Hello to MiHG members and friends,
Just a short review from our 9th MiHG Meet held yesterday in Oak Creek, WI. We had another great turnout with 31 members and guests and 23 hybrid vehicles. Though the temps were in the teens with a steady NE wind we had members starting to gather in the frigid parking lot at 9:20am for the 10:00am meet. Everyone was prepared for the weather (which was actually quite warmer than it has been) and enjoyed introductions and exchanging info on how best to fight the cold weather. Justin began his VTP (Vehicle Tire Pressure) report cards for members as soon as vehicles drove in. We had 16 1st and 2nd gen Prius, 3 Honda Insights, 1 Toyota Camry, 1 Honda Accord, 1 Yaris, 3 Honda Civic Hybrids and Debbie and her token FEH.
After 30 minutes of room setup, registrations and kitchen organizing by Jane and Bobb C, we started a roundtable of formal intro’s and recent mpg results. We had 5 new members in attendance, in addition to Tom B, Wayne G, Tony S, Wayne and Richard M, up from Illinois and Cheryl A and Amanda W from Madison. Two members, Wayne Mitchell and Ken Keuler, were awarded with Certificates of Achievement for their efforts in the two recent block heater installs. After the meet each of these guys made arrangements to do 3 more installs for members.
With the generous assistance of Wayne G, we had an in depth discussion of the new 2008 EPA ratings on vehicles:
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/specia...6/article.html
This was important to discuss this topic because of our involvement with the Milwaukee Auto Show, where this topic may come up.
Amanda White from Community Car of Madison was next up with an overview of her car-sharing program in Madison. After an initial 20 members 3 year ago, CC is now up to over 500 members and 40 corporate members with 11 vehicles, 67% are hybrid cars. The mission of CC is to provide car-sharing vehicles with the intention of lowering oil dependency and greenhouse emissions through their use. Amanda and CC are currently looking at coming into the Milwaukee market and is looking for investors. Please check out Community Cars Website at:
http://www.communitycar.com/
After a short break, we had an in depth discussion of the MiHG presence at the MAS. Members staffing our booth received their Hybridfest 2006 t-shirts, generously donated by the Board at Hybridfest. Members reviewed the specifics of time, place, registration and parking and then discussed how to present ourselves to the public. Various members who have attended similar events offered the insight of just answering questions to the best of ones knowledge and to share your individual experience with your personal hybrid vehicle. Most questions should be very basic. We encouraged members to remember that we are an owner’s support group and not to be too involved in political commentary. All we want to do is help the public to understand hybrids better and to encourage current hybrid owners to check out our MiHG. We will also be discussing and handing out info on basic EcoDriving techniques that encourage the fuel efficient driving of conventional vehicles. Members were warned to be prepared for media attention since this is our first year at the MAS. More details will follow to all members signed up for working the MAS.
Meet started to wrap-up with a review of upcoming events.
- The Madison Hybrid Group will have their meet on Saturday 3-10 in Madison:
http://madisonhybridgroup.com/yabb/
- Members are encouraged to attend the Milwaukee Green Drinks on the 2nd Wednesday from 5-7pm:
http://www.biothinking.com/greendrin...city=Milwaukee
- Our MiHG will be a co-sponsor of the day long Green Vehicles Workshop to be held on Friday March 30. Details to follow.
- The annual Hybrid Gathering at Miller Park will more than likely be held in May. Details will follow.
- Hybridfest 2007 will be held on the weekend of July 21st in Madison:
http://www.hybridfest.com/.
- Tony Schaefer shared with members the startup of the Chicago Prius Group, a sister owners group to the MiHG:
http://priuschat.com/The-Chicago-Pri...up-t29382.html. - Tony and Rees R. have also setup a Wisconsin Forum at
http://priuschat.com/Introducing-the...um-t28395.html.
The meet wrapped up with door prizes of a $25 BP gas card, a copy of Paul Roberts, “The End of Oil” and a 30yr Anniversary mug from Honda Motorwerks in La Crosse. Several members went out for personal driving training as members enjoyed our great potluck lunch served by Bobb and Jane. Informal discussions continued to about 2:30pm.
Last members pulled out at about 3:45pm. Another great informative meet.
Justin and I want to thank all members, old and new, who attended and have continued to support the MiHG. We look forward to our next meet in April.
Bradlee Fons
Next Milwaukee Hybrid Group Meet, 2-17-07
