Star Touring & Riding Association

 

Houston, TX – Chapter 221

 

 

We are the Houston, TX Chapter of Houston, TX.  Our Chapter is a fully licensed charter of the “Star Touring and Riding Association.”  Our Chapter was formed on February 2, 2002 and received its Charter #221 on March 13, 2002.

 

 

The Houston, TX Chapter of Star meets at 7:00PM, on the first Thursday of each month at Frank's 7:00pm 3702 Spencer Highway Pasadena, TX. Our Chapter rides are on the Sunday following the Chapter Meeting and on the second to the last Saturday of each month.  All Chapter rides are fair weather rides. Each ride will be pre-ridden by an authorized Chapter Representative. This entails route planning, gas, meal and destination stops. We are a family organization and all events are structured for family involvement and safety.

 

We take great pride in our Chapter’s safety record. All rides are structured around safe riding practices and continued rider education.

 

To obtain further information about our Chapter and membership, contact:

 

           

                  Larry Aubin                                                     Marc Finley

Chapter President                                   Chapter Vice President

                281-487-4679                                              281-484-4467

        Larry Aubin                                                    Marc Finley

 

 

                                

                                Charter Rules & Regulations

 

             *Our rules and regulations are enforced for YOUR safety*

 

  1. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is forbidden.

 

  1. All driving laws will be strictly adhered to.

 

  1. All Chapter members must hold a current membership in the Star Touring & Riding Association.  Expired memberships, unbecoming conduct, or a violation of any Charter agreement is cause for removal from the Chapter.

 

Star Touring & Riding is a Family organization.  Your significant other and children (up to 4 children/grandchildren) may also join at no additional cost to you.

 

 

                       Star Touring & Riding Association

Houston, TX – Chapter 221

 

 

 

Chapter Member’s Application Process

 

1.                  All applicants to the Chapter shall be furnished with a STAR Touring & Riding Association membership form, Chapter Application Form and a Ride Waiver Form.

 

 

 

2.                  The Chapter Application and/or Ride Waiver must be completed and turned in to a Chapter Representative before the applicant may be allowed to participate in any Chapter events.

 

 

3.                  The applicant must join the Chapter and the Star Touring & Riding Association prior to his/her fourth Chapter event.

 

 

 

4.                  The applicant will be paired off with a seasoned member (Shepherd) on every ride until he/she officially joins the chapter and his/her riding ability has been determined to be safe.

 

 

 

5.                  All Chapter members must hold a current membership in the Star Touring & Riding Association. Expired memberships, unbecoming conduct, or a violation of any Charter agreement is cause for removal from the Chapter. (This is a mandatory Charter requirement)

 

 

 

6.                  All Chapter Applicants and Members must have a current motorcycle license and insurance prior to participating in any Chapter ride events.  Motorcycles will be visually checked for current tags, inspection and over all mechanical safety.

 

 

 

Star Touring & Riding Association

Houston, TX – Chapter 221

Patch Guidelines

 

 

The Star Touring & Riding Association is a proud organization, steeped in tradition, camaraderie, and family values.  Many of our members have elected to show their pride in membership by wearing the National Association colors (back patch and rockers).  In order to establish a sense of uniformity, the Star Touring & Riding Association has established the following guidelines for wearing of patches.

 

 

The patches may be sewn on your jacket however the most popular choice has been to sew the patches on a black leather vest.  The styles of vest may vary, but the most commonly used are unadorned by fringe, Conchos or additional coloring.

 

 

The large Star Touring & Riding patch is to be sewn on the back of the vest, centered, leaving enough room for the chapter rocker (approximately two inches tall).

 

 

The Chapter Rocker patch will be sewn directly beneath the large back patch. There must not be any gap between the large back patch and the chapter rocker.  When done properly, the two patches will take on the appearance of one rocker.

 

 

The small arm patch should be sewn on the front of the vest over the left breast.  Small rockers denoting your position within the Chapter (President, etc.) or bike names will be sewn under the small arm patch.  Again, care must be taken to prevent gapping between patches.

 

 

No patch will be placed or manufactured to fit above the Star Touring & Riding Association logo.  Star Touring & Riding manufactures wings that may be sewn above and/or below the large back patch.  No other club patches may be worn on the Chapter vest without prior approval from STAR International.

 

The right side of the vest front may be used for the attachment of ride pens.

 

The following is a list of “official titles” used within the STAR Touring & Riding Association.  All Chapters (old and new) must comply with their usage.  There will be no exceptions.

 

 

CHAPTER PRESIDENT                                     CHAPTER VP

CHAPTER SEC                                                 TAILGUNNER

CHAPTER TREAS                                             SERGEANT AT ARMS

CHAPTER WEBMASTER                                   ROAD CAPTAIN

LOS REPRESENTATIVE                                    SHEPHERD

STAR VETS REP                                              AREA COORDINATOR

 

And the “Official/Unofficial” rocker                        CHAPLAIN

 

Should you have any additional questions, please contact your Chapter President.

Larry Aubin

Chapter President

281-487-4679

Larry Aubin

 

 

 

 

Star Touring & Riding Association

Houston, TX – Chapter 221

 

Chapter Membership Application

(Please Print)

 

 

 

Applicant Name: 

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

                                    (Last Name)                  (First Name)                              (Middle Int.)

 

Spouse Name: _____________________________________

 

STAR Member Expiration Date: __________

 

Address__________________________________________City/ST:__________Zip: ________

 

 

Phone#________________________________Cell/Other_______________________________

 

Spouse

Phone#________________________________Cell/Other_______________________________

 

 

E-Mail address: ___________________________________

 

E-Mail address: ___________________________________

 

 

Include in Chapter Phone Listing  [Yes]    [No]

 

Include in Chapter Email Listing  [Yes]    [No]

 

Is your spouse interested in joining LOS (Ladies of the Star)?   [Yes]     [No]

 

Are your children/grandchildren interested in joining Star Kids?    [Yes]    [No]  or

 

Star Teens? [Yes]     [No]

 

 

Member Signature________________________________________Date______________

 

 

LOS Member/SpouseSignature___________________________Date_________________

 

 

Star Touring & Riding Association

Houston, TX – Chapter 221

Officers and other representatives

 

 

LADIES OF THE STAR

 

Ladies of the Star (LOS) was founded in 1997.  Our purpose is to unite women motorcyclists within the STAR Association.  LOS is dedicated to promoting the camaraderie of all women.  It is also important to us to promote a positive image of women riders, and to help and encourage more women to become a part of this fulfilling sport.  Women are not required to own a motorcycle, only that you love the sport.

Upon becoming a member of LOS, you can experience the fun and excitement of riding in a group: supporting each other, socializing, sharing adventures, and helping your local Chapter.  All this is available while projection a positive image of motorcycling to other motorcyclists and the general public.

 

LOS members have their own Web Site section and a section in the Star News.  They also have separate events in Star Days and the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with other female motorcyclists. Should you have any further questions regarding LOS, please contact your local Chapter LOS Representative.

 

Patti Fuller

Houston, TX – Chapter 221

LOS Representative

webmasterstar221@hotmail.com

 

Star Kids/Star Teens

 

Star Kids was founded in March 2000.  Star Teens soon followed as our efforts to educate the next generation in motorcycle safety became apparent.  This encourages safety training, judgment training, and positive behavior for our children and teens.  Star Kids and Star Teens can attend special events at Star Days, and have their own section of our Web Site.

 

Star members can enroll their children or grandchildren into the Star Kids (up to age 12) or Star Teens (age 13-17).  Enrollment up to four (4) children is free, over 4 children there is a $10.00 fee.  Each Star Kid will receive a Star Kids I.D. Card and arm patch.

 

For more information about Star Kids please contact your local Chapter Secretary.

Brad Barnes

Houston, TX – Chapter 221

Secretary

brad.barnes@lr.org>

 

 

 

 

Star Touring & Riding Association

Houston, TX – Chapter 221

 

 

Star Vets

 

In 2001 Star Touring and Riding formed Star Vets.  As one of the fastest growing Segments of the organization, Star Vest honors and commemorates the sacrifices of the men and women who have served or are currently serving our country.  It’s a way of saying “We Will Never Forget.”  This segment of Star Touring proudly displays their service insignia and places all veterans in special honor, no matter what motorcycle they ride.  As a Part of our new five-inch patch system, we now offer sub-patches for the MOS, Rank, unit, and Theater of Operation.  This 5” patch is to be worn on the right breast of your jacket of coat.

 

For more information on Star Vets, please contact you local Chapter Star Vets Representative.

 

Bobby Featherly

Houston, TX – Chapter 221

Star Vets Representative

                                                             valfeathe@aol.com

 

Tin Star

 

Over one hundred years ago, small towns on the American frontier learned that there was one person they could turn to for help in an emergency – the local sheriff.  The frontier sheriff was a combination police officer, paramedic and emergency coordinator.  When anything happened that required special skills, he was know to all by his distinctive “Tin Star” badge.

 

Star Touring members, like the citizens of the frontier towns, at times need special assistance from people trained as a police officer, physician, nurse, fire fighter, paramedic, EMT or Search and Rescue.  If an accident or emergency situation occurs the Tin Star Can lend a hand or take control until local authorities arrive.

 

To help identify which of our members have this special training, and to volunteer to be of assistance, we have developed a special pin, the “Tin Star”.  This pin is 1 ¾” high and has a double screw back so you can’t loose it.

 

If you are certified in any of the above you may qualify as a “Tin Star”, you must provide Star Touring with a copy of your credentials.

 

For more information on Tin Stars, please contact your local Tin Star Representative or local Chapter President.

 

 

Larry Aubin

Houston, TX – Chapter 221

Chapter President

281-487-4679

Larry Aubin

 

 

Star Touring & Riding Association

Houston, TX – Chapter 221

 

 

RIDE RULES & REGULATIONS

 

 

  1. All bikes will be maintained in a safe condition.  Motorcycles with malfunctioning lights, brakes, or worn tires (less that 2/32 thread) will not be permitted to participate in a Chapter ride.

2.      All motorcycles will be fueled (topped off) prior to arriving at our meeting area.

3.      No drinking or drugged driving is allowed.

4.      All traffic laws will be strictly obeyed.

  1. When riding in a group, motorcycles will be ridden in a staggered formation at all times.
  2. One rider will be designated as the Ride Captain.  The Ride Captain is responsible for planning, mapping and coordination the ride.
  3. One to two riders will be designated as the Tail Gunner.  The Tail Gunner is responsible for keeping all riders in formation. Should a rider need to leave the group, only the Tail Gunner will stop to assist them.
  4. Riders who elect to drop out of a ride (i.e. they do not desire to go further due to time constraints, prior commitments, etc.) will notify the Tail Gunner before doing so.
  5. One rider will be designated as Sergeant at Arms.  The Sergeant at Arms is responsible for keeping the peace, enforcing chapter and charter rules and the collection of monies for all tolls, etc.

 

 

Ride Signals

 

All riders will familiarize themselves with the following hand signals.  These signals will be strictly adhered to at all times.

 

  1. To signal a right turn or lane change to the right, the Ride Captain will hold his left arm out, bent at the elbow, while the hand along the rider’s head.
  2. To signal a left turn or lane change to the left, the Ride Captain will hold his left arm straight out from his body, parallel to his back.
  3. To signal that the pack must SLOW DOWN, the left had will be held downward with the open palm facing back.
  4. To signal that the pack must STOP QUICKLY, the left hand will be moved in a pumping motion along the left side of the bike, while using a closed fist.
  5. If the Ride Captain wants the pack to ride in a SINGLE FILE FORMATION, he will raise his left hand above his head with his index finger extended.  All riders following the Ride Captain will relay this signal back to the Tail Gunner.
  6. If the Ride Captain wants the pack to ride in a Double file Formation, he will raise his left hand above his head with two fingers extended, and waive the hand from his left to his right.  All riders following the Ride Captain will relay this signal back to the Tail Gunner.
  7. If the pack becomes separated (i.e. some of the bikes didn’t make it through a signal light) the last rider in the first group will flash the motorcycles high beam lights off and on.  This signal will be relayed forward, until the ride Captain acknowledges it
  8. Freeway Lane Changes will be made in the following order.  The Ride Captain will signal the lane change using hand signals only.  The hand signal will be relayed down the pack to the Tail Gunner.  The Tail Gunner will move over into the lane and hold that lane open for the pack.  Once the lane has been secured. The two riders preceding the Tail Gunner will move over only if it is safe to do so.  Turn signals will be used at this point.  This procedure will be repeated, two bikes at a time, until the entire pack has moved over.
  9. BREAKING INTERSECTIONS must be done with the total cooperation of other motorists on the road.  We are requesting permission to BREAK the intersection, not demanding it.  The two lead bikes will begin by securing the intersection.  Once the intersection has been secured, the two lead riders will signal the pack through.  AS the pack drives through the intersection, they will travel no faster than 30miles per hour.  The two lead bikes will follow the pack through the intersection and cautiously pass the pack on the left.  As bikes are passed, they may fall back into the double file formation.  (Check with your state authority to determine the legality of this maneuver)

 

 

 

MEMBER POSITION IN PACK FORMATION

 

 

 

                                                            LEFT SIDE                           RIGHT SIDE

 

FIRST ROW                                     President                              Ride Captain

 

SECOND ROW                                Sergeant at Arms               Member

 

THIRD ROW                                     Vice President                     Member

 

FOLLOWING ROWS                      Member                                Member

 

LAST ROW                                       Tail Gunner                          Tail Gunner