WOMEN`S INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
WIMA International – President`s Report 2014
Enclosed to AGENDA
Dear Ladies,
Nuremberg, Germany, 15th of July 2014
Spring went by and summer began somehow suddenly, at least here in Germany. When I went out for a ride with my “LittleOne” (Yamaha MT 03) on the first weekend in April, I was almost freezing. The thermometer showed only 13 degrees centigrade in the later morning hours when I was starting the engine.
But my first ride out this year was on the first of March and it had been necessarily to be on my new motorcycle, a KTM Adventure R. I had bought it in autumn last year and I hardly could wait… It was the first day on insurance and I had to go…R.I.P to my beloved Honda Africa Twin…
Before I go into details to report on behalf of WIMA International what happened during the year I would like to tell you shortly about my motorcycling accident on 12th of July, which happened just on the way to the International Rally in Switzerland. I had a blow out on my new front wheel at the speed of 120 km/h on a crowded highway. The worst moment was, when I stood up, turned around and noticed, that my friend`s motorcycle was also crashed. We both survived almost uninjured as the motorcycling gears protected our bodies to the best.
I feel, there is a message behind for all motorcyclists, no matter how experienced riders you are, no matter of the age, gender, or nationality. It could happen to everyone, it could happen to YOU and it happens without any warning.
I would like to share my experience giving a personal message to YOU:
“Always dress properly when going out for a ride, no matter starting a long journey or just going for a ride around the corner!”
It was my first motorcycling accident. I ́m glad and thankful, that nothing more serious happened. We survived and we recovered. It took a bit of time, to start over. My special thanks go to the “WIMA Family”. With all your sympathies at the Rally Site, you supported the process to recover a lot. Thank you so much.
I still proceed in fighting for (my) motorcycling rights in this case even almost one year later.
Last year`s International Rally in Switzerland last summer was another great success.
We had a very constructive and effective get together during the Rally week and a lot of fun! I would like to highlight a few significant issues of our annual National President`s Meeting. Additionally you are welcome to read the minutes published on our International Website.
Women International Motorcycle Association is slightly increasing on new Divisions with constant Membership numbers. Last year we could welcome Thailand as new WIMA Division. Yet unfortunately we “lost” due to circumstances WIMA France, hopefully only as a matter of time as the National Presidency is currently vacant.
Latest developments might lead WIMA World to get in a new “old” WIMA Division. We are in progress with this and maybe we soon can announce a Revival.
Up to now we can say WIMA consists of 20 Divisions with approximately 1.500 Members worldwide. It is to resume, we have a little drop on membership numbers, but not significant and just as usual.
We could welcome 14 WIMA Divisions, and in total approximately 240 Attendees at the Rally Site, in Val de Travers in Switzerland.
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WOMEN`S INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
We also had a little change on our WIMA Committee.
We could welcome Miss Lili BERNHARD from WIMA Austria as a follower of Miss Anne SCHRIJVERS from Belgium on the position of the WIMA International Treasurer. The hand over is almost completed and I would like to take the chance to express my thanks to both Ladies for their efforts in charge of WIMA International.
Being a Member of WIMA you can scoop out of a wide range of possibilities in and about Women Motorcycling.
As a worldwide acting organization, WIMA is present by providing network connections using the connectivity via the WWW and by arranging several events during the year organized by WIMA ladies in various countries and in this way you have the possibility to meet women motorcyclists face to face.
WIMA International provides its own website and almost all National Divisions offer information via their national websites. WIMA is also present via Facebook. Those Facebook Sites are very popular. At least once a week I find myself following WIMA activities on Facebook and enjoy individual post of WIMA Members and friends of friends.
Last but not least you can enjoy a “little via inside” of several WIMA Divisions and their activities as we have arranged a “Newsletter Exchange” on our International Website.
You can enjoy attending WIMA events organized by WIMA Divisions and the International Rally once a year. You can meet and exchange your experience with Ladies all around the globe sharing the same passion, the passion for Motorcycling.
During the year I had the great opportunity to meet motorcycling Ladies while attending (not only) WIMA events, e.g. the National Meeting of WIMA Germany and several other events arranged by Women Motorcycle Clubs. I also could participate in the Season Opening Meeting of WIMA Austria again, which was located at the same place where we had our International Rally in 2012. During spring this year I visited WIMA Malaysia. The stay included a visit at the “Terengganu Bike Week 2014”, a famous local happening. At this occasion WIMA International received an Award. To resume, it was an unforgettable time. At our stay we could even enjoy a short stay in Thailand.
I had the dream to meeting all Asian WIMA Divisions, as there are currently WIMA Korea, WIMA Thailand, WIMA Japan and WIMA Malaysia. But the time window was just too short. We had a great come together with WIMA Japan, represented by Miss Keiko Osawa, and WIMA Malaysia, represented by Miss Nor Nz York and we met great Lady Bikers from in and around Malaysia.
And I will hold on to my dream to attract more women motorcyclists around the world.
At this particular time we are focusing on Asia and I hope WIMA can someday welcome new Divisons for example in Singapore, Indonesia or the Philippines.
I ́m very happy to announce that WIMA Malaysia offered to host the WIMA Rally in 2020!
Finally I would like to mention several projects outside of the WIMA World, for e.g. the first International Female Ride Day (IFRD); I also did a ride out on this particular day.
I would also like to mention the so called “Global Women Who Ride” Project, set up by Rashmi Tambe, from the US, which is still proceeding.
Furthermore WIMA International has been in touch with Lady Bikers from Spain, Italy and the first women`s association bikers in Africa and the Arabian World, the “Miss Moto Marocco”. They for example organise annual festivities in Marrakech on the occasion of the World Women`s Day on 8th of March.
But now I would like to come back to WIMA Inside developments. During the year not only our working groups have been very active again and I would like to seize the opportunity to report and thank.
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WOMEN`S INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
I start with the Ellen Pfeiffer Award. The election of two nominated Ladies resulted in two winners as the strengths of each woman were duly noted and there was agreement that both Ladies deserve the Award. I`m happy to announce at this particular time, that both Ladies will be present at this year`s Rally. It is a great honour and everything is arranged that we also will have a continuation on an Award Ceremony, which for the first time occurred in 2012 with great sympathies for all parties.
Another, at least for me, “new” business is the “Yearbook of International Organizations” arranged by the Union of International Associations.
Further details here to find: http://www.uia.org/yearbook
I got in touch with this issue first time at the end of last year, as I had been requested for an update on common information regarding to WIMA as an acting International Association, e.g. regarding to member countries, organization structure and activities. If you like to get further information, don`t hesitate to table your questions e.g. at our next NP`s Meeting.
But there is more to report concerning our activities in developing WIMA as an organization also in order to attract new members worldwide.
Special thanks on behalf of WIMA International goes to working group members being in progress to set up a new WIMA World Website, as there are Pirjo KIVIMÄKI, Sanna SEPPÄNEN and a group of Finnish Students of the University of Oulu under the lead of Miss Sinikka SUUTARI during last autumn. The result is currently pending. I had been also involved on this project, could more or less provide some amendments and have to state, it was a great and significant time. I got a lot of experience in working trans-border having web- meetings, live-chats and exchange data by using a web based-storage. The new webdesign of the WIMA World Website is under construction and will be presented at the time.
Also I would like to thank again our working group members in charge of keeping our International Constitution up to date. Many thanks for another year of work to Miss Sanna SEPPÄNEN, Miss Anneli PILLE and Miss Moira STEWART and additionally to Maura RANIECKA, currently in progress with her Team to organize this year`s International Rally taking place in Poland, just a few weeks to go from now.
Another special thanks go to Miss Vanessa NEUMANN and all helping hands at my work centre. We could establish professional artworks on our International Logo, which is essential for the first step to set up a WIMA International Merchandise.
I ́m also happy and proud to announce, WIMA International will be able to provide a gift another time (after 2010) all our current Members worldwide. The hand over to National Presidents / Representatives will take place during this year`s NP`s Meeting. The hand out to Division`s Members will be organized by each NP.
Another “Thank You” goes to Val NEWMAN. She had been in charge on behalf of WIMA GB to work in amendments to our WIMA International Rally Document which led to the newest release of September 2013.
We could also manage to organise a group photo of all Attendees at the Rally Site in Switzerland. This is a very nice idea and another step in “giving WIMA a face”. Additionally I continue to convince all WIMA Officials to accompany their personal presentation, maybe just of a “selfie” on our Website.
As WIMA is also active in charity projects and the last one, the “WISP”-Project just ended time was due to find a new project. On behalf of WIMA I would like to send my special thanks to Miss Sheonagh Ravensdale and Miss Pat Thompson. Based on their initiative WIMA is in charge with a new charity project, the “Motorcycle Outreach” Project.
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WOMEN`S INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
Let me now finally express my special thanks to all WIMA Officials for their support and efforts.
I start with our WIMA Committee Members, Miss Keiko OSAWA, International Vice President of WIMA and Miss Lili BERNHARD, our International Treasurer of WIMA. Many thanks go also to our acting WIMA Officers Miss Maura RANIECKA, Public Relations Officer of WIMA, Miss Sanna SEPPÄNEN, International Webmaster of WIMA and to Miss Pirjo KIVIMÄKI taking care of WIMA Archive. It has been another year of effective and constructive team work.
Further I would like to thank all National Presidents of WIMA for their various efforts in leading each WIMA Divisions through national matters and supporting this Association also in International issues during the year.
At this point many thanks go to Miss Sophie VIGNON. She was leading WIMA France for almost ten years. She did this to the best.
And last but not least I would like to thank all helping hands and volunteers in the background, and also all WIMA Members around the globe.
It is YOU, who are keeping WIMA International an attractive and lively Federation for all Women interested in motorcycling sports worldwide.
I feel deeply honoured that I have your trust and support in proceeding for another year doing the Presidency on behalf of WIMA International and lead this great Institution.
Thank YOU!
Let`s stand together and take the challenge for all coming issues not only in respect of a the tradition of almost 65 years and with the focus on keeping the SPIRIT of WIMA.
Looking forward to meeting YOU at the Rally Site in Poland! Claudia
CLAUDIA FEHRER International President of WIMA www.wimaworld.com
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