International Postings

President

This page will be used to post reports and allow the President to make individual announcements.

02/14/2013

END OF YEAR REPORT 2012

 

            December 2012, has left us with scars in our hearts and questions in our minds as the tragic events of Newtown, CT and Webster, NY took place. There are no words that can be said or actions that we can take to make this go away. We all feel the pain and suffering that takes a piece of our soul each time we lose lives to such senseless and cowardly acts. We clutch each other as we share our heartfelt prayers and hopes that this will never happen again.

The Red Knights from around the world send our sincerest condolences to the Firefighters, Police Officers, EMS and especially the families who have lost their loved ones. May our prayers and your trust in god give you the strength and help guide you through these very difficult times.

 

            The year of 2012 brought us to a new level of excitement.

We are a proud bunch of firefighters with definite goals in mind; to live each day not knowing what tomorrow will bring, to share our wisdom with a stranger so they may not suffer what we already know, to bring joy and happiness to the sad ones. But most of all come home safe every day.

 

            The Convention in Gettysburg, PA was a great success and brought on many first time things.

It was the first time that we had “five” countries represented, United States, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, and Belgium.  It was the largest convention in our history with well over 400 Red Knights in attendance.

It was the first time we had used the electronic voting. Although all of the seats were uncontested, it was the first time that anyone could have run for the positions without being at convention.

I want to thank Brain Sames and PA 12 for all of their hard work and dedication to making a memorable convention. They overcame the challenges and issues and the entire convention was a huge hit.

 

            Due to personal issues we received the resignation of Region 2 Director Dennis Gobey. We accepted his resignation with regret; Dennis was a great contributor to the Board and will be missed.

To finish out the term, the board appointed Scott Ryan from Prince Edward Island. Scott comes to us with a great deal of enthusiasm and I am sure he will do a wonderful job as the director. The position is up for election in 2013.

The board also received the resignations of Quartermaster Kent Armstrong and the Assistant Joy Ellis who would be stepping down as of January 2013. Kent and Joy came on board when the QM’s office was in disarray. They worked very hard and brought it up to the standard that we all have come to appreciate.

Their timely process of filling orders and attention to detail will be missed. The entire board and membership thanks them for a job well done.

 

            On behalf of the Red Knights Regalia Board, we want to thank all of the applicants for your interest and application for the International Quartermaster position opening. The board was very surprised and grateful to have nearly a dozen qualified applicants from our membership.

 

            The applicants were from across the United States, Canada and Europe. The club is strong and healthy and the Quartermaster’s position is essential to our success.

We really appreciate the time and the energy they put onto the process. Thank you for your efforts, it was a tough decision. We look forward to continuing a wonderful relationship with the new Quartermaster, and hope that you will join us in supporting Kevin B. Williams, who was selected for the position. Kevin is a past president of New Jersey XI and the president of the New Jersey State Association.

 

            The final phase of the WTC Steel memorial was completed on June 16, 2012. The dedication was wonderful. The weather was great, the site was prepared and was in immaculate condition, the speakers were eloquent, the flag folding was precise, the unveiling of the plaque and the laying of the wreath was done with dignity and the food was great. The performance of the bag piper, drummer and the singing from the musical group “Plainfolk” tugged at everyone’s heart. The attendance was over whelming. The final count of people that had preregistered and the invited guests came to 343.

 

            The memorial site is an area of rest and reflection. The addition of the steel is well placed and we are honored to be the only motorcycle club in the world to be entrusted with its care forever.

 This was a major accomplishment for not only those involved, but for the Red Knights as a whole. Once again, congratulations and thank you to the entire committee and all who worked so hard to make this come true.

 

            After giving it a great deal of thought, consideration and soul searching, I have decided not to run for reelection.

 

            It was not an easy decision to make and I did not take it lightly. Four years ago my plan was only to stay for two years, but I found that I really enjoyed working with a great bunch of people that have the Red Knights blood in them. They work hard to make this the best motorcycle club in the world and I wanted to be a part of that so I stayed for two terms.

 

            This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have made friends all around the world and I have had the opportunity to meet with thousands of our members. It has been a special part of my life, and without the Red Knights I never would have met so many dedicated and wonderful people.

 

            The club is in excellent shape and growing in leaps and bounds. We have been on the cutting edge of many changes and first’s for the club, and yet there is still a lot of work to do.

 

            I want to say thank you to the membership for your continued support and willingness to understand during times that present change and challenge.

 

            I especially want to say thank you to the wonderful boards that I have had the privilege to work with. Through many years of my career I have had the opportunity to interact with lots of professional boards and I will tell you that this is one that rises to the top. The dedication from these people is the best. I once said if they were to cut themselves they would bleed “RED KNIGHTS” and now I know that is true.

 

Ride safe. Sincerely,

Dave

 

David J. Emery

09/17/2012

These are a couple items of importance that I would like to share with the club

                 

 The 2012 Convention in Gettysburg Pa. was a great success and brought on a lot of first time things, it was the first time that we had a strict pre-registration form. In today’s economy hotels and events are holding a strict line on the meals etc. that are preplanned. Please register for future conventions following the deadlines to avoid complications for both you and the hosts.

It was the first time that we had “five” countries represented, United States, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, and Belgium.  It was the largest convention in our history with well over 400 Red Knights in attendance.

It was the first time we had used the electronic voting, although all of the seats were uncontested, it was the first time that anyone could have run for the positions without being at convention.

I want to thank Brain Sames and PA 12 for all of their hard work and dedication to making a memorable convention. They overcame the challenges and issues and the entire convention was a huge hit. Now is the time to start planning for 2013 in Rutland Vermont.

 

Next, do to personal issues we received the resignation of Region 2 Director Dennis Gobey. We accepted his resignation with regret; Dennis is a great contributor to the Board and will be missed.

To finish out the term, the board appointed Scott Ryan from Prince Edward Island. Scott comes to us with a great deal of enthusiasm and I am sure will do a wonderful job as the director. The position is up for election in 2013.

 

The board was also notified that the Quartermaster Kent Armstrong and the Assistant Joy Ellis would be stepping down as of January 2013. Kent and Joy came on board when the QM’s office was in disarray. They worked very hard and brought it up to the standard that we all have come to appreciate.

 Their timely process of filling orders and attention to detail will be sorely missed. The entire board wants to thank them for a job well done.

The process to fill the position lies with the Red Knights Regalia Board, you will be hearing more about the process as it becomes available. Keep an eye on the web site.

 

Ride safe,

David

Annual Business Report

Convention 2012

I want to welcome you all to the 2012 Annual Convention here in Historic Gettysburg, Pa. With a little imagination and an interest in the past (not so long ago for some) it is easy to visualize the battles of the Civil War. While you are here, take advantage of, listening to the land, the walls of the old structures and the ghosts of that era. You will come away with great admiration of Gettysburg.

I am very proud to be your president, and it makes it enjoyable when the board of directors is such a wonderful group.  I encourage the board members to stand and express their values, speak to the issues, and exercise their right to vote on them.  It is safe to say that we all represent You, the membership, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly.

 .

The 2011 convention in Ocean City was very well presented. The location and design was a little different from the usual with the meetings and banquet being held in different locations as the main area of the hotel. The high light of the banquet was honoring the FOUNDING FATHERS,  it was a pleasure to have them in attendance as they were bestowed with Life Membership, and adding their names on a bronze plaque to the foundation of the memorial, indicating the strength of the Red Knights from the bottom to the top.

This year will be the first time electing the officers by electronic balloting giving all of our chapters an equal vote, as well as each region voting for their own regional director.

The new web site is taking on its own exciting look the home page has a daily change along with a wealth of information at your fingertips. Steve Chappell is on top of every issue and is doing a great job of bring you the most up to date information.

The final phase of the WTC Steel memorial was completed on June 16, 2012. The dedication was absolutely wonderful. The weather was great, the site was prepared and was in immaculate condition, the speakers were eloquent, the flag folding was precise, the unveiling of the plaque and the laying of the wreath was done with dignity and the food was great. The performance of the bag piper, drummer and the singing from the musical group “Plainfolk” tugged at everyone’s heart. The attendance was over whelming the final count of people that had preregistered and the invited guest came to a total of 343.

 The memorial site is an area of rest and reflection. The addition of the steel is well placed and we are honored to be the only motorcycle club in the world to be entrusted with its care forever.

The timeline and progress goals that were set back in 2010 after we officially received confirmation of being a recipient of the artifact. Congratulations and thanks are in order for the entire committee and all who worked so hard to make this come true.

We met our goals in the desired time. This was a major accomplishment for not only those involved, but for the Red Knights as a whole. Once again, congratulations and thank you to the entire committee and all who worked so hard to make this come true.

The International took on a fundraising project to help with the cost of the memorial site. A raffle of a painting by Michael Knepper, is #4 of 150. It is a framed 28”X34” 911 memorial painting named “HEROES” please buy a ticket to support OUR Memorial Site in Boyolston.

Put on your calendars October 12, 13, 14, to attend the FAMOUS event of the KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE. You will not be disappointed with meeting new friends from the Blue Knight, and the Green Knights.

This is always worth repeating again and again, Thank You to all of the past board members and the leaders of this extraordinary club. I encourage all Red Knights to become active and involved with your chapter, state, regional organizations and the International Board.

Together we can foster growth, be part of healthy change and make this the best organization possible.

 

May 8, 2012

Hello Red Knights of New Zealand,

It is a pleasure and honor to write this letter of commendation to our brothers and sisters of New Zealand Chapter 1.

The Red Knights were founded in the United States in Boylston Massachusetts in 1982, and two years later we became International when Canada joined the ranks of the brother hood. Although the Red Knights grew immensely in those two countries, it wasn’t until seventeen years later when the third country joined.

On October 31, 2001, a group of firefighters who were also motorcycle enthusiasts from New Zealand joined the organization of the International Firefighters Motorcycle Club, becoming the THIRD country to be recognized.

Congratulations on your success and reaching a milestone of 10 continuous years of service to your community and fostering the commorarderie of firefighters and safe motorcycling.

As the International President, I would like to commend all of the officers and members, past and present of New Zealand 1 for the dedication and service you have shown to the Red Knights International Motorcycle Club.

On behalf of the International Board of Directors and the entire membership from around the world, which now represent thirteen countries, we join together and wish you all the very best and continued success in your future endeavors.

Always ride safe,

Sincerely,

David J. Emery

International President

Red Knights Firefighters Motorcycle Club Inc.