MRF Alerts

The Meeting of the Minds conference is where it all began and it’s where motorcyclists’ rights advocates come to experience tailormade workshops addressing issues facing motorcyclists today. The Meeting of the Minds is where motorcyclists’ rights advocates can get up-to-date information on issues relating to the attacks against motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights.

Time is running out -- Hotel rooms, at $109 nightly, are available and going fast. “Early bird” hotel reservation and Meeting of the Minds registration cut-off date is September 6. Use the QR codes below to make your reservations now. Time is running out!

Since June, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation has shared this series of “E-blast” with thousands of motorcyclists. During the series, the MRF has introduced workshop presenters and workshop topics. The 2023 Meeting of the Minds conference will reflect that the MRF listens to our members, partner state motorcyclists’ rights organizations, and motorcycle clubs. The MRF is making a difference and moving forward – on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures -- to protect the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights.

Listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling, this year’s Meeting of the Minds conference features sixteen workshops and ten new presenters, plus a host of new topics added to the mix!

The Meeting of the Minds – presenters who live and breathe motorcyclists’ rights, topical workshops that have real-world applications for protecting the future of motorcycling –The Motorcycle Riders Foundation -- Since 1987 the MRF has been the only national motorcyclists’ rights organization dedicated to on-street riders with full-time representation in Washington, D.C.!

With more than a few hundred thousand hours of collective motorcyclists’ rights advocacy, some of the following names you’ll recognize, and some will be new to you. Regardless, this diverse assembly of freedom fighters will bring to the Meeting of the Minds new workshop topics and updates on topics that are cornerstones in the foundations of motorcyclists’ rights advocacy.

THE PRESENTERS: Dave Dwyer - Russell Radke - Kirk "Hardtail" Willard - William "Rocky" Fox - Ryan Hubbard - Kris Cook - Seven - Lane Triplett - Jay Jackson - Gary Goracke - Steve Panten - Jennifer Abraham - Eric Ross - Joy Mack - Chris "Clutch" Ward - Rick “Brick” Lindsey - Mark Buckner - Bob Stoner - Aaron Meyer - Sherman Packard - Angela Engel - Keith “Bandit” Ball - Bob Kay – Chris Callen - Ron Braaksma - Traci Beaurivage - Imre Szauter

The presentations and workshops are as diverse as the presenters--and just as important to promoting and protecting the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights.

THE PRESENTATIONS: Legislative Strategies - Building Effective Legislative/lobbying Efforts – First Timers – Keeping the Bridges Open Between Clubs & SMROs  - Executive Directors Townhall - Leadership Principles - SMRO Guidebook: “A Cookbook for Your SMRO” -  MRFPAC Update – Beyond Legislative Lobbying - The Future of Motorcycling: The intentional phasing out of internal combustion engines and their fuel source -- American Income Life (MRF benefit presentation) – MRF Sustaining Clubs Meeting -  MRF Awareness & Education Update - Strategic Planning - The Power of Social Media: A Catalyst for Recruitment -  Building Effective legislative/Lobbying Efforts – MRF Awards – and much, much more…

Yes, there’ll be plenty of time to renew old acquaintances and meet soon-to-be new friends. However, you will go home with a mind full of innovative ideas and a saddlebag full of informational handouts. You’ll wonder where the weekend went and will be disappointed that there wasn’t more time. This is what the Meeting of the Minds has always been about!

Meeting of the Minds – Bikers Inside the Beltway -- the Motorcycle Riders Foundation – listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights!

The Meeting of the Minds – September 21-24, Red Lion Hotel, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Use the QR codes below to register and make reservations or call 717-939-7841 and mention Motorcycle Riders Foundation 2023 Meeting of the Minds.

Thank you.  Your individual responses to the Eblast you received from the MRF around August 4 were encouraging.  So encouraging in fact, that I was requested to pull together one more appeal for biker rights advocates in the Northeast to join your brothers and sisters and “get your motors runnin’!” and head down to Harrisburg and the Meeting of the Minds in September.

With someone from clean across country making such a production out of attending an event in Pennsylvania, you’re probably wondering what the fuss is all about.  First, it’s about the MRF listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling, and motorcyclists’ rights -- this year’s Meeting of the Minds features sixteen workshops and ten new presenters, plus a stack of new topics added to the mix!

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation–presenters who live and breathe motorcyclists’ rights, topical workshops that have real-world applications for protecting the future of motorcycling – Bikers Inside the Beltway, the Meeting of the Minds–there’s no other place in the world that you can get this much information in such a short span of time; even if you spent an evening ‘surfin’ the net!’  

If you haven’t already, get ready to meet Bob Stoner, a 27-year member of ABATE of Indiana. He’ll join Aaron Meyer to present 90 minutes that will help keep your SMRO on track -- SMRO Guidebook: A Cookbook for Your Organization.

Whether you’re contemplating running for political office or supporting a motorcycle-friendly candidate, “think globally, act locally” puts the mission of protecting the future of motorcycling directly into the avenue of approach to motorcyclists’ rights advocacy. Traci Beaurivage and Imre Szauter present Beyond Legislative Lobbying and share their collective political experience with attendees in their workshop.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation -- Bikers Inside the Beltway, Meeting of the Minds --listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling & motorcyclists’ rights!

I’m not the guy to tell you that the MRF has all the answers.  However, I will tell you that Since 1987 the MRF has been the only national motorcyclists’ rights organization dedicated to on-street riders with full-time representation in Washington, D.C.! The MRF may not have all the answers, however you can take it to the bank that the information shared at the Meeting of the Minds will be useful to you and your SMRO!

One more time: Why attend the Meeting of the Minds? With the increasing attacks against motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights – profiling, end of life directives for motorcycles, over-regulating the availability of fuel – the Meeting of the Minds offers sixteen workshops tailored to the motorcyclists’ rights activists. These workshops are presented by some of the nations’ most respected and knowledgeable freedom fighters. Plus, the information will serve you well before your legislators, state regulatory agencies, and members of Congress.

The successes of the Motorcycle Rides Foundation are hard won. They are won because freedom-loving riders like you help make the victories easier. Thanks for using the links below to register for the Meeting of the Minds and make your hotel reservations. See you in Harrisburg in September and enjoy the ride!

The Meeting of the Minds – September 21-24. The Red Lion Hotel, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111; at $109 nightly, there are rooms available, but they’re going fast.  Use the QR codes below to register and make reservations or call 717-939-7841 and mention Motorcycle Riders Foundation 2023 Meeting of the Minds.

As we approach another traditional American holiday, I am repeatedly drawn back to the collective words of the fifty-six lovers of freedom who put their lives and fortunes on the line when they signed the Declaration of Independence nearly 250 years ago. Barely one hundred miles away from where another group of freedom fighters will gather for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s Annual Meeting of the Minds conference.

“We Mutually Pledge To Each Other Our Lives, Our Fortunes, And Our Sacred Honor.”

Fourteen words that cemented their commitment to freedom. In less time than it took to gather those fifty-six signatures, the MRF will kick off the 39^th Annual Meeting of the Minds and bring together the nation’s motorcyclists’ rights activists for an intense weekend of workshops, presentations, and renewed commitments to preserve and protect the future of motorcycling.

There will be no debate about the finer points of the Declaration of Independence. Instead, the MRF has a reputation for providing attendees with workshops and keynote speakers specifically tailored to motorcyclists’ rights advocacy--on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures.

Focused on protecting the future of motorcycling, this three-day assembly of bikers honors the spirit and tradition that our nation’s founders risked their lives and liberty laying the foundation for the freedoms we enjoy today through the motorcycles we ride.

Just as the founders of our nation experienced, the actions of a few dedicated freedom fighters are united to protect the freedoms of many. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation provides the Meeting of the Minds conference as a platform for motorcyclists’ rights activists of all levels and a venue to make new friends, renew old acquaintances and take home the tools needed to protect the future of motorcycling.

The MRF listens, makes a difference, and moves forward at the direction of members, SMRO and motorcycle club partners to protect the future of motorcycling. This year’s Meeting of the Minds features sixteen workshops and ten new presenters, plus a host of new topics added to the mix!

Never been to a Meeting of the Minds conference? We’ve got you covered. Meet Jennifer Abraham and Eric Ross. Their First Timers workshop was designed to make “first timers” and repeat attendees feel welcome and vitalized to stay involved in motorcyclists’ rights activism.

The MRF’s legislative agenda represents the collective interests of the nation’s owners of 8.6 million registered street motorcycles. The burden of keeping the voice of motorcycling heard before Congress, regulatory agencies, and state legislatures is shouldered by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, MRF sustaining state motorcyclists’ rights organizations, MRF sustaining motorcycle clubs, and the five hundred activists who attend the Meeting of the Minds and take the word back to their respective states.

None of us are pledging our lives, fortunes, or our sacred honors as those fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence did in August 1776. However, the MRF represents a committed cadre of dedicated motorcyclists’ rights activists and freedom fighters who understand that if we as motorcyclists do not stand together to support the efforts to protect the future of motorcycling, motorcycling has a bleak and limited future.

The success of this year’s Bikers Inside the Beltway was a result of what is taught at the Meeting of the Minds. Keeping our members and partner SMROs and motorcycle clubs informed and on point is what makes the Motorcycle Riders Foundation the leading motorcyclists’ rights advocacy group in the nation.

Bikers inside the Beltway, Meeting of the Minds – the Motorcycle Riders Foundation –listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights!

The Meeting of the Minds – September 21-24, Red Lion Hotel, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Use the QR codes below to register and make reservations or call 717-939-7841 and mention Motorcycle Riders Foundation 2023 Meeting of the Minds.

The Meeting of the Minds conference is where it all began and it’s where motorcyclists’ rights activists meet to experience tailormade workshops addressing issues facing motorcyclists today. It’s where motorcyclists’ rights activists can get up-to-date information on issues relating to the attacks against motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s annual Meeting of the Minds conference will reflect that the MRF listens to our members, partner state motorcyclists’ rights organizations, and motorcycle clubs. MRF members and the motorcycling world know that the MRF is making a difference and moving forward – on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures--to protect the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights.

The success of this year’s Bikers Inside the Beltway was the result of what the MRF shares at the Meeting of the Minds. Keeping our members and partner SMROs informed and on point is what makes the Motorcycle Riders Foundation the foremost motorcyclists’ rights advocacy group in the nation.

Listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling, this year’s Meeting of the Minds conference features sixteen workshops and ten new presenters, plus a host of new topics added to the mix!

The MRF’s legislative agenda represents the collective interests of the nation’s owners of 8.6 million registered street motorcycles, and it is a direct result of the input provided by Meeting of the Minds attendees.

The Meeting of the Minds–presenters who live and breathe motorcyclists’ rights, topical workshops that have real-world applications for protecting the future of motorcycling –The Motorcycle Riders Foundation--Since 1987 the MRF has been the only national motorcyclists’ rights organization dedicated to on-street riders with full-time representation in Washington, D.C.!

Motorcyclists’ rights and motorcycling safety have been interwoven since the time when motorcyclists’ rights advocates were accused of only caring about the modification of mandatory helmet laws. Dispelling those accusations, Ron Braaksma and Lane Trippet, representing MRF Awareness & Education, will present workshops on motorcycling safety and riding skills.

The burden of keeping the voice of motorcycling heard before Congress, regulatory agencies, and state legislatures is shouldered by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. The activists who attend the Meeting of the Minds conference take home a wealth of information to help strengthen the collective voices of all street riding motorcyclists.

Nearly fifty years ago, the burden of freedom was lifted in the quest to protect the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights when a biker from New Hampshire and his wife founded one of the nation’s first SMROs–NHMRO–New Hampshire Motorcyclists Rights Organization. Sherman Packard rose from “just another biker fighting for our rights” to become the New Hampshire Speaker of the House of Representative and the MRF is honored to have “Mr. Speaker” Sherman Packard sharing his years of experience as the 2023 Meeting of the Minds keynote speaker.

Bikers Inside the Beltway, Meeting of the Minds – the Motorcycle Riders Foundation – listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights!

The Meeting of the Minds – September 21-24, Red Lion Hotel, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Use the QR codes below to register and make reservations or call 717-939-7841 and mention Motorcycle Riders Foundation 2023 Meeting of the Minds.

On July 29, the Louisiana Confederation of Clubs and Independent Riders (COC&I) held a Biker Town Hall in lieu of its normal meeting in Alexandria.  The guest speaker was Clay Higgins (R) U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 3rd congressional district. Jacque and I had the honor of being invited to represent and speak about the MRF and ABATE.  MRF President Kirk "Hardtail" Willard was also in attendance. 

We met up with Congressman Higgins at the Cajun Harley Davidson in Scott, just west of Lafayette and rode with his group of a dozen or so bikes to Alexandria. Jacque gave a briefing to a standing room only crowd about what A.B.A.T.E. is, what we do for the motorcycle community in Louisiana and our proposed legislative agenda for 2024. I told the story of how we came to be involved with the Town Hall by being in Congressman Higgins' D.C. office when Swamp, the COC&I Commander, called to speak with him about it. I then turned the mic over to Hardtail. He spoke to a very attentive group of bikers from across Louisiana about the dire situations for motorcyclists due to the push to get rid of combustion engines, the dangers of autonomous vehicles, the effect of using E15 gas in small engines, etc. Congressman Higgins took the floor and spoke of the precious rights afforded to all of us by the 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th, and 5^th amendments of the Constitution and then took many questions from the audience.

In the time it takes me to get to the Vegas airport, fly to Baltimore-Washington International, and get to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and the Meeting of the Minds, bikers from Maine to Ohio and all points in between will have a good day’s ride to the conference and have time to spare!

Coordinating with this email, MRF Reps will be contacting you directly with a personal invitation to the 39^th Annual Meeting of the Minds conference. We look forward to seeing a large contingent of motorcyclists’ rights advocates from the Northeast.

Motorcyclists’ rights advocates seldom if ever get to choose the fights that we get thrown into. We do get to choose how we aggressively defend our rights and fight to protect the future of motorcycling. It’s great to have choices. Your choice to attend the Meeting of the Minds is appreciated and it’s an investment in protecting the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights.

Plus, it’s a great ride in the fall weather of the Northeast. The Meeting of the Minds conference is a great place to re-acquaint yourself with old friends and make new friends.  And take home the tools necessary to keep the next unforeseen attack against motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights at bay.

Within a half-day’s ride – or less – from where you park your motorcycle, the MRF will present something to laugh about, something to inspire you, but most of all, we will present something that will metaphorically arm you to help you be an even more effective motorcyclists’ rights advocate.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was chosen for this year’s Meeting of the Minds because the MRF listens, and the Northeast is a vital component in the fight to protect motorcyclists’ rights. Plus, well over a million of the nation’s motorcycle riders live within an easy day’s ride of Harrisburg. Besides, with the MRF in town, there’s more to do in Harrisburg than visiting the Harley plant in York!

Why attend the Meeting of the Minds? With the increasing attacks against motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights – profiling, end of life directives for motorcycles, over-regulating the availability of fuel – the Meeting of the Minds offers sixteen workshops tailored to the motorcyclists’ rights activists. These workshops are presented by some of the nations’ most respected and knowledgeable freedom fighters. Plus, the information will serve you well before your legislators, state regulatory agencies, and members of Congress.

The successes of the Motorcycle Rides Foundation are hard won. They are won because freedom-loving riders like you help make the victories easier. Thanks for using the links below to register for the Meeting of the Minds and make your hotel reservations. See you in Harrisburg in September and enjoy the ride!

The Meeting of the Minds – September 21-24, Red Lion Hotel, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Use the QR codes below to register and make reservations or call 717-939-7841 and mention Motorcycle Riders Foundation 2023 Meeting of the Minds.