April 7 2015

Minutes Paardeberg Unit, 1 CAV

April 7, 2015

April 7th 2015 photos

In attendance:

Executive: Mapper, President; Nets, Sgt-at-Arms; Hammer, Road Captain; Don, Vice President and Kathy, Secretary

Members: Jay, Smiley, Big Al, Nuke, Dino, Pebbles, Road Runner and Trev

Regrets: Spider, Witch & Mel, Q-t-Cat, Gepetto and Road Runner

Guests: Rowland Riggins, Ride for Dad Blocker Coordinator

7:08 pm Nets, Sgt-at-Arms called the meeting to order with a request for one minute of Silence remembering the latest fallen soldier: Sgt. Andrew Doiron.

The silence was broken with the reciting of:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them, We will remember them.

1. President’s Opening Remarks
Mapper, President welcomed everyone.

2. Vice-President's Remarks
Nothing to report.

3. Sergeant-at-Arms Remarks
Nets reported

  • Current membership stands at 33 including 3 honourary members
  • Unit fund is in good stead.
  • The CAV 2015 pins and year bars are in. Nets will hand them out after the meeting is over.

4. Road Captain Report
Hammer, our Road Captain presented the 2015 Unit Ride Calendar. Kathy will load the ride calendar on the website.

This calendar lists all sorts of events in or within an easy ride of Ottawa. Hammer reminded members that the unit as a hold wants to do more riding for pleasure as a group, rather than all fundraising events. So if you have a favourite route to ride and a spot for lunch or a break - send out a message for members to meet you at a convenient location and join you for a ride. That being said there are a couple of fundraising rides that the Unit has supported in the past: May 2, 2015 Shakeout Ride; May 9, 2015 Ride for Disabled Vets; May 30, 2015 Motorcycle Ride for Dad; June 27, 2015 Ride for Country Cat Sanctuary - Almonte, ON. Hammer noted a possible overnighter in August to somewhere in NY state. All options are open.

Hammer noted that he will be preparing for Staff College in Toronto so will not be available to lead rides as in the past and the Unit will need to find a new Road Captain. Take some time and consider volunteering with the unit. The Executive is a good group of people to work with. There are lots of people with experience organizing/leading a ride - don't be shy ask for help.

5. President Report
Mapper discussed the ride calendar

6. Open Discussion & Presentations

a) Presentations: Mapper introduced Rowland Riggins, MR4D Blocker Coordinator to hand out the 2014 Blocker pins and kits. Rowland and Hammer did the presentations to unit members in attendance who blocked in 2014.

Rowland provided an update on Motorcycle Ride for Dad's successes over the past year:

  • This is Motorcycle Ride for Dad's 15th anniversary,
  • The average number treatments required have dropped from 39 to 5 over the past 15 years,
  • Researchers in Ottawa have teamed up with researchers at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto to do an international study on treatments for prostate cancer
  • 13 million has been raised across Canada through various Ride for Dad events, boating, snowmobiling, etc.
  • Free PSA clinic will be on May 2nd at the General
  • In 2014 the Ottawa Unit had a larger ride than the number registered and are addressing this. Registered participants will have to have some ID on their bikes. Those not registered will be tuned away. Escorted portion of the ride will remain the same while the poker run portion will be shorter, while still starting from Leggett Dr, Kanata and ending at the Rideau Carleton Racetrack

b) Other Business:

  • MR4D OPI: With Hammer volunteering with the organizing committee, Big Al volunteered to be the Unit Blocker OPI. He will collect the names of members who wish to block this year and provide Rowland with the number of blockers and collect safety vests as needed.
  • Website: Members are invited to check out the website as there have been some updates: Memorial page, Motorcycle Routes and Maps, Motorcycle Routes and Maps
  • Breakfast social: Please email Kathy by April 22nd, if you plan on attending so that we can make reservations.

April 25th, 2015 Paardeberg Unit Breakfast at 10:00 am $8.00 includes juice and coffee:
Orleans Legion Br 632, 800 Taylor Creek Road, Orleans, ON K1C 1T1 Tel: (613)830-9984
Hopefully the weather will be good and we can all ride to breakfast.

  • Monthly Draw: Don, Vice President was tonights winner

7.Closing Remarks
a)Mapper thanked everyone for coming out to the meeting, noting a few folks rode their bikes tonight - Spring is here.

b) Adjournment
Mapper adjourned the meeting at 7:50pm

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