International Postings

Secretary

 

02/02/2013

2012 End of Year Report

 

   I have carried out all the required duties of my office which includes but not limited to the following:

 

1. Maintaining the Trademark License Program

1. Ensuring the chapters obtain insurance for their events

1. Maintaining and updating the Motion Legers

1. Maintaining and updating of the SOG manual

1. Maintaining and updating of the Heaven One roster

1. Ensuring that all requests for information on starting new chapters is provided

1. Maintaining a data base of possible new chapters

1. Providing Board members of updated rosters, SOGs, By-Laws, Motion Ledger

1. Keeper of  all RKMC records

10.  All of the Red Knight’s advertising

11.  Answering of questions from members/chapters

 

            I have attended all RKMC and RKR Board meetings and provided minutes of all meetings and submit copies to all Board members.

 

            The trademark license program has is working well. We now have 1421 trademark license agreements with our chapters and outside vendors. This is an increase of 204 from last year. Some are still pending. We have 360 out of 378 chapters that now have an approved TMLA for chapter business, therefore, 95% and been approved.

 

            In 2012, we insured 62 chapter events. This is an increase from 50 in 2011. There are still chapters who do not know about this program. We need to work on getting the word out to all chapters about this program. There were two new requirements for 2012; the first is the chapters now have to provide the route of their event when applying for coverage. This is to make sure that any accidents that may occur are covered by being to the approved route. The second is a new parental consent form for minors. Both sides of this form must be completed.

 

            In 2012, we had 81 requests for information on starting new chapters. We approved 28 new chapters (35%). As the numbers show, we are getting a lot of inquires but are not getting the same number of new chapters. One of the reasons is failure to follow up on the request of information for new chapters. The Regional Directors and State/Province Representatives have done a good job on following up on this requests. Sometimes it takes a few weeks or months for these applications to get the number of interested members together to start the new chapter. I would suggest at least two or three follow-ups on each request by either making a phone call or by e-mail. We are now advertising the Red Knights in 17 different states and provinces.

 

            This year we saw Dennis Gobey leave the board for personal reasons. Dennis worked hard for his region and the International. While he will be missed, we were fortune to have Scott Ryan step up to finish his term. Scott brings financial knowledge to the Board and is working with the International Treasurer to improve our accounting and budgeting systems.

 

            After the formation of the RKR Corporation, Kent Armstrong decided to step down as the International Quartermaster. I want to thank Kent and Joy for their work over the past several years. The RKR board did a search and held interviews for the new Quartermaster. As a result of that search, Kevin B. Williams was selected as the new International Quartermaster.

 

            The International President, David Emery, has decided not to seek re-election at this year’s annual business meeting. To say that he will be missed would be a great understatement. His leadership not only the in the Board meetings but with the everyday dealings of this club is beyond approach. I did not think that the membership understands the job that he has done for them and this club. Under his leadership we have seen growth not only in North America but in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. I want to thank you David for your leadership and friendship.

 

            The International By-Laws are posted on our web site. These are update after every Annual Business meeting where new By-Laws are approved. If a chapter/member wants to submit a By-Law change for the membership to vote on, please have them submit the request to either Steve Chappell (By-Law chairperson) or myself. We will see that it gets placed on the agenda for the Annual Business Meeting (ABM)      

 

            The SOG manual is posted on our web site under the link for Membership and is there for the members to use as a guide. This is update after each International Board meeting. It is of the upmost importance that the chapters stay current with this. The one thing that I have found is that not all of the State/Province Representatives are aware of this manual. As they are the first line in the chain of command, they need to be aware of this.

 

            The Office of the Secretary has done the International Convention Handout Booklet containing all of the reports, by-law changes and other information that is given to each member in attendance when they registered for the last six years. This allows the member time to review what will take place at the ABM. It also includes a short bio on members seeking election to the International Board. Beginning in 2013, these duties will be taken over by the Region 3 Director. He is looking at a system to be able to submit this to all chapters electronic.

 

            During 2012, I attended three RKMC International Board meetings, the Annual Business meeting, three RKR Board meetings, the Annual International Convention, the Dixie Rally, the first annual Oklahoma State Association rally and the Region 3 meeting. Along with the International President and the Region 4 Director, I attended the Blue Knights, Southern Region dedication at the America’s Law Enforcement Center in Florida. I also  had the privilege to visit many of our chapters.

 

 

            I attended the unveiling of the piece of steel from the WTC disaster of September 11, at our Memorial Park in Boylston, Massachusetts.  This was very well attended including members from the NYC Fire Fighters, one who spoke of the event and aftermath. I want to thank the members of the Massachusetts chapters who give on their time in maintaining our Memorial Park. Thank you!

 

            In 2012, we lost 32 members of the Red Knight Family. Since December of 2011, I attended eleven funerals of Red Knight members as the representative of the Red Knights International Board. Additionally, I send RKMC flags and Angel coins to 7 other families of members who passed away where we could not get a representative to in time. It is our Honor to represent and give respect to those brothers and sister that answer their last call. I want to thank the other Board members who have also attended funerals/wakes for those who answer their last call.

 

            I would encourage each member of the RKIFMC to use the Help A Knight when you are traveling. I have found that our members are more than willing to share information on where to ride, eat, see or even stay with them when in their area.

 

            I averaged 92.5 hours per month in 2012 working on behalf of the Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club, Inc.

 

            My term as your International Secretary will expire at the 2014 Annual Business meeting. I will not be seeking re-election for another term.  I would like to thank the membership for allowing me to work with the Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club for the ten years that I will have been your Secretary. I hope that I have been a help to you and your chapters

 

Loyal To Our Duty

 

Bill “Popeye” Snodgrass

07/25/2012

INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY’S REPORT for the 2012 Convention

 

            I want to welcome you all of our members to Gettysburg and the to the 2012 Annual Convention and to the members of PA 12 and Brian Sames for hosting the event. As you visit some of the 1380 memorials in the park, please remember that you are walking in history.

            As the elected Secretary of the R.K.I.F.M.C, I am also the appointed Secretary for the Red Knights Regalia Corporation. The RKR is researching for new items to bring to our membership. If you have any ideas for merchandise, please let us know.

            Our name and logo are now trademarked in 33 countries. We now have 1322 approved or pending trademark license agreements with our chapters and outside vendors. 349 out of 375 chapters now have an approved trademark license agreement for chapter business, which gives us 93% of our chapters. This is up from 79.6 since last year. This is an increase of 59 chapters since the 2011 convention (79.6%). All chapters are required to have a Chapter Business Trademark

            Each item that uses our name or logo must have a TMLA before it can be made or sold.

            The Trademark Application can be found on our web site (www.redknightsmc.com). The turn around time for approving new trademark applications to the chapters is 5 to 7 days, depending on the mail system.

            In 2011, we insured 57 chapter events. For the first eight months of 2012, we have had 40 chapters applied for insurance. In my visits with other chapters, I have found that there are still chapters who do not know about this program. We need to get the word out to all chapters about this program. We offer a one million dollar certificate of insurance for our chapter’s event. The average cost to the chapters is $148.50.

            For the first eight months of 2012, we had 56 requests for information on starting new chapters. We have approved 13 of those requests (23%). As the numbers show, we are getting a lot of inquires but are not getting the same number of new chapters.

            We still need to do a better job of following up on these applications. The Regional Directors and State/Province Representatives have to take the lead in following up on these requests. I send the Regional Directors a notice of each request for new chapters as soon as I receive it. We need to follow up with both an email and phone call at that time and again after 30-45 days.

            The SOG manual is still a living document with updates as needed. I want to thank the Board members who have input on this. The one thing that I have found is that not all of the State/Province Representatives are aware of this manual or where to find it (it is on our web site under the link for Membership). As they are the first line in the chain of command, they need to be aware of this. The SOG manual is listed on our web site.

            A Procedure Manual for Hosting of the International Convention is given to each hosting chapter/association by the Regional Director. This lists the requirements for hosting the convention, the needs of the International and the reporting forms need. It is a road map for the chapters/associations to follow. As we find area that need improvement or added, they are. We learn something from every Convention to make the next one better. The manual is a big help to the Convention Committee when they use this guideline. The financial reports are a big help to the International Treasurer. The format in this procedure manual can also be used for multi chapter, Association or Regional event.

            The Convention Handout Booklet containing all of the reports, by-law changes and other information given to each member in attendance when they registered. It is now in its fifth year. This has been accepted by the membership with good results.  This allows the member time to review what will take place at the ABM. When we have an election, a short bio and photos on the members seeking election to the International Board is added.

            Since August of 2011, I attended three International Board meetings, three RKR Board meetings, the Annual International Convention, along with the International President and the Region 4 Director, I represented the Red Knights at the Blue Knight’s dedication in the American Police Museum in Coco Beach, Florida (at no cost to the Red Knights) the WTC Steel dedication at our Memorial in Boylston, the Region 4 (Dixie) rally, the 1^st Region 3 meeting, the America’s 911 ride, the NC State Association meeting, the Knights of the Round Table Tournament and  the 343 ride, hosted NC 6. Along with these I had the chance to visit with many chapters from the East coast to the West coast.

             My plans include on attending the 1^st Oklahoma State rally in September and the Knights of the Round Tournament in North Carolina in October.

            I attended six funerals of Red Knight members as the representative of the Red Knights International Board.

            In 2011, I worked 1245 hours and since January 2012, I have worked 650 hours, on behalf of the membership as the International Secretary.

            I have been honored to be able to work on behalf of the membership in reaching our goals during the last eight (8) years. I accept your support for the coming two years and will work as hard as I can to full fill the duties of this office.

While I am pleased to serve you in this position, I am disappointed in the fact that there were no members wanting to seek election to any Board position. Please remember that that this is your club and in order for it to keep growing and moving forward, it needs new ideas and new people. Think about this and step up and seek election to a Board position in the coming years. I would like to see someone wanting to seek election to my position in 2014.

Loyal To Our Duty

Bill “Popeye” Snodgrass,

International Executive Secretary

01/16 2012

Secretary 2011 End Of Year Report

   I have carried out all the required duties of my office which also includes but not

limited to the following:

 

1. Maintaining the Trademark License Program
2. Ensuring the chapters obtain insurance for their events
3. Maintaining and updating the Motion Legers
4. Maintaining and updating of the SOG manual
5. Maintaining and updating of the Heaven One roster
6. Ensuring that all requests for information on starting new chapters is provided
7. Maintaining a data base of possible new chapters
8. Providing Board members of updated rosters, SOGs, By-Laws, Motion Ledger
9. Keeper of  all RKMC records

10.  All of the Red Knight’s advertising

 

            I have attended all Board meetings and provided minutes of all meetings and submit copies to all Board members.

 

            The trademark license program has is working well. We now have 1198 trademark license agreements with our chapters and outside vendors. Some are still pending. We have 320 out of 356 chapters that now have an approved TMLA for chapter business, therefore, 89.9% and been approved. This is up from 56% in 2010.

 

            In 2011, we insured 50 chapter events. This is a decrease from 57 in 2010. I have found that there are still chapters who do not know about this program. We need to get the word out to all chapters about this program. A new requirement for 2012 is the chapters will now have to provide the route of their event when applying for coverage. This is to make sure that any accidents that may occur are covered by being o the approved route.

 

            In 2011, we had 92 requests for information on starting new chapters. We approved 24 new chapters (26%). As the numbers show, we are getting a lot of inquires but are not getting the same number of new chapters. One of the reasons is failure to follow up on the request of information for new chapters. The Regional Directors and State/Province Representatives have to take the lead in following up on these requests. Only contacting them once is not enough. Sometimes it takes a few weeks or months for these applications to get the number of interested members together to start the new chapter. I would suggest at least two or three follow-ups on each request.

 

            The International By-Laws are posted on our web site. These are update after every Annual Business meeting where new By-Laws are approved.         

 

            The SOG manual is posted on our web site under the link for Membership and is there for the members to use as a guide. The one thing that I have found is that not all of the State/Province Representatives are aware of this manual. As they are the first line in the chain of command, they need to be aware of this. Many of the questions that I received from the chapters, the answers are in the SOG manual.

 

            A Procedure Manual for Hosting of the International Convention has been updated and is posted on our web site under downloadable files. This lists the requirements for hosting the convention, the needs of the International and the reporting forms need. There is also an application for hosting the convention. It is a road map for the chapters/associations to follow.

 

            The International Convention Handout Booklet containing all of the reports, by-law changes and other information given to each member in attendance when they registered is also now in its fifth year. This allows the member time to review what will take place at the ABM. In 2011, we hope to add a short bio on members seeking election to the International Board.

 

            During 2011, I attended three International Board meetings, the Annual Business meeting, the Annual International Convention, the Dixie Rally, the KORT rally, NC 343 ride, NC State Rally and the America’s 911 ride. I was part of the representative group that when to Germany and Switzerland with to visit our chapters in Europe in May. I went as a representative of the RKMC to NYC to obtain our WTC artifact for our Memorial.

 

            I attended five funerals in 2011of Red Knight members as the representative of the Red Knights International Board. Additionally, I send RKMC flags and Angel coins to 5 families of members who passed away.

 

            By virtue of my position as the International Executive Secretary of the Red knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club, Inc. I became the Executive Secretary of the Red Knights Regalia LTD.

 

            I averaged 98.1 hours in 2011 working on behalf of the Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club, Inc.

 

            I will be seeking re-election as your International Secretary in 2012. I hope that you will allow me to continue to serve you, the membership in 2012.

 

Loyal To Our Duty

 

 

Bill “Popeye” Snodgrass