Capetown to Cairo WBCCI Discussion

[Janet]

Well, I guess this is an example of an engaged member. Voting with your feet and check book make a powerful statement.

Last year when the name change was on the table, I wrote an letter to my unit officers. They had been unaware of the proposal and were receptive and surprised to learn of it. I'm getting out my pencil again and encourageing my unit to weigh in at WBCCI central with their opinion about the Capetown to Cairo caravan.

For local units struggling to attrack members and actively trying to address waning membership, the decision of the WBCCI to withhold club support of the best adventure to come down the pike for years, should be alarming.

[vajeep]

Great letter Rob,
I was shocked to read about the WBCCI's position on the Caravan...
I am sure we will talk about this at the Cherry Blossom Rally!
Abe

[Shacksman]

Have you ever wondered where the Mexican unit went. WBCCI would not support them having rallys in Mexico. They had to have rallys in the U.S. or not at all. They shut down the unit!
What's next, Canada? Lets get rid of the "I" and "C" in WBCCI.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by robandzoe

It is with sad regret that I have to cancel my 2007 International Rally registration

kudos for taking this position robandzoe....

last week, i wanted to suggest to members supporting the africa caravan

and opposed to the moho motion,

that withdrawing from the international is a powerful expression.

your action and your letter ROCK!

cheers
2air'

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

kudos for taking this position robandzoe....

last week, i wanted to suggest to members supporting the africa caravan

and opposed to the moho motion,

that withdrawing from the international is a powerful expression.

your letter ROCKS!

cheers
2air'

The entire world knows not to upset a US Marine, and now the IBT does also. I hope they listen.

Way to go Rob.

Bill

[mistral blue]

THE WALLY BYAM CREED

"In the heart of these words is an entire life's dream. To those of you who find in the promise of these words your promise, I bequeath this creed... my dream belongs to you." ---- Wally Byam
To place the great wide world at your doorstep for you who yearn to travel with all the comforts of home.
To provide a more satisfying, meaningful way of travel that offers complete travel independence, wherever and whenever you choose to go or stay.
To keep alive and make real an enduring promise of high adventure and faraway lands ... of rediscovering old places and new interests.
To open a whole world of new experiences ... a new dimension in enjoyment where travel adventure and good fellowship are your constant companions.
To encourage clubs and rallies that provide an endless source of friendships, travel fun and personal expressions.
To lead caravans wherever the four winds blow ... over twinkling boulevards, across trackless deserts ... to the traveled and untraveled corners of the earth.
To play some part in promoting international good will and understanding among peoples of the world through person-to-person contact.
To refine and perfect our product by continuous travel-testing over the highways and by ways of the world.
To strive endlessly to stir the venturesome spirit that moves you to follow dreams come true.

[WALLY 54]

The Wally Byam Creed is all about living... the IBT is not.

Crack is 50amp camping...


VOTE NO on the entire International slate when it comes to your unit in April (THIS MONTH). They're going to win anyway -- might as well make them sit through a 45 minute roll call and let them hear YOUR voice. Especially if you won't be in Perry! If they get in through another club-wide unanimous YES election they're just going to fumble around and find another disaster for '08. When is enough, enough?

[WALLY 54]

This single event has the potential to garner International press from all media outlets (tv, podcast, radio, independent film and magazine).

In a 50-year-old club, with dwindling memberships, this is the just the type of event that is needed -- with a pr shelf-life of at least 5 years (maybe even more).

This group is making foolish moves every-which-way they turn. Why is that?

Time to make a plan...

In "Animal House" it was the Deltas against the rules...the rules lost!:

Bluto (John Belushi): "What? Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is!"
Otter (Tim Matheson): "We gotta take these b#&ta#&s. Now we could do it with conventional weapons. But that could take years and cost millions of lives. No, I think we have to go all out. I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part.
Bluto: We're just the guys to do it."
D-Day: "Let's do it."
Bluto: "LET'S DO IT!"

[robandzoe]

Sure, I know WBCCI did not start running the Caravans until later... but image is everything. Don't come and give that as an excuse - the leadership should be trying to "FIND A WAY" to make it happen.

As to image - garner up the image of a Marine. Well, based on this image, and the "Esprit de Corps," the Marines do not have to do much promotion - there are few Marine Corps commercials out there - Young men want to join the Corps due to its image and challenge alone.

AIRSTREAM has much the same image in everyone's head - "Oh, those were the Cadillac." The WBCCI, or as I call it now, the WBC (I already dropped the C and I for ya Doug) should take on the Caravan to prove that what people say can't be done, CAN! We all know Wally would. Will there be issues - you bet, but if the Caravanners are ready to take it on, I'm behind them and support them 100%.

So, I'm speaking with my heart and not going this year. If they vote in the MH issue, I'm probably gone all-together. I sure will miss seeing and meeting everyone, but I'll be Airstreaming none the less that week - just not in a crammed $510 field with 40-50 feet of sewer hose running everywhere - like they don't leak (it'll smell nice after a week in the HEAT!)

To me this and the MH issue are separate, but they are related as the same people are making these decisions. Maybe they'll hit their head coming out the MH that morning, the day of the vote, and the WBC will make the right decisions - until July, we'll have to voice our concerns and be heard!

SYDTR everyone!

Rob

[wheel interested]

It's amazing just how unilaterally unresponsive our club leaders are. I have yet to hear of anyone's communication being acknowledged least of all responded to. These officers are in a vacuum, sealed away like a cult annexed away from the society they are supposed to be representing.

I applaud you Rob for taking action. The monopoly at the top just has to be broken up. The IBT has abused its power and has hijacked exclusive privilege to carry on business as they see fit and not as members choose. They have exclusive possession and control of the club. The only options they leave us with are walking.

Tell your unit to vote NO to the entire slate of officers or it is we that will be forced to leave, and not just a few members who allegedly can't find any Airstreams to buy. Vote NO to the motion and NO to any delegate negotiation.

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!
We're mad as heck and we aren't going to take it anymore.

[muddy_hollow]

One thing that puzzles me is that the WBCCI supported a long running caravan last year up to Nova Scotia, which celebrated the anniversary of the formation of the group. Seems odd that they don't support other International events???????

Doug

[LuminumTraila]

Can anyone here tell us anything about what the issues are, or why IBT rejected this caravan?

What countries would the caravan be traveling through? Are there any State Dept. warnings out about traveling in these countries? Are there health and safety, Language/guide, food/fuel, political/cultural issues? What did the insurers have to say about the trip?

Has WBCCI ever rejected any other caravan proposals? Did Wally ever consider taking a caravan through parts of the world where anti-American sentiment was high at the time? How does this trip differ from Wally's Capetown to Cairo trip?

I'm just trying to understand why this caravan is different from other caravans in the eyes of WBCCI's leaders, or what their reasons were for turning it down.

-J

[JStanley]

Yes, the delegates could vote no, no, no at the International.
It will send a short-term message but not solve the long-term problem.
Dropping out will not help, but boycotting the International sends a stronger message.
The IBT cabal has the ball, they rules the roost and it will us take time to rout them out.
They lost their compass and are going in circles.

As “rideair” said in one of his earlier posting, we have to work for change by getting our forward thinking, progressive members to move up through the ranks of their Units, their Regional offices and into International officer positions. Eventually we will have the new generation of leaders in positions of control. Lets hope that next generation doesn’t get contaminated or brainwashed by the incumbents and are able to steers WBCCI back on course.

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by dougjamie

Can anyone here tell us anything about what the issues are, or why IBT rejected this caravan?

What countries would the caravan be traveling through? Are there any State Dept. warnings out about traveling in these countries? Are there health and safety, Language/guide, food/fuel, political/cultural issues? What did the insurers have to say about the trip?

Has WBCCI ever rejected any other caravan proposals? Did Wally ever consider taking a caravan through parts of the world where anti-American sentiment was high at the time? How does this trip differ from Wally's Capetown to Cairo trip?

I'm just trying to understand why this caravan is different from other caravans in the eyes of WBCCI's leaders, or what their reasons were for turning it down.

-J

Here is the reason which was given to the orgainzers:

The decision has been difficult for the EC and many pros and cons have
been internally discussed. A sincere effort was made to make it
possible, however, unknown liability and provisions for obtaining
adequate insurance were the primary causes for disapproval. The EC
believes strongly that provisions of the OHIO law governing our
corporation (WBCCI) do not allow us the option of placing the Club in
potential jeopardy from unknown litigation from participants

and heirs of the caravan. Waivers and releases are not sufficiently
sound to fully protect the organization and this must be our primary
consideration

Bill