Newsmaker: Janine Shoap, President, Keystone Chapter of A.B.A.T.E.

Janine Shoap, president of the Keystone Chapter of A.B.A.T.E., An Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education.

Age:

46

Family:
Husband, Harper

Current town:
Chambersburg
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Profession:
Budget analyst, Borough of Chambersburg
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What is A.B.A.T.E.?

A.B.A.T.E. of Pennsylvania was founded in 1977 in Erie. At that time, it was called A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments.

In 1983, we reorganized to An Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education. Currently, there are 50 chapters located throughout Pennsylvania and about 7,000 members.

The mission statement is ?An Alliance of Bikers dedicated to the protection of the individual rights of motorcyclists through political change, charitable works and public education.?
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Tell us about your involvement in A.B.A.T.E.?

I got involved when I met my husband, Harper, who at that time was a longtime member in the organization.

I?ve now been a member of the Keystone Chapter for 18 years and have been a member of A.B.A.T.E. of Maryland, Washington County Chapter, for 12 years.

I?ve held the position of chapter and district secretary, vice president and I?m now in my third consecutive year as president. As chapter president, I head chapter meetings, oversee all chapter committees, attend district and state board meetings, keep chapter membership informed of A.B.A.T.E. issues and goals, promote the organization and get the membership involved.

Who can join?

If you are 20 or younger, you can join as a junior member for $10 a year. All other memberships are $30 for a single or $50 a couple. You can join for five years at a time or get a lifetime membership.

Upon joining, you receive an A.B.A.T.E. patch and all members receive a monthly newsletter detailing the activities of the chapters and districts and the operation of A.B.A.T.E. After your first year, you receive a pin for every year.

Both men and women serve as officers in various positions of A.B.A.T.E. leadership.

You can join online at abatepa.org or come to one of our chapter meetings which are usually held the first Sunday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Keystone Chapter Meeting House located behind the Mountain House Restaurant and Bar on U.S. 30 west on Tuscarora Summit between Fort Loudon and McConnellsburg.

Our meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome. You don?t need to own a motorcycle to join. Anyone who is interested in motorcycling and the future of motorcycling is encouraged to join and get involved.

What are some of the activities of the organization?

A.B.A.T.E. of PA holds a leadership and legislative seminar every year which is attended by many motorcycle rights organizations from around the country and government officials representing state and federal agencies. A.B.A.T.E. also holds a motorcycle rights rally every May at the state capitol.

May is declared as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month by the governor of Pennsylvania. The Franklin County Commissioners present a proclamation to Keystone Chapter and our other local chapter in Franklin County, Monterey Pass, (meets at Blondie?s in Rouzerville at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month) declaring May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.
We support the Readshaw Raiders ride held in September, which Rep. Harry Readshaw originated to raise money for the monuments in Gettysburg and the Daniel Lady Farm.

Keystone Chapter?s main charity event is our Christmas in July where we raise money to send abused or neglected children to the Royal Family Kids camp.

We also have a ride around Christmas time to deliver fruit and cookies to the residents of Falling Spring Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. We also hold fundraisers to support BikePAC (Political Action Committee).

What are some of the highlights of your membership in A.B.A.T.E.?

Meeting U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, joining the late Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker-Knoll in her office, speaking at the capitol for the Rights Rally and lobbying at the state capitol.

I like being a member of the organization because it gives me the sense that I?m making a difference in the motorcycling community.

I have also met some wonderful people and made many new friends in my 18 years with A.B.A.T.E.

What is your biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge I have is finding the time to attend other chapters? activities. A challenge for our chapter is retaining our membership.

What do you like to do in you free time?

I like to ride my 1984 H-D Lowrider.

For more? information, call 731-8955 or visit:
abatepa.org

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Call 762-2151 or send their name and contact information to:
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