We joined the club because of it's history and the product. We continue attending events because of the members. We have met many nice folks in the club and have enjoyed unit, state, and international rallies. The politics may seem large here on the Forum, but it is not a factor at events we have attended...except during the Delegates' Meeting.
We argue here because we care about the future of the club and want to see it thrive...not wither. If we weren't sold, we would leave. When you see so many strong opinions, it reflects very strong support for the club (not necessarily current or past leadership).
I write to you hoping that perhaps you see an opportunity here and can make a positive difference in the future of the WBCCI.
I recently became aware that Mr. Robert Thompson and his wife Harriet were suspended from the WBCCI for one year at the Region 1 Rally they hosted. As I'm sure you are aware, Bob and Harriet have been loyal and enthusiastic members for well over 30 years now. You also must know that suspending a member is a very serious affair and I'm sure that the entire leadership of the WBCCI firmly believes in the QUALITY of the process that is due to Mr. Thompson.
The opportunity I refer to however: the great leap forward that needs to be seized here is for the International leadership of the WBCCI to start taking more steps toward Accountability and Transparency. Due process is vital to the health of our club and I hope that you agree with me that the membership deserves to see that process.
I therefore respectfully request a copy of the original complaint against Mr. Robert Thompson.
~ What specific acts of misconduct, with all relevant dates, times and places form the basis of the complaint?
~ What section or sections of the WBCCI Constitution, Bylaws, Policy or Code of Ethics is he alleged to have violated?
~ Who testified at Mr. Thompson's hearing?
~ What documents or other evidence were considered by the Ethics and Grievance Committee?
~ What specific Findings of Fact did the Ethics and Grievance Committee reduce to writing after their investigation and what was their recommendation to the Executive Committee?
~ The Executive Committee apparently resolved to suspend Mr. Thompson. Did they affirm, overrule or modify the Ethics and Grievance Committee recommendation in any way?
A new day will dawn President Larson. A healthy dose of sunshine is the prescription that our members and true Leaders know will succeed. Can you lend us a hand and lead us forward?
Moderator note: We have removed Mr Larsons e-mail address from several posts in this thread. Posting e-mail addresses online opens the account to spam and we generally remove this kind of info as we find it.
If you need the address in question, you can find in in the WBCCI member book under Jerry Larson or PM one of several posters on this thread.
Thanks for understanding.
__________________ 77 Argosy Minuet, 6 metre | 77 Argosy 24, Rear door AIR # 3181 | WBCCI # 5575
Let's back up a step.
The purposes of the WB' are (or ought to be) not in order:
1) to promote caravans
2) to promote rallys
3) to facilitate local and regional clubs/units and encourage them to engage in #1 and #2 separately and in conjunction with each other.
And these 3 focussed on Airstreams.
The further they stray from these, the greater will their problems be.
We're fairly happy with our local unit, but whenever I read those comments from a president about keeping out undesirable elements I wonder if they mean me.
But as to the subject of this thread, I would very much like to hear another side to the story, but am beginning to lose hope of it.
[quote=Bambi_Bandit;607928]...a few days ago I posted my reply on the "save wally" forum, suggesting that WBCCI members supporting change to identify themselves by flipping our numbers upside down...quote]
III3 --------------------------------- III3
__________________
Dennis
"Suck it up, spend the bucks, do it right the first time."
But as to the subject of this thread, I would very much like to hear another side to the story, but am beginning to lose hope of it.
I feel the same way. Here a long time supporter/contributor to the club.. in his love of the club.. delivers an emotional plea in the interests of strengthening our collective goals and he is "taken out". What does the membership know of this? Nothing? but what we hear on this forum (which too is marginalized for it's concern regarding this matter).
Coming from the leadership we have heard not a word. As if it is no one person's concern but their own. My unit is grappling with a leader who is potentially subject to the same fate. I know this, because the gentlemen stepped forward and brought this situation to the unit's attention. I can only admire that kind of courage. Additionally, in today's day and age, one is guilty until proven innocent by mere allegation. There IS a case to be heard but the accuser is silent and does not FACE his target as AMERICAN justice would demand. Once again an ANTI-AMERICAN stance.
As I was contemplating this whole mess, it occured to me......... How dare they yank a friend, elected leader and fellow airstreamer from our group!~ To top it all off, NO ONE being made aware of it in any way what so ever as to how or why AND the group having no part in the process!~
In conclusion, what you want to hear is the other side, but apparently this is not a dialogue
I found that on savewally.org forum and I think it is the best way to see how the club is driven when it is time to take decision against a real insult.
Let know what your thought are !!!
I'll go for it :
Date: __________
Attention: Cindy Reed, Corporate Manager
WBCCI Headquarters
P.O. Box 612
Jackson Center, OH 45334
Code of Ethics Complaint
Dear WBCCI President Jerry Larson,
I, (enter name & membership number here), being a member in good standing in the (enter name of Unit here) and of the greater WBCCI seek to register a complaint against WBCCI Past President Jim Franklin, member number 143, (hereinafter referred to as the accused member), alleging that the accused has violated the WBCCI BYLAWS, ARTICLE VIII, CODE OF ETHICS, Sec. 1, which states that, “All members shall abide by the following Code of Ethics:… B. To be ever mindful of what we say or print with respect to the effect on others so as to avoid disharmony and ill feelings among club members and to dedicate ourselves to the work of cementing together the members of WBCCI in bonds of good fellowship and mutual understanding.”
The accused violated WBCCI Bylaw, Article VIII, Code of Ethics, Section 1, B. at the IBT Seminar in Bozeman, Montana, on June 24, 2008 when he publicly made an inflammatory, derogatory, threatening, divisive and condescending comment that has in turn created disharmony and ill feeling among many club members. It has also had a detrimental impact on the bonds of good fellowship and mutual understanding. His public comments follows and is transcribed from the actual proceedings (the specific comments that are in violation of the Code of Ethics are in bold):
“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.”
Clearly, the statement by the accused has been and continues to be upsetting to me and to my fellow members because it suggests that membership in the Club should be exclusive, instead of inclusive, and that steps should be taken to remove members seen as being “unhappy.” It speculates that such members are driving away membership when no such demographic can be documented that correlates Airforum membership with WBCCI membership. While it might be argued that Airforum members “continually tear down the club” it is not at all clear that such Airforum members are also WBCCI members. In fact, many WBCCI members participating in the Airforum have repeatedly defended the WBCCI as a worthy club and it is patently unfair to suggest they are unwanted or unworthy members.
Such an insulting, insensitive comment by a person in a position of leadership cannot and should not be ignored or tolerated, and I ask that the accused be “expelled from membership in the club or that such member be suspended from membership” should such violation be substantiated in accordance with WBCCI ARTICLE V, DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES.
Anyone who takes an essentially volunteer leadership position, should be given respect for their commitment and efforts. Lots of folks have opinions they are willing to voice, but, few will step up to the plate and do the actual work. This is true of any organization, and, people in general. If you disagree with the actions of the WBCCI, please do so in a civil and constructive fashion. Frustrations expressed through emotion laded text only alienate folks. Calm, and reasonable vision is what ganders support. The internet is much like driving a car. Easy to blow your horn, gesture, and then drive on down the road falsely thinking you made some sort of difference.
Points are better made in positively showing where an organization might have taken a better direction. Calling others failures and accusing them of striking out because you happen disagree with them is taking the lesser road.
Tom
__________________
2007 28' Int CCD.
2008 F 250 6.4L Diesel.
DTV 5lnb on a tripod.
Wilson wired repeater with YAG.
We sent an email to WBCCI President Jerry Larson yesterday expressing our displeasure with the suspension of Bob Thompson.
This morning we received the following response from Jerry Larson:
For SuEllyn and Brian,
I'm not sure why you are disappointed in the IBT over this situation as they
were not involved. But, thank you for your inputs. I look forward to working
together with you and all members of the Club with their varied opinions.
Together we can solve anything.
Give someone a hug today, Jerry
Jerry Larson is apparently looking at his emails. We are pleased with this timely response.
__________________ SuEllyn & Brian McCabe WBCCI #3628 --- AIR #14872 2005 25' Safari FB (Lucy) with HAHA 2005 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Olivia) & 2004 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Daisy)
In our small town, the local Rotary ran out of steam a few years ago. After 80 years of service, the Woman's Club folded this year. This same phenomena is happening everywhere. It's easy to dismiss this by saying younger generations just aren't interested, but the situation is more complex than that. Older social or civic organization are often run by older people, sometimes folks who have been in the Lion's Club or Optimists or whatever for decades. I've seen younger members come into these organizations and become frustrated because they encounter a "this is the way we've always done it" mentality. I don't know anything about WBCCI, but I have seen this same dynamic play out in places from local governments to churches to fraternal orders. When someone starts beating someone else over the head with a rule book, you know things are winding down
The reason the Air Forums work is that this is a 21st century model of social networking and organization. The organization is open. The rules are fairly simple. What happens here doesn't depend on leadership or rule books... it depends on the willingness for one person to help another. Communication is dynamic and in real time. Users can change the organization to better suit their needs in an ad hoc, informal way. The flat system allows people to come and go freely while minimizing the loss to the whole. The forums don't grind to a halt because the person who always scheduled the campground is out for medical reasons.
Our local Rotary and Woman's Club were full of great people. Wonderful, hardworking dedicated residents who really contributed to the community. The problem, however, is that the world changed far faster than their organizations. The more bureaucratic, the more rigid, the more rulebound an organization, the faster it become irrelevant in a rapidly evolving culture. The organizations that thrive are those that allow members to "reinvent" the organization repeatedly. Success is not about better rules; it's about fewer rules. Retention is not about better leaders; it's about empowering members. People are just as willing to network and "join" as ever... how they do it, though, is changing every day.
He also answered mine.I was a little surprised it was so fast as I imagine he has been receiving a lot of emails.Guess a group hug is warranted.
I would hope Bob is reinstated soon.
I have been doing some research on the WBCCI and the 4CU unit, and to let you all know I sent my application in this morning to join...
Don't know if I will attend any International rallies but Love what the local Unit does and am Interested in Participating in what they do... I am however going to stay out of the political stuff as for reasons I have already stated..
Thanks JIMMINI for the info.
__________________
Jason
May you have at least one sunny day, and a soft chair to sit in..
I have been doing some research on the WBCCI and the 4CU unit, and to let you all know I sent my application in this morning to join...
Don't know if I will attend any International rallies but Love what the local Unit does and am Interested in Participating in what they do... I am however going to stay out of the political stuff as for reasons I have already stated..
Thanks JIMMINI for the info.
Congratulations! You made a good decision. Welcome to WBCCI and the 4CU.
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)
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