If you are looking for a way to give back to the BMW MOA—and you have some time to give on a regular basis—I suggest you run for a spot on the Board of Directors. For those who have been members for many years, you know this organization was built on and continues to run and rely on its volunteers. For those of us who have been around for a long time and had the opportunity to volunteer, we know how much of an impact we make while feeding our souls.
I was fortunate enough to have been elected by the MOA body to a board member position and held that seat from 2021-2024. I ran on the idea I would like to help keep the membership of the organization growing in order to maintain great events and perks available to members, but also to help increase interest in the MOA Foundation. As rider training is a passion of mine, this was a way for me to support riders gaining more skill and confidence and hopefully passing that along to the next group to come along.
While each member who runs for a position on the board does so typically with a passion for the organization and a desire to help make it be better and steer it into the future, one of the lessons my time on the board taught me was there are certain skillsets one might possess that would make an ideal candidate for the “job.” As it turns out, mine skillset was my involvement in the motorcycle industry, and close relationship with BMW Motorrad that benefitted my time with the board. If you have nothing to do with the motorcycle industry or other motorcycle clubs, you may have any number of skillsets or backgrounds that could be of immense value to the organization.
As board members come together and discuss ways of moving the club forward, bringing in new members, or trying new initiatives, the conversation occasionally comes to a sudden halt when the “voice of reason” (aka Ted Moyer, Executive Director) says something like, “That sounds great, I’m just not sure what the legal implication of that would be.” While that may sound like an idea dying before even making it to the meeting notes, it wasn’t necessarily the case when we had a lawyer who sat on the board. When Ted made a statement like that in my first two years on the board, all heads would swivel in the direction of J.K. and he would give us at least a place to launch from.
So now you might be thinking, “Well, I don’t work in motorcycles, and I’m not a lawyer. What could I possibly have to offer?” While it may simply be your ability to listen carefully, think critically, and act quickly and decisively in the best interest of the organization, you may have other needed skills as well. Are you an accountant, financial planner, investment advisor or someone who does better than needing to remove shoes to do math over 10? Do you have legitimate tech/website building skills that go beyond your own personal cooking blog? Do you have a marketing or publicity background which goes beyond making Get Ready With Me videos on Tik Tok?
I mean, don’t get me wrong; we all love a good GRWM that ends with someone shoving a helmet on a freshly coiffed head of hair, or a fast and delicious enchilada recipe ready to be packed in a pannier for the day’s ride. But if you possess specific skills that could be put to use and you are ready to give back in a significant way to the organization that gives so much to you, please consider running for a board member position. It is a challenge that few are up for, but you just might be the right person!