Tradition. For some reason Fiddler on the Roof is running through my mind. And perhaps a 2008 updated post, what a blast from the past.
Traditions perhaps are for the enhancement of the soul rather than being the soul. Some traditions are fun, part of the fun and involvement is adopting them as your own. The problem manifests itself when other people's traditions become imposing or restrictive and impede change and establishing new traditions of one's own choosing. Hard feelings and conflicts arise. To make the club your own and fully embrace it, you must have a sense of representation and identity. Sometimes the answers have been as simplistic as "because that is the way we have always done it." That does not satisfy or suffice for many younger members joining the organization today. A move towards new considerations and priorities will unify the membership and garner far more respect for the old traditions than preserving them at all costs with little regard for changing needs and desires of current membership.
However the tradition of the name and Airstream identity is well worth preserving.
An excellent read for any member concerned with what our nominees for International office envision for the future of the club and their positions on the issues are linked here in Meet the Candidates. The question of what traditions should be preserved or eliminated is also asked of each candidate and their replies are noted for you to examine along with many other serious and perinent questions. This is a wonderful opportunity to see what the candidates believe and help facilitiate your choice in election. This tool of disclosure alone is a momentous step ahead for the WBCCI. Kudos to those that made it possible for us to have and to read.
Without traditions, our lives would be as shaky as a ...
Quote:
Originally Posted by blackghost
Why Tradition?
By Jim Franklin, International 2nd Vice President
...
Why then Traditions? Members of the Club identify with the name “AIRSTREAM” and enjoy the fellowship and camaraderie of over 8,000 fellow owners and over 16,000 total members. Caravans and Rallies have come to signify what our Club is all about and the traditions of the Club are enhanced by our uniforms and ceremonies. These symbols were adopted by the members to separate the Club from the mere mundane, casual business or travel organization. There is NO other RV Club like WBCCI. Other clubs have tried to imitate our Airstream Organization with their rallies and caravans, but they have not succeeded. Let’s keep our Club and its traditions strong and vibrant.
I don't mind tradition in its place. In the military there were social traditions like the Open Mess - but even that evolved while I was on active duty.
Other ceremonies, such as a change of command ceremony had pomp, because sometimes it really matters - occasionally peoples' lives depend on their understanding that the new CO is their new CO.
This isn't life or death, this is recreation, fairly tame recreation, family recreation. It's camping, Google, the compendium of all lazy searches eventually coughs up this definition:
A place where tents, huts, or other temporary shelters are set up, as by soldiers, nomads, or travelers.
Also: affectedly humorous qualities or style
Yeah, that's the stuff.
But talk of flag ceremonies, dinner jackets, berets, and other such apparati leaves me nonplussed, and I suspect that others searched longer and found this definition of camp:
something so outrageously artificial, affected, inappropriate, or out-of-date as to be considered amusing
Anyone else find it ironic that a group of people who own travel trailers with a design that has remained pretty much unchanged since the 50s are complainng about club traditions?
__________________ AIR #8891 1969 25' Airstream Tradewind Overkill Tow Vehicle of the Year Award:
1997 Chevy C3500 Crew Cab Dually 6.5L Turbo Diesel
Irony is rampant here. What I personally find ironic is that 5 short years ago the now Past International President of WBCCI Jim Franklin stated Airstream was the identity of the club and that other travel clubs were mundane travel organizations and we should preserve the club and traditions. He mentioned that other clubs try to copy WBCCI but could not but then in Perry our officers were eager to emulate the Mandalay Club, or the Four Winds club and open membership to all. Today the International Board of Directors still wants to wear the clothes and walk the walk however now they want to make the club open to other brands of recreational vehicles that are not Airstreams. "Let's keep our club and its traditions strong and vibrant." What happened to practicing what he was advocating such a short time ago? Now the IBT will tell you it is a club about friends and that it doesn't matter what you drive or pull that makes this club. THAT is irony for sure! It also is a misuse of power. There is far more at risk than a ticket from the fashion police or ceremonies and berets. WHICH traditions are the ones that you want to preserve? That is the question we must ask ourselves as members in WBCCI, the oldest and largest single brand and Airstream club in the world! It's all in black in white on the inside cover of your may Blue beret, Jerry Collins our international President says we have lost sight, it isn't the product at all...
Well I joined an Airstream club and met Jerry and other fine folks. I did not join WBCCI to be with Jerry and other fine folks and it just so happened that we all had Airstreams at the time. How about you?
Quote:
Why then Traditions? Members of the Club identify with the name “AIRSTREAM” and enjoy the fellowship and camaraderie of over 8,000 fellow owners and over 16,000 total members. Caravans and Rallies have come to signify what our Club is all about and the traditions of the Club are enhanced by our uniforms and ceremonies. These symbols were adopted by the members to separate the Club from the mere mundane, casual business or travel organization. There is NO other RV Club like WBCCI. Other clubs have tried to imitate our Airstream Organization with their rallies and caravans, but they have not succeeded. Let’s keep our Club and its traditions strong and vibrant.
__________________ -Carol
Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Last edited by wheel interested; 05-14-2008 at 10:36 PM.
Well said. I couldn't agree more. The WBCCI is all about tradition, and true Airstreamers buy Airstreams because of the tradition associated with them. Airstream as a company figured out quickly what happened when they tried to change from their own traditional design too much. Don't believe me? Run down to your local dealership and see if you can find 2008 version of one of those "squarestream" trailers, a 5th wheel or one of those big rebadged square motorhomes with Airstream written on it.
__________________ AIR #8891 1969 25' Airstream Tradewind Overkill Tow Vehicle of the Year Award:
1997 Chevy C3500 Crew Cab Dually 6.5L Turbo Diesel
The WBCCI people are great fun to camp with. The pomp and circumstance stink worse than cheese farts. It's the Moose Lodge on wheels.
Very, very, scary stuff.
Tom
__________________
2007 28' Int CCD.
2008 F 250 6.4L Diesel.
DTV 5lnb on a tripod.
Wilson wired repeater with YAG.
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And perhaps a 2008 updated post, what a blast from the past. 
I know Mr. Franklin's quote is almost 5 years old but do we still have "8,000 fellow owners and over 16,000 total members"?
There is far more at risk than a ticket from the fashion police or ceremonies and berets. WHICH traditions are the ones that you want to preserve? That is the question we must ask ourselves as members in WBCCI, the oldest and largest single brand and Airstream club in the world! It's all in black in white on the inside cover of your may Blue beret, Jerry Collins our international President says we have lost sight, it isn't the product at all...
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