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<p class=MsoNormalCxSpFirst><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle>Ladies and Gentlemen,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle>A little something new has been added to the
calendar site. Clicking on the button under the calendar itself that says
“Mission Guidelines” will bring you to some items that may look
familiar to you. Previously under this button were mission protocols that
are used by S.E. Texas. Those really didn’t fit for us. Our own
mission guidelines are now there for everybody to take a look at. There
are things there for the new rider and the experienced rider as well. There
are items there intended to clarify things and items there taken from the
United States Flag Code that we can use to make sure we’re doing things
in the recommended ways.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle>Most everything written there will look familiar
to most of you. This is not a bunch of rules that have been made up to
make anybody feel fenced in. Mostly it’s stuff we already do, but
now it’s written down so it can be easily referenced by all of us,
especially new riders, riders transferring in, riders who can’t make a
lot of missions and would like a little refresher, etc. Some are things
we used to do but might have gotten away from and now we’re hoping to
slide back into doing again.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle>Lots of folks had a hand in putting this
together. Once I got the main themes going I asked Bill Holcomb and
George Raglin for input, suggestions and editing. After that, it went to
all of the Ride Captains for their input, suggestions and editing.
Everyone who had a hand in this realizes than any time you put something down
on paper and ask people to go along with it, it’s serious business.
At the same time we all realize, just like you do, that every mission has its
own personality and its own special situations. But for the most part we’re
going to try and stick to our mission guidelines. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle>Please note, however, that the Ride Captain in
charge of a particular mission has final say on everything. That is the
person in charge and everyone who has ever been on a mission knows the reason
why. Their job is very difficult and there is way more to it than meets
the eye. Just try talking to a widow on the telephone one night after her
husband passed away that day or the day before, or look into that widow’s
eyes while presenting her a plaque…her looking into your eyes waiting for
you to say just the right thing to comfort her and make things all better..and
you wanting to comfort her but just not having the words…and everyone
standing there looking right at you, and you get a small taste of just a couple
of the things they have to do to make a mission successful.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle>The Ride Captains have my support and they have
the support of the State Captain.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle>And each and every one of the riders have, and
will continue to have my support and admiration. If there is something in
these guidelines that is a deal breaker for you and will prevent you from
participating with the PGR please let me know. Shoot me an e-mail or see
me at a mission. We’ll talk about it. If you disagree with something
small, like the suggestion to keep a copy of the final itinerary with you on
the day of the mission in case you get lost, or are late or something like
that, you don’t need to contact me unless you really want to. Feel
free to not carry one with you and it can be your little secret. After
all, it’s just a suggestion based on that happening to some folks a time
or twelve. OK?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle>For those who haven’t had a chance to
explore the calendar site at <a href="http://www.txpgr.org">www.txpgr.org</a>
yet, this will be a good chance while you’re looking at the guidelines.
Feel free to look around and see what’s there. Please look at the
pictures. There are LOTS of them and you may see yourself. Our own
Harold Tranter is an excellent web-bubba and I know you’ll admire his
work. I sure do.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle>The guidelines aren’t expected to cover
everything. They never could and there has been no attempt to. They
cover some basics and answer some persistent questions. Whenever there is
a question on anything having to do with a mission you’re on, the Ride
Captain has the answers, knows what to do and makes the decisions. They
are all knowing, all powerful and can make miracles happen with a moment’s
notice. All kidding aside, we have a great group of people as Ride
Captains and I trust them all. In the unlikely event there’s a foul
up of some kind I’m sure I’ll hear about it and we’ll figure
out what to do from there and move on.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle>We all hope you’ll find the guidelines
useful and accept their publication in the spirit in which they were
intended. We’re a big family in North Texas. (Insert your
favorite dysfunctional family joke here.) We’re also a team.
We have a goal. We have a mission. North Texas does that mission as
well or better than anyone in the nation. We are constantly striving to
improve. This should help. We hope it does.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle>I hope everyone is having a great holiday season.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle>Thank you all very, very much for all you have
done and continue to do.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle>Steve Lucas<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle>Deputy State Captain<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpLast>North Texas PGR<o:p></o:p></p>
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