[Stougard]

I have owned a vintage A/S for a couple years and have enjoyed reading and hearing from other owners on this forum. This relationship has encouaged me to finally join WBCCI and my local unit. There are times when I have read how many in WBCCI were discouraged about getting and keeping new members. May I make a suggestion? Start by having WBCCI set some standards for the local units. As good as WBCCI is, it is the local units that put the face on the club. Let me give you a couple examples. First I contacted one of my closest units using their e-mail form and asked for information about them, what they do, and an application form. I received nothing back. Next, I located the website of another unit and discovered they are proudly displaying their club rally schedule from 1999. Why have a website if it makes you look bad? We have all heard that image is everything but in these cases it's not looking so good. I know there are good people in these units, and I have met some, but if WBCCI members really want to grow the club back to it's former numbers they will have to look and act like it. I still want to join, but I'm afraid of what I will find. I think that WBCCI should set some standards for the units and evaluate them on a annual basis. Lets reward and recognize them when they do well. I would much rather use a carrot than a stick. If I was a member of a unit that was recognized as one of the best of 2002, I know I would be proud and encouraged to make my unit better. Right now, at least, some units seem to act like they are old and tired. You can't attract new blood that way. What do you think?

Larry