The Southern Cross
Conference of MROs
The
southern states are again taking a stand against a strong overbearing
centralized federal government. Sputnik summed it nicely when
he said: “The concept of the conference was to get all
federal legislators on the same page concerning issues of importance
to the southern states. Bikers of course will spearhead that
effort.”
![](images/sccsputnik.jpg)
The
first SCC was successfully co-hosted by ABATE of SC and CBA/ABATE
of NC. While Cotton and I have gotten accolades regarding this
event many volunteers worked behind the scenes to make SCC a
success. Volunteers from several states created workshops and
planned the event; they were joined by several local bikers
to complete all the necessary tasks. Deb Knox and Pam Martin
worked together to cover all the administrative duties. I particularly
want to thank all the activists working outside of the spotlight
for a job well done. The moral of this story for me: beware
of longhaired gray bearded bikers drinking corn liquor in the
mountains because you never know what they may talk you into
helping create; thanks Cotton.
Most
participants were impressed with the new ground plowed by the
workshops. According to Sputnik: “The conference brought
out a lot of new riders from several states and the workshops
were brand new from any you normally get at these type conferences.”
Bikers from across the South and beyond came to share ideas.
Officers of national motorcyclist rights organizations such
as NCOM, MRF, and AMA were present including Doc Reichenbach,
Cotton Tedder, Sputnik, Annie Mundy, Karen Bolin, Jeff Hennie,
Cindy Hodges, FastFred Ruddock, and Terry Cook. Additionally
several SOLR members were present for the duration of the weekend.
![](images/sccgroup.jpg)
Sputnik
gave his famous speech on the Five Steps to Freedom with particular
emphasis on Step Five. Penny Adams of VFR taught the Federal
Government 101 Workshop. Cindy Hodges of CBA/ABATE of North
Carolina filled in for Deb Knox to teach Mr. Biker Goes to Washington:
Planning a Successful Trip. Kenbo of KBA explained the Southern
Political Powerbase: Who Are They and What Can They Do for Us.
FastFred of ABATE of South Carolina presented a workshop called
Herding Cats: Organizing Effective Lobby Teams. Sputnik said,
“All [the] seminars were very well prepared and were backed
by volumes of written material.”
We all
enjoyed a fine banquet and highly entertaining auction. Over
$1,800 was raised towards the SCC’s goal of a first combined
lobby day in Washington DC. Sputnik encourage the leaders of
SCC member organizations to attend the Midsouth Mile to see
how they have fun while raising much more to fund lobbying trips
to Washington.
![](images/sccsputnikpenny.jpg)
The
next SCC will be held in Kentucky the last weekend of July.
There will also be a National Conference of Legislators held
on that weekend. Plans are to hold the Southern Cross Conference
in a hotel directly across the street from the National Conference
of Legislators. The Hospitality Room will be open to the national
legislators and Kentucky Legislature. Mitch McConnell will host
a Hospitality Room in the Legislator's hotel at which bikers
will be welcome. This should provide a whole new experience
in biker rights; you are urged to attend if at all possible.
You
may learn more online at www.southerncrossconference.com.
~FastFred
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