September 2014

La Gazette Des Cajun

® GWRRA, Region H

Louisiana District

Chapter “B”

Lafayette, Louisiana

Lorie and Mike Judice

Chapter Directors Chapter LA– B MEC Chapter B Couple of the Year 2014 - 2015 La District Couple of the Year

Table of Contents: Chapter B Team

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Chapter B Calendars 3-4 September, 2014

Birthdays/Anniversaries 5

August started off with a surprise visit from Chapter K Director A J Gros and several other Chapter K members at our monthly meeting. It was a pleasure having them attend our meeting and greatly appreciated considering the distance they had to travel. We hope to return the favor by attending one of their meetings soon.

Schedule of Events 6-7 By the Book

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Regional Director

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Lorie and I also attended Chapter M’s monthly meeting in Leesville in August, then we joined Daron & Joan Judice, C J & Dianne Doiron, & Eugene & Kathy Wyble at Chapter E’s monthly meeting in Pineville. It’s good to see how other chapters conduct their meetings. You can always pick up on new and different ideas. Everyone should plan on attending other meetings, I’m sure you will enjoy it and they would love having you there also.

Chapter Educators

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Advertisements

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MEC /Region H COY

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On September 25th Lorie and I plan on going to the Oklahoma District Convention. This will be the last convention this year for Region H. We have attended the Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas Conventions this year. Unfortunately we will miss the Kansas Convention this year.

Chapter B - COY

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Advertisements

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District Directors

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Finally, I would like to thank all the members that were able to make it to the fundraiser meeting at our home on August 10th. The turnout was great and we appreciate all the work everyone is putting in to making this successful. Your time and efforts are greatly appreciated!

La. Dist. MEC/Asst. Dist. Directors

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Mike & Lorie Judice Chapter Directors 2014 LA District Couple of the Year Chapter LA-B

Advertisements

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Candid Camera

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District 2014-15 COY 13

LA Dist. Webmasters 18

Advertisements / Contact Us

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“Join us for our Monthly Meeting” Chapter B meets the first Tuesday of each month at Fezzo’s - Scott, Louisiana Social Time 6 p.m. —7 p.m. * Meeting Begins at 7 p.m. Please join us!!!!!

*********** Visit us on the web: http://www.gwrra-la-b.org

Chapter B Team GWRRA, Region H

Louisiana District

Chapter “B”

Lafayette, Louisiana

Chapter Directors Lori & Mike Judice Membership Enhancement Photographer

Assistant Chapter Directors

Motorist Awareness Coordinator

Chapter B Couple of the Year

LA District Couple of the Year

Eugene and Kathy Wyble [email protected]

337-334-3039 (h) 337/581-5752 (c) [email protected] [email protected]

Technical Educators Tom and Terry Bellington Webmasters Chapter Educators Joan & Daron Judice [email protected]

Activity/Ride Coordinators

CJ and Dianne Doiron

Membership Enhancement

Dewey and Kathleen Burke

Noelie and Gerald Lavergne [email protected]

Ways and Means Melissa and Glenn Richard [email protected]

Treasurer Asst. Motorist Awareness Coordinator Lorna Hesskamp

Dori and Dwayne Janise

Newsletter Editor Photographer Rene’ Cotton [email protected]

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September 2014 SUN

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11 Dinner Ride Bon Temps Café, 1312 Verot School Rd Lafayette, LA @ 6:30 p.m.

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Feezo’s Scott, LA begin gathering @ 6 pm mtg. starts @ 7 pm

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Sept. 12 - 14 , 2014 Kansas District Convention Abilene, KS

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20 Possible Ride Parade Marthaville, LA

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Sept. 12 - 14 , 2014 Kansas District Convention

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Breakfast Ride Hilton Garden Hotel 2350 W Congress St. Lafayette, LA (across from Cajundome) @ 9:00 a.m

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Sept. 25—27, 2014 Oklahoma District Convention Shawnee, OK

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Feezo’s Scott, LA begin gathering @ 6 pm mtg. starts @ 7 pm

Burger Ride TBA @ 6:30 p.m.

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Five Guys Burgers 4302 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy, Suite 100 , Lafayette @ 6:30 p.m.

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BBQ Burger Sale @ Sam’s Club Ambasador Caffery Pwky, Lafayette 10 am - 2:00 pm

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Burger Ride TBA @ 6:30 p.m.

MS District Convention – October 16-18, 2014 Gulfport, MS

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Burger Ride TBA @ 6:30 p.m.

Burger Ride TBA @ 6:30 p.m.

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OCTOBER

SEPTEMBER Jerry Allen Mike Judice Jacob Deville Terry Bellington Rick Sears

Sept. 3rd Sept. 8th Sept. 8th Sept. 13th Sept. 30th

Glenn Richard Louise Guthrie Rose Patin Doug Terro Noelie Lavergne

OCTOBER

SEPTEMBER Irving & Patsy Sonnier CJ & Dianne Dorion

Oct. 10th Oct. 14th Oct. 18th Oct. 27th Oct. 29th

Kelly and Rick Sears Evans and Elaine Guillory Brent and Roxie Comeaux

Sept. 11th Sept. 28th

Oct. 15th Oct. 25th Oct. 26th

If your Birthday or Anniversary was missed, please let us know, we apologize for missing you. 5

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2014 Schedule of Events Southeast Region A Convention – September 11-14, 2014 – Eufaula, AL “Let’s Celebrate Freedom” Kansas District Convention - September 12—14, 2014 - Abilene, KS

OK District Convention – September 25-27, 2014 – Shawnee, OK Wing Rush! Chapter B BBQ Burger Sale - Oct. 5, 2014 Sam’s Wholesale parking lot- Ambassador Caffery Lafayette, LA MS District Convention – October 16-18, 2014 – Gulfport, MS “Be A Clown”

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Sunday, October 5, 2014 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Sam’s Club Parking Lot Ambassador Caffery Lafayette, LA

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Jack Wagner Region H Trainer

By The Book

By the Book” articles are intended to help familiarize GWRRA Volunteer Leaders and Members with the policies, procedures, and information contained in the GWRRA Officer’s Handbook (OHB). A copy of the Officer’s Handbook can be found at the following Internet website: www.gwrra.org/oconnect/officerhandbook.html .

How Can I Participate? In last month's By the Book article, I expressed that we are all Chapter participants. So what does that mean? There are lots of ways to participate in a Chapter. They range from just showing up and taking part in activities to becoming involved as an officer or other team member. There are lots of positions that can be created within a Chapter. In addition to Chapter Director, the other required officer roles that each Chapter must have are Chapter Educator and Chapter Treasurer. While not 'required, every Chapter will benefit from including the other Chapter level offices of Assistant Chapter Director and Membership Enhancement Coordinator. If your Chapter is large enough there could be a multitude of other positions. Every Chapter should have a newsletter editor, but any Member is more than welcome to contribute articles for the newsletter. One of my favorite suggestions is to create a phone tree coordinator – someone to take charge of developing a quick method of contacting Members by phone for sharing time sensitive information. There can be ride or activity coordinators, photographer, historian, technical adviser, webmaster – in fact, if you can come up with a responsibility, you can create a position. I've even seen Chapters with official hug collectors. Don't just create a position for the sake of giving someone a title; make sure the position has responsibility. When Members are included in the operation of the Chapter, they will become much more supportive and less likely to become dissatisfied. I'm not saying everyone should be given a position or that anyone has to do more than just show up and take part. But I think you will find that the more involved you get, the more fun you will have. So talk to your Chapter Director about any area that may interest you. For more information on position description and responsibility, see the Officer Handbook starting on page D-4. The more you know, the better it gets! Jack Wagner Region H Trainer

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Jack Wagner Regional Director

What's in your newsletter? republish information in multiple newsletters. But whats worse, some duplication, or risking the information not getting out? I'm not saying everything in National, Region or District newsletters should be republished in a Chapter newsletter. However when major changes occur or important information is released, it should be cascaded in every venue possible so that it gets to everyone. Members may read your Chapter newsletter, but other newsletters may wind up in their spam folder. A couple of recent examples of just such occurrences include a Member whose Chapter closed, yet they still wanted to remain involved in the Association, particularly the Levels program. However they were unaware of the change to require taking a Motorist Awareness seminar – which resulted in their Level being shown as expired. Another involved a recent email blast to all GWRRA University Trainers which resulted in just over 60% of the emails actually being opened; nearly 20% bounced due to obsolete email addresses and the balance either went ignored or wound up in spam folders. Information not received.

As you can imagine I receive a multitude of GWRRA newsletters each month and I do in fact read every one that I receive – and go out looking for some others. Just as Chapters have their own 'personality', newsletters also differ. The same can be said for Districts and even Regions. I see newsletters that resemble a magazine and others that are two pages – a message from the Chapter Director and the monthly Chapter calendar. Some are received via email attachments while others may be a web page of its own. While the 'magazine' may be considered by some to be a bit of overkill, the two pager isn't really enough – or is it? According to Webster's dictionary, a newsletter is defined as a small publication (leaflet or newspaper) containing news of interest to a special group; a short written report that tells about the recent activities sent to members of the organization. Pretty simple definition. The key elements are providing information, and providing it to the proper people in a timely manner. Are you only emailing your newsletter or placing it on a web page? If so, what about those Members who don't have a computer – yes, even today we have folks in that category. Are you only providing the newsletter to a distribution list made up of those who routinely come to your Chapter gathering? What about those Members 'assigned' to your Chapter who may not live close enough to attend gatherings? The reason we began assigning all Members to the nearest Chapter, even though they may be quite a distance away, is so that they can be kept apprised of happenings they may wish to attend – as well as news or changes within the Association.

There are guidelines for newsletter content available on the GWRRA Membership Enhancement page of our website, however those were done for scoring newsletter competitions and are not 'requirements' for every newsletter. My challenge to you is to make your newsletters entertaining, informational and get them out to all of the right people. I still say the newsletter editors are the unsung heroes of our Association for all of the time and effort they put in to getting information out there. Lets continue to ensure all of the information gets to everyone! Until next month - Ride like your life depends on it!

Which brings me to the next point. Do your newsletters include only Chapter news, or do they also include news from the District, Region or even National? Yes, it can get redundant to

Jack

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La Gazette Des Cajun

Daron & Joan Judice Chapter Educators

Notes

September 2014

This month, I would like to share some of what was discussed at the Mid Year Business meeting held Saturday, August 23, 2014. As much as we seem to be tired of hearing over and over again about all the seminars, trainings, riding courses, etc., it is still very important to keep all of this current. Education is not only about learning and knowledge, but also about keeping it updated. As in every aspect of everyday life, working or retired, things change and we need to learn more. A perfect example is electronic technology. Just as soon as we feel comfortable with a phone, television, video recorder, etc., a newer version is right around the corner waiting to come out. We all do not care for change, but it comes whether we like it or not.

Riding safe will never get old. But on the other hand, it needs to constantly refreshed and updated. Taking any form of Rider Education seminar and/or rider training course is the perfect way to do this. As much as we would like everyone to participate and advance in their Rider Levels, it is just as important to invite any and everyone to take any type of seminar. After all, you can never learn too much. And as we were always told when we were younger, PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

There are close to 56 different types of seminars out there. Louisiana has about 22 instructors that are GWRRA certified to train. They are willing to teach us. Take a little time to ask what is available and let’s get educated!

Joan & Daron Judice Chapter B Educators

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www.hondaoflafayette.com

1708 N. University Lafayette, LA 70507

337-234-6632 800-864-9054 Fax 337-235-8950

FOR ALL YOUR GOLDWING NEEDS

6023

COME SEE US AT HONDA OF LAFAYETTE

Mike Roberts Manager [email protected] Huey Romero Sales Manager [email protected] Danielle Judice Service Department [email protected]

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La Gazette Des Cajun

Reba and Jim Berry 2014—2015 Region H Couple of the Year For those of you familiar with the COY program, one question you often hear during the selection process is, “What does the COY program mean to you?” or “What is your favorite aspect of COY?” Let us share ours. The COY Program is an accelerant! Let us explain. When we joined GWRRA in 2005 and showed up for our very first chapter gathering, we liked it. We knew several of the folks already. But, we didn’t foresee much group riding on our part because we preferred to ride alone (or so we thought). We would just go to chapter meetings, eat and listen to the information provided. Then we got to know more and more of these folks. Hey, they were some pretty good people and they liked to ride. So, we started group riding. The more rides, the more fun, the more fun, the more friends. Later on I started really listening to what that Educator guy was saying and got involved with the Levels program. Now, I know most of you have the same story. I bet you have some great friends in your chapter. But your chapter is limited in size. When we became chapter directors, we were able to meet, work with, fellowship with and ride with members of other LA chapters. You know, we liked those guys a lot, too! More friends with a common motorcycle thread. Several times, we were able to ride home with members from several chapters from rallies and conventions. Sometimes when looking for a ride on a weekend, we will check other chapter websites and newsletters and join them if they have something scheduled because we have friends there. Why be limited to the 20 or so in your chapter when you can participate with hundreds in your district? Here is where the accelerant part comes in. I’m talking about pouring gasoline on the fire! When you are selected Chapter Couple, you not only get personal contact with all members of your chapter but you get to meet other Chapter Couples. When you visit their chapter, whom can they introduce you to? Everybody! By the time the District COY selection comes around and you proudly represent your chapter, you are friends with all the other participants. In fact, we had been overnight guests of a couple of them. You really hate that only one couple can be selected as the District Couple. If you are selected District Couple, the flame burns brighter. You get to travel to other districts in your region. Now you get to meet with some of the best and brightest stars of the districts. More friends, more excitement and more opportunities to serve! As District Couple you are always getting asked to judge this or judge that at conventions and are always meeting a ton of nice folks within your region. Then comes the Region Selection. So many great couples to choose from. Even more life-long friendships are established. If you are fortunate enough to get selected, the flame is out of sight. Now we get to meet couples from all over the U.S. and Canada. We get to visit other Region Conventions and volunteer, meeting even more great people. At Wing Ding, we get to spend a week with 11 or 12 Region Couples. Then we will have Goldwing friends all over North America. Your friend database will grow exponentially at each level, thanks to COY acceleration.

So, why participate in the Couple of the Year program?

Because it really, really is FUN! 12

La Gazette Des Cajun

Mike & Lorie Judice 2014 District Couple of the Year Chapter LA B - Chapter Director September, 2014

In August Lorie and I went to Leesville to attend Chapter M’s monthly meeting. We were graciously welcomed by Chapter Directors Robert and Joan Partianoni and the rest of the Chapter M members. Rod Polk and Jim Berry also attended the meeting. Rod spoke about the upcoming mid-year meeting that the District staff will be putting on in Lafayette on August 23rd. Jim talked about an upcoming parade in Marthaville, LA on September 20 and invited anyone who wanted to ride their bikes in the 1 mile long parade. On August 12th we joined Daron & Joan Judice, C.J. & Dianne Doiron, and Eugene & Kathy Wyble from Lafayette Chapter B at the Chapter E meeting in Pineville. District Directors Red & Brenda Roussel were there along with Jim Berry. We all enjoyed a good meal and a good meeting. Hope we can make it back there again soon. We are planning on going to the Oklahoma District Convention on September 25th to 27th. That will be the last Region H convention for this year. Lorie and I are looking forward to going and hope to see a lot of you there also. Mike & Lorie Judice 2014 LA District Couple of the Year

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Eugene & Kathy Wyble 2014 Chapter B Couple of the Year

September 2014

Hello Everyone ! Eugene & I have been married for 45 years. We have two girls and four grandchildren. Eugene worked in the Oilfield until he became Disable. Eugene was a Volunteer Fireman for 20 years, and a City Councilman for one term. I was a School Bus Driver for 28 and half years and now retired. I was also an Organist at Our Lady Of Mercy Church for 15 years. We have been Member of Chapter B since 1982. We enjoy riding with Chapter B and meeting new friends. Eugene & I have held many different positions. We are Life Members and Life Grand Masters. We are proud to be chosen as Chapter Couple of the Year ! Eugene and Kathy Wyble 2014 Chapter COY

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Red and Brenda Roussel District Directors

September 2014 Hello Wingers, Another hot month has almost pasted. It has been a busy month for Brenda and me. We were on the road to Chapters K, E and J. We helped Chapter K with a Fun Day in which we presented four seminars to help strength the Chapter. Chapter K also put on a Mall Bike Show to promote their Motor Awareness Program. It was a great success, over 800 mall goes voted on the best bike in the show and they raised over $300 for Camp Pelican. Camp Pelican is the Charity they support doing the year. Chapter J is continuing to reach out to the public with its MAD Program. Going to malls and school to educate the public on Motor Cycle Awareness. Chapter M continues to do Chapter training and do many Motor Awareness functions in the Derider area. Other Chapter are doing many things to strength they chapters and GWRRA, this brings out the Team in Louisiana, PLEASE continue to show your colors. On August 23rd., the District Team put together a Mid-Year Meeting. The turnout was GREAT! we had 53 members attend including three Region Team members. Each Director introduced his/her team and discuss what it does to motivate the chapters. They also talked on what is being presented during the Chapter gatherings. I than introduced the District Team and asked them to tell what they have done in GWRRA to be pick for the Team. Many of the membership were surprised to hear the different back grounds of the District Team members. The District gave short presentations on MEC, MAD; Couple of the year and Chapter of the year Programs and the LTP Program. The remainder of the meeting was directed to the future of the UT Program and where the District thinks it is heading. We will leave bullet training and move to knowledge training. We want our seminar presenter and trainers to have knowledge of what they are presenting; as info comes to us we will move forward in the training program. Rod Polk did an outstanding job putting on the part of the meeting, thanks Rod. Well, September is here and we’ll be off to the Kansas and Oklahoma Conventions, please meeting us there to have fun with our sister Districts. Until next month, attend seminars, have fun and ride safe. Red and Brenda Roussel LA. District Directors 504-512-1212

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Tim & Becky Dinnel

La. District MEC/Asst. District Directors

September 2014 Hello Louisiana, So you want to know more about the Membership Enhancement Program, but can’t seem to find where to look, well, look no further. Here is the direct link to GWRRA’s “Membership Enhancement Program” web page (see below): http://mep.gwrra.org/index.html You will also find the MEP Webpage under the “GWRRA MEP” link on the District Home Page. There is a wealth of information for anyone wanting to learn more about the program and what all falls under it. You will find information about the Chapter of the Year Program, Couple of the Year Program, Best Dressed, Chapter Shirt, Banner and Mascot Competition Guidelines and score sheets along with Fun Activity Guides to name a few. So, click on the link above and see what Membership Enhancement is all about. Remember GWRRA's Motto: FRIENDS FOR FUN, SAFETY AND KNOWLEDGE My Motto (and others): If you aren't having FUN you ain't doing it right! For more information about GWRRA go to: www.gwrra.org. Be safe everyone and let's GROW Louisiana!!! Tim and Becky Dinnel La. Asst. District Director La. District MEC La. District Chapter of the Year Coordinators 2013 Region H Couple of the Year 2013 International MEC of the Year 2469 17

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Louisiana District Webmasters Fritz & Johnette Beter

Sending, Replying and Forwarding Emails

Now a days almost everybody is on the internet and uses email on a daily basis. Securing your Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is a must. Protecting your email address from spammers is another thing you should be doing daily. Helping your friends with their PII and their email addresses is a very easy thing to do. This month we will give you some simple steps to help protect your family and friend’s email addresses. Sending Emails When sending emails to multiple people that may not know one other, use the BLIND COPY (BCC). This way, all of your recipients will not see each other’s email addresses. In the event that one of their email accounts gets hacked, no one else’s email addresses are viewable in that email. In the TO portion of the email, insert your email address and in the BCC, insert your friend’s email addresses. This way, you get a copy of the message that was sent out and nobody else sees the other addresses. Replying To Emails When replying to emails, never use the REPLY TO ALL option unless you have to. Sending an email to everybody may result in offending someone that you may not want to. Once an email is sent, it is FOREVER. This could open up a can of worms and start the email wars that may never stop. Also, when replying to an email, delete the information at the top in the body of the email. Info like the FROM, and the TO, and any email addresses listed. The person that sent it, knows who they are and all of email addresses take up space that is not necessary or needed. Forwarding Emails Last but not least, the forwarded email. This feature uses all of the above suggestions and can be the worst of them all. When forwarding an email, use ALL of the suggestion above. This way all of your friend’s email addresses are hidden, all of the extra junk is out of the body of the message and everyone gets the information clean and secure.

Fritz & Johnette Beter Louisiana District Webmasters [email protected] 504-469-3178

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Monthly Meeting 8.5.14

Congratulations! Chapter B Couple of the Year

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August Monthly Meeting Prize Winners!

Sign-In Winner!

Door Prize Winners!

Participation Winners!

50/50 Winners!

Yellow Ball Winner!

rats g n o C io!!! Ma r

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Chapter B Fundraiser Mtg. 8.10.14

Chapter E Monthly Mtg. August 2014

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O’Charley’s 8.21.14

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2014 District Mid-Year Mtg. 8.23.14

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Kings Truck Stop 8.31.14

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“FRIENDS FOR FUN, SAFETY AND KNOWLEDGE” GWRRA Region H Louisiana District Chapter “B”

Lorie & Mike Judice GWRRA La Chapter B Chapter Directors

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For more GWRRA information, news, and social media Websites: www.gwrra.org (National) www.gwrra-la.org (District) www.gwrra-la-b.org(Chapter) Facebook GWRRA LA-B, Cajun Wings