January 2005

From left to right: Assistant Chapter Director Becca Lichtenstein and Treasurer Elaine Vance.

Elections Results are In

The Capitol Cruisers held elections for two officer positions during our December 14 meeting.

Becca Lichtenstein was unanimously elected to a two-year term as Assistant Chapter Director. Capitol Cruisers members voted at the November meeting to create this new position. Becca will initially have responsibility for coordinating fundraising and community outreach events with more responsibilities being added later.

Elaine Vance was unanimously elected to another two-year term as Treasurer.

Donna Leigh Bliss Chapter Director

Cruising with Donna

As I look back over 2004, it’s hard to believe how much has happened in the life of the Capitol Cruisers. When I started as Chapter Director last January I had a vision of where I wanted to see the chapter go, but had no idea that we would be so successful in achieving this vision. This success is, of course, due to the hard work and dedication of the members of the Capitol Cruisers.

Today we have an up-to-date website that provides important information to members and potential new members. I can’t tell you how many people have commented on how fabulous our website is. We also have a monthly newsletter that is filled each month with news, articles, photos, and events. We also use email now to communicate with members on upcoming events. I believe this kind of coordinated work has created a greater sense of community and is responsible for our having 12 new members join the Capitol Cruisers this year.

We also became a four-season riding chapter with our Polar Bear ride last January. Our monthly rides have been from the Catoctin Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. We had a special overnight ride to Deep Creek Lake in October.

We also had two special events this year that allowed us the opportunity to have family members be involved. Both the Capitol Cruisers Family Cookout and the Holiday Party were a huge success.Members of the Capitol Cruisers helped to create a more positive image of motorcycling by participating in the community outreach event at the Guppy Gala and in fundraising activities for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Latina Victims of Domestic Violence program.

Last, but not least, we also got new Capitol Cruisers t-shirts- in two colors no less!

While I am proud to be a part of all this wonderful progress, I think it is very important to note that the vision I had could not have been brought into reality without your help. For that I am truly grateful.

I also look forward to 2005 and hope we can continue to build on what we did in 2004. Here are a few ideas I have been thinking about. First, I think it is important to have more members volunteer to lead monthly rides. Therefore, I am going to start a Learn to Lead program to help with this. Second, I would like to see us add a special overnight ride in the Spring in addition to doing another overnight ride to Deep Creek Lake in the fall. What is needed are members to step up and volunteer. Third, I would like to see us engage in more community outreach work. While we will be going to the Guppy Gala again this May, I would like us to participate in other activities. Do you have any ideas on what we can do? It can be as simple as making a special ride to an organization and spending time with them. Finally, I would like to encourage all of you to get involved in whatever ways you can, as this is what makes our chapter so special.

Newsletter Excerpts

2005

Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul-Aug | Sep

2004

Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec