Sounds to me like the club needs to disolve, dump the rule book and the folks in charge. Then regroup and re-organize with a new committment to its membership and a guide outlining what the club is about and how it functions. Scrap the rules that have nothing to do with camping and fun. If the units are what really make the club what it is, why is there a need for leadership beyond the local or regional level? Seems like bureaucracy exists where none is really genuinely needed.
I could not agree more.
As I have stated in other threads about the WBCCI and the ongoing trials and tribulations the members are suffering.
I am firmly convinced that the structure of the organization makes it virtually impossible (meaning VERY difficult) for the individual member in a unit to have any impact at high levels. What I find to be a shame is that the club was deliberately structured this way. It definitely was NOT structured to be a "bottom up" driven organization.
Just one look at the 74 pages of the bylaws should remove all doubt that anyone could possibly have about this. If you're not convinced take a look at the section that defines what a member in a unit must do to get a change to the bylaws put before the membership for a vote of approval. Incredible.
Anyone interested in joining us in the establishment of a new Airstream club please PM me.
Jim
__________________
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."
OK. I tried to stay out of this but the Heinekens I’ve just enjoyed at the start of a long vacation have loosened my tongue.(Fingers?) It’s been said "Don’t complain if you don’t vote." I just voted with my checkbook. I sent in my 70 bucks last week as a new WBCCI member to the Wisconsin Unit, with the express desire to attend the International. Now this news of the latest parliamentary B.S. from the current administration has hit the Forums. I don’t know Bob Thompson, but I know injustice and political dirty tricks when I see it. A long time former member warned me that I should keep clear of the WBCCI. However, once again it becomes abundantly clear that newer, younger members are sorely needed to transform the Club into an organization that will be relevant to us "Boomers". I’ve got 13 years to retirement. It hope it doesn’t take that long to effect a change. I’ve read this thread from start to finish, again, and would like to make a comment on the proposed responses to the expulsion of a respected member. No disrespect to anyone intended. Sending voided checks, withholding dues to the last minute and scribbling on applications won’t have an impact, as it would appear these transactions aren’t handled by those at the top. Turning numbers upside down may be a bit impractical. Holding an alternate rally at an off site location is IMHO is going to be as effective as going to the RNC convention and protesting in the cordoned off area out of sight and sound of the main event. The leadership won’t see, hear or care about your message, even if they did in the first place. In fact they may be more than happy to see you take your dissention, "blogs" and get the hell out of their club The Chinese Communists running the Olympic Games the last two weeks had a solution to the problem of international protesters. As reported on NPR this week, they set up an area in which to protest in plain sight of the venues. All you had to do was apply for a permit. There were 77 applications. None were granted and the area remained empty. Foreign protesters in unapproved locations were carted off to prison and released after the games. You need the "In Your Face" type of approach. No, not the chanting, marching, sitting in the hallways waiting to be dragged off by the Cops protest we all enjoyed in ’60 and ‘70s. The T-shirts, hats, upside down Unit flags and pirate eye-patches are an excellent start. The Leadership needs to see how strong the sentiment is among the members. The rank and file members need to start drafting a slate of progressive candidates now, build support during the winter and have them ready for nomination from within long before the International. Maybe this rant would have been a better fit over at Save Wally. I joined up over there too. Maybe a new member in an established Unit can’t do a thing to promote change. Maybe I’m over estimating the will of the membership to effect change. I do know that you gotta start somewhere and sometime soon.
Tom.
__________________ Airstream Forums Member # 2806 WBCCI # 6411 Not All Who Wander Are Lost.
Holding an alternate rally at an off site location is IMHO is going to be as effective as going to the RNC convention and protesting in the cordoned off area out of sight and sound of the main event. The leadership won’t see, hear or care about your message, even if they did in the first place.
Tom,
I respectfully disagree. Depending on what all you sign up for, the WBCCI collects a few hundred bucks per unit rally fees for the International and a couple hundred more if you want 30 amp electric. So if a few hundred people come to Madison for an alternate "Friends of Bob (and Leo)" rally, it's going to cost the WBCCI tens of thousands of dollars in lost revenue--people who obviously would have come to the International rally had not the Executive Committee shot itself in the foot (again) with these disciplinary actions. That fact will not be lost on the management of a club which is currently forecasting a $50,000 loss for 2008.
The Executive Committee doesn't seem to care much what the members think, but they very much care when they don't reach for their check books.
Another reason they're going to notice a Friends of Bob rally is that the International always gets coverage in the local news media, and the news media are going to notice the controversy. And the news media like nothing better than controversy.
If these disciplinary actions are not reversed, and soon, it is going to be a disaster for WBCCI. I am hoping that they will be reversed.
Dues is coming due... I will be withholding mine until this mess is straightened out. I will send a letter to the president of the IBT explaining why. The club is loosing membership and now some are withholding their dues too. This could be a venture that could explode in my face, for I love camping with my unit and was very much looking forward to the Cherry Blossom Rally next April. If Leo is suspended or expelled for something as simple as trying to get the club as the people want it to be, well, then I just will not be a part of it.
as the kids say---way too much drama! Who feels the need to be in a group that makes you jump though hoops just to be "involved". Let us camp and enjoy the occasional as sighting. I have met some great as folks with nary a mention of wbcci.
So if a few hundred people come to Madison for an alternate "Friends of Bob (and Leo)" rally, it's going to cost the WBCCI tens of thousands of dollars in lost revenue--people who obviously
The problem is that this won't draw 100s of people, the group at the International won't notice and it won't make an economic impact at all.
Tom, welcome to the WI unit, I'll save you a beer and a chair under my awning!
Ed
Past President WI Unit
Past President VAC
I just sent in my Membership to the 4CU to join, I don't think an alternate rally site is as strong as holding an alternate rally within the International rally.. Protest within the International rally.... What are they gonna do Hook up you trailer and tow you out... Thats what tongue locks are for... The Media would really have a hay day with that one.... and the WBCCI would not be able to ignore a hundred protesters within the rally... They could if you were of site....
__________________
Jason
May you have at least one sunny day, and a soft chair to sit in..
A long time former member warned me that I should keep clear of the WBCCI. However, once again it becomes abundantly clear that newer, younger members are sorely needed to transform the Club into an organization that will be relevant to us "Boomers".
Tom,
IMO this is the right approach. Join in... participate... show folks how to do it right. For the same reason that folks don't want to wear tuxes and the like... they also don't want to spend their leisure time at a protest event.
I also like your T-shirt idea. Nothing like a visual que demonstrating the impact of a particular point of view.
The problem is that this won't draw 100s of people, the group at the International won't notice and it won't make an economic impact at all.
How could you say that at this early stage? If there's an alternate rally with more relevant entertainment, a more relevant program, and more relevant social activities, then all it takes is for a member that plans on heading to Madison to choose an alternate event that makes both a positional and financial statement.
The WBCCI has a 1200 Airstream guarantee minimum for the Alliant Center. Each 2 person Airstream is being charged roughly $270 to attend. For every 10 Airstreams that park 2-3 miles away instead, that's roughly a $3K hit. For 100 Airstreams, that's a $30K hit. Do the math -- if enough members decide to take a stand, an alternate rally IN Madison will send a very strong message. It could send a financially crippling message, and maybe that's all our leadership could ever understand anyway.
I'm not a draw at all -- not by long shot. This will be a "Rally WITH Bob" rally. We've got a member that spent two years as the Region 1 President (IBT) fighting against the name change, against Four Winds, and FOR member and unit voting rights. He had the stones to run from the floor for I3VP and he captured more than 1,000 votes.
Bob can't rally with the club until August 16th, 2009. Suspended. If there are as few as 10 Airstreams parking with Bob that has an impact, on Bob & Harriet Thompson. To me, that's more worthwhile than patronizing 6 naked men and one naked lady, up on stage, under spotlights, with live music playing to their entrances, wearing blue berets, and pretending to wear coats of leadership. The Empreror's Clothes my friend.
You can choose to be at either camp. No one would think any less of you for your choice. I just hope that if you do stay at the Alliant Center that you manage to climb up into somebodies face over the 10, 50, 100, 200 or more that are staying down the road, while you're there. I truly hope that we can put together a big enough program, by members that get it, that the Alliant Center program pales by comparison. It won't be easy, but members wanting to send the clearest statement will give it hell...
I'll choose to camp with Bob & Harriet , any day, over our perpetually failing International Leadership.
This club has a $50K deficit forecast for 2009. I suspect they may be awakening to some news that they've woefully understated that loss. They faced a $13K deficit for '08. For every $1K we rip from the Alliant Center, just adds to the total X2. Because it is REAL money that will be spent by REAL members in Madison, but it won't be money that will get funneled through the club. This is the most IMPORTANT message that can be sent by any member in protest...
__
__________________
6000+ Airsteam families having fun!
1000+ Airstream Events including 500+ Rallies in 2009! SaveWally's WBCCI Unit Guide
...they also don't want to spend their leisure time at a protest event.
Do you envision an alternate rally to be something like hippies camped out on the White House lawn? How about a rally that looks like every other rally with seminars, sessions, entertainment, CAMPFIRES, catered meals, potluck dinners, community breakfasts, happy hours.
There won't be a whole line up of anti-IBT speakers. There will be a rally that looks much more like a VAC rally, relaxed, everyone having a great time, enjoying one anothers company.
The protest is a financial one -- we won't be at the Alliant Center. We'll be right down the street, and anyone from the Alliant center that wants to come over and hang out, will be more than welcome... Do you think that invitation will be extended from the other side? Will Bob and Harriet get day passes?
Oh, by the way, our rally will be open to WBCCI members, and PAST WBCCI Members. You know, the ones that got fed up and left long ago? I think we just might have something they'd be interested in...
__
__________________
6000+ Airsteam families having fun!
1000+ Airstream Events including 500+ Rallies in 2009! SaveWally's WBCCI Unit Guide
I just sent in my Membership to the 4CU to join, I don't think an alternate rally site is as strong as holding an alternate rally within the International rally.. Protest within the International rally.... What are they gonna do Hook up you trailer and tow you out... Thats what tongue locks are for... The Media would really have a hay day with that one.... and the WBCCI would not be able to ignore a hundred protesters within the rally... They could if you were of site....
Great Idea! The "Renegade" Members could all fly a Pirate Flag and mount it to their tow vehicle. There are no rules about flag flying from TVs. Black pirate ball caps (as opposed to blue berets) might also be appropriate. This renegade group could hold its own meetings and events right under the nose of the Almighty Potentate and his minions. The leadership would be hard pressed to do anything about it.
If this type of activity gets talked up here on the Renegade Forums, it might drive the leadership to do some really stupid stuff like start banning certain members from attending the International based upon suspected "Pirate Status". They could even conduct comprehensive searches of all Airstreams and tow vehicles for contraband Pirate paraphernalia. Members could even be banned for speaking or writing the "P" word.
This, I think they would notice.
Brian
__________________ SuEllyn & Brian McCabe WBCCI #3628 --- AIR #14872 2005 25' Safari FB (Lucy) with HAHA 2005 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Olivia) & 2004 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Daisy)
Do you envision an alternate rally to be something like hippies camped out on the White House lawn?
Honestly, based on the tone of your rhetoric, that is what I envisioned that you envision.
I do not support the actions of the EC and would be happy to participate in a public display that does not get in the way of the pleasure and enjoyment of the event. I say this because I think it is important that we demonstrate to the IBT and the rest of the club the "Just camping... Let's have Fun" way to Airstream.
Tom's suggestion of t-shirts or up-side-down unit flags would sure send a message. What I can envision is the impact of the rally grounds dominated by bright orange shirts in support of resolving these issues without the use of disciplinary actions.
IBT won't care you protest, how long have we been protesting? Aside from vedettas and being black listed and referred to disparagingly if not chastised at the meetings, there would be little impact upon them. When's the last time you had a leader come walk over to your trailer and shoot the breeze in your relagated segregated corner of the rally earth? Money and press is the ticket. Status and funding is paramount to them. Are we teenagers dressing to rebel or conscious raising encounter groups talking to ourselves? We have real options as shareholders and can demonstrate firm resolve with authority and dignity.
Messages have been sent as clearly noted by the retaliation. Members can't have their umbrella of protection and comfort zones left undisturbed and in tact AND show they are serious. Might just as well keep murmurring here with little to no effect. And THAT's exactly what keeps the IBT in power, members who agree in principal but won't risk or give anything up. Bob and Leo ACTED on behalf of the club at risk of their own perill. THAT's what stepping up and effecting change is. You must show the strength of your convictions. What did I hear last night? A mother's advice after her son was bullied and chased home, "go back out and bloody your nose so you can walk down the street tomorrow." You must be willing to back up your own beliefs or you basically just invited the IBT to regard your efforts as throwing a tantrum and being disobedient and you will get sent back to your room admonished afterwards. We are not to be treated as petulant children.
__________________ CJ The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.-Eleanor Roosevelt It is never too late to be who you might have been.-George Eliot
Quick Links
It’s been said "Don’t complain if you don’t vote." I just voted with my checkbook.
You need the "In Your Face" type of approach. No, not the chanting, marching, sitting in the hallways waiting to be dragged off by the Cops protest we all enjoyed in ’60 and ‘70s. The T-shirts, hats, upside down Unit flags and pirate eye-patches are an excellent start. The Leadership needs to see how strong the sentiment is among the members.
Linear Mode
