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Board of Directors Opening

Become a Board Member!

As mentioned in an earlier announcement, the BoD has an open position for Secretary that we need to fill.

We are looking for team members that are strategic thinkers and have a dynamic skill set that includes proficiency in email, attaching and sending files through email, Microsoft Excel, Word, data analysis, understanding a balance sheet and occasional travel for meetings.  We also need a team member that can work with and help develop an online file system for our historical documents as well as ongoing and future work.  Working with others to include BoD members, members of the public, companies and corporations, insurance agencies, members of the riding community, and others is critical to the success of each position.

Important:  Please forward your resume to Secretary@rftw.us.  Include a cover letter with your resume and specifically outline your qualifications for this desired position.  Also ensure your resume also includes a historical summary of your activities with RFTW.

The application period will close on 31 March 2023.

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Hot Item!

The Board of Directors (BOD) is looking for a merchandise driver/lead for the Midway Route.

Two person teams are highly recommended. If you are looking for a way to contribute, especially if you are thinking about doing the Run in a truck, contact Alan at alan.steiner@rftw.us to see if you might be a good fit. You will need a ¾ or 1 ton truck set-up for towing, 2×2 hitch receiver, 7-pin light plug, brake controller mounted in truck, valid driver’s license, truck registration, and vehicle insurance good throughout the duration of the Run until the trailer is returned. You will also need proof of towing insurance. You will pick up the trailer in CA, follow the route to DC, serve as merchandise team lead that includes selling RFTW merchandise and working with Alan along the way, then return the trailer to Phoenix, AZ at the conclusion of the Run. Finally, you’ll be issued a debit card to pay for your fuel during the Run and the return to AZ.

UPDATE 02/28/2023: The driver position has been filled. Thank you!

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RFTW BoD Selection Results

Last night, the RFTW BoD met in an emergency session to fill two critical vacancies on our Board of Directors.  Alan Steiner was selected and accepted the position of Director of Merchandise and Kelley Perry was selected as and accepted the position of Director of Risk Management.

We sincerely appreciate the contributions of Bill Clark, our past Director of Merchandise, and want to thank him as he moves ahead.  Bill’s dedication and hard work went a long way in continuing to build a solid foundation in RFTW.

Is it May yet? I’m ready!

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BoD Open Position Announcement – Update!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the BoD has shortened the application period for the two open positions (Director of Merchandise and Director of Risk Management).  The application period for these positions now closes at 1200 EST, 9 February, (instead of 17 February).  Please remember to send your resume to Todd.Taylor@rftw.us, and ensure you specify for which position you are applying.

I apologize for having to compress this application period, but we need to move out on some things and need these positions filled.  We appreciate your continued understanding and support of RFTW and The Mission.

John “Turkey” Staub
President, RFTW, Inc.
2011- CR FNG
2012 – CR Participant
2013 – CR Staging Team
2014 – 2015 – CR Staging Team Ass’t. Lead
2016-2017 – CR Staging Team Lead
2022 – CR Platoon Coordinator
2020 – Present – RFTW BoD member

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Registration Reminder

In under 40 hours, registration rates will change:

Traditional Route (CA to DC) Fees

  • Early Bird Registration
    Sept. 11, 2022 through Jan. 31, 2023: $45 per person
  • Regular Registration
    Feb. 1 through Apr. 30, 2023: $60 per person
  • Last Minute Joe
    After May 1, 2023: $75 per person

Sandbox Route Fees

  • Early Bird Registration
    Sept. 11, 2022 through Jan. 31, 2023: $15 per person
  • Regular Registration
    Feb. 1 through Apr. 30, 2023: $20 per person
  • Last Minute Joe
    After May 1, 2023: $25 per person

This would be a great time to save a few dollars!!

Click here to register now!!

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Board of Directors Openings

RFTW Logo

The end of terms for three of our Board positions are approaching.  To ensure continuity across the Board, we are announcing openings for two positions: Director of Risk Management/Registration and Director of Merchandise.  We anticipate releasing another announcement for the third position soon.

We are looking for team members that are strategic thinkers and have a dynamic skill set that includes basic proficiency in email, attaching and sending files through email, Microsoft Excel, Word, data analysis, understanding a balance sheet and occasional travel for meetings.  Working with others to include BoD members, members of the public, companies and corporations, insurance agencies, members of the riding community, and others is critical to the success of each position.

Director of Risk Management/Registration:

It would be helpful if the Director of Risk Management had a background or experience in looking across a large operation with multiple influences to apply risk management principles. Additionally, the Director of Risk Management must collaborate with the Director of Operations, the Route Coordinators, and the Risk Management Officer from each route to ensure consistent risk management principles and reporting are carried across all four routes.  Timely and accurate reporting of incidents is critical to the success of RFTW, and the Director of Risk Management must ensure that each route RMO is fully trained and capable of preparing requisite reports and completing incident reporting in a consistent and timely manner.  Additionally, the RM director must deal with the annual insurance requirements for our event(s).

Registration involves all the annual registration processes, many of which are now automated. While registration is mostly done online, Registration is an important function while we are in Ontario immediately prior to the Run. Registration also involves data analysis in that weekly reports and trends are prepared form the available data for the BoD. This important trend analysis supplies the RCs critical information necessary for proper logistics planning at each of our stops.

Director of Merchandise:

The Merchandise Director is a challenging position, but one that is uniquely critical to the success of RFTW.  We need someone with the above Excel and data analysis skills, experience with Point of Sale (POS) systems, inventory management experience, and experience in developing seasonal marketing programs.  This position performs critical functions to help ensure the continued financial success of RFTW.  Additionally, this person will process and ship online orders several times a week.  Merchandise inventory can be stored in each of the three trailers used for sales across the four routes, or, at an indoor location.

The Merchandise Director is also responsible for ensuring the 3 trailers are properly maintained and prepared for the annual Run with a well inventoried, targeted stock of merchandise.  This person is also the lead for ensuring each of the Route Merchandise Leaders is properly trained on our POS system, trained in and understands the requirements for strict inventory management and accountability, and understands their financial and fiduciary responsibilities to RFTW, Inc.  Additionally, they will coordinate with route Merchandise Drivers, to ensure they can safely tow and operate a large trailer across their respective route, have the proper licenses and insurance.


We are currently accepting resumes for both positions. Please forward your resume to todd.taylor@rftw.us.  Please ensure you indicate which position interests you, and specifically outline your qualifications for the desired position.

The application period will close on 17 February 2023.

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Day Rider Registration

We ride for those who can't

Greetings again from Weatherford, Texas!

It’s been a few months (and a lot of miles) since I wrote a newsletter.  My time on the Board of Directors has been interesting to say the least but the most rewarding part has been working with the first line of contact system that greets our Riders in joining the Route – Registration.  We have been working hard to improve, simplify and streamline our registration and check-in system with some great results.  If you haven’t seen for yourself, you need to get registered ASAP.

Although we try to plan and prepare for all major downstream effects, it’s hard to catch everything.  That’s why we greatly appreciate your feedback and suggestions.  An outstanding bit of feedback and constructive suggestion was provided regarding the new graduated fee structure for registration and how it might affect the Day Rider who may decide on short notice to join us on the road.  Knowing that the “Last Minute Joe” fee in affect after May 1st might turn people away, we took that great feedback and turned it into a plan…

Day Rider Registration

A Day Rider will be defined as anyone who rides with or participates in RFTW activities, at or between up to three consecutive overnight stop locations on Central, Midway, or Southern Route or two consecutive locations on SandBox Route.  Following are the ground rules:

  • May be applied to any Motorcycle, 4 Wheel or Auto-cycle Participant
  • Maximum duration: Check-in on the evening of first location, participate through morning of the last location, but does not depart with the pack.
  • The 3 (or less) locations must be consecutive and on the same Route
  • Day Riders will be issued a special wrist band and ribbon to signify their participation
  • Day Riders will have full access for participation on all Route events during their registered period
  • The Day Rider Registration Fee will be equal to that of the Early Bird fee of the respective Route, i.e. $45 for Central/Midway/Southern & $15 for SandBox

Day Rider Registration Extension

If a Day Rider completes their registration period and decides to extend further down the road (yes, it has happened) the Route Check-in Teams will be prepared with a special in-person registration process that will allow the rider to apply their already paid Day Rider fee toward full registration.  After paying the difference in price to current full registration, they will be issued the regular wrist band and ribbon covering the rest of their journey.  This option may be exercised only during the Run.

How the Process Will Work

On 01 FEB 2023, when the fee structure shifts to “Regular Registration” pricing, there will also be a new selection on the registration pages for a Day Rider check box that will allow for the reduced fee as noted above.  To be eligible for Day Rider status, the registration MUST indicate a Ride-to location as either one of the next two overnight stop locations after the Sign-in location on the selected Route.  For example, on Central Route a Day Rider may Sign-in at Williams and Ride-to Angel Fire.  With that selection, they may check-in at Williams (evening or the next morning) and ride with the pack to Angel Fire and even join in morning activities the next day – two full days of the Run.  If they would like to continue on with the pack from Angel Fire, the Registration Extension option will allow them stay on the Run.  The Day Rider Registration Option will be available starting 01 FEB and will be in effect throughout the full execution of the Routes in May.

Don’t wait till May!

If you plan to register as a Day Rider or are coordinating a group of Day Riders, please get everyone registered as soon as possible.  It won’t make a difference in your cost, even if you register today, but it will help our State Coordinators with getting the best attendance info possible to our supporters along the Route.  Our awesome State Coordinators need your support!

The way forward…

Like every organization, Run For The Wall has made adjustments for the changing environment in which we all live today.  Even so, your Board and Route Leadership keep the Mission at heart and keep those people who benefit from their efforts as their focus for all decisions and actions.  Your feedback and constructive suggestions are taken very seriously and will turn into course corrections whenever they reveal a path that better serves both Mission and People.  Every one of the Board and Route Leaders are also participants just like you, and they want to see our Run and its Mission continue long into the future.  Mutual respect and confidence that we will each perform our role in getting there is the fuel that will keep us all moving forward.

I look forward to seeing you all next May!

Sincerely,

Billie “Bugs” Dunlap
Run For The Wall
Vice President & Chairman of the Board
RFTW XXXII SandBox Route Coordinator
RFTW XXXI Southern Route Coordinator
e:  billie.dunlap@rftw.us
Together We Ride!

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RFTW Board of Directors Announcement

Last night, the RFTW Board of Directors elected John “Turkey” Staub President, and Billie “Bugs” Dunlap Chairman/Vice President. This action leaves a vacancy on the BoD, and we anticipate soon announcing the opening.

If you would like to serve on the Board, we will be looking for someone that is forward thinking and has a dynamic skill set that includes proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, data analysis, can understand a balance sheet and can occasionally travel for meetings, please sharpen your pencils, and update your resume.

Is it May yet?

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Homes For Our Troops Key Ceremony Motorcycle Escort – Fort Worth, TX – Riders Needed!

Billie “Bugs” Dunlap is coordinating an escort for the Homes For Our Troops Key Ceremony, scheduled to take place on Saturday, 04 FEB 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Riders interested in participating in the escort are asked to e-mail billie.dunlap@rftw.us in advance. The escort is for motorcycles and trikes only. We will have a confined space within which to operate – all are welcome but we need to plan for the size of escort. It promises to be a great day for the HFOT and the RFTW Missions!