CHARTER

The following letter is a copy of the “Beginning of “U” as it was type written in 1985.

THE BEGINNING OF “U”

Bob Carroll had heard of a Motorcycle group in the Mt. Vernon area, who belonged to a National Organization, called G.W.R.R.A. He spread the word and Bob Barker and Skip Hodson decided to check it out. Thus the beginnings of Chapter “U” in August of 1985.

We received lots of help from Chapter “P”, of the Mt. Vernon area. They helped us to get organized and Chartered.

We chose to call ourselves “1-70 ROADRIDERS”. Bob Barker made our big Chapter Banner and his design was chosen for the Chapter Pin and Patch.

Black Vest, with Silver lettering and Grey dress shirts were chosen for our Chapter colors.

Harry “Skip” Hodson, was our first Area Rep. At the ripe old age of 23, he was the youngest known Rep., in the State of Illinois. Other Officers were: Assistant Area Rep. Ron Tompkins: Secretary/Newsletter, Bob Barker: Treasurer, Shelby Cole: Safety Director, Cliff Dean: Ride Coordinator, Bob Carroll: Entertainment Chairman, Nori Pruitt: Video, Bob Barker.

Charter members were: Skip Hodson, Bob Barker, Ron & Brenda Tompkins, Cliff Dean, Jack & Mary Warner, Non & Dan Pruitt, Shelby & Justin Cole, Jim & Doris Lackey, Bob & Suzanne Carroll. Soon to follow were Pete & Pat Burnam.

1987 & 1988 Officers were: Area Rep., Ron Tompkins: Assistant Area Rep., Bill Neer: Secretary/Newsletter, Brenda Tompkins: Treasurer, Mary Warner (Mary finished out Shelby’s term in 1986 after Shelby was involved in a serious car accident & Ron finished Skips’ term, when he decided to be an OTR Trucker). Other Officers were: Video, Paul McMillan: Publicity, Gary Blurton: Ride Coordinator, Jocelyn Nesbit: Entertainment Chairman, Non Pruitt: Games, Carol & Ray Roe. A Chapter Banner, for Parades, was also made this year by Paul McMillan. We also decided to add red knit shorts sleeve shirts & red sweatshirts to our Chapter wardrobe.

1989 Officers were: Area Rep., Ron Tompkins, Assistant Area Rep., Bill Neer: Secretary/Newsletter, Brenda Tompkins: Treasurer, Mary Warner: Safety Director & Video, Paul McMillan: Publicity, Leigh Hedgpeth, Ride Coordinator, Kenny Lentz: Store, Aloris Johnson: Entertainment Chairman, Carol & Ray Roe.

1990 Officers were: Area Rep., Ron Tompkins: Assistant Area Rep., Ray Roe: Assistant Area Rep., Larry Hedgpeth: Treasure, Mary Warner: Secretary, Brenda Tompkins: Newsletter/Publicity, Leigh Hedgpeth, Ride Co-Coordinators, Jim Johnson: Safety Director and Video, Paul McMilIan: Store Aloris Johnson: Entertainment Chairman, Caroline Roe.

As you can see by the names that are above, some are still in the chapter since the beginning. As our chapter starts into its 19 year, let’s thank those from our history for a great start as you see them in everyday life.

Thanks