Fun is important to leaders, members, press, legislators and their staff. If you and your SMRO are not having fun then you are not reaching your full potential.
Lobbying the statehouse is fun. Recently a scavenger hunt was conducted at the statehouse. New and old members seemed to enjoy playing the game or helping others play. The fun flowed beyond our members to the press covering opening day. Legislators and their staffs were involved as well and infected by the moment.
The fun began before the early morning gathering in the statehouse lobby. The weather gods smiled upon us with warm weather for comfortable ride to the capitol from all parts of our state. The lobby was filled with dozens of bikers by nine o’clock; the media was also present but few others were in the lobby. Bikers lined up to get patches and handouts caught the interest of curious reporters.
Our participating members searched for many items related to lobbying or influencing legislators for unknown prizes. Some of the items of interest included the business cards of key members of the legislature and those of the media covering the event. The purpose of obtaining business cards was multifunctional. One of the purposes was to increase interaction especially of our first time attendees; another purpose was to obtain the contact information every constituent needs. Our members had fun and the legislators and their staffs got to see more constituents. The media was swarmed by bikers early in the day and quickly ran out of cards. This effort seemed to show the media present a broader spectrum of our members and organization.
While everyone was busy walking the halls of legislator offices Reb worked S 1027; our members already know S 1027 allows motorcyclists to treat broken traffic sensors and their red lights as stop signs. I am sure you have all been stuck at a broken signal at least once.
Reb is a great example of what just one dedicated member can do when armed with an idea and the desire to make a difference.
ABATE has recently received a lot of positive press from S 1027 from Savannah to Charlotte. Subscriptions to the ezine and memberships both seem to be spiking. Make an effort to get more of your friends involved. Talk it up at your local biker hangout and help us find some more team members. While you explain all the great reasons to join don’t forget the most important reason named fun. If you doubt the power of fun just look at the speed our largest chapter continues to grow.
Fun can help you gain free press. Forget about buying ads in your local or state papers; make the news instead. Remember no ones likes a boring story including the reporter. Don’t be afraid to be creative and make some biker theater of your own to convey a thought or idea. Remember sacred cows make the best hamburgers.
Watch out for spoilers and never take yourself so serious you become boring and lose the advantageous and contagious edge of fun.
After the work at the state capitol we gathered at the Flying Saucer for lunch and brotherhood. Cathy sewed on the newly earned legislative warrior day patches while others scored the scavenger hunt collections. Many donated prizes were given to all participants; no one went away empty handed.
If you are curious about what the many items of this scavenger hunt were then be sure to attend our next event. If the curiosity has gotten the best of you ask someone who was there or several. Everyone has their own unique experience and take of the event. The only way to really understand the power of fun is to experience it yourself.
FastFred Ruddock
ABATE of SC State Coordinator
My life has been a dedicated blend of open road adventure and relentless advocacy for motorcyclists’ rights. I'm "Fast Fred" Ruddock, and my journey on two wheels began as a teenager. Over the years, I’ve owned 13 Harleys and several other motorcycles, machines that were far more than just transportation. They represented a freedom that I have fought to protect. Recognizing the power of information, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, skills I immediately put to use for the movement.
My commitment to advocacy led me to a complete immersion in ABATE of South Carolina (ABATE of SC). I quickly moved through the ranks, starting by developing the ABATE of SC website in 2001 and serving as the Berkeley/Dorchester Chapter Coordinator. This progressed to serving as Lowcountry Area Coordinator, where I successfully shifted our local focus decisively toward rights and rapidly increased membership. From 2003 to 2007, I served as the State Coordinator, where I helped coordinate several key legislative victories, including the passage of the Purple Heart license tag bill and the successful repeal of unnecessary handlebar height restrictions. My primary strategic goal was always to achieve widespread political influence by organizing a chapter in every single county.
On the national front, I extended my influence by serving as the State Representative on the board of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) for several years during the 2000s. This role ensured that the concerns of South Carolina riders were directly represented in critical federal legislative discussions. Crucially, I also worked to shape public opinion: I wrote articles related to motorcycle rights for various magazines and had a small column in Easyriders magazine for several years, using media to educate riders nationwide on the issues impacting their freedom.
My activism was not only about lobbying but also direct action and constitutional challenges. I participated in the Myrtle Beach civil disobedience against local helmet laws, contributing to the legal groundwork for the eventual overturning of that restrictive law through a landmark SC Supreme Court case. I also challenged helmet laws personally, fighting three tickets in court as an act of civil disobedience in several states. I lobbied in multiple state capitols with me friends across the country. My dedication continued after my ABATE leadership, as I served as the Director of Bikers Of Less Tolerance (BOLT) of South Carolina.
Today, while I also enjoy working as a river guide and sharing my travel adventures, my legacy remains rooted in the fight for motorcycle freedom. I have spent decades on the front lines, utilizing both political strategy, legal challenges, and national media to protect the rights of every person on two wheels.
I'm a professional whitewater guide and kayak instructor. I grew up rafting, sailing, and surfing, and I spend my North American summers guiding on world-class whitewater. I have spent much of my adult life riding motorcycles and paddling kayaks.
Raft with me: Check out Fast Fred Rafts for details.
Got questions about solo travel, Latin America, or budgeting? I'd be happy to give you honest answers!
My Travel & Video Gear: Curious how I travel so light? Dig into my Amazon Shop for an inside look at the gear I carry. (Purchases via this shop provide a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
Tip Jar: Your support helps fund the next adventure of cup of coffee!