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[bisounours]

I'm National HOG life member and local member.
Never, I hold an officer position because I'm active member in other association where I hold charges in the Area, National and International level.
I've not enough time for the organisation of my Chapter (300 members).
So, I'm pleasure to participate for the rides during 2, 3 or more days with the others riders in HD and it's in the Chapter that they are.
It's possible to ride during one day (2 times in month) but it's for the members that they ride not many miles during the season. It's less interesting and I prefer to ride alone or only with 2 or 3 guys.
In France and in Europe, it's a little bit different than the States because the riders are not in majority with HD or similar. They are more with german , italian, english or other bikes. It's not the same style for riding. It's one reason why it's necessary to be member of HD club (HOG or not).
I'm not very interresting by the big HD events ( national, or european rally) because is too many people and we meet all and nobody. If you participate with a group of friends you stay always with these friends. I think that it's not necessary to go to these events for that.
Sure the HD organisation is often perfect.

I like the philosophy of the CVO meeting but it's in US.
If we develop this spirit with the others CVO's riders (that they are not yet on the site) in Europe, perhaps, it'll be possible to organise the same meeting.

It's possible to discuss long time on this object, it's our passion !

Ride safe ! [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]
Jacques

[Screamin]

Good question;

We belong to both, local and national. Got the life thing for the national and do enjoy the meager benefits associated w/the same. The local Chapt. is clearly dominated by the dealership owner and his focus is strictly on numbers ($$ and members 450 +/-). We've met some great people through the Chapt. and the meetings give us a chance to get together w/ them as we're pretty spread out. The local has loads and loads of B.S. Just like any other volunteer org. Cliques, politics, all of that crap. We choose to ignore it all and just get out of it what we want. If your expectations are that you'll join a close knit group where everyone gets along and wants the same thing, forget it. If you want to meet some folks and make some new friends that share some of your interests, you've got a real good chance w/ the local

[BalDeagle]

I've been  a local and National member here in the UK for the last six years and paid for life membership a couple of years ago. I'm a Road Captain and am about to become the local Club Treasurer in 2007.

When I first joined the local Chapter I used to get up tight about the petty politics, arguments and mild back stabbing that goes on. Now I just let these things wash over me as I have many good friends in the Chapter who I share a lot of good times with. You will always get a few people in a club (we have just over 300 members in our Chapter) who like to stir it, but they are easily ignored and the good stuff easily outweighs the bad stuff.

I enjoy going to the European HOG Rallies, but I particularly enjoy the getting there and the getting back, which I normally do with a small bunch of friends. HOG helps me keep in touch with whats going on the World of Harley, but I'm just as happy doing my own thing.

I pay my money and dip in and out as I see fit - surely that's a good recipe.

 [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

Nige

[BalDeagle]

I'm National HOG life member and local member.
Never, I hold an officer position because I'm active member in other association where I hold charges in the Area, National and International level.
I've not enough time for the organisation of my Chapter (300 members).
So, I'm pleasure to participate for the rides during 2, 3 or more days with the others riders in HD and it's in the Chapter that they are.
It's possible to ride during one day (2 times in month) but it's for the members that they ride not many miles during the season. It's less interesting and I prefer to ride alone or only with 2 or 3 guys.
In France and in Europe, it's a little bit different than the States because the riders are not in majority with HD or similar. They are more with german , italian, english or other bikes. It's not the same style for riding. It's one reason why it's necessary to be member of HD club (HOG or not).
I'm not very interresting by the big HD events ( national, or european rally) because is too many people and we meet all and nobody. If you participate with a group of friends you stay always with these friends. I think that it's not necessary to go to these events for that.
Sure the HD organisation is often perfect.

I like the philosophy of the CVO meeting but it's in US.
[highlight]If we develop this spirit with the others CVO's riders (that they are not yet on the site) in Europe, perhaps, it'll be possible to organise the same meeting.[/highlight]

It's possible to discuss long time on this object, it's our passion !

Ride safe ! [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]
Jacques

Hey Bis - maybe it's time some of us Europeans started to do something about organising a CVO event ?

I'm sure we would get a few hundred to turn out and it could become a cracking small event.

 [smiley=banana.gif]

Nige

[bisounours]

I've been  a local and National member here in the UK for the last six years and paid for life membership a couple of years ago. [highlight]I'm a Road Captain and am about to become the local Club Treasurer in 2007[/highlight].


Nige

Congratulations for your promotion ! [smiley=drink.gif]
We have our Annual Meeting Friday 19th January.
After more 10 years, our president stops his charge and one of the team will replace him.

Jacques

[hdbrad03]

I'm a Life Member the wife is a full member. We both belong to our local HOG chapter. Mainly for the discount. We like to ride and do our own thing. The local club seem to have this 200 mile circle they never ride outside of. We like to venture and ride long distance. So that leaves most of the local HOG members out. They won't even support their own State Rally account it is 300 miles away.
We do try to attend State Rallies like Maine, Idaho, Oregon and North Carolina. Any that fit into our schedule. Also have attended a few national rallies which we enjoyed.
We also attended Road Candy Tour National Event and really enjoyed the event.

[Hoist!]

It's not consistent with most of you. I'm a member when I buy a new bike. It's free. I met a bunch of guys from local. Different philosophy and riding style than myself and my friends. It's also very clickish. I'm not into riding politics of any type. I choose to stay independant. You'll never see a patch on my back of any type. The atlases are cool for dealer locations and helmet rules on the road. I don't need one every year. I don't collect pins and patches. "I just wanna be free to ride my machine...! Hoist!  8-)

[harleyteam]

My wife and I are both full life members. I'm one of the orginal members of our local chapter from start up. just celebrated our chapters 20th ann. in 06.  Been head road captain for the past 14 years.  just gave that up last month, became treasurer Jan. 06.  real tough doing both jobs all year. Wife just became secretary.  we have 356 members.

yes you will always get a few - strange ones - that try to create problems.  We also belong to the Red Knights.  have the same problem there.

 But like everyone said,,, you ride to enjoy.. so it's what you make of it.  I love it and have many great friends and riding companions.  can't go anywhere in western NY without bumping in to one of our members.  always have someone to converse with.

 [smiley=apple.gif]

[cigarmike]

I got my 1 free year when I bought the bike, never went, mainly cause all my friends who have went to the meetings here, said it sucked. As much BS as  Little league and or Cheerleading sometimes, Me being an ex president of Little league, and having a daughter thats an ex-cheerleader and seeing all the drama first hand, thats was all I needed to hear, not saying that all chapters are the same, and God Bless you if your local Chaptor is not....but Im way too traumatised from my kid's Teenage years to take any chances. And as far as the Bob Dron discount ( I remember the salesman telling me about this at purchase that Drons was the local sponsor)....I get a better deal online for Geniune HD parts than Drons could ever give me with their Hog Discount. And a Penny NOT spent at Oakland HD,  is a Penny well spent anywhere else.

[jeffj]

Life Member for a bunch of years
Local member to 3 HOG Chapters 2 in IA and 1 in CA
CA chapter I was very active as I served almost every position including Director - manage lots of different attitudes
Since moving to Iowa (almost 1 year) I have become active with 1 HOG chapter and damned if I wasn't name Activity Dir
I thought, I had being an officer out of my system but I have tons of ideas for rides it should be a fun year.

Guess one of the biggest reason I am active in HOG is that I seem to move around the USA every 5 years or so
HOG lets me make friends quicker as my only passion/hobby is riding Scooters

There are good chapters and weak chapters as well as clicky groups within most of the chapters
But O'well to me its all about the riding and friendships that I will fine and make.

To each his own but get out and ride and enjoy your Harley-Davidson

jeffj

[spydglide]

I've been  a local and National member here in the UK for the last six years and paid for life membership a couple of years ago. I'm a Road Captain and am about to become the local Club Treasurer in 2007.

When I first joined the local Chapter I used to get up tight about the petty politics, arguments and mild back stabbing that goes on.[highlight] Now I just let these things wash over me as I have many good friends in the Chapter who I share a lot of good times with. You will always get a few people in a club (we have just over 300 members in our Chapter) who like to stir it, but they are easily ignored and the good stuff easily outweighs the bad stuff.[/highlight]
I enjoy going to the European HOG Rallies, but I particularly enjoy the getting there and the getting back, which I normally do with a small bunch of friends. HOG helps me keep in touch with whats going on the World of Harley, but I'm just as happy doing my own thing.

I pay my money and dip in and out as I see fit - surely that's a good recipe.

 [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

Nige

Hey Nige, you got the right idea there, my friend.  If only we could all take it in stride like that, we'd be better off.  [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif] har!  spyder

[JR]

I have been a National member since getting my SEEG. Last week I signed up for our local Hog membership. During the summer it's hard to make the meetings due to work but I figured I would give it a shot. Especially since Ultrafxr, PHAZE, and MJZ are members along with a few other folks I know, I thought it would be fun to get some rides in with these Fellers! [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]Tonight would be my first meeting but couldn't make it due to a pain in my........neck! Oh well, maybe next time!

                                                                        JR [smiley=banana.gif]

[Screamin_Beagle]

I keep my membership just for the discount on parts and the map book.  After holding a patch with a 1% club for 10 years,  I find these guys amusing.  They really do think that they are the cream of the crop bikers,  when in reality.....MOST can't ride worth a sh$t.  In fact,  I've been on rides with them (toy runs, blanket runs and poker runs),  and to be honest......if they are around,  I either leave 20 minutes after,  or leave when they do and of course arrive an hour before they do (just so I don't have to take the chance at amatuer hour). My appologies to our membership for those of you who are active members (I didn't mean you).  JMO!!!


_Beagle

[SPIDERMAN]

I keep my membership just for the discount on parts and the map book.  After holding a patch with a 1% club for 10 years,  I find these guys amusing.  They really do think that they are the cream of the crop bikers,  when in reality.....MOST can't ride worth a sh$t.  In fact,  I've been on rides with them (toy runs, blanket runs and poker runs),  and to be honest......if they are around,  I either leave 20 minutes after,  or leave when they do and of course arrive an hour before they do (just so I don't have to take the chance at amatuer hour). My appologies to our membership for those of you who are active members (I didn't mean you).  JMO!!!


_Beagle

I agree Bro, most of em are the biggest bunch of posers this side of Hollyweird. AND remember, don't sit in their chairs, it makes em testy. What'd you bet the next time we go down to the stealer for free BBQ ( NOT!) they have HOG stickers on all the chairs  


B B

[Fired00d]

I've been a member of National and a local chapter since starting back to riding and purchasing a Harley in 1999. Held the position of Activities Director in 2002, but since that time have not been active in the chapter. Decided this year not to renew my membership in local chapter as I was only doing it for discounts (I now know where I can get better discounts from dealers on the internet) and didn't really have the time to go to meetings and participate in the local functions. I will still retain my National membership at this time.

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]