October Blue Beret

[Goin camping]

For the second month in a row WBCCI Pres. Don Shafer's colum is one of inclusion. He talks about the various stages he has gone through. From a working family to his current working retirement. How the Club needs to address the needs of all members in all stages.

The Member Idea Share was most impressive. I am surprised and glad the Club was honest with itself and its members to print the letters they did. The underlying opinions of the contributing members was. Less formality, Weekend Rallies to accomodate working folks with kids. Less cost and most shocking of all.....AIRSTREAM FORUM.COM rallies were used as a model for WBCCI Rallies!!

[Silverhobby]

I was glad to see that Forums rallies were mentioned.

I was also kinda disappointed. In the Region news, for the second month in a row, there was NOTHING to report from Region 3. This region has the largest membership in the regions. Who is in charge of writing or gathering the news for this article?

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by Silverhobby

I was also kinda disappointed. In the Region news, for the second month in a row, there was NOTHING to report from Region 3. This region has the largest membership in the regions. Who is in charge of writing or gathering the news for this article?

Region 9 seems to be in the same fix. There has been nothing much new in the last several issues since our President (Tom Collier) was elected 3rd Intl VP and our VP took over the Presidency.

One thing to remember, though. The lead time for the Beret is so great that previous regimes reported accounts of events that hadn't even happened when they had to input the material. I know this because I receive the material for use on the website. If there was less lead time, there would probably be more reporting of items of interest.

[Pam]

Your region president typically appointments an Editor for submitting articles about their region to the Blue Beret. The deadlines used to be about 2 months prior for submittals. I haven't done it for several years, but recall the 2 month lead time. If your region doesn't have an editor, I recommend that you contact your President and offer to take on the position.

Rallies and events are submitted for the year, in November by your Unit. Your President or Corresponding Secretary should have forms that you can submit to change rally information, add, or edit. You would still probably need about a 2 month leadtime.

Hope that helps.

[myboyburt]

This is the first Blue Beret that I didn't just thumb through and then recycle. In fact it's right here on my desk, next to my computer. Here is why I"m hanging on to it:

• Member Idea Share
• Pull Tabs article - I'm on a mission in regards to collection of tabs for the NEU
• Migrating Whooping Cranes article -I love birds, and having an Airstream means you can go and see these beautiful creatures
• Front Cover - picture of an Airstream traveling over a bridge. Airstream has lots of caravan stickers on it's back window. Like this because this is what I think Airstreaming is about: Camping and traveling with friends.

[myboyburt]

Originally Posted by myboyburt

This is the first Blue Beret that I didn't just thumb through and then recycle. In fact it's right here on my desk, next to my computer. Here is why I"m hanging on to it:

• Member Idea Share
• Pull Tabs article - I'm on a mission in regards to collection of tabs for the NEU
• Migrating Whooping Cranes article -I love birds, and having an Airstream means you can go and see these beautiful creatures
• Front Cover - picture of an Airstream traveling over a bridge. Airstream has lots of caravan stickers on it's back window. Like this because this is what I think Airstreaming is about: Camping and traveling with friends.

Hey! I found another reason to keep this issue. Inside back cover has a picture of a rally held by the Western North Carolina Unit and who do I see in the photo but two active, fun loving folks who are regular members of the NEU. I wonder how they fit this rally in? They went on two (maybe three) long term WBCCI caravans this year. Gosh, I wish I was them!

[jcanavera]

Did you all see the inside back cover and the pictures of the VAC parade at the International??? I wonder if the picture was carefully edited to cut out the pirate flag that was up on the last unit in the picture???

Kudos also that the forums being mentioned about the rallies we do. That was a great complement.

Jack

[streamer23]

Originally Posted by jcanavera

Did you all see the inside back cover and the pictures of the VAC parade at the International??? I wonder if the picture was carefully edited to cut out the pirate flag that was up on the last unit in the picture???

Kudos also that the forums being mentioned about the rallies we do. That was a great complement.

Jack

Seems like there may be hope for the WBCCI going forward .One small step at a time.Looking forward to getting my issue.Haven't said that for awhile.

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by myboyburt

...Pull Tabs article - I'm on a mission in regards to collection of tabs for the NEU...

Rant on, medication off,

This one has me really upset. What about the rest of the can, which weighs maybe 10 times the pull tab. Do you throw it away, if you collect 1,000 lbs of pull tabs, you would have 10,000 lbs if you included the cans.

The only reason I can think of to collect only the pull tabs is to represent a large number of things, ie 100,000 or 1,000,000.

One of the things that upset me about the Salem International, and I included in my letter to Jim Franklin and others, was the pride in collecting pull tabs, but no recycling bins anywhere on the fairgrounds. Oregon is known as a green state but no recycling bins. In addition you could be thrown out of the International for draining your ice chest on the ground, but dogs could go anywhere (but pick up the poop). Heaven forbid you would throw the dregs of your morning coffee or the ice from your drink on the ground.

Rant off, back on medication. Yes, I do feel better.

Bill

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

What about the rest of the can, which weighs maybe 10 times the pull tab. Do you throw it away, if you collect 1,000 lbs of pull tabs, you would have 10,000 lbs if you included the cans.


The only reason I can think of to collect only the pull tabs is to represent a large number of things, ie 100,000 or 1,000,000.

My understanding of why they only want the tab is because:

1) tabs take up less space, problem for all but especially for the RMDH themselves (and folks traveling in their RVs) - bottomline, RMDH is in the healling/helping business, not the recycling business
2) the cans can be recycled to another organization so TWO charities can reap the benefits of a single can - it's also suggested that you take the cans to a recycling facility and donate the proceeds to RMDH in addition to (or in lieu of) the tabs
3) the tab is a more pure aluminum than the can so is worth as much or more than the can itself

For more information, check out: Ronald McDonald House Charities

Shari

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

My understanding of why they only want the tab is because:

1) tabs take up less space, problem for all but especially for the RMDH themselves (and folks traveling in their RVs) - bottomline, RMDH is in the healling/helping business, not the recycling business
2) the cans can be recycled to another organization so TWO charities can reap the benefits of a single can - it's also suggested that you take the cans to a recycling facility and donate the proceeds to RMDH in addition to (or in lieu of) the tabs
3) the tab is a more pure aluminum than the can so is worth as much or more than the can itself

For more information, check out: Ronald McDonald House Charities

Shari

FWIW, according to Snopes.com the tab has the same aluminum content as the rest of the can. See: http://www.snopes.com/business/redeem/pulltabs.asp

Therefore, a given weight of pull tabs would have the same value as the same weight of cans. Crush the cans and they take up much less room.

Bill

[myboyburt]

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Rant on, medication off,

This one has me really upset. What about the rest of the can, which weighs maybe 10 times the pull tab. Do you throw it away, if you collect 1,000 lbs of pull tabs, you would have 10,000 lbs if you included the cans.

The only reason I can think of to collect only the pull tabs is to represent a large number of things, ie 100,000 or 1,000,000.

One of the things that upset me about the Salem International, and I included in my letter to Jim Franklin and others, was the pride in collecting pull tabs, but no recycling bins anywhere on the fairgrounds. Oregon is known as a green state but no recycling bins. In addition you could be thrown out of the International for draining your ice chest on the ground, but dogs could go anywhere (but pick up the poop). Heaven forbid you would throw the dregs of your morning coffee or the ice from your drink on the ground.

Rant off, back on medication. Yes, I do feel better.

Bill

Hey Bill,

No worries about the actual cans with me. All are recycled, I just take the tabs for charity.

In Massachusetts where we lived up until a couple of years ago there is a 5 cent return for each can, so most of them are being recycled. In New Hampshire where we now live many towns have mandatory recycling - my tiny town does. So all of my cans (minus their pull tabs) are being recycled.

[myboyburt]

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Rant on, medication off,

This one has me really upset. What about the rest of the can, which weighs maybe 10 times the pull tab. Do you throw it away, if you collect 1,000 lbs of pull tabs, you would have 10,000 lbs if you included the cans.

The only reason I can think of to collect only the pull tabs is to represent a large number of things, ie 100,000 or 1,000,000.

One of the things that upset me about the Salem International, and I included in my letter to Jim Franklin and others, was the pride in collecting pull tabs, but no recycling bins anywhere on the fairgrounds. Oregon is known as a green state but no recycling bins. In addition you could be thrown out of the International for draining your ice chest on the ground, but dogs could go anywhere (but pick up the poop). Heaven forbid you would throw the dregs of your morning coffee or the ice from your drink on the ground.

Rant off, back on medication. Yes, I do feel better.

Bill

Thanks for writing the letter Bill.

My folks were at International (in the dead and the dying section - we were the only people outside enjoying a happy hour) and also could not understand why there weren't any recycling bins. When they left International they lugged all of our bottles and cans with them. Lucky for them the first campground they stayed at (a KOA) had a recycling center.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by myboyburt

Hey Bill,

No worries about the actual cans with me. All are recycled, I just take the tabs for charity.

Ditto.

Shari