Biker group works through friction ahead of first public rally against child abuse

The Red Deer Chapter, Alberta’s first, launched this past April with approximately 40 members.

Already the group has found itself dealing with some infighting that ended with a change in leadership.

Darryl ‘Hougie’ Hogenson is raising some concerns about the organization’s motives and lack of understanding into what kids go through.

Hogenson was the chapter’s first president when members received their patches, but says he was pushed out by a subset of the membership who had it out for him from the beginning.

“There was a need to make sure everybody was adhering to all the same rules — guidelines for the safety of the children. I felt we had to tighten the reins and enforce those rules,” Hogenson explained. “People that were constantly stepping out of line without respecting the existing board at that time, basically were addressed. When they were addressed, their following group, who were former members of UBAKA — when they found out their ringleader was being reprimanded, they blew up and they notified the board of directors of the head chapter.”

Hogenson, who has training as a behavioural specialist and close to 20 years as a therapeutic foster parent, says that’s when he was notified by email that he’d been removed as president.

“I was not given any opportunity to express or tell them the motives behind the behaviours that were going on and that if they didn’t remove me as president, there were 20 members ready to walk.”

Hogenson claims members, including current president Dale ‘Biff’ Meyers, were offering youth counselling or spiritual aid-type services, something which is strictly forbidden within Guardians of the Children as members don’t have the proper training.

Meyers, who is eager for his chapter to become more visible to the public starting Monday at the courthouse, refutes Hogeson’s claims. He says he’s never had a negative encounter with Hogenson and that the group’s objective remains helping child victims of abuse.

“When you’re dealing with a 100 per cent volunteer organization, you cannot start telling people what to do, you cannot start chastising them. We are made up of people who have real jobs, who take time away from their family and from holidays to try and get together and do this community thing.”

Tim Kapistan, CEO of Guardians of the Children Canada, spoke to rdnewsNOW from Winnipeg. He backs Meyers, stating this was the first time he heard of any allegations that Red Deer members had offered youth any type of counselling.

Kapistan says Hogenson was offered a chance to stay on as a member, but had to resign as president. When Hogenson stepped away completely, the decision was also made to split the Red Deer chapter in two, with about half the members starting a new chapter in Wetaskiwin.

“I regret that this happened in the first place — I saw him [Hogenson] as being very eager and passionate. That’s why I allowed him to start the chapter,” Kapistan says, adding he’s confident in the group running the show in Red Deer now.

“Very much so — they’ve got things under control.”

Meyers insists there are no sour grapes towards Hogenson, stating, “You will see. We got this going in Alberta and we are excited about the direction we’re going.”

Between 40 – 45 Guardians members are expected at Monday’s demonstration at the courthouse, which is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.

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Editor’s note: Our story previously included comments from Meyers in which he made reference to how other anti-child abuse advocacy groups go about their business. We have removed these comments and apologize for any misrepresentation that may have been caused by publishing them.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Biker group works through friction ahead of first public rally against child abuse

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