Refreshing the paint with a new ride, replacing those well-worn, memory-filled gloves, and changing of the guard. All things that will not last forever and must be replaced and updated to remain in good working order. This applies to our rides, our gear, and your Board of Directors.
By the time you read this, after the most excellent MOA National Rally in Vermont, the seating of two new directors and the election of your new president will have taken place, and my final acts as your president will be complete. Change is inevitable, but it is good and provides opportunities for growth.
During my two terms (six years) as a director, the first two were about getting up to speed, the third was as VP, and in years four through six, I had the opportunity to serve as your president. The changes I saw over this period were significant. Over the past several years, we’ve worked hard to ensure the MOA is not just thinking about tomorrow, but about where we need to be several years from now for you and the riders who will come after us.
A big part of this change came down to two things. One was identifying and building stronger relationships with industry partners who share our passion for the riding community and its future growth. We also had to recognize that newer generations of riders view time, value, and membership differently from many of us did in the past. They seek out different opportunities and reasons for riding, but in the end, they are still riders.
I asked our board and staff to be willing to get uncomfortable, stay open to new ideas, try things, learn quickly from what worked and what didn’t, and keep moving forward. I also encouraged a mindset Wayne Dyer captured well: “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change.” We also embraced testing new ideas on a small scale to reduce risk and complexity, learn quickly from what didn’t work, and either improve them or move on. This new mindset has helped launch new programs and services, with real wins for members, including tire protection and roadside rebate programs, as well as rider-focused rebates and benefits. We’re in the midst of testing additional ideas, with more planned for the near future. None of the wins we achieved over the past six years would have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our Executive Director, Ted Moyer; Chief Operations Officer, Becky Smith; the entire staff; every Director; and an army of passionate volunteers.
The past six years have been extremely rewarding, and I am grateful to the membership for allowing me to serve. During this time, I’ve had the opportunity to build lasting relationships and to see the MOA reestablish its footing and begin to grow again. Although I had the opportunity to continue serving, I supported the recently approved bylaw change that removed the possibility of a third term because I believe it is better for the long-term health of the organization.
The BMW MOA is on the path to a bright future, and I have full confidence in the new Board of Directors, its officers, and the dedicated men and women of our staff to keep innovating, learn quickly, and succeed. We, as members, are counting on you.
This part of the ride has ended, but the journey and adventure will continue. I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones on the road and at events in the years ahead. It’s been a pleasure and a rewarding experience to serve all of you and to represent you and your needs here at home and internationally.
Remember, you can always make more money, but you can’t make more time. Get out and ride today. Cheers!
