Former long-time AMA President Ed Youngbloodsentthis letter recently resigning his post with the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Here it is, in its entirety:
December 11, 2007
Mr. Don Rosene
Chairman, Motorcycle Hall of Fame Committee
400 West Potter Drive
Anchorage, AK 99518
Dear Don,
On December 7, 2007, two of the hardest-working, best, and most loyal employees the American Motorcyclist Association has ever had were fired and escorted out of the building like criminals. One had served 25 years and the other 28. Never mind that the employees in question have been key to driving membership, magazine circulation, and magazine revenue to all-time highs. Never mind that they were utterly loyal to the Association and served it well, even during the period of confusion and instability it has experienced in recent years. Beyond this cruel incident, it is my belief that the current leadership of the Association has established a reign of terror over the professional staff as a whole.
In my opinion, the current regime is monstrous, and I am simply dumbfounded that the AMA Board of Directors seems tolerant of this style of management, if not complicit. It has caused me great pain to watch the deterioration of the AMA, but I expect my unhappiness is nothing compared to that of the employees, volunteers, and supporters who have been directly affected by it. There is very little I can do about this situation except cease to be a party to it in any direct or indirect way.
For this reason, it is with deep sadness that I resign my position as Chairman of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Ambassadors and Promoters Committee, and my membership on the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Pioneers Committee. Furthermore, with the firm belief that the current AMA leadership will apply any resources provided it toward the destruction of the Association, and eventually the destruction of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, I will make no further financial or in-kind contributions until a more caring, conscientious, and responsible leadership is established at the levels of both the administration and the Board of Directors of the AMA.
Sincerely,
Ed Youngblood
Past President, AMA
Member, Motorcycle Hall of Fame

 

It would be nice to know the AMA's reason for letting both of these people go.This months AMA magazines column by Bill Woods was based on longevity of AMA employees serving the membership.As a Charter Life member of AMA,I find it ironic and wonder if the employees referred too in the column were the ones let go?

 

I'm a racer anda 23 year AMA member, 2 years away from being an earned charter life member.
IF you race off road you have to be an AMA member to compete so here I am.
Being an on road rider I see the things the AMA brings to light and hope that they continue to do so.

The cleaning house seems a bit drastic, everyone has seen this type of strategy in their life in some way or form.....does it always work for the better? sometimes yes.....sometimes no.

These days loyalty and how well you do your job means absolutely squat.........and you wonder why people go postal....

Im just wondering how many of you out there in HD land are members or really give a rats exhaust port about the AMA.
This subject is all over the off road forums.

FTW

 

I'm a charter life member myself, but, I'm going to wait for the rest of the story before I draw any conclusions. There could be good a reason for their action. jmo

 

Sometimes in politics, business and in private life, people wear out their welcome. The reasons for the departure of those dumped have not been revealed . I'm waiting.

 

Between this and off-topic, I'm still waiting to find out which 2 employees. Anyone know?

 

Greg Harrison, senior vice president of membership and marketing, and Bill Wood, senior director of communications.

 

Thanks for the info, I know them both. I had a gut feeling of Greg, but I thought of someone different than Bill as the second. Just got the mag last night, I guess I'll have to read it more thorough than usual.

 

Aresponseformer AMA prez Ed Youngblood.

http://www.motohistory.net/news.html

 

I wonder if Dingman has thought about what his actions will do to the incoming membership funds.I know if I was still paying dues,they are waived after 25 yrs,I would probably drop my membership in the AMA and donate the money to the Motorcyle Museum.