this month in the blue beret....

[Buttercup]

I wish I could show up in Perry but will not be able to go. I will however be following with great interest 2 areas of work. The internet and the BB...

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

I will however be following with great interest 2 areas of work. The internet and the BB...

shazam and it happens!

we asked nicely for a digital copy of the member idea column...

and graciously that request has been granted...

thanks renee!

so my time as a scrivener is shortened...

attached find the complete piece from the december bb...

it's in word format, downloads quickly and looks just like the printed pages.

read, enjoy, consider and comment...

the entire list is there so it's all fair game now...

who likes/dislikes what and why?

notice one of the ideas is to eliminate the mal member class...

i guess not everyone views improvement the same...

regardless it is a significant step in the right direction,

that current members, past and those interested in the wbcci...

can read about it!

we all need to shoot a note of thanks to 'the communicator'
and toss her some good ideas over on the WBCCI.org 'suggestion box' thread...

cheers
2air'

members of the wbcci get the bb monthly and
some may object to 'non members' having access to any part of it...
but in this era we all ways of getting the info,
so why not provide the accurate bits freely,
so when folks offer opinions, they have at least read the original goods...

this was my idea so IF you don't like it blame me, not renee.

otoh...
if this is well recieved perhaps future tasty bits from the bb
can make it online for non members to read, enjoy or critque...
b'cup did suggest the blue beret IS a marketing tool for the club,
and i believe open and free access to the process is great 4 the club..

[2airishuman]

ok now some of you may not want to download a doc
or may not be able to 'read' an ms word doc...
or may just want the list as previously noted...

so i've cut and pasted the list here for headings #2-5,

you will note this isn't my writing...too many capitals!

so folks, read 'em and comment.

cheers
2air'


2. Ideas About the Blue Beret Publication
-Announce births as well as deaths (children born to members)
-Have a “letters to the editor” section
-Have banner on cover that features information inside such as “In this Issue”
-Have something on cover that indicates WBCCI is about both rallies and caravans
-Have best submitted photo each issue – give a prize for best of the year
-Have a Q & A section covering any topic about Airstream trailers and the WBCCI itself
-Give it a more updated presence - update the layout
-Include more travel information
-Include things of interest to members who still are employed – vintage Airstream repairs, etc.
-Tap members with publishing expertise to form a team to work on a new look for the Blue Beret – for example, someone with layout experience, writers, photographer, advertising sales person
-Show more photos of younger members and children in the Blue Beret

3. Ideas for the International Rally
-Publish the rally schedule well in advance
-Have more socials/activities that breed camaraderie
-Have more of a festival approach
-More member-led seminars
-Have an Ambassador program in the parking area (assign volunteers as hosts in designated areas)
-Don’t dump the Vintage section on open house day
-Don’t break things down until July 5
-Be more customer service oriented
-Have training for volunteers in customer service and how to deal with difficult people
-Have a “night club” evening spot with a band playing music from post ballroom period
-Increase the number of vendors
-Bring in a mix of entertainers
-Use people who attended the International for the first time last year to help with the first timers’ seminar as they will be very in touch with first timers’ issues
-Schedule the International rally for Monday – Friday so people can travel on the weekends
-Offer more food vendors on site
-Have coffee in AM in welcome center
-Have more “active” activities, bike tours, etc.
-Show showers location on a map in rally program
-Have parking map in rally program
-Have FREE coffee and donuts every morning at International for members. It is a service and a social opportunity.
-Fix the parking and check-in process to improve attendee’s first impression

4. Ideas About Marketing/Membership
-Have an Intra-Club Coordinator to promote the establishment of more special interest groups
-Eliminate Member-At-Large. Members can join as many Units or Intra clubs as they wish.
-Work with a major campground chain to offer discounts to WBCCI members.
-Pro-rate rally fees to a daily rate for working people
-Use a post card to poll non-member Airstream owners to see why they don’t join WBCCI
-Expand Founders Award to include points for sending to WBCCI Office the name & address of non member Airstream owners who are spotted
-Teach units how to create and maintain web sites
-Have links to Unit web sites on wbcci.org
-Give each Unit a page on wbcci.org
-Award points on Merit Award to Units who send Unit activity schedules to local dealers
-Get rid of the dress uniforms, wear camping clothes
-Have high energy ads for WBCCI
-List rallies and recruit on Airstream Forums
-Have a written profile of each local Unit available so members can find the Units that fit them best
-Ask “What does WBCCI offer to families?” The Blue Beret for example, does not offer much of interest to those who still work
-Concentrate on new and current members and leaders. Give them tangible benefits and they will join and rejoin.
-Find ways to make members feel valued by leaders
-Have rallies that are relaxed
-Promote youth web site
-Offer some shorter caravans
-Include a subscription to Airstream Life magazine in the perks of WBCCI membership

5. Constitution and By-Laws
-Revise so members vote directly
-Members should get to vote on amendments
-Review and rethink the By-Laws

[ArtStream]

Thanks 2air!
I have shot the messenger, Renee.

Michael

[ArtStream]

Originally Posted by Artstream

Thanks 2air!
I have shot the messenger, Renee.

Michael

A NOTE

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by Artstream

I have shot the messenger, Renee. Michael

i can't breath...quick somebody hit the escape key!

2air'

[Mike Lewis]

So I was supposing that anyone that might fall into that category, might feel more comfortable and more secure ;Quote Carol

Carol-- I know you ment no disrespect for trailer owners, but think about this. Taken to its logical conclusion --If some one has invested years of service to the club then becomes wheel chair bound do we change the clubs constitution to include Wheel Chairs. Yes we all grow older--things become more difficult --we will all croke !!!! At what point do we draw the line as to changing club rules to include the comfort of others.???---pieman

[wheel interested]

Airstream manufactured motorhomes are allowed. Should Airstream badged motorhomes be allowed? As I said I don't even know if one will be able to detect the difference. It's all speculation at this point, anyway. Airstream does not manufacture the Westfalia. So if Airstream converts another Thor Motorhome, how is that different? What particular part of the completed unit constitutes and qualifies it as Airstream manufactured?

[2airishuman]

well it looks like some have viewed the 'member ideas' column in post 43/44...

b'cup didn't you have some 'marketing ideas' to add?

l like the idea of more vendors at the international and more food options.

the email room as a big success and the ONLY thing available 24/7...also nice.

i love the idea of 'birth notices' in the bb, how about weddings too?

help or better websites for all units is good, and a page on the wbcci site for units is too...

more needs to be done in welcoming new members and mals...

so some good ideas contained...

other?

cheers
2air'

[ArtStream]

Speaking of welcomes, within a few weeks of joining the Escapees club I received a very welcoming E-mail letter.

It was written in the first person, which gave it a very personal touch.

The letter talked about getting involved in club rallies, not to be shy, some of the up-coming events, and addressed some of the concerns all newbie's have.



It was a very nice touch, and unexpected!



Michael

[Buttercup]

Well Kimber had a bunch of idead for changes to the BB itself to make it a more enjoyable publication to pick up and read. That can go a long way towards member retention.
Also She has a ton of ideas where the club can more effectively market itself but as you pointed out, the club has to be able to live up to the image they are trying to project.
I will get her to write that up real quick.