Hey -- knock yourselves out. Me, I'll be happy to rally with Bob & Harriet. I'm sure many others will make that same choice... TV & newspaper coverage, combined with the internal buzz, and the financial loss will make it a very worthwhile event...
Honestly, we've tried both the procedural, and participation venues. Try running from the floor some time. You'll get your eyes opened as to how this game is really played. Don't worry about getting elected -- nobody has a hope in hell of getting past this system. Go ahead, give it a shot, you've got nothing to win (seriously)...
Not only are they not willing to look at fair and honest elections, now they're attempting to terminate memberships. I hope for every one they suspend or terminate, 10 more get in their faces.
The few others that have taken 'actionable stances' in the last week, likely won't see grievances filed against them. The leadership ignores individual voices -- they dismiss them just like the two week lifespan of a fly. You buzz, you go away. Big deal...
I won't walk with my feet, but I'll be happy to see if additional financial strain has an impact on their thick skulls... To me, Bob is worth it...
__
__________________
6000+ Airsteam families having fun!
1000+ Airstream Events including 500+ Rallies in 2009! SaveWally's WBCCI Unit Guide
I am Not a member of the WBCCI, or even an owner of an AS (yet!), but I will submit my humble observation for what it's worth.
It reads very much as a direct attack on the Mr. Collins mentioned, with a lot of unclear statements that lack a coherent proof.
In other words, too much judgemental emotion, not enough hard facts and logical arguments. For example, where is a call to action; what is the reader to do?
I also find the baseball analogy a poor attempt to cover up the personalization of the diatribe. The writer puts himself in the position of an umpire, which is ludicrous given his insulting, churlish tone.
And, it isn't solely "What About Bob?" It is each and every equal member that is worth it! Even those that will not or cannot speak. Bob and Leo are just the first to be recognized as acting to make a difference, the FIRST to make the IBT take notice and fear more of the same will threaten their iron grip!
__________________ 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
So what do you think about what Jim Franklin said :
“Jim Franklin, Arizona Unit. I think Mr. Carson has touched upon a problem this club has been struggling with for quite a while. People on the AirstreamForum, people on the blog - ah, they seem to be unhappy being members.”
“They have driven away more members than what many of our membership crew have been able to obtain. And I think that ah, the solutions that region presidents and unit members need to look at - we need to think about ah, quality instead of quantity.”
“And ah, of course everyone has freedom of speech and we respect that.”
“But people that continually tear down the club, or attack the executive board and the membership and ah, if they have something constructive to have, ah, to do, I think that the board will certainly listen to it.”
“But people that are continually tearing down the club and being destructive, and they're unhappy. I think we need to be selective in our memberships and start looking at a way of terminating their membership and let them go find a place that they are happy.”
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aage
I am Not a member of the WBCCI, or even an owner of an AS (yet!), but I will submit my humble observation for what it's worth.
It reads very much as a direct attack on the Mr. Collins mentioned, with a lot of unclear statements that lack a coherent proof.
In other words, too much judgemental emotion, not enough hard facts and logical arguments. For example, where is a call to action; what is the reader to do?
I also find the baseball analogy a poor attempt to cover up the personalization of the diatribe. The writer puts himself in the position of an umpire, which is ludicrous given his insulting, churlish tone.
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.
Maybe, maybe not. You're certainly correct that inertia is the overwhelming force in human affairs.
But I wonder if WBCCI hasn't reached a tipping point. The suspension of a Region President and probably soon-to-be expulsion of a Unit President for vocally opposing the policies of the ruling class is unprecedented. They have crossed a line.
If Captain Larson doesn't see the rocks ahead and ring All Astern soon, we might want to start sauntering toward the lifeboats.
Try running from the floor some time. You'll get your eyes opened as to how this game is really played. Don't worry about getting elected -- nobody has a hope in hell of getting past this system. Go ahead, give it a shot, you've got nothing to win (seriously)...
Leo's correct, I was there!
__________________
Bob
'77 Sovereign Intl 31' CB '07 GMC 4x4 2500HD EC 8.1 Allision six | Bedrug | Softopper
WBCCI Time's a-changing Say no to Lawrence Welk attitudes
I really love the Switzerland sentiment. I believe it is truly honest and sincere. Unfortunately, I think France tried to operate under this premise once. As a matter of fact, so did the US, until Pearl Harbor.
No, not in the same light, not even close, I know... Yet there are members that care about the club, for its history, for its original connection with Airstream itself, for all the great history that we never got to be a part of. We've watched our International Leadership fail year after year, and for each year of failure they make some desperate move, or double up on their control, and now, finally, we operate in the red. This will be year two of their helpless demise. When will they give it up and just walk away? There are plenty of members that clearly see what is wrong and how to fix it. There are far more than SEVEN that could pick up the ball tomorrow and make it right...
As a member, you could sit on the side-lines and watch Germany march across Europe. Yeah, I know, not in the same light -- but one hell of a an analogy!
__
No argument here about standing up and fighting for what's right... it's usually the issue of which battles to pick that causes problems.
This could very well be a battle worth fighting. Old club, lots of history, lots of emotional involvement, and meaningful to lots of people for it's reputation of building friendships and bringing people together.
But to a complete outsider like myself - it all sounds less like beating back the Nazis... and more like old men fighting over how many visitor parking permits are allowed at their Florida retirement community.
Regardless, I hope the right people can help out - we're attending our first rally in October so perhaps at that point I'll feel that I need to pick a side.
Brad and I were planning on attending the International Rally in Madison with both our trailers, but I would much rather pay my dues and homage to the alternative Independence Day Rally if it comes together!
__________________ 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
Apparently there is no such confidentiality clause in the By-Law of WBCCI.
My understanding is that it has just been created so the facts can be kept from the membership, or our IP is getting wrong information from others.
Actually, confidentiality in disciplinary matters is not to be found in the WBCCI Blue Book, but is to be found in Robert's Rules of Order. The basis for maintaining confidentiality is to protect the organization from liability.
Why? A "trial" in an organization is not the same as one that takes place in a court of law. Under Roberts Rules hearsay is acceptable for instance, and the burden of proof is on the defendant. Organizations are required to have "due process" but that process is very informal, and allows as evidence things that a court of law never would.
In explaining this, please don't think that I'm defending the practice. I'm simply offering it as the explanation. What I find funny is that the IBT and IP only know that it is just "standard operating procedure." They have never really understood Roberts Rules, and I think they hate it as much as many people on this thread do, but because of their misunderstanding they continue to make mistakes with it and give Robert's Rules a bad name.
THE mistake they've made with Thompson is that expulsion of a member is supposed to be a LAST RESORT, and according to Robert's Rules is only to be resorted to for the most egregious offense - not to muzzle protest. The bottom line is that the Executive Committee has reached into the toolbox of rules and brought out the sledge hammer to "fix" a delicate situation. Of course, in so doing, have made things worse (for them I think).
Good points Forest, can you cite the section of Roberts Rules that speaks to that please.
Also Bob was suspended not expelled, that make any difference?
There is actually an entire chapter - Chapter XX Disciplinary Procedures - specifically pp 630 through 643.
A suspension for a year is simply a temporary expulsion, whereas expulsion itself has the connotation of being permanent. Either pronouncement has the effect of removing the member from the society.
an alternate rally is a great idea and WOULD BE a powerful statement.
for those of you who think the wb' wouldn't notice, THINK AGAIN.
__________________________________________________ _____________
a small forum group of 10-11 trailers (not protesting) camped 35 miles from salem 7/1-7/4 3 years ago.
i pulled up stakes from the pit in salem and joined them in the forrest, near the waterfalls.
just camping folks and it was really nice.
well "news" of this other rally hit the international EXACTLY as it was happening.
friendly folks drove up to visit us, of course DAY PASSES into the silver falls rally site were FREE...
eventually 2 "wb' officers" wearing officer garb, "accidentally wandered" into our camping area....
which was secluded on a dead end park road with NO services...
they won't get out of the cars to chat, when invited to join us,
but wondered "WHY" we'd wanna camp in up in the mountains, when the action was in salem.
one of the officers noted that there were MORE vintage bambis in our little group that in the 1000 down in the pit.
_________________________________________________
so an ALT RALLY is a great idea, would be LOTSZ of fun and they would definitely feel the pinch money wise...
but i doubt it will really take shape and HAPPEN.
what i read here is some posturing and threats by a couple of p.o.'d "OFFICER TYPES"...
thIS tempest will be contained, the bobbleheads will back off, and this revolt will blow over just like this one did...
Quick Links
"Support the Inalienable Right to Camp" 
Say no to Lawrence Welk attitudes
Linear Mode
