Twenty-five year old Shreveport Harley Owner's Group to disband

Shreveport Harley Owner's Group

Sue O'Neal

 

Related articles

Customer reactions to Shreveport Harley-Davidson closing

Closing of Shreveport Harley-Davidson dealership leaves unanswered questions

Shreveport Harley-Davidson dealership will close its doors

Heads are still reeling and members are still in disbelief, but the announcement that Shreveport Harley-Davidson will close their doors and consolidate at the Bossier City location means that the Harley Owner's Group (H.O.G.) will disband.  The group has been in existence since 1985 and is one of the largest and most active in the state.  They are well known in the community as an active group that also impacts charitable organizations through their donations.  The chapter regularly contributes to Indoor Sports for handicapped individuals, CASA which provides legal advocates for abused children, the Shriner's Children's Hospital, Cara Center and Christus Schumpert which supports treatment of children who have experienced child abuse.  Among other charities, they also contribute to local fire fighters through participation in the annual Burn Run which provides funding for children to attend summer camp at Camp I'm Still Me and burn victims through participation in the annual BOO Run.   The Shreveport H.O.G. chapter contributions are important to the community, and disbanding of the club could certainly have an impact on these programs.

An option exists, however, for members to continue their contributions and join the Bossier City H.O.G. chapter which is associated with the Bossier City Harley-Davidson.  On Saturday, at what could be one of the last meetings of the Shreveport Harley Owner's Group, Bossier City H.O.G. chapter director, Dennis Guilliams, will be on hand to provide information about the group and assist members in joining.  It is likely that member dues will be refunded by the Shreveport Chapter which can then easily be used to transfer membership to Bossier City.  Wade Culbertson, co-owner of Shreveport Harley-Davidson will speak to the group about the decision to close the Shreveport location, what he foresees for the future, and his continued support of his customers and members of the H.O.G. chapter, whom he recognizes are some of his best customers.  Cathy Culbertson, Wade's wife, told me that "this is a positive thing; we'll get back to basics and have fun events and parties.   This was a difficult decision, but one that had to be made.  It, however, is not a bad thing.  It's a positive thing.  We'll be better able to serve our customers in one location. "

Many Shreveport and Bossier members have different interests and therefore, have gravitated to the club that most suits their needs.  This will be one of the most difficult parts of the consolidation, as they no longer have a choice between the two.  The Bossier chapter is relatively small and may be expanded to three or even four times their current size.  The transition from a small club to a large club in a matter of weeks will be challenging, but doable.  Some Shreveport members fear they will be unwelcome and will have to acquiesce to the desires of the Bossier membership.  Some Bossier members feel that the Shreveport chapter will come in and take over.  The initial consolidation may be rocky, but members can rest assured that the officers of the Bossier group and the owners of the dealership will do everything in their power to make the transition smooth and easy and to welcome the Shreveport members into the chapter.  This is an opportunity for the Shreveport chapter to integrate with Bossier and become one larger chapter, and continue to do the work in the community and to complete their mission of "ride and have fun".

Ron Delaney, director of the Shreveport Chapter will chair the monthly general membership meeting Saturday at 10 am at the Shreveport location.  This is one meeting members will not want to miss.

Scroll down to see a slide show of some of the Shreveport member events and rides.

Subscribe to get all Mary's updates!

Add Mary to your Examiner favorites.