Pictured L to R is the 2008 Iowa District Staff:  Keith & Sharon Koger (Treasurer);  Char & Kenton Cole (MEC/PR); Joe & Judy Pirillo (Sr. Rider Educators); Randy & Jane Lewis (MAD Coordinators); Duane & Sondra Rippel (District Directors);  Trish Russell (Assistant District Director); Mike & Linda Huppenbauer (Assistant District Director); Denis & Sue Tasker (District Trainers). (****The Kogers, pictured on the far left are the only Iowa District Staff Members that are not Level IV.)

The Iowa District is taking a proactive approach to riding safe and motorcycle safety.  Duane and Sondra Rippel, the Iowa District Directors, truly believe in leading by example when itcomes to Rider Education.  The Rippels have selected a staff that are not only committed to GWRRA but also committed to Rider Education. All of the Iowa District Staff are Level IV Master Tour Riders. The Rippels have selected a District Educator that they believe is second to none.  Joe and Judy Pirillo were selected as the Rider Educators of the Year at Wing Ding XXVIII in Nashville, Tennessee.  Anyone that knows Joe and Judy know that Rider Education and motorcycle safety are very important to them.  They are proactive in getting the word out about motorcycle safety by working with the Iowa legislature. 

The entire Iowa District has become involved in promoting Motorcycle Safety and Awareness.  In 2004, windshield signs were designed and provided for all the Chapters in Iowa.  These signs were displayed on the windshields of our motorcycles when parked; some even displayed these windshield signs on the windows of their other vehicles.  Several Iowa Chapters went to rest areas and washed vehicle windshields to help make the general public more aware of sharing the road with motorcycles.  During the Iowa Governor’s First Annual Motorcycle Forum, Joe assisted with the design, implementation and distribution of the brochure entitled “Share the Road”.  Also Chapter I Educator, Gene Holmes, made the statement “Take a Second Look –I Might Be There” during a television interview to promote the Chapter I Mall Show.  This slogan was put on a cap for all to display.

During 2005, several Iowa Chapters approached their mayors and requested they sign a proclamation recognizing May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness month. The Iowa Governor, Tom Vilsack, also signed the proclamation.  Iowa GWRRA Members continued to promote Motorcycle Safety and Awareness by giving interviews to several newspapers, radio stations and TV stations.  Joe and Judy also designed zipper pulls promoting Rider Education using the catch phrase “Pull for Rider Education”.  This year saw the First Annual Iowa District Safety Weekend.  This weekend provided an opportunity for GWRRA Members to learn safe riding tips for their two and three- wheeled motorcycles.

The year 2006 was a banner year for the Iowa District and the promotion of Motorcycle Safety and Awareness.  The windshield signs were utilized again proclaiming May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.  During the Motorcycle Safety Forum, GWRRA of Iowa had a display table including a computer slide show of various events pertaining to Motorcycle Awareness that had been prepared by Clara & Fred Boldt (they were the Iowa District MEC/PR Coordinators and are now MED Administrative Assistants).  A scrapbook was on display showing pictures from the various proclamations and signings along with literature on the Rider Education Program and Motorist Awareness Division.  Joe lobbied for legislation making it mandatory that Motorcycle Awareness be taught as part of the Driver Education program in the State of Iowa.  Once again the Iowa Governor signed a proclamation declaring “May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month” in the State of Iowa.  In addition, this year a Joint Resolution was solicited introduced and signed from the Iowa Senate and the Iowa House of Representatives.  A media blitz was conducted throughout the Iowa District.  There were 1,951,680 potential listeners, viewers and readers that were reached by our Motorcycle Safety messages in May of 2006 in the Iowa District.

From 2004-2008, many Chapters in the Iowa District have participated in parades, light parades for nursing home residents, assisted living motorcycle shows, held poker runs for various charities, conducted Mall Shows, garage sales, bake sales and many other local events and community service projects to help educate and inform the driving public that motorcyclists share the highways with them.
           
The Rippels are very proud that the Pirillos not only reach out to GWRRA Members in Iowa but to all motorcycle enthusiasts nationwide.   They are truly an excellent example of ‘lead by example’ leaders.  When you take a look at the Iowa District, we are proud of the path that our District Directors have chosen.  It is obvious their vision is to promote safety through Rider Education.

The 2008 Iowa District Staff achieving Level IV Master Tour Riders are:  Iowa District Directors, Duane (#5619) and Sondra (#5618) Rippel; Assistant District Directors, Mike (#5767) and Linda (#5766) Huppenbauer; Assistant District Director, Trish (#6169) Russell; Senior Rider Educators, Joe (#5524)and Judy (#5523) Pirillo; District Motorist Awareness Division Coordinators, Randy (#6262) and Jane Lewis (#6261);   Membership Enhancement/Public Relations Coordinators, Char (#5764) and Kenton (#5765); District Trainers, Denis (#6311) and Sue (#6310) Tasker.

 By Char & Kenton Cole
Iowa District MEC/PR Coordinators