Quote from Spencer Bennett on February 15, 2026, 2:04 pm

BMW RAMS February Meeting Minutes

February 14, 2026

14 RAMS and 5 bikes were present.

 

Call to Order:

Meeting was called to order at 11:15 AM by President Herb Anderson at the Edge Motor Museum Private Meeting Room, 645 Marshall Ave., Memphis, TN.

1. We have no new members for this month.
2. We have 41 returning members for 2026. (2026 Dues Paid)
3. We had no guests this month.
4. Thanks to meeting host: Herb Anderson.  Special thanks to Paul Whitworth for suggesting the meeting place and to Herb for setting up the meeting and the private tour of the museum.  A very special thanks goes out to Richard Vining of the Edge Motor Museum and the staff of the Edge Motor Museum for the informative and interesting tour of this very interesting collection of automobiles as well as the interesting history of the building that houses the collection.

 

Old Business:

1. The Wilderness Rally was discussed at length with the following items being resolved:

• Sam Cox has agreed to be the contact person for the Wilderness Rally.
• We will be going back to the original format of the Wilderness Rally with each camper responsible for their own coffee, meals, and campsite.  it was suggested that some campers arrive on Thursday, May 7, 2026 to claim some of the campsites that are "first come, first served" as this area works well for this rally.
• Herb Anderson indicated that he might arrive on Thursday and encouraged others to do so as well.  The "first come, first served" sites are a bit small for larger RVs but the sites that can be reserved will accommodate most RVs.
• Butch Turner gave some interesting history about the Wilderness Rally.  It is held near Marshall, AR.  The land where the original rally was held was owned by a farmer named Marshall who  would move his cows off the site so the rally could be held. Bill Wilkins organized the original rally and this will be the 50th year.

 

2.    Frank Brunetti has agreed to bring the additional RAMS Chairs to the MOA Natioanal Rally in Essex, VT this year.

3. The chartered club camping site and shelter tent reservations have been made and paid for per the approval vote at the January Meeting.

20 X 20 Shelter Tent = $288.00

6 ft Table                     = $ 59.00

Chairs (6 @ $12 ea)   = $ 72.00

Total                             = $419.00

4.  The Payment has been made for the RAMS Fall Campout at Paris Landing State Park, Buchannan, TN September 25-27, 2026

5. If you would like a RAMS patch, sticker, or business cards please see Spencer.

6.  If you need to update your Directory picture please see Rosey or Spencer Bennett.

 

New Business:

1. Herb took this time to present Greg Lie Van with a vey nice Plaque honoring him for his 5 years service as RAMS President.  The Plaque was designed and produced by RAMS Member Bruce Ottway.

 

VP Corner:

1. George Brewton opened a discussion about growing our social media more to help increase membership and a number of ideas were suggested.  Mary Clark Volunteered to set up an Instagram Account for the RAMS.  Steve Clark will see if Performance Plus will allow us to hang some sort of Club Information at the Dealership.  It was also put forth that we get the current RAMS Business cards reprinted with a QR code to direct people to our web site.

 

 

Potential RAMS Activities: (Currently scheduled):

Daytona Bike Week

February 27 - March 8, 2026

1801 West International Speedway Blvd.

Daytona Beach, FL 32114

This is the 50th anniversary of the R90S winning at Daytona so MOA is having a Celebration/Rally combination March 6 & 7, 2026.  Sounds like a fun couple of days.

Link for more information:  https://bmwmoa.org/event/daytona-50th-anniversary-celebration-for-bmws-ama-superbike-wins

Jimmie Smith, who is our Regional MOA Rep., may have some information on this as well.  See your directory for his contact information.

 

Doo-Dah Sidecar Rally and Tax Revolt

April 10-12, 2026

Village Creek State Park

Wynne, AR

This year the featured ingredient for the Saturday night communal dinner will be sweet potatoes done any way you may like!

 

Georgia Mountain Rally

May 1-3, 2026

Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds

Hiawassee, GA.

 

Wilderness Rally

May 8-10, 2026

Buffalo Point Campground

Highway 268 E.

Yellville, AR 72687

Reserve your own campsite if you are coming.  See Sam Cox for details. (samjcox79@gmail.com)

 

 

European Riders Rally

May 14-17, 2026

Veterans Memorial Park

Burkesville, KY

 

MOA National Rally

June 11-13, 2026

Champlain Valley Expo Center

Essex Junction, VT

 

BMW Riders Association National Rally

June 18-21, 2026

Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds

225 Edward Street

Chippewa Falls, WI 54729

 

RAMS Fall Campout

September 25-28, 2026

Paris Landing State Park

Buchanan, TN

 

 

 

For the Good of the Club:

1. Check RAMS Website for other Club's Rally Schedules. Please follow up on each events’ websites as some may be rescheduled or canceled.
2. 2026 Dues are $25.00 and were due on January 1, 2026.  They may be paid either by Cash or Check to the Secretary/Treasurer or via PayPal or Credit Card on the RAMS Website.
3. Meeting Hosts and Locations for 2026:

March - Sam Cox & George Brewton

April - Spencer & Rose-Anne Bennett at the Doo-Dah Sidecar Rally, Village Creek State Park, Wynne, AR.

May - Wilderness Rally

June - MOA National Rally (Vermont)

July - Herb & Reno Anderson

August -

September - Steve & Donna Clark

October - RAMS Fall Campout at Paris Landing State Park (Sept. 26, 2026)

November - Paul Rhodes

December - Haavi Morriem

4. If you have an item you would like to see on the next meeting agenda, please get it to the Secretary by the Wednesday prior to the meeting and it will be added to the next meeting agenda. This is not required for an item to be discussed, but it will make sure it gets in the mix. Send the information to:  officers@bmwrams.com

 

 

     5. RAMS March Meeting will be Saturday, March 14, 2026 :

Our March 14 meeting will be held at:

The home of George Brewton and Sam Cox

2176 Tompkins Lane

Millington, TN

Tel: 901-237-5380

Lunch Entre will be provided by the RAMS.  Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.  Contact George or Sam to see what they need you to bring.

Lunch at 1200 - MEETING TO FOLLOW!

 

 

Treasurers Report:

1. Balance in Bank plus petty cash = $3626.73
2. Petty Cash = $50.00
3. Expenses for this month:

Dreamhost = $62.97

MOA National Shelter Tent = $419.00

RAMS Fall Campout at Paris Landing = $381.24

 

Move to adjourn: Greg LieVan

Vote: Unanimous

 

A few pictures from the EDGE Auto Museum and Meeting: