A-TYPICAL NCOM CONVENTION

It wasn’t a typical NCOM Convention.  Held over Father’s Day weekend June 16-18, 2023 in Phoenix-Tempe, the 38th annual started off as per normal, with an NCOM Board of Directors Meeting that instilled new board member Dale Peterson of ABATE of Minnesota for Region IV (IL IN MI MN OH WI), as well as confirming Jad SOS MC as Confederation of Clubs Liaison.

Like in the past, following the Opening Ceremonies and an orientation was the AIM Attorney Conference spotlighting legal issues faced by riders, and then the NCOM Legislative Task Force Meeting focused on political efforts relevant to legislation nationwide.

As done for decades, attendees then broke into several Special Meetings according to an array of outreach sectors, such as Women in Motorcycling, Clean and Sober Roundtable, Veterans Affairs and Christian Unity, but importantly included another unlisted pow-wow session amongst leadership of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) among others determined to put past differences aside and embark on a new beginning of cooperation and mutual support for the Betterment of Biking.

"Seeing all the motorcycle rights groups, clubs and individual bikers coming together to learn and fight for their lifestyles is inspirational.  But the understanding and commitment by leaders of NCOM and MRF and some members of the NCOC to communicate and work together is monumental," observed NCOM Executive Director Joseph “Joey” Lester, son of AIM/NCOM Founder attorney Richard M. Lester.

Later that Friday, when the agreement was announced during the Confederation of Clubs patch holders meeting, the news was welcomed by a rousing round of applause.

Kirk "Hardtail" Willard, longtime President and Chairman of the Board of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) had this to say. "During the inception of the national motorcyclists rights movement, the MRF and NCOM frequently worked together, and while various board members and liaisons from the two organizations have maintained solid working relationships the organizations had not.

Fast forward, the MRF accepted the invitation from Joey Lester and Charlie Boone to attend this year's NCOM Convention in Tempe, AZ.

With the profiling of motorcyclists continuing to be an issue, our lifestyle under threat from multiple entities, and frankly motorcycling as we know it today under the real possibility of extinction, there is not a more important time for our organizations to forge a working relationship once again.

I am encouraged by this initial meeting and NCOM Leadership has our commitment we will look forward and find ways to work more closely together into the future."

Although the remainder of the NCOM Convention’s agenda was informative but predictable, with regional meetings, educational seminars and presentations catering to bikers rights activists engaged in legal and/or legislative battles back home, spirits were high throughout the rest of the weekend as plans were laid for mutual support of our common goals and interests.

"We wanted to make it perfectly clear to all of the attendees this weekend that NCOM and MRF will be working hand in hand to show strength and unity in the ongoing fight for motorcyclists rights," pledged NCOM Chairman Charlie Boone, adding that several NCOM board members will reciprocate by attending the MRF’s upcoming Meeting of the Minds, September 20-24 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (more info at www.MRF.org) to further the alliance.

Wrapping up the predictably productive conference, ending things on an even higher note, NCOM presented ABATE of Ohio with the Silver Spoke Award for Government, recognizing their successful legislative agenda to protect rider training, and awarded the Silver Spoke Award for Media to Bill Bish, NCOM Public Relations Liaison, for producing the NCOM Biker Newsbytes monthly news column.  NCOM’s highest honor, the Ron Roloff Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Bob Tibor of ABATE and COC of North Dakota / Glen Ullin MC.

Next year, the NCOM Convention returns to Mother’s Day Weekend, May 10-11, 2024 at a location TBD (info coming to www.ON-A-BIKE.com), with a whole new perspective!