Yes it is that time again when we venture out of our caves and rub fur with the other animals. Break your hibernation and fill your brain and your belly. The more that attend the more likely you rub the fur of someone you haven’t seen for a spell.
We have a grand total of 10 current members, 4 of which are officers. If you are interested in remaining a member of the club that brought us all together, bring your cash checkbook or around .62 ounces of your grandmas silver and renew this Tuesday the 13th at Cafe Racer. Meeting starts at 8 fur rubbing at 7 or earlier.

Date: 15 Nov 2011

Location: Café Racer, U-district,Seattle

Time: approx.  7:30 to 8: 30 PM

Attending Officers   Secretary: Ed Rhine; Treasurer: Don Milgate; Membership: Randy Agnew

Officers not present: President: Rob Hodge; Vice President: Victor Voris; IT: Andrew Saturn;  Rides: Kelly Ward; PR: Bob Brown; Historian: Bill Metteer

Topics Discussed:

It was a bit of an unofficial meeting, considering the lack of attendance. The following were discussions that need the full complement of the officers to discuss.

Secretary Ed Rhine had stated at the last meeting that he was concerned about any old business that still needed to be addressed.  He reported the following:

• The 10 year patch had been in work  and monies allocated.  Status is needed.
• A $30 check was written to GoDaddy in May.  What that provided needs to be clarified.
• A Fallen Riders fund was discussed, but no concrete actions and decisions were made.
• The ride liability waiver was discussed on several occasions.

Treasurer Don Milgate said he would check into the status of the 10 year patch.

With discussing the GoDaddy payment, it seemed a good idea to have the IT Officer, Andrew Saturn, investigate and provide the officers the details on the websites, servers, domains, etc. to better understand if we need to change things.

Randy Agnew, Membership Officer, reported he had obtained the Club swag and that we had an ample supply of VCOS stickers and patches.

It was discussed that a new members packet should be created that has nominally 2 small stickers, one large, a patch, some information on the Club.  Don said he would put together a sample information sheet for the officers to review.  Randy suggested we start with using a simple ziplock baggy for the packet, but investigate what better options were available for minimal or no cost.  Possibly contact the scooter businesses for ideas.

Ed Rhine, Secretary, continued the discussion for the previous meeting of having a Chase bank account and what fees were involved.  If so, should we move the account to some
other institution that had fewer fees.  Don had been investigation this. It seemed that everyone required a tax ID number to set up the account. Don would continue to investigate.

At the November members meeting, it was discussed about having a VCOS Christmas party in December. Randy volunteered to make a contact or two.

The following were discussed at the previous officers meeting.  Further discussion and decisions need to occur.

• Each officer should have access to post information to the vespaclubofseattle.info website. Andrew requested the new officers send him an e-mail with an account name and password.
• Establish an alias e-mail link on the website for each officer.  Standardize it by listing the office, with the links diverting to the officers’ real e-mail.
• Re-energize the yahoo groups account for better communication amongst the officers. Follow up with Victor on re-establishing our apparent existing one.
• Ways to reinvigorate the club meetings, get new members and retain the current members. Possibly have a membership signup form on the website.
• Setup a means to accept online dues paying. Don Milgate is checking.
• Work with the scooter selling sponsors to provide information about the Club to scooter buyers.
• Complete the review of Don Milgate’s suggested VCOS club information brochure and get it out to the scooter businesses.
• Request the sponsors to ask a scooter buyer if it was ok that the Club contacted them about the Club. Investigate the need for a signed release form. Possibly give each scooter buyer a coupon for a free year’s VCOS membership, which could be redeemed if they came to the members meeting.
• Follow up with Victor and Rob on their suggestion to review their businesses previous year’s scooter sales for potentially contacting those people about the Club.
• Re-establish the free raffle at the members meetings.  Follow up with assigning someone to contact scooter businesses for possible prizes.
• Discuss creating new VCOS memorabilia.
• Club liability form for someone having an accident on a VCOS ride.
• Follow up with Victor checking into liability insurance for the officers through the AMA.
•  Follow up with Bob Brown, Public Relations Officer, about contacting Tom Mehren of Sound Rider magazine, to see about having our brochure (see above paragraph) at the Sound Rider booth for the December 16-18 Motorcycle Show.

Written by Ed Rhine, Secretary.

Location: Café Racer, Seattle

Time: 8 PM to 9PM

Officers Attending: President: Rob Hodge; Vice President: Victor Voris; Secretary: Ed Rhine; Treasurer: Don Milgate; Membership: Randy Agnew; IT: Andrew Saturn; Rides: Kelly Ward

Not attended:  PR: Bob Brown; Historian: Bill Metteer;  Newsletter: Vacant

Important information:

• Time to renew your membership  $20  Contact Randy Agnew
• Nov 13 – Firkin SC rally – see www.firkinscooterclub.com
• Friday, Nov 18 – Happy hour at Capitol Hill Mod Pizza -1302 6th Ave
• Sunday, Nov 20 – ride to Vashon Island to join up with the Firkin SC
• Christmas party in work, no date yet
• Yulescootrally – no date yet

Meeting Discussions:

VP Victor Voris opened the meeting with some general comments about the officer’s meeting, and then President Rob Hodge took over.

Rob talked about what was discussed at the officers’ meeting.

Mostly, it was about how to get new members. One idea was to coordinate with the sponsoring businesses about giving new scooter buyers information about the Club at the time of sale.  Maybe include an offer for first year’s membership free, if the new scooter buyer showed up at the VCOS meeting.  Also, do an out-reach to the old members.

Don Milgate had prepared a brochure about the Club and how to join, this was handed around for comments. Eventually, the officers would work on getting these distributed to businesses.

The officers also discussed setting up an on-line method of paying dues. Don Milgate’s investigating.

The discussion turned to the swag that the Club had and where the container was that had our existing stuff. Kelly mentioned she knew where the container was.  The topic was mostly brought up by Randy Agnew, the new membership officer, who was concerned with what swag was to be given to new members and how much stock we had. Originally, it was a VCOS patch, VCOS sticker and a lapel pin.  We’d determine what needed to be replenished, and the officers would work on getting new inventory.

The officers had discussed the possibility of VCOS items for the existing members – coffee cups, scarves, big patch for the back of a jacket….finances, and ensuring we had enough money to cover the Insanity rally, would dictate what we could do.

The social night was discussed.  It’s been after the officers’ meeting, which is a Tuesday. The Monkeys have their meetings Tuesday night.  Kelly stated that the LGG meetings are Wednesdays, and Mopeds are Mondays. West Enders is also Wednesdays. No long term decisions were made, but the group in attendance decided to do Happy Hour at Mod Pizza on Nov 18.

Mickey, the Insanity rally chair for this year, talked about the concept of rally – get back to the basics – have the rides in Seattle, keep it cheaper, and less work. He mentioned Georgetown would really like us there. Victor’s shop has a brewery next door. Rob mentioned Ducati Seattle had a big garage. People suggested don’t put crap in the raffle.

Treasurer Don Milgate stated we had $4500 in the bank.

Rides reports

Sept 30, etc. – Festering Oktoberscoot rally – good times riding and sampling; Safety Ed showed up Saturday wearing an Oktoberfest costume. Shorts, bare knees – not too safe.

Oct 28, etc. – Los Gatos Gordo’s Paseo Con Los Muertos rally – 30 some people; weather held off, so good times. Thanks to Felix for the Friday night “murder” ride. Graveyard tours on Saturday.

Ride Coordinator Kelly Ward wants to do a ride right after each members’ meeting.  The ride after the meeting went over to, and up and down Phinney Ridge. A really steep downhill was accidently found. AHHHHHH!!!  Ride ended at the Tin Hat on 65th. ^.

Reminder to the crew. The new membership year started in October and memberships are due.
Don Milgate is looking into a link on the VCOS website so you can renew online. Till then come to one of our monthly meetings second Tuesday of the month at cafe Racer, or if you find me or Don Milgate wandering around Seattle we can take your membership dues.
Thanks Randy Agnew

Sunday, November 13 · 10:30am – 2:30pm

Itinerary:
11am The Swiss Pub 1904 JEFFERSON AVE + TACOMA, WA 98402
Meet up for food, Bloody Marys
12pm Leave for ride.
Stops include:
The Steilacoom Pub, The Goldfish, 5 mile DR. Nearly Naked ride (IF YOU DARE!) The Parkway, and the New Frontier Lounge…

FYSC

Anyone interested in riding down from Sea-Town?

Meeting Minutes –Officers’ Meeting

Date: 25 October 2011   Location: Don & Nancy Milgate’s home – 8030 21st Avenue NW, Seattle

Time: approx.  8 PM to 9 PM

Attending:

2010-2011 Officers

President: Brandon Ortiz                      Vice President: VictorVoris
Secretary: Nancy Milgate                     Treasurer: Don Milgate
Membership Angelika Niewierkowicz – not present
IT: Kelly Ward
Rides: Chuck Pefley – present; Paul Felix & Randy Hicks – not present
PR: Frank Cardoza – not present       Historian: Bill Metteer
Newsletter: Vacant

2011-2012 Officers

President: Rob Hodge              Vice President: Victor Voris
Secretary: Ed Rhine                  Treasurer: Don Milgate
Membership: Randy Agnew    IT: Andrew Saturn
Rides: Kelly Ward                      PR: Bob Brown
Historian: Bill Metteer                Newsletter: Vacant

Others: None

Topics Discussed:

Andrew, the new IT officer, revised the website [www.vespaclubofseattle.info] and had it up and running on 18 Oct 2011.  He sent out an e-mail requesting suggestions and comments. Victor said he would get the VCOS logo artwork e-file and send it to Andrew.

It was discussed that each officer should have access to post information to the website. Andrew requested the new officers send him an e-mail with an account name and password.

A suggestion was made to establish an alias e-mail link on the website for each officer.  Standardize it by listing the office, with the links diverting to the officers’ real e-mail.  The e-mail Don Milgate sent out for this officers’ meeting had the new officers’ e-mail addresses, so Andrew wouldn’t need to request them.

 For better communication amongst the officers, it was suggested that we set up a yahoo groups account. Victor stated that we had one and he would re-establish it.

 The discussion moved to how to reinvigorate the club meetings, and get new members and retain the current members. It was suggested to we put a membership signup form on the website. Also, setup a PayPal account to accept online dues paying. It was given to Don Milgate to check into the PayPal details.

 To gain more members, it was suggested that we work with the scooter selling sponsors to provide information about the Club to scooter buyers.  Don Milgate suggested that we create a VCOS club information brochure and get it out to the scooter businesses.  He volunteered to create the artwork. It was requested that the brochure include that the club is open to all scooterist.

Another idea was to request the sponsors to ask a scooter buyer, if it was ok that the Club contacted them about the Club. A signed release form of some sort may be needed.

 A suggestion was made that we give each scooter buyer a coupon for a free year’s VCOS membership, which could be redeemed if they came to the members meeting.

 Victor (owner of Vespa Seattle) and Rob (employee at Ducati Seattle) said they would review their previous year’s scooter sales for potentially contacting those people about the Club.

 To re-invigorate the club meetings, it was suggested we reinstitute the free raffle and its prize(s).  Victor suggested that the sponsors should be approach for the prizes – Vespa Seattle,
Ducati Seattle, Scoot About, Vespa Lynnwood, etc.

Randy Agnew was concerned about what was to be given to the new members, besides just the membership card.  Previously, a VCOS patch, sticker and a metal lapel pin was provided.  It was stated the residual VCOS swag is in containers in the Café Racer office.  It was suggested Randy get the containers, do an inventory and report back.

The discussion turned to doing VCOS swag. Several ideas were suggested – a large VCOS patch for the back of a jacket, scarves, beer mugs, leg shield banners, metal VCOS badges.   It was recommended that we discuss prioritizing the list – starting with the inexpensive items, especially the new member items.

 Several times during the history of the Club, Club liability for someone having an accident on a VCOS ride was discussed, but it never “went too far”.  Don said he had worked with a lawyer on this issue and already had a disclaimer. It was suggested we post the disclaimer to the web site as a legal item.  It was peripherally discussed about needing to have a copy of the disclaimer available or read at the rides. This was not decided one way or the other. Victor stated that the Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts have liability insurance for their
officers through the AMA.  We would need to become members of the AMA to get the insurance. Victor said he’d check into the details.

 A question was raised about VCOS involvement with the Motorcycle show, Dec 16-18.  It was tentatively decided that Bob Brown would contact Tom Mehren of Sound Rider magazine, to see about having our brochure (see above paragraph) at the Sound Rider booth.

 Ed was concerned about any outstanding old business that should be addressed.  He volunteered to review the previous meeting minutes and added them to the next meeting’s agenda.

 As a reminder, Club dues are due in October.

During the Pizza Cruise the manager at MOD Pizza on Broadway said we’re all welcome to bring the group by for a casual meet-up on Fridays. We might even get free beer or pizza.

So this Friday (the 4th) we’re going to give it a try and see if people show up. Check out the events for details! Hope to see everyone there, rain or shine (or snow).

:::: Itinerary:::::

October 29th – October 30th

Los Gatos Gordos Scooter Club Presents:

Paseo Con Los Muertos #10

Rain or shine!!!!

Saturday, October 29th:
——————–
* 6-8pm – Meet and greet for micheladas and comida at:
Taqueria Tequila
301 NW 85th St
Seattle, WA 98117
Greenwood

* 8pm – Ride of the Macabre : a tour of some of Seattle’s most grisly and lurid crimes and celebrity suicides.

* 10pm – Saturday night party at:
Talcum Soul Night
Chop Suey
(http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=260050200705925)
1325 E Madison Ave.
$5 Cover.

————————–————–

Sunday, October 30th:
——————-
* 10-12am Breakfast at:
Little Red Hen
(http://www.littleredhen.com/pages/menu.htm)
7115 Woodlawn Avenue Nw.
Greenlake

* Noon-ish – LGG’s legendary Paseo Con Los Muertos! A ride in and around Seattle most lovely cemeteries and ending up in Renton to visit Jimi Hendrix’s grave site.

* 3pm BBQ at:
Diablo’s House
11517 84th ave s.
98178 in Renton

* 6pm- Drinks and goodbyes at:
Twilight Exit
2514 E Cherry St
Seattle, WA 98122

Come hang out with vintage motorcycle, scooter and moped riders at the Two Bit Saloon and Shelter in Ballard. Starts at 4pm, goes until people can’t drink any more. Also check out Hilliard’s Brewery! More info available on Facebook.

Title: Friday Night Ride
Location: 3861 1st Ave S. Seattle, WA 98134
Description: VCOS Friday Night Ride this Friday. No BBQ, meet at Big People (or Schooner Exact next door) 6:30 to 7:00. Ride leaves around 7pm for a haunted house and end up at Wingdome in West Seattle afterwards.
Start Time: 18:30
Date: 2011-10-21
End Time: 23:00