The Chicago Chapter of ABATE of Illinois takes great pride in our Safety & Education programs.  Over the years, we have been fortunate to have had dedicated directors who with their team of ABATE volunteers have instructed thousands of students every year thru high school driver's education programs "Free of Charge".  Programs like these are designed to instruct new and inexperienced drivers how to look for and interact with motorcycles on the roadways.

This year is no different.  Our current Safety and Education Director, Diane Shapiro   has been all over the Chicagoland educating these new drivers.  If you are involved the the drivers education program and would like to have Diane come out to your school, call Diane at 773-457-2636

If you are a member of the Chicago Chapter and would like to assist Diane, give her a call.  The training is not as hard as you might think.  Even if your time is limited, I sure she can find a school with a time slot that will work for you.

The Following is from our latest newsletter (May/June 2010)

I just looked out the window and saw signs of spring finally arriving.  It's no longer a "study in black and white" on the lakefront.  I'm seeing actual green grass and trees with buds ready to burst, which means that riding season cannot be far behind.

        We have been hard at work going to different schools bringing the message of ABATE into the classrooms reminding students in drivers education courses that they share the road with lots of different vehicles, ESPECIALLY motorcycles, which are going to be on the road in full force soon.  Paying attention to driving, not being distracted and being focused on the road and various conditions are primary because it requires 100% of their concentration.

        Since February we have gone to Cristo Rey, Aspira, Farragut, Schurz, Wells, Von Steuben and Clemente High Schools, and have been well received as well as invited back for future presentations.  We are also working hard to bring our presentations to other schools, and hope to be included in the summer school schedules.

        Please don't hesitate to contact me or any of the Board members regarding helping find new schools and to volunteer to help out.  If everyone just gave one day of their time to help out, it would make a world of difference.  Also, don't forget to check out our Facebook page and website.  You will find lots of information and links to various biker events throughout the year.  The more participants we have, the better it will be.  Don't be shy!!  The students want to hear from YOU and listen to what you have to say.  Again, there are NO stars in this show, just one big constellation of people who care about the safety of fellow motorcycle riders and passengers.  Thanks to John Panek of South Suburban ABATE who helped with a couple of presentations. 

        I spent the day at Clemente from 8-3 one day this week, and then got invited back to Wells that evening.  I think we are making great headway in the schools, if only all the people who volunteered to help actually came out.  Be that as it may, it's going well and I'm fairly sure we can land some new schools this summer and fall besides being asked to return to ones we have already done presentations at.

See you down the road!!!

Diane Shapiro

2010 Presentations

February 6	ASPIRA
February 10	Cristo Rey School
March 3	Farragut H.S
March 3 & 4	Wells Academy
March 10	Von Steuben
March 26	Schurz
April 7	Clemente
?	Taft
?	Prosser
?	Highland Park

Contact us:
mailto:info@chicagoabate.com
P.O. Box 41307
Chicago, IL 60641-0307
 

I hope everyone celebrated a "howling" good new year with the blue moon.  It's decidedly not optimum riding weather, to say the very least right now, but eventually spring will come and all of you "road warriors" will be "back in the saddle again". However, there are lots of creative ways to keep warm in the meantime this winter.  Use your imagination.

    We have been hard at work bringing ABATE presentations to school classrooms, and I want to thank John Mayrens and Terry "Money" Hardy for bearing with me, during my period of being incapacitated.  They will be happy to know that I am now able to get myself around.  John, Terry, and Brad Balonick, have been wonderful additions to the Safety and Education team. 

    We have gone to Lake View High School, Elmwood Park High School, Fenger Academy, Highland Park High School, Rickover Naval Academy (Senn H.S.), Amundsen High School, and Chicago Academy so far.

    As of this writing, we are scheduled to appear at Taft High School on the afternoon of January 18^th, and the morning of January 19^th.  At Lake View High School on February 23rd and Rickover on February 26th.  (Hint, hint.)  Bogan High School is pending at this time.  

    Some of you, like Pat Jones, Dan Harper and Dan Paoletti are seasoned professionals.  Richard Manthey, Lloyd Williams and Teresa "Trauma Mama" McClellan, have all volunteered to help, and we look forward to you and others coming with us to learn what it's all about.

    First and foremost, it's important to remember that we go into Driver's Education classrooms to introduce the ABATE organization, and what it stands for to the students and instructors.

    We present a pre-arranged formatted program with a video.  However, each of us brings our own experiences as riders and passengers.  The instructors and students are always a great audience.  We are an adjunct to their classroom education, and every single driving instructor has been grateful to us for the perspectives on road safety that we offer.

    The students, who are future drivers, will be sharing the road with a wide variety of vehicles; especially motor-cycles, which are smaller and less easy to see.  The life you save may be your own.

    Please don't be shy.  I promise you, it's a fun, enjoyable experience.  Feel free to contact me or any of our ABATE board members to volunteer.  Check out the website.  Or send us an email.  This is a joint effort, which involves all of us.

    Remember, we are a "constellation". There are no "stars."  We need as many volunteers as possible, and hope to see you all at the Chili Party in February.  We will have a sign up list for volunteers.

See you down the road!!

Diane Shapiro

The Chili Party/Cookoff was superb, as always, and I am sure everyone had a great time.  From what I could see, people were hanging out all over the place and enjoying camaraderie and the snacks, which were kindly provided by YOUR ABATE of Chicago, as well as the chili -- which was the main event.

    Spirits were high despite the dreary weather.  It's always nice to have a warm place to go when the abysmally cold, gray and snowy weather continues to drag on seemingly eternally.  

    However, on the bright side, the Safety and Education programs have been going on, and we're proud to report that a team effort has produced excellent results.  So far, we have worked together to bring the ABATE classroom presentations to several schools and are planning, as of this date, to go to Aspira, Cristo Rey, Lakeview, Schurz, and Clemente high schools.  

    We are asking for more volunteers to learn how to do the presentations which are really very easy to do.  You will not be alone, we promise!  Terry Hardy was kind enough to bring his camera to one of the classrooms, and we are going to have the pictures posted for all to see.

    Thanks to Terry, Pat Jones, Dan Harper, John Mayrens, Brad Balonick, Debbe and John Kuppin for coming out to the schools, and for those of you who have kindly offered to help in the classroom.  Everyone who assists will be mentioned, we promise.  This is a team effort, and we ask that each one of you please, volunteer for just one day.  It can make all the difference in the world for the students to hear your personal story. 

    We go to the schools to educate the students about road safety and sharing the road with a variety of vehicles, ESPECIALLY motorcycles.  

    It's all about saving lives, and you never know if the life you save, may be your own! 

See you down the road!!

Diane Shapiro