by Steve Forand
Why does our small club put on a nationally advertised rally that potentially draws guests from a large part of our country (and Canada)? I ask myself that question often. After completing my third year as the rally chair, I think I can confidently provide an answer.
Committing to a rally takes our club to a different level. One of more than a monthly meeting or a weekly breakfast, but a club that reaches out to share the pure enjoyment of hanging around with other enthusiasts for a weekend of good riding, food, and camaraderie. Additionally, it advertises the beauty of our home, Rhode Island.
In this era of deliberate individual isolation, fueled by personal technology, people are increasingly more cautious to venture out and interact. According to author Robert Putnam,[1] In the past several decades, social organizations have been in decline. Putnam famously argues that for individuals, bowling remains as popular as ever, but bowling leagues are in decline. Of course, his book is not about bowling, but about the decline in participation in social organizations throughout the United States. So, what does this have to do with holding a rally? Everything.
As a club, we could continue with only monthly meetings and weekly breakfasts with no pushback from our current members. It is a routine that we are all quite comfortable with. However, as we are always looking for new members (hopefully below the age of Medicare eligibility) we must infuse new energy into our routine. The Gathering of the Clams Rally is a part of advertising our club to a wider audience. Honestly, recruiting new members continues to be a tough nut to crack. The myth of the lone motorcyclist riding the highways of our nation flourishes in the minds of new riders. Even worse, non-riders imagine motorcycle gangs wreaking havoc on unsuspecting citizens (we fall somewhere in between)!
What are the alternatives? Not having a rally. Continue to attend local rallies with the YB’s, Vermont or Maine Clubs. Partner with another club for a joint rally. Are these options worth exploring? Without a rally do we lose our identity? Will we become a less vibrant organization? I believe our rally is a focal point for all members to look forward to. An opportunity for ALL club members to join in and celebrate with our annual event. It is the one time of the year where we do not have to travel, we do not have to pack (much), and we have a guaranteed cadre of people we know!
So yes, in my opinion, it is important for the Ocean State BMW Riders to continue putting together our annual rally. It should be supported by all our members as the annual highlight of our club.
[1] Robert Putnam, “Bowling Alone: The collapse and revival of American community,” New York, Simon & Schuster, 2000