Topics written about in this column space tend to come from the list of things that are currently occupying my time at the AMA. Lately, it feels like I have been spending a lot of time on the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and museum here on the AMA campus.

The biggest fundraiser of the year for the Hall of Fame is AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, held this year on July 6-8. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is a full-time occupation for much of the AMA staff for the months leading up to the event. It consumes a great deal of AMA staff time to promote and operate such a huge event. It is an all-hands-on-deck affair, and we are all very involved.

Other major fundraising for the Hall of Fame comes from the raffle of a number of motorcycles throughout the year. At AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days this year, we will give away two bikes: a 1941 Harley-Davidson WL and a 1975 Yamaha DT100 Enduro that “Ran When Parked.” Tickets for the Harley have been on sale since last year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, and the Yamaha will be worked on at the Skidmark Garage at the event.

We also are giving away a 2017 Ural Gear-Up “Adventure Together” Edition at the AMA Legends and Champions Weekend Dec. 7-9 at the Columbus/Polaris Hilton. This jam-packed event will include the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, the AMA Championship Banquet and AMA Congress. (I have put some miles on the Ural and can attest that it is fun!)

The start of every riding season brings renewed interest from the local media in the museum, and this year has been no exception. This spring, I did a couple of on-camera tours, including one for a local television show that broadcast live segments throughout the morning.

While the increased exposure provides a temporary boost in the number of visitors to the museum, paid admission doesn’t make a dent in the costs associated with operating the museum and Hall of Fame. In fact, it is you—AMA members—who help keep the doors open. Some of you may have received a letter or email from me asking for your support for the Hall of Fame. I hope you will consider this request (make a tax-deductible contribution now at www.motorcyclemuseum.org/give/).

Years ago, the AMA Board of Directors added a strategic goal regarding the Hall of Fame to the AMA’s strategic plan. The goal was added after a member survey showed widespread willingness to support the museum financially. This goal as stated in the plan is to “contemporize and advance the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.”

The AMHF was created by the AMA in 1982 to recognize, record and preserve our motorcycling heritage. One of the foundation’s major goals was to create a Hall of Fame to honor the men and women who made motorcycling history, to tell their exciting stories and to provide a permanent repository to preserve our community’s rich traditions.

The Motorcycle Heritage Museum, as it was called then, opened in August 1990 at the then-AMA headquarters in Westerville, Ohio. The museum moved to its current location on the AMA campus when the AMA moved its offices to Pickerington, Ohio, in 1999.

The Hall of Fame itself was established by the AMHF in 1998 to honor the legends and heroes of American motorcycling and highlight their achievements and contributions to motorcycling. The first two induction classes included a large number of early pioneers and competitors as well as motorcycling’s most famous and legendary icons.

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, as it is now known, has evolved a lot over the years. We now showcase Hall of Fame inductees in the main exhibit hall, rather than the costly rotating exhibits that were typical in the early years of its existence.

An application for nomination to the Hall of Fame may be submitted by anyone. Hall of Famers are typically inducted for accomplishments in one or more of the following categories: Ambassadors and Industry, Design and Engineering, Leadership and Motorcycle Rights, Dirt Track, Motocross/Supercross, Off-Road, Road Racing or Specialty Competition.

I hear from a lot of people about who they think should be in the Hall of Fame. To be clear, neither the AMA staff, nor the AMA Board of Directors, nor the AMHF Board can put people in the Hall of Fame. There is a very transparent induction process, which is detailed at www.motorcyclemuseum.org/induction/.

The condensed description of the process is as follows: For each of the above listed categories, there is a committee of experts that considers the qualifications of applicants. Each category committee submits its recommendations to the Nominating Committee, which is made up of the chairs of each of the category committees. The Nominating Committee’s recommendations are then considered by the Executive Review Committee, or ERC, which is made up of the chair of the AMHF Board, the chair of the AMA Board and the AMA president. The ERC essentially certifies the ballot, which is then voted upon by living members of the Hall of Fame, members of the Hall of Fame committees, AMA and AMHF board members and AMA Life Members.

Each eligible voter receives an email with a unique login and password. This means, to vote, you must have an active email on file with the AMA. If you are in one of the voting categories noted above and don’t have an email on file, call us at (614) 856-1900 and provide your email address.

After you vote, consider a trip to the Hall of Fame, even if you’ve been before. Every year we make changes and the Hall of Fame is a great destination for day-trippers and cross-country travelers alike. We look forward to seeing you!

Rob Dingman is AMA President and CEO.