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 Happy new year! Every fresh season brings with it the excitement and anticipation of new riding adventures waiting to be discovered. This year is no different. If anything, it feels extra special for a few reasons. Let me begin by welcoming all new and returning H.O.G. officers to the first H.O.G. Officer Connection newsletter of 2023.

This year we are celebrating Harley-Davidson’s 120th Anniversary and the 40th Anniversary of the Harley Owners Group, along with the 100th anniversary of the Laconia rally in New Hampshire, one of the “big three” rallies in the United States. Major milestones like these bring people together to create a bountiful harvest of indelible memories that will last a lifetime. I hope you are as eager and excited as I am about the year ahead.

Earlier this week we made some major announcements about entertainment for the Harley-Davidson Homecoming in July and the special edition motorcycles that will be available to celebrate the company’s 120th Anniversary. I won’t spoil it for you if you haven’t seen the news yet, so head on over to h-d.com for all the details.

This year will be a very busy and fun one for the H.O.G. team. We kicked it off earlier this month with the first of 21 Regional Officer Connection training sessions we are hosting around the country. Whether you are a new chapter officer or an experienced veteran, attending ROC is a great way to kick off your own riding season. I promise you will leave with new ideas for running your chapter and fresh enthusiasm for your role. If you haven’t already attended one or reserved a spot in an upcoming session, I encourage you to do so. You can register here.

One of the topics we discuss at ROC is the power and importance of H.O.G.’s Ride 365 program as a tool to encourage more members to ride more often. Ride 365 recognizes members who achieve mileage goals and complete riding challenges, but it’s more than simply a rewards program. It’s also a way to engage in shared experiences, solo and collectively, to share the bond of riding with a larger community and to participate in something bigger than yourself. This year, I encourage you to think about creative ways you can use Ride 365 to plan rides for your chapter and encourage your members to spend more time in the saddle.

Usually, I end this with a reminder to make sure your members get their mileage readings taken, but this month I’ll also throw in a reminder to make sure to have your members sign a new annual waiver and release form. This must be done every year after January 1! As always, thanks for everything you do to make the Harley Owners Group the biggest and best riding club in the world, and I hope to see you on the road soon.