How To Improve WBCCI Technology Use

[ITsIT]

Originally Posted by munimula

FYI - 2012 Sedalia MO, 2013 Huron SD, 2014 Gillette WY

Thanks for the schedule Munimula.
Gillette is the most western of the location. roughly 1800 miles from the east coast, 3600 round trip, getting there is a vacation in its self.

[munimula]

As they say ItsIt...an Airstreamer reaches his/her destination the moment he/she is hitched up and seated behind the wheel.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by munimula

FYI - 2012 Sedalia MO, 2013 Huron SD, 2014 Gillette WY

Thanks.

Originally Posted by munimula

Oh yeah...and GO RANGERS!!!!

Let's go Caps!

[davenpow]

First of all I am not a current member. These are some ideas that have crossed my mind, be it my own ideas or someone else's.

1. Renew membership in the month you join, just like the DMV uses your birthday.
2. MAL's have a right to vote on national items, can't hold state or regional offices but could hold national positions.
3. ONLY Airstream owners as members, if you opt out of ownership then you opt out of membership. Life Members etc Too Bad!
4. Voting via internet, including at the international rally, international membership meeting should be on the web start to finish, this way those of use working stiffs could still participate, and vote on items brought to the membership


Just a few items and thoughts.
Ted

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by davenpow

1. Renew membership in the month you join, just like the DMV uses your birthday.
4. Voting via internet, including at the international rally, international membership meeting should be on the web start to finish, this way those of use working stiffs could still participate, and vote on items brought to the membership.

I agree wholeheartedly with all four points, but only points 1 and 4 are on-topic, as they're the only ones related to technology to improve WBCCI. Points 2 and 3 have been argued ad infinitum on other threads, and I'd hate to see this thread hijacked by people who just keep rehashing the same tired old differences of opinion.

[dwightdi]

This thread was started by a member of the ECC to illicit ideas that might be used by the ECC to use electronics and technology to improve communication within the club and enrich the member experience. That also is the purpose the ECC was formed. Communication within the club includes the use of the internet, (websites & emails) as well as the club magazine (Blue Beret) and other person to person communication. We have added email addresses to our national directory and many units have included the member's cell phone numbers as well as their land lines in their directories. Also the new national website is structured to be readable on smart cell phones. At this point, we have not got the members' permission to make their information directly available over the internet. Only 60% of our members currently utilize the internet so we also need to get all important communications to those 40% of the members who do not use the internet.

[dwightdi]

The meeting with the Executive committee has approved our broader use of our existing contract with "Constant Contact" beyond its exclusive use by the Marketing Committee. By using the new club database, we can now send out information to selected groups of our members via email.

An example of how the club might better use emerging technology would be: to seek the EC's approval to investigate the possibility of interfacing the new club database with an auto-dialer to make phone calls to selected groups of members in the future. 99% of our members have phones.

Another example would be: to seek EC's approval to include the members cell phone numbers within the national database. Since many cell phone contracts assess a charge on incoming calls, this would have to be an "opt in" option on the dues renewal form for next year. If approved, we could make contract with our members, even when they are on the road enjoying their Airstreams. The individual club members would also be able to reach other members on the road.

[Aviator]

Dwight,


You may make my information available. (It all ready is via various internet searches) WBCCI 10199

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by dwightdi

Another example would be: to seek EC's approval to include the members cell phone numbers within the national database. Since many cell phone contracts assess a charge on incoming calls, this would have to be an "opt in" option on the dues renewal form for next year. If approved, we could make contract with our members, even when they are on the road enjoying their Airstreams. The individual club members would also be able to reach other members on the road.

As I see it, the biggest hurdle here is to ensure that unauthorized people can't get hold of the information. No one wants to open themselves up to potential identity theft, so any means of making this information available to members MUST be secure, without making it too hard for authorized people to access. Until you can assure members of that, you'll be unlikely to get a lot of takers.

[Castaway]

Originally Posted by dwightdi

The meeting with the Executive committee has approved our broader use of our existing contract with "Constant Contact" beyond its exclusive use by the Marketing Committee. By using the new club database, we can now send out information to selected groups of our members via email.

An example of how the club might better use emerging technology would be: to seek the EC's approval to investigate the possibility of interfacing the new club database with an auto-dialer to make phone calls to selected groups of members in the future. 99% of our members have phones.

Another example would be: to seek EC's approval to include the members cell phone numbers within the national database. Since many cell phone contracts assess a charge on incoming calls, this would have to be an "opt in" option on the dues renewal form for next year. If approved, we could make contract with our members, even when they are on the road enjoying their Airstreams. The individual club members would also be able to reach other members on the road.

I do not like either of these suggestions, the last thing I want is more ROBO CALLS at meal time. Why publish cell numbers? The Blue Book already gives out to much personal information such as address.




Gary

[RickDavis]

While I have no objection to my phone being in the directory, I am strongly against any kind of automated calls.
I have no problem with E mails because I can deal with them at my leisure.

As I have said before , I believe far more than 60 % of the members have e mail but have not turned in their addresses for publication due to spam concerns

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Castaway

I do not like either of these suggestions, the last thing I want is more ROBO CALLS at meal time. Why publish cell numbers? The Blue Book already gives out to much personal information such as address.

The answer to that is simple… Just don't "opt in" to having your cell number listed in the database, then the database won't be able to auto-dial you, thus exempting you from both options.

It seems to me that they're trying to bring WBCCI into the 21st century, but they're leaving an out for the people who want to remain entrenched in the 20th.

[xrvr]

Disliking phone calls hardly puts you in the last century. I seldom use a phone either cell or otherwise and look at any non emergency call as a nuisance. Being able to opt out would be great! Jim

[mbmbstreamer]

I think you miss the point. Typically those who don't use e-mail, DO rely on telephone communication. It is that group we need to reach if electronic communication is to be relied upon.

[xrvr]

I consider emails a pain also. I do not like to talk to anyone, I lie also. Jim

[Skater]

Apparently WBCCI needs a "paranoia factor" - ranging from 1-5, where 1 is "post my address, phone, and email address, it's all fine, in any directory that is available only to members", and 5 is "don't even list me in the directory; I'm an unperson", and each member can pick which one they want.

[HowieE]

I think several people have missed the point here.

I doubt very much that there would ever be a need for ROBO calling to the membership. The group calling feature will most likely be used to call those in leadership that have to remain in contact to provide the direction of the Club in general. Yes maybe some units would use it effectively within the unit to improve correspondence of the unit.

E Mail and group calling will greatly reduce the time previously spent waiting for the US Mail to get through the rain, snow or dark of night.

As for the phone numbers being in the directory that will go a long way to improve the Courtesy Parking for those that offer it and use it. Just think a simple call to a member 50 or 60 miles from your location might save a lot of wasted travel time and preclude you from driving head long into some family function.

Yes your phone number and e mail address can become a nuisance in the wrong hands but if that is a problem to you I suggest you confront Verizon, Facebook, Google, or any of the hundreds of others that sell that information on a daily bases.

[xrvr]

I am not paranoid!!!! Well maybe a little nuts. Jim

[Protagonist]

I guess I'm a paranoid schizophrenic. The voices in my head are plotting against me.

[dwightdi]

The wide use of cell phones has greatly affected how people travel and communicate. The club needs change its operation and itself to use that technology to make for a better member experience. The more recent adoption of smart phones (combined with Internet connectivity) has also great advantage for traveling people. For those people who already use Smart Phones and those that will adopt them in the future, we need to plan our systems to make the best use of this technology, but we can not forget about those existing members that do not have them yet.

I do not have the research to prove it, but I think the older generation is more paranoid. They are also more fearful of making mistakes and reluctant to make changes that have a remote chance that they could be blamed if a problem develops.