(Letter from David Swider)

My friends,

This past Monday, Tina was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  While I was less than pleased with my ability to provide adequate leadership the last few months, the effort that will be required of me in the immediate future will rule out any ability to effectively participate in the board.   To that end, I am tendering my resignation as President of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America. 

I have been fortunate to have worked with a variety of boards and met a great number of our fellow members.  For that opportunity, I will be eternally grateful.  I have been humbled by the grace and thoughtfulness exhibited by all I have encountered, even the most prickly.  Strong feelings about our club bring strong desires to make the club better.   When I arrived on the board, my intentions were to try and institute a clearer understanding of what the board's role should be, as well as focus on fashioning a clear value proposition to drive membership.  I believe that we have accomplished both those goals.  We now have a board that is devoted to discussing strategy on a continuous basis.  Discussions revolve around how to deliver maximum benefit to members and, more recently, our chartered clubs.  We have a board that is aware of the past and is hard at work leveraging those traditions and knowledge to create new and exciting opportunities.  I truly feel that this board is the most effective, active and astute board I've had the pleasure to work with.    I've served a bit longer than I originally anticipated; I only wanted to serve one term and then leave. I feel that the goals I set out to accomplish are now reality, which makes stepping down less difficult. 

Greg has clearly shown his ability to lead in my absence and will, under the bylaws, assume the presidency effective immediately.  We have active and effective committees that are making things happen.  We have a majority of excellence on the board.  Ray's team seems to be getting what they need to serve the membership.  Our media outlet is second to none.  We are, by virtually all measures, a vastly improved organization compared to a few years ago.  I have every confidence that this trend will continue.  Even after next year's election, I believe that the tone of the board will continue as is: thoughtful, collegial and proactive.  

And so it's time for the next iteration of the MOA board to get to work.  I wish you all successes and thank you for supporting not only me, but each other and the membership, in the time I have had the good fortune to work with you.

Kindest regards,   Dave