Several threads here on the forum are dedicated to the formulation of a different type of WBCCI unit. The shape and character of these units are usually described (generically) as a “Cyber unit”. Put a different way, a place where non-traditional WBCCI members would feel at home. A unit that doesn’t conform to the normal statewide or citywide, geographically bound group. Simply put, is there a place that members of this forum, at-large M.A.L. members and others (undefined for now) could feel at home without all of the pomp and circumstance of a more traditional unit. I’ll leave the definition of such a group open for debate for the time being and simply take a non-scientific, straw poll.
Let’s see how it goes. Remember, this is only a test. So don’t shoot the messenger.
Jim
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Can somebody remind Susan that I really do want bagpipes for Christmas?
I take the position that pretty much anything goes if it serves the membership. I support a "cyber unit" for that reason. I just hate that everyone, every where can't be a member of a unit such as the Texas Highland Lakes Unit. We have NO pomp and circumstance. One NEVER sees a beret or formality at our rallies and everyone, no matter their age, seems agreeable to try most anything to attract and retain a fun loving membership. Our unit is the only unit in Texas and Oklahoma to steadily grow each and every year over the past 10 year period. In fact we share with one other unit the highest growth rate over that period of all units in the WBCCI. We attract new membership, but more importantly, we retain a high percentage of our new members, unlike so many others accross the WBCCI. There must be a reason for that growth.
I look forward to each rally to again see my Airstream friends many of which are now my closest friends. My best friends are in the Texas Highland Lakes group, not in my hometown of 60 years nor my church of 43 years. While I think it very odd that it is that way, I thank my maker every day that I've found that level of friendship somewhere.
Being even more cyber friendly is a goal that I am confident our unit will embrace to s greater extent very soon. We already conduct a lot of our business over the internet through emails back and forth. We send out our monthly newsletter almost totally through the internet. We sign up for our rallies over the internet. We allow members to vote on WBCCI issues over the internet. We maintain a website, though we could probably do better in that regard. About the only thing we haven't fully integrated is the awareness to the general public, MALs and members of other units wanting to become a member of our unit that we have the ability for them to become a member over the internet. We don't yet accept payment for membership over the internet. You have to contact our Unit Membership Chairman or Unit Treasurer to pay your dues, but we've had a number of new members join that way.
Hopefully, the entire WBCCI will move in that direction. If they don't many will perish in my estimation.
Robert Cross
We have one member who put his WBCCI numbers on his trailer in blue. I don't know it if anyone in our unit ever thought it to be a problem. Some day, somewhere I'm fairly certain someone will likely say something to him if he continues to travel throughout the land as he is doing attending other unit's rallies and International rallies, but that is the risk he takes. If you want blue numbers, have them made and put them on.
GStephens
I won't vote in this one because I still think you're pretty much dreaming. I think there is demand for new units, but the rules that govern the WBCCI have to be taken into consideration as well. And one of those rules is geographic location. "Cyber unit" just won't fy, I'm afraid.
So, then, if you are serious about starting a new unit, then stop dreaming and look into what it takes to start one. You have a great resource here on the forums with the FCU people, who went through the process and can provide you with lots of info on it.
I won't vote in this one because I still think you're pretty much dreaming. I think there is demand for new units, but the rules that govern the WBCCI have to be taken into consideration as well. And one of those rules is geographic location. "Cyber unit" just won't fy, I'm afraid.
So, then, if you are serious about starting a new unit, then stop dreaming and look into what it takes to start one. You have a great resource here on the forums with the FCU people, who went through the process and can provide you with lots of info on it.
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
That is the interesting part of this new club : if you don't want to join ,then you can simply " not join " no penalties and you don't have to buy a white tuxedo or a beret or have a 74 page book of rules telling me what kind of lock I can put on my trailer ...I will put any lock on my trailer I want ,,,any color numbers or any color of the word Airstream,,show up when I want and not show up when I don't want to .
I do want to get the kitty started and it will take a few bucks to do that with a web site and all.
Please tell me where to send my check !!
Thanks
watson007
Mike
I take the position that pretty much anything goes if it serves the membership
People gather together in formal organization for a common reason. It is contradictory to have a common reason be an individual preference or need.
This question suffers in that the meaning of "cyber unit" is not defined. That has implications for any validity of the poll and also bypasses the entire problem of the dissonance between the purposes for which folks buy an Airstream and the 'cyber' experience.
The question about the nature of the group experience is an important one and has many facets. It is too bad that these facets cannot be discussed in cyberspace without the kind of name calling and hate talk so often seen. One only has to look at the options in this poll to see the hate - somewhat disguised as humor but that humor is but a thin veil over the contempt and hubris that is there. A respect for others and their differences of opinion is always a good start before trying to unite for common cause.
Ok, I seem to have stopped this thread with my outrageous comment, so let me get started on some brass tacks. If you are serious about this, then it is vital to assess just how many new units are needed and where they are to be located. I would suggest some informal discussion in this thread followed by use of the poll function in some way to do the assessment.
I'll include below a couple of selections from the WBCCI By-Laws pertaining to new units. (I use the copy of the Blue Book available from the DenCo site, BLUE BOOK.)
Quote:
New Units Members wishing to organize a new Unit should request assistance from the Region President or from Headquarters. Such request received at Headquarters will be referred to the Region President who shall, upon determining there is a need for a new Unit within the Region, notify Headquarters and Headquarters shall forward the necessary instructions and materials to the members wishing to form the new Unit. Upon receipt of a Provisional Charter from the President of the Region, the Provisional Unit may collect Unit and International dues in the same manner as chartered Units pending the issuance of a Unit Charter by the International Board of Trustees. (1/19/96)
Quote:
Names of Units All names will be geographical in nature and will represent a geographical area other than a state. The official name of the Unit must also include the name of the State in which most of its members retain residence, but no Unit shall be assigned any exclusive territory. (6/20/77)
Del-Mar-Va is a name I heard a lot when I first moved to Virginia 36 years ago. It took a while before I connected the dots and realized that it referred to the eastern shore which is divided into Deleware, Maryland and Virginia. I suppose that could be "geographical"... or of course we could add to that for DC, Pennsylvania, North Carolina...?
Mid-Atlantic MAL-FORUM unit?
Paula
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Today is a gift. That's why they call it "the present"
Del-Mar-Va is a name I heard a lot when I first moved to Virginia 36 years ago. It took a while before I connected the dots and realized that it referred to the eastern shore which is divided into Deleware, Maryland and Virginia. I suppose that could be "geographical"... or of course we could add to that for DC, Pennsylvania, North Carolina...?
Mid-Atlantic MAL-FORUM unit?
Paula
There is already a Delmarva unit in the club.It is unit #26.There also already exists a Mid-atlantic unit which is Unit#54.
Wouldn't the formation of a MAL unit in essence eliminate the MAL designation for those that joined because they would no longer be 'members at large' having joined a unit?
I don't believe there should be a surcharge to be a MAL.If anything it should be cheaper than belonging to a unit.Afterall,you don't get to vote...yet.
It only makes sense that if you pay your dues you should get a vote,PERIOD.
The unwillingness of the hierarchy to implement the changes needed to move the club forward is costing us members and potential members everyday.
I will also refrain comment on the Bob Thompson situation until more facts are revealed.Seeing that he is/was the Region 1 President and I will be dropping by the R1 Rally in PEI this week more facts may come to light.
I'll include below a couple of selections from the WBCCI By-Laws pertaining to new units. (I use the copy of the Blue Book available from the DenCo site, BLUE BOOK.)
Lynn,
Thanks for posting the location of the WBCCI Bylaws.
As I have stated in posts in other threads:
I am NOT a member of the WBCCI.
I have done lots of research on the WBCCI
Your posting of a location for the WBCCI Bylaws helps me continue my ongoing education about the organization. Thanks commin' at ya.
Having just downloaded a copy and given them my first brief perusal I have a one word response:
INCREDIBLE
I have had a fair amount of involvement with mutual benefit domestic non profit corporations over the years. I have dealt with lots of bylaws and state tax boards in relation to these groups and the legal requirements for establishing such an organization.
I have NEVER seen bylaws for them run more than 15 pages. Traditionally there is usually one more document filed at the time of the group being established - Articles of Incorporation. These two documents become the basis for the operation of the organization.
The WBCCI Bylaws are 74 pages.
And, there is an additional constitution; I wonder if this is Ohio's version of Articles of Incorporation.
In other posts in other threads I have steadfastly maintained that the WBCCI is doomed because of its STRUCTURE.
Now that I have started to examine the WBCCI Bylaws I am even more convinced that the structure of the WBCCI is the largest problem the organization faces.
Jim
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We are travelers with an attitude. We get to go anywhere, anytime, and have attitudes about what we see and hear.
"Travel is fatal to bigotry, prejudice and being narrow minded."
Eubank points out that the "Rules" require that one list a state (or a State), if the Rules are quoted correctly. Seems to me plausible that the Rule creators have provided the "correct" answer to this issue in their drafting - no telling whether this was intentional or inadvertent:
Under International Law principles, the USA is a State - and perhaps is a state, depending upon where you're from. So, why not the "USA CyberSpace Unit"?
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