By the time you read this, the Southern Thunder Rally will be history. So, how did it go? As I write this – I don’t know. But, in an organization like this it is important to remember that success is measured a lot of different ways. That being said, I can already state that this has been an unqualified success.

How can I say that without even knowing what the weather will be like and if anyone showed up? Well, the simple fact is that we have gained so much simply by going through this process of setting up this first big statewide motorcycle rights events. Even if we don’t make a single dollar on this event, what we have gained has been invaluable. We have people stepping up and going above and beyond the call. Actually, we have some people so emotionally invested in this I worry a little about them. I know how much I personally invest in this organization in time, money, effort, wear and tear on vehicles, personal sacrifice and stress. I do it with my eyes open. When others do it I feel both proud and scared. I’m proud that others also see the need to fight this hard to regain and protect liberty. That is what this ultimately comes down to, doesn’t it?

But, I’m also scared for others - of burnout, feelings of being unappreciated and miscommunications. With so many people contributing and offering so much, it is easy for personal feelings to get in the way. An errant word, a misguided joke, a misconstrued comment – and things begin to go sour. Have we had those moments in this effort? You bet. But we also have some very professional and dedicated people. What we lack in experience we have more than made up for in effort, commitment and the shear desire to get past that next hurdle. And, we are gaining the experience – quickly.

There have been incorrect estimates and contentious moments and finger pointing. Heck that sounds like one of my typical family gatherings. But for something of this size for a first year effort – this has been amazing. There has also been astonishing problem solving, ingenious solutions and gut level leaps of faith. Once again, those proud feelings come back.

In all of this is also the law of unintended consequences. I have been sleepless at times during the last few weeks wondering what it is we haven’t accounted for, what ‘T’ isn’t crossed and what ‘i’ isn’t dotted? Will this threaten the viability of this organization? Believe me, the organizers of this event are sick and tired of me asking that question.

And, just as promised, we have done all of this without touching any general funds. We have used OPM – other people’s money. We raised sponsorships and sold, sold, sold the idea to others for their investment in both us and the event. Once again, is this scary? You bet. Because if we don’t deliver we poison the waters for next year and make our job even harder. But, I am confident that we are delivering value to the sponsors and the vendors who are taking a chance on us. I look at the successes of other states and how many thousands of bikers they get every year at their ‘liberty’ weekends. Those sponsors and vendors who started with them and helped them grow have been paid back time and again through the loyalty and relationship of the bikers within those states. And that will happen here as well.

So, has the Southern Thunder Rally been a success? Yes, without question. We learned so much. We found talents within the organization that we didn’t know we had. We can see the desire to make things better in Tennessee for all motorcyclists. We have built relationships with sponsors and others dedicated to liberty. We have grown and problem solved and taken that next step to being bigger, better and more effective. We have found leaders and ‘doers’. To them I offer a sincere and heartfelt Thank You from the entire organization. It’s not enough to make up for the lost work, family time, expenses and aggravation. A thank you will never be enough. Hopefully the liberty you help to regain will be a sufficient reward.

Until later, remember to do you Wiring Harness Preventive Maintenance,

Steve