WIMA International – President`s Report 2017
Dear Ladies,
Nuremberg, Germany, July 2017
WOMEN`S INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
several posts are up for election during this WIMA International Rally 2017. This includes voting on the WIMA International Presidency.
Since I have completed my first term of office (3 years) since 2015, followed by annual re- appointment, this will be the 5th year I have held the post of the International Presidency, having the honour being YOUR International President of WIMA.
Taking a deep breath, I asked myself during the past year: “Claudia, would you be ready to work another year as hard as you can for our WIMA Family, our WIMA Spirit, for our WIMA WORLD? Would you be ready to carry this huge responsibility for another year?”
YES I AM!
As I can state, you never walk alone!
There is a great team behind me and I would like to take the opportunity right now to thank
everyone.
THANK YOU WIMA WORLD!
Dear WIMA Members, dear National Presidents,
I, Claudia Fehrer humbly apply to continue as YOUR WIMA International President, for another year.
I ASK YOU TO KINDLY VOTE FOR ME IN 2017!
I will miss YOU LADIES and I will miss out on a fabulous Rally 2017!
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WOMEN`S INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
At this point I would like to apologise once more for not being present at our WIMA Rally in
Estonia.
This is the first time though, since 2004!
Various reasons and circumstances led to my decision. For example, my job does not permit me to go. I am working as an Architect. One of my various projects, actually a large-scale project, became very busy. This affected my vacation schedule this year.
It is not an excuse, only a reason.
I informed all WIMA Officials at an early stage, sometime in spring this year and have tried to do my absolute best to organise everything in advance and to support all affected.
Before I start my Report about the WIMA year 2016/2017, I would like to give you a more personal illustration on how it has been with WIMA and Me over the past years.
Since I heard about WIMA for the first time, honestly, I was hooked especially having participated in my first WIMA Rally, back in the year 2002.
My “official life” – having the honour and duty to carry an official WIMA position started in summer 2007 during the WIMA Rally in Germany. Actually, while typing this sentence I realize, this year I can celebrate my 10-year anniversary serving this awesome institution.
During the WIMA International Rally in Germany 2007 which took place in Plothen, I was elected to take over the role of the WIMA International Treasurer. Not an easy task, everyone can imagine, looking after the money business isn`t the most wanted job. It was an opportunity to prove my skills and to grow step by step with the challenge of fulfilling the duties of the WIMA Treasurer and learning something almost every day. In fact, my WIMA business started there and then during the National Presidents` Meeting.
Over the years that passed, I gained a deeper view inside of WIMA. I noticed more and more how much ‘manpower’ it takes to run a networking association on an international level. I also began to recognise how much effort is required that goes on unseen, in the background and how much responsibility rests on each WIMA Official in order to run this Association effectively; facing all upcoming tasks, while not forgetting about our long and valuable history.
5 years later, in the year 2011, the post of the WIMA Vice President needed a successor and the council of National Presidents elected me to carry on. This change brought up a wide range of additional duties, additional responsibility as well, for me.
One year later, during the WIMA Rally in Austria in 2012, it came as a bit of a surprise to find myself in the leading position – as International President.
In summer 2017 my term of office ends a total of 5 years as the International President.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude, from the bottom of my heart, for YOUR trust in me and my work during past years.
But let`s go into details now and report about our WIMA year 2016 / 2017 starting with July 2016. Finally, summer reaches the northern hemisphere…and it got really “HOT”…
Almost 230 Women Riders from 14 WIMA Countries took to the road on two wheels to join our annual WIMA Rally.
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WOMEN`S INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
The Hungarian WIMA Division hosted us from 11th of July until 16th of July for the International Rally. The Rally Site was located in Esztergom, barely 50 km away from Budapest, the capital of Hungary. The nation’s capital will remain a very special memory in our minds, but more about this later.
As usual I start with the very first day of my summer holiday and the travel to the Rally and end with my journey on the last day of my holiday. My first goal was Munich to meet my partner and travel companion Uli. Everything packed and our motorcycles loaded we started almost at noon on Friday with the goal to reach Györ on Friday evening – in order to meet up with several WIMAs for a Pre-Rally event. We had a relaxed tour through Austria, no rush and the dream of every motorcyclist – empty roads, almost no traffic at all, riding on little twisty roads. We call them “white roads” or “yellow roads” as they are usually marked in these colours on the map. We would have had plenty of time to cover the distance of about 600 km if we would have chosen the straight route riding due east. But we were on holiday…
On the way, we had enough time to spend some time for a coffee break, or should I call it “Latte Macchiato” stop, as we both prefer this drink. The Austrians call this drink, which is a mixture of coffee and milk, “Wiener Melange”. It is very famous there. But for a Rider’s well- being it needs more. You need windy roads, up and downhill, sometimes possibilities to tear the throttle for a speeding up or just now and then a short stop to enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. As we got some rain during evening, we changed our plan to stay at a campsite. We just took a simple accommodation. Just after breakfast, we continued our journey to reach our goal of Györ by evening. The weather turned again for the better as the day went on and it became really, really, hot. The heat would stay during the entire holiday, reaching its highest temperature during the Rally. The meaning of “HOT” should also change into a different meaning ☺ Later more about this – stay tuned!
We reached the National Pre-Rally event of WIMA Finland in time. The LADIES BIKE CLUB – WIMA FINLAND is my “home club”. I have been a Member since 2007.
(Ups, another anniversary I can celebrate in 2017! 10 years Membership at WIMA Finland!)
This Pre-Rally event was located in Györ, a town next to the Danube River next to the border to Slovakia and most important, only a short distance to ride to our final destination, the WIMA Hungary 2016 Rally Site at Cran Camping Fortex in Esztergom.
Do you know where to look if you would like to meet Finnish Lady Riders on holiday? Yes, you need to search for them in the Sauna! They don`t mind about summer heat, they enjoy spending time at a Sauna, no matter how “HOT” the weather is already. Having had a fabulous time together, visiting Györ, enjoying good traditional Hungarian food and having drinks (several?), we took the last few kilometres starting at noon.
Arrival at the Rally Site was the first of a multitude of exciting moments during the Rally week. I can state at this point, the WIMA Rally in Hungary was a great success.
It’s also worth pointing out that WIMA Hungary, was only established in 2011, and only a few years later they arranged their first International WIMA Rally. What a great Team, what a great achievement.
The Rally included everything people were expecting, and there was even a swimming pool on site. What fun we had and best of all the weather stayed almost until the last day of the Rally.
I believe I can speak on behalf of all Rally attendees and say we had a very pleasant stay, countless highlights and great impressions. Also, countless individual highlights will stay in our minds and I am rather sure, many will talk with a big smile on their faces years and years later about the “WIMA HOT PANTS RALLY”.
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WOMEN`S INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
As everyone has her own stories to tell about their memories and individual impressions, I keep my own ones to myself. But, if somebody is interested in listening, I am always ready to tell, especially if it helps attract more women to join in to our Association.
Get your Membership at WIMA and take the opportunity to attend at one of our next Rallies.
I am sure you will never regret!
Even if I tried to describe every minute of a day at the Rally I would never ever be able to cover all the highlights in one story. It deserves so much more and I only can advise you to take the opportunity to have an exchange with those Ladies about their experience of attending one of our WIMA Rallies. I believe everyone is happy to share her individual impressions. There are usually a few members who additionally share their personal story using various platforms available to us, such as our WIMA International Website, our WIMA Site and Group on Facebook, in National Divisions’ Newsletters or elsewhere. Welcome everyone, have a look and enjoy your read while exploring WIMA International presence on the ‘www’.
I would like to use this moment right now to state, every single WIMA Rally enriches my life and I am very grateful to see there are numerous WIMA events waiting in future. I am also very grateful to see that there is so much ‘women power’ illustrated by the commitment of women around the globe being inspired by WIMA to set up an event and to carry this awesome Association through all needs and challenges WIMA has to face in future.
Referring back to the International WIMA Rally in Hungary 2016, I would like to express once more my gratitude for the WIMA Hungary organisation-team and all helping hands!
Before I conclude this section, just a few brief words about WIMA business during the Rally, a few words about our National President`s Meeting – our annual general meeting (AGM) 2016.
The NPs meeting was scheduled on same day as our traditional WIMA Parade occurred. The Parade was another unforgettable highlight for all attending. Guided by the Hungarian Police we had the great honour to ride to the Hungarian capital. More than 200 Lady Riders from all around the globe enjoyed a Parade Ride to Budapest. Police closed all roads for us. I think they may even have closed a Railway track which crossed our way to Budapest – it would not have surprised me.
Ladies and their bikes, both dressed up – several with National Flags and other accessories to represent their own countries and clubs. It was an overwhelming feeling for all of us. I was more than proud and very excited to have the honour to ride in the lead together with my good friend and National President of WIMA Hungary, Miss Emese MELICHER. We rode together, in front of a police officer followed by the WIMA Hungary Orgateam and after this group followed by Women Riders from over 200 Lady Riders from 14 Nations.
Believe me, this was very special moment for me.
Later that afternoon, on 14th of July 2016, all attending WIMA Officials were invited to a lovely Restaurant, located in Esztergom village, just next to our Rally Site. We had a very good and effective get-together lasting almost 4 hours of highest concentration and after finishing with WIMA business, everyone was more than happy to enjoy great traditional Hungarian food and drinks. Each single WIMA Official deserved this not only after those hours of the meeting time but also for their efforts during a WIMA business year.
This is our way of thanking WIMA Officials, highlighting that all of us are doing WIMA business in our personal spare time as WIMA is our hobby and should always be respected as our hobby.
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WOMEN`S INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
This year, 13 WIMA Divisions were represented by the personal attendance of National Presidents or their Representatives and in total 16 WIMA Officials and one guest speaker came to discuss our Agenda.
Just to give you an insider’s view of my role at the Meeting, one of the duties of the International President of WIMA is to lead the NP Meeting. It is a must to stick to our Agenda; it is quite a challenge to include additional matters tabled ad hoc within the available meeting time. Time is limited naturally, and everyone’s energy and concentration is tested especially after some hours. We talk on a high level and with frequently changing issues. Maybe you can imagine, emotions are high and the atmosphere is busy.
It is not an easy task to lead the meeting and to keep the meeting in time. Sometimes it is very exhausting, sometimes I feel, I am struggling, but in the end, I am always pleased, happy and a bit tired. I believe I can speak on behalf of all attending parties, it is always a very good and effective way to have a good exchange. I am grateful for all the women power and of the wide range of ideas, suggestions and creativity provided by all those different Nations with their own cultural and a political background. National Presidents and Representatives carry their Divisions opinion. They are carrying their Division’s Vote on all Voting issues and make decisions to move our Association forward. All this is required to prepare our Association to do its best for all upcoming challenges the future will bring. Our most important task is to work out a concept in order to attract new countries and new members joining in to WIMA World.
I am happy to announce that our International WIMA Committee is staying together in the same formation and all Ladies are continuing in their WIMA posts for another year. We had re-elections for those WIMA Officers which reached their end of term on their WIMA Committee posts. Namely: the International Presidency, the post of the WIMA International Treasurer, the WIMA International PR Officer`s post and the post of the WIMA International Historian. All office holders declared their availability for another year in their posts and following the vote, all of them have been confirmed in post for another one-year term of office.
In particular, I thank Miss Lili BERNHARD, WIMA International Treasurer, Miss Maura RANIECKA on the post of the WIMA International PR Officer, Miss Pirjo Kivimäki, our WIMA International Historian. Ladies, I thank you for your great efforts in serving WIMA and in serving me during past years. Keep up your good work!
May I use the opportunity at this point to express my deep gratitude being confirmed for another year of holding the International Presidency of WIMA.
Thank you all for your confidence and trust in me and my actions on behalf of WIMA International. I am proud and privileged to serve WIMA being YOUR President.
Also personally, I want to thank YOU, Members of WIMA WORLD out there, so much! Those who know me maybe a bit closer than others might know, how much the WIMA family means to me. I simply say THANK YOU!
We welcomed Miss Sheonagh RAVENSDALE as a guest speaker to our Meeting. She offered her time to talk personally about the WIMA International Charity Project, called Motorcycle Outreach (MoR). I would like to point out, that Sheonagh was International President of WIMA in the years 1997 until 2003.
Thank you, Sho, for all your efforts in this.
And not to forget about to thank all other WIMA Officials on the WIMA Board for fulfilling their duties on acting on their posts during their ongoing term of Office.
Thank you, Åsa ÖHQVIST for accompanying and standing beside me for the second year already and on your position of the Vice President of WIMA. Time flies. You helped me a lot
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WOMEN`S INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
in facing ups and downs and in finding appropriate solutions together or to provide required material for to support a start of a new WIMA Division and in all other upcoming matters during the WIMA year.
I thank Karin WILLLERS for your great efforts doing the job of our Webmanager of WIMA. Working mainly in the background on administrative things for WIMA, your efforts are immediately visible when we are able to enjoy access to and exploring our WIMA International Website. You are always close to all ongoing matters and occasions inside of WIMA and you provide relevant news in due course and close to actuality.
I would like to thank Birgit SCHREMSER. Birgit is acting as our WIMA Merchandise Officer. She is holding and organizing distribution of our WIMA International merchandise as well as organizing the manufacturing of small WIMA International Flags for use of as approved during our AGM in 2016. You will receive those in due course but as soon as possible.
A big thank you goes also to Miss Jahanara SALIHI, Volunteer of WIMA. Jan, you helped me a lot previously with my Report. As I am not a native English speaker, I now and then struggle with my language skills and I am grateful to have your support in proof-reading my Report every year in order to change it into ‘proper English’. You sometimes need to read my mind to understand the meaning of my sentences. I am very lucky to have your support in this. I also would like to point out, that you did some much needed editorial work on several official WIMA documents, such as the List of WIMA Officers Duties to name an example.
Finally, I would like to thank all National Presidents and Representatives in charge who serve WIMA WORLD with carrying their Division`s opinion and providing their Division`s Members Vote in all matters.
Now I would like to resume my annual Report with particular regard to another year of WIMA activity, I am very lucky to have the opportunity to work together with a great WIMA International Committee and WIMA International Government.
I believe we achieved a lot of good things for WIMA WORLD for the WIMA Family during 2016/2017. I can also state, if we continue with this good work, we will achieve many more good years for WIMA.
I am also delighted to see we already have 5 nations aspiring to host WIMA Rallies. This is one more reason to which makes me believe that WIMA is on a good footing for the future.
There is more good news I would like to share with you.
As we have gained two more WIMA Divisions in 2016 -WIMA Bangladesh and WIMA Canada, I am happy and proud to announce at this stage, we could welcome WIMA in India with 1st of June 2017.
This development is worth special mention because it came about as a result of a visit to the Hungary Rally camp site by Mr Rakesh Bisth from India. He was on holiday but finally ended up in helping the Orga-Team. I believe he was just infected by the WIMA spirit.
Additionally, we had good conversations with Miss Bahar Afrahi, Member of WIMA Finland and originally from Iran and Mr Nils Malmros from Denmark, her travel companion.
I spoke a lot with them and asked them to carry their good impressions of the WIMA Rally and the WIMA Family to their home countries.
As my travelling led me to Romania in 2014 it would make me more than happy if we could soon welcome a WIMA Division in Romania. Things are progressing having received a
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WOMEN`S INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
proposal from Women Riders in Romania which will be voted on at the NPs Meeting in Estonia.
I believe it is only a matter of time until we can welcome the 25th WIMA Division – until we can Welcome WIMA ROMANIA!
The first time I was personally and directly involved in establishing a new WIMA Division as International President was with the 17th WIMA Division, WIMA Malaysia.
WIMA WORLD in 2017 now consists of 24 countries.
What else happened during the WIMA year 2016/2017?
During wintertime in the northern hemisphere, in January 2017, I met our International Webmanager, Karin WILLERS. Our goal was to discuss how to improve the WIMA WORLD presence in the virtual world. We talked about how using social media might improve WIMA WORLD. We made several decisions especially regarding our WIMA International Website. Some of those results will be visible shortly.
All in all, I can state, we had a good and constructive meeting.
Beginning of March 2017/early spring I welcomed Nor Zaida YORK, National President of Malaysia to Germany. Uli and I hosted her during her short visit in Munich and Nuremberg. Together with Verena REINDL, National President of WIMA Germany and a few WIMA Members of WIMA Germany, we arranged several trips to touristic highlights in Bavaria, the most southern state of Germany. She was even able to enjoy a short ride out with my second motorbike. I believe over all we were able to arrange a pleasing stay and we provide a good impression of this southern part of Germany.
I am also delighted to announce that in July 2017, with the help of WIMA France Members we were able to find a successor for the WIMA France Presidency. Miss Anne GIRARDINE is taking the role to lead the fortunes of WIMA France. Welcome Anne on board WIMA WORLD!
I also had the pleasure to spend some great times attending several events arranged by WIMA Switzerland. It was so great to meet my friends and spend time with them skiing or riding in Switzerland, France and Germany.
Attending several other women motorcycling events I met up also with WIMA Members from Germany and Austria.
Sometimes, I just enjoy riding alone. Valuable, healthy and necessary!
Please accept my apologies if I have forgotten to mention or highlight people and their efforts in serving and supporting WIMA WORLD.
I am currently on my last preparations to arrange everything for a pleasant stay for my friends Kathy and her husband Al from Australia. They will visit my home during a short stay on their travel to the Rally. We have arranged the purchase of a bike in Germany so that they can ride to the Rally on their own motorcycle.
I would like to thank in advance Miss Anneli PILLE, National President of WIMA Estonia and her team for arranging everything for the International Rally 2017!
I send my warmest regards to all of you attending the Rally and I wish everybody attending a pleasant stay in Estonia! While I can’t be there in person, at least my hometown`s (N- for Nuremberg) registration plate on Kathy`s motorbike will be at the Rally Site in Estonia☺.
I will miss YOU LADIES and I know I am going to miss out on another fabulous event!
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WOMEN`S INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
Celebrate WIMA WORLD and keep the “Spirit” alive!
Thank YOU and CU next year at the International Rally in Finland in 2018! This is a promise!
Sincerely,
YOUR President of WIMA International.
Claudia
CLAUDIA FEHRER International President of WIMA www.wimaworld.com
Photo taken during WIMA Switzerland Ride Out French Jura on 13th of May 2017 & kindly provided and © 2017 by Elsbeth Stuessi
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