prospects to see.

b)      Vision for future of RKIMC:

          At the moment 740 million people living in Europe, 10% of these people are firefighters, that`s 74 million. And 10% of the firefighters have driving license for motorbikes. That is more that 7 million new RED KNIGHTS that we can ride with!

           I am sure that most of the firefighters have not heard of the RED KNIGHTS. My goal for the next 2 years is to promote and grow the European RED KNIGHTS. I look forward to your help and support to do this.

5)      Other

    The international membership has officially made us Region 7, representing all of Europe. I was appointed to the Regional Directors Position for one year by the international Board of Directors. I want to continue to be your Director, and I am asking for your VOTE and SUPPORT at the next up coming election in August 2012.

Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club^®

International Board of Directors

Nominee Profile

Director Region 4

 

 

1)      Personal Profile

a)      Name:  Jack Jarvis

b)      A.K.A. / Nick Name:  Jack

c)      City,  State / Province, Country:  Wilmington, NC, USA

d)      Other (optional):  Married to Marie Jarvis with 2 wonderful children: Rebecca 13 & Jackson 9.

 

2)      Red Knights Information

a)      Current Home Chapter:  NC 6

b)      Positions Held at Chapter,  State/ Provincial, International Level:  Chapter Pres., VP, Treas., NC State Rep., NC State Pres., Regional Director

c)      Years (total) In RKIMC: 8

d)      Other (optional):  See  #4

 

3)      Fire Service Affiliation

a)      Name of Department(s):  Wilmington Fire Department

b)      Number of Years in Department(s):  16

c)      Positions Held:  Firefighter, Driver/Operator, Captain

 

4)      Platform For Election

       My Past

1.   Founded NC 6 in 2003.

2.   Founded NC State Association in 2006.

3.   Served as State Rep. and State President for 2 years.

4.   Appointed as Assistant Southern Director in 2007.

5.   Elected as Southern Director in 2008.

6.   Founded the NC 3-3-5 Guard.  RKMC Motorcycle escort for funerals or events.

7.   Attended all Southern Region Dixie Rallies since 2007 (MD, SC, NC, LA).

8.   Attended the past two World’s Largest Poker Runs for the FFSF.

9.   Attended all meetings required by my position except one (Mother passed away).

10.   Assisted with the creation of two State Associations outside NC.

11.   Defined and created an actual job description for State Reps. in Southern Region.

My Goals for the Future

1. Assist with electronic voting to include all chapters when electing board members.

2. Planning for future growth with the organization (creating and expanding regions).

3. Continue to improve the flow of information throughout the organization from top to bottom and back.

4. Keeping the Southern Region as the fastest growing in the organization.

5. Present the Southern Region as a model for all other regions to emulate.

6. Continue to be a sounding board to help chapters govern themselves and keep the International Board invisible in chapter operations.

7. Continue to be a good steward with the organization’s values.

8. Promote the social aspect of the organization.

9. Visit as many chapters and members as possible.

Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club^®

International Board of Directors

Nominee Profile

Executive Secretary

 

1)      Personal Profile

a)      Name:                   James Wm. Snodgrass, Jr.

b)      A.K.A. / Nick Name:             Popeye

c)      City,  State / Province, Country:          Columbus, Ohio, USA

 

2)      Red Knights Information

a)      Current Home Chapter:       Ohio 5 (home), NC 6 (member)

b)      Positions Held at Chapter,  State/ Provincial, International Level:   All offices at chapter level (founder and 1^st President), Ohio State Representative, Formed first State Association 2003,  International QM, International Executive Secretary

c)      Years (total) In RKIMC:       19

d)      Other (optional):    Life  Member of the RKIFMC (awarded at 2011 Convention)

e)      Join in fall of 1993, formed Ohio 5 in March 1994

f)       Hosted International Convention 1995 and 2008

g)      Have attended 17 International Conventions

h)      Have attended all but one Region 4 Rally (Dixie)

i)        Have attended the Western Rally

j)        Visited chapters in US, Canada and Europe

 

3)      Fire Service Affiliation

a)      Name of Department(s):      Jackson Township Fire Department (retired), Cross Lanes Fire Department

b)      Number of Years in Department(s):    Twenty three

c)      Positions Held:      Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Investigator

d)      Other (optional):    Instructor at Ohio Fire Academy, National Fire Academy, Columbus Community College

e)      Attended NFA, OFA, FBI, ATF, Federal Law Enforcement Academy (Glynco Ga), EKU

f)       Member of IAFF, IAAI, IABTI

g)      CFI and CFEI certification

 

4)      Platform For Election

a)      Primary reason(s) for running:           

To continue to provide the membership the best service that I can. To assist in the membership growth worldwide.

b)      Vision for future of RKIMC:               

To increase the membership in the western part of the US and Canada by advertising, attending motorcycle rallies and visiting chapters. 

To have a business plan to present to the membership outlining plans for growth and development of the Red Knights worldwide at the 2012 convention.

To work on having a time line for the hiring of a full time business manager in order to offer better service to the membership. This can be done by reducing the honorariums to the Secretary and Treasurer and moving a large portion of their duties to the new position.

 

5)      Other:  Accomplishments

• Worked to obtain the WTC artifact for our memorial

• Design of the Heaven one patch
  

• Safety vests with reflective patch

• Procedure manuals for all board members

• Streamline the trademark system

• Development of the Motion ledgers (all motions made by the Executive Board since 2004)

• Development of the SOG manual

• Procedure manual for Hosting of the Annual Convention

• Development  of the Association
  

• Program Insurance Program

 

 

Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club^®

International Board of Directors

Nominee Profile

Region 5 Director

1)      Personal Profile

a)      Name: Gilbert J. Rekken

b)      A.K.A. / Nick Name: Gil

c)      City,  State / Province, Country: Garson, Manitoba, Canada

 

2)      Red Knights Information

a)      Current Home Chapter: Manitoba 1

b)      Positions Held at Chapter,  State/ Provincial, International Level: treasurer, president  of local Chapter, Secretary to the Board of Directors (term from 2000 to 2002). Elected to the International Board in2008 as the Western Director and re-elected in 2010.

 

3)      Fire Service Affiliation

a)      Name of Department(s): City of Winnipeg fire Dept.

b)      Number of Years in Department(s): 37 years

c)      Positions Held: firefighter, promoted Lieutenant  in Sept. 2000,  Captain in June 2002 and District Chief  in 2010.

d)      Other (optional):  Trained in Haz Mat level 2  and Water rescue.

 

4)      Platform For Election:

a)      Primary reason(s) for running

1)      To continue to serve the Chapters and MALs in Region 5.

2)      To assist all Chapters and MALs in the electronic balloting for the International Board.

 

b)      Vision for future of RKIMC

1)      To continue to improve communications with the Chapters and MALs. Using the new Red Knights email and phone.

2)      To assist any new applicants in getting their Chapter started.

3)      To attend as many State and Provincial rallies to give information pertaining to individual needs.

4)      To continue the growth of Chapters in Region 5.

5)      To continue the friendships and bonds held between fellow Firefighters.

Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club^®

International Board of Directors

Nominee Profile

Vice President

 

 

1)      Personal Profile

     Name:    Chris Gadway

     A.K.A. / Nick Name: “Zippy”

     City,  State / Province, Country: Huntingtown, MD USA

     Other: Married to my wonderful wife Julie (social member). Our daughter Julia (active member), is our chapter secretary. Our son Blake, 15 (junior member) is one step away from achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.

 

2)      Red Knights Information

     Current Chapter: (home) Maryland 4, (also member) Switzerland 1

     Positions Held at Chapter,  State/ Provincial, International Level:

     Current International Vice President

     2012 Dixie Rally President

     Current MD4 Board Member

     Past MD State Assoc. Secretary

     Past MD4 President

     Past MD4 VP

     Past MD4 Senior Road Captain

     Past MD4 Quartermaster

     Charter Member of Maryland chapter 4

     Years (total) In RKIFMC: 8

     Other:

     Attended the previous 4 international conventions

     Attended all of the past 7 DIXIE rallies

     Attended all of the Maryland State meetings

     Helped host the 3^rd Gathering of the Knights Tournament.

     Visited chapters or members in The U.S., Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany in 2011, I will also be visiting all the chapters in New Zealand and Australia in March of 2012.

 

3)      Fire Service Affiliation

     Name of Department(s): Huntingtown, MD   VFD&RS

     Number of Years in Department(s): 9

     Positions Held:

     Firefighter

     Rescue Technician

     Driver and Operator

     Dept. Treasurer

     Dept. Vice President

 

4)      Platform For Election

     I have contributed to many policies that the current Board of Directors has worked on, while attending each of the board meetings since my election and would like to continue to do so.

     The Member At Large (MAL) program has increased in size by more than 50% since I was elected to this position in office. I would like to continue these efforts as the representative for this integral part of the Red Knights.

     I have assisted in helping MAL’s organize into 6 new chapters so far, while continuing to work with others to do the same.

     The overseas portion of the Red Knights has also grown significantly since my taking over this office. I would like to continue to serve them and assist in their continued growth and retention of members

hip.

     Up to this point, I have had the privilege to be a guest at over 7 other chapter’s meetings and would like to continue to visit more in the future, promoting the growth and knowledge of the organization.

 

5)      Vision for future of RKIFMC:

     Improve Communications among the entire membership of the organization, from the top down as well as between local chapters. It is always a pleasure to be able to spend time with other chapter’s members, broadening friendships and brotherhood.

     Continue to work with the Board on strengthening the organization, through listening to the membership, continuing good practices, refining policies that may not currently work as well as desired and implementing new ones to help with retention of current members and expansion into new areas.

     One particular area of long term focus we as a board are currently working on is a full business plan outlining the future course of this great organization.

     To work with the Board members in adapting the International By-Laws and SOG’s  to be more accommodating to the local nuances, customs and laws of overseas associations.

     Encourage the further development of State/Provincial/Regional Representatives and Associations to help build even stronger camaraderie amongst all members worldwide. 

     Help educate members on the level of Global Brotherhood that the Red Knights has grown into.

 

Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club^®

International Board of Directors

Nominee Profile

Region 6 Director

1)      Personal Profile

a)      Name: Michael Flint Breeding

b)      A.K.A. / Nick Name: Flintster

c)      City,  State / Province, Country: Anna, Texas, US

d)      Other (optional): Texas Black Prairieland!

2)      Red Knights Information

a)      Current Home Chapter: Texas 2

b)      Positions Held at Chapter,  State/ Provincial, International Level: Chapter 2 charter president, first Texas State Representative, first Region Six Director (one term).

c)      Years (total) In RKIMC:

d)      Other (optional):

3)      Fire Service Affiliation

a)      Name of Department(s): Canyon Lake VFD (TX), Cunningham Fire Protection District (Denver, CO), City of Hutchins, TX FD, City of The Colony, TX FD, City of Wiley, TX FD, City of Richardson, TX FD, North Texas Training Assoc.  RETIRED!

b)      Number of Years in Department(s): 30

c)      Positions Held: Various, from Firefighter/Paramedic to Dept. Director.

d)      Other (optional):Technical writer, computer programmer, Haz-Mat technician, Mas

ter Firefighter, Master Fire Service Instructor (III), Basic Fire Inspector/Investigator, BA in Business Management, Executive Fire Officer Program Graduate (NFA), Accident Scene Management Instructor.

4)      Platform For Election

a)      Primary reason(s) for running: To further the efforts to improve the services this club offers and can offer in the future.  To serve my regional membership to the best of my abilities.  And to Enjoy the company of friends riding our motorcycles.

b)      Vision for future of RKIMC: Solid business plan for the club’s future!  Fix identifiable problems causing membership to leave the club.

Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club^®

International Board of Directors

Nominee Profile

Quartermaster

1)      Personal Profile

a)      Name: Kent Armstrong

b)      A.K.A. / Nick Name: N/A

c)      City,  State / Province, Country:9 North Orchard Road, Grafton, Vermont, USA

d)      Other (optional):

2)      Red Knights Information

a)      Current Home Chapter: Vermont II

b)      Positions Held at Chapter, State/ Provincial, International Level: Chapter Treasurer, International Quartermaster

c)      Years (total) In RKIMC: Ten

d)      Other (optional):

3)      Fire Service Affiliation

a)      Name of Department(s):Grafton Vermont

b)      Number of Years in Department(s): Twelve

c)      Positions Held: Up to Assistant Chief

d)      Other (optional):

4)      Platform For Election

a)      Primary reason(s) for running: To give the best I can to the group

b)      Vision for future of RKIMC: To help expand the organization and have fun with my motorcycling friends