Want to Help Charter a New Unit in New Mexico?

[Airstream25]

Wally was an amazing leader of daring and great spirit. His Cape Town to Cairo caravan was world class.

I believe the WBCCI organization had grown to a peak of about 25,000 but has now declined to about 8000.

I should think the current WBCCI leadership would be concerned about this decline and seek constructive ways to turn the organization around.

By the way, how does one conduct a poll on Airstream Forums? It might be informative to have the forums vote on whether they think the Region 11 leaders were right or wrong to deny the charter for the Four Corners Unit.

[Fyrzowt]

I have been reading this thread with interest. I have been an A.S. owner for about 5 years and until recently didn't know what WBCCI was. I have slowly been learning tidbits here and there, then tonight I stumbled across this thread. I can see that I will have no further interest in joining that organization. Not that the organization wouldn't have it's pluses. But based on the attitude reflected in the written response, and the reasons given for denying the application, I will not at this time send them my money nor invest any of my time with them. If the choice is camping or a business meeting/get-together attended by the likes of this fellow, I'll camp. Is he representative of most of the WBCCI group?
I suggest you:
1. Appeal if this is truly what you want.
2. Start your own "AIR" group. (Have I seen that before?)
3. Just go camping, but let us all know where and when!

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Fyrzowt

I have been reading this thread with interest. I have been an A.S. owner for about 5 years and until recently didn't know what WBCCI was. I have slowly been learning tidbits here and there, then tonight I stumbled across this thread. I can see that I will have no further interest in joining that organization. Not that the organization wouldn't have it's pluses. But based on the attitude reflected in the written response, and the reasons given for denying the application, I will not at this time send them my money nor invest any of my time with them. If the choice is camping or a business meeting/get-together attended by the likes of this fellow, I'll camp. Is he representative of most of the WBCCI group?
I suggest you:
1. Appeal if this is truly what you want.
2. Start your own "AIR" group. (Have I seen that before?)
3. Just go camping, but let us all know where and when!

I too am dissapointed in the reply from the Region 11 VP. A better response would have been to probe for further information, rather than flatly rejecting the idea (assuming that immediate approval was not possible). The points made in several of the above responses point directly at why this change is needed, so I won't repeat them here.

I just want to point out that you really shouldn't make your decision based up the response of one individual in what would be a different region (11) from yours (Region 12). And even if you would be in Region 11, leaders are temporary and opinions differ. Some folks are more progressive than others. I sense that there are some leaders within the club that understand that change is necessary in order for the club to survive. It may not come a quickly as we like, but it will come. It is new ideas like this new unit one that must be addressed, and if they have even a little merit, allowed to proceed as an experiment, if nothing more. I would hope that this topic will immediately get the attention of the International (as opposed to Regional) club leadership, which I think it will because this has already been posted over on the WBCCI forums as well in the Member Suggestion Box sub-forum:
http://www.wbcci.org/Forum/viewmessa...m=14&Topic=206

Let us not all throw up our hands in disgust and leave (or not join) the club the first tme one of our ideas is not immedataley adopted. Change takes time (and maybe a couple of tries).

[Fyrzowt]

You make some good points Joe. That was why I asked if he was representative of the attitude of the group as a whole, and left open the possibility of appealing the decision.
But it does leave a sour taste....

[65GT]

If TEN plus members wish to form and start a new unit for nearly ANY reason – in this day and age – it should be allowed. No one needs to reconcile differences with anyone. No one needs to continue to operate in an environment that doesn’t make them happy.

This club needs more members and needs to make sure that members in any given area are happy to camp, gather, and celebrate the cause WITH ONE ANOTHER. It’s obvious that there are issues with some of these 4 Corners founders and the units that currently exist in the area. If that weren’t the case none of this would have taken place to begin with.

Region 11 Leadership should reconsider immediately and grant the new charter for the unit – PERIOD.

My advise to Ken and all the other EXCITED and MOTIVATED volunteers that would found, join, and promote a new unit and new WBCCI activities is to take matters into your own hands.

You should all join the Region 2 WDCU unit immediately, and proceed EXACTLY as you have already planned. Within the WDCU you can operate exactly as you please all the way out there in New Mexico and have insurance for any and all activities you plan in your area. You won’t be burdened by the WDCU leadership at all. They’ll be happy to see MORE forward thinking; willing progressive leaders making this club what it was always meant to be – the adventure of a life time and a whole lot of FUN!

THEN once you’ve determined that everything is working according to plan; in one year you resubmit the EXACT same proposal you just did and you’ll get your own charter. Region 11 will be absolutely FOOLISH to ignore you at that point because what they’ll be facing by then is a whole bunch of 4 Corners folks belonging to an East Coast Region. That’s a WHOLE lot of egg for a Region 11 Officer to be wearing on his or her FACE.


http://homepage.mac.com/jfstrain/blo...4/defiance.jpg



After Mike’s post on the total membership numbers in each region I forecast a whole bunch of Chiefs are about to find themselves without a Region to rule over as the club goes from 12 regions down to 6 in Perry Georgia in 2007.

Don’t walk away guys – carry on – EXACTLY as you’ve already planned. You’ve got to have faith – just keep it moving forward and you’ll get exactly what you’ve been looking for.

You’re doing a great job and a great thing for the WBCCI as a whole. Now's the time to show Region 11 that you're serious... Congrats!

__

[Goin camping]

I don't know if your new Unit would have worked or not over the long haul but it should have been approved for the following reasons.

1, On paper it should work.
2, By doing the Units business via Internet you are involving ALL members in the clubs business and keeping them interested and participating in the Unit.
3, If it did work this model could be adopted b y others and the WBCCI would benefit by that.

Keep at it. Appeal or take whatever steps you need to keep this concept alive. There is always someone somwhere who will champion a new idea.

[Condoluminum]

Ken and others..

Sorry from Region 12 that your innovative idea didn't fly past Region 11 HQ.. Most of us here probably feel the same way about the spirit of focusing on the needs of owners and members v. officers and infrastructure...

So here was my idea...

Could you become the "Four Corners Affiliates" of the Washington DC Unit?? That would let you maintain WBCCI membership (though I wonder about value of that...) and pay minimal dues to them, and then pay what might have sadly gone to Region 11 unit dues and put those towards costs of maintaining electronic communication with your own affiliates... Each of your members could then politely send Chester a note explaining why no more dues or renewals would be flowing into his Region...

John McG

[65GT]

Originally Posted by Condoluminum

Could you become the "Four Corners Affiliates" of the Washington DC Unit?? That would let you maintain WBCCI membership (though I wonder about value of that...) and pay minimal dues to them, and then pay what might have sadly gone to Region 11 unit dues and put those towards costs of maintaining electronic communication with your own affiliates... Each of your members could then politely send Chester a note explaining why no more dues or renewals would be flowing into his Region... John McG

The WBCCI membership has high value from a whole bunch of perspectives. You either identify with one or multiples or you don't. I wouldn't give up on the WBCCI.

As for the rest of your message -- B-I-N-G-O! Perfect execution!

__

[Chuck]

4. Competition among new and/or existing units for members is forbidden in Region 11. We cannot have new units that give members what they want take members away from existing units who may not be giving members what they want. How can the existing units survive if new ones arise to take their place?


I'm just dumbfounded by this statement.

"Forbidden"???? I beg your pardon???

yeah, thats the way to run a club. DON'T give people what they want, so they won't show up at all.

Hello??

If the existing units can't show people a good time, then they shouldn't survive. And they won't.

I think I just found the solution to our "problem" in the NEU (we can't find camping venues that are large enough for all the people that want to come hang out with us). "quit having such a good time, so people stop coming". yeah, thats it.

good grief!!

[GT1963]

Just read this thread with interest in the approach, suggestions and of course the Region 11 response.

Not that I have any weight - other than blubber whatsoever - but just wanted to pass on that both Peter and I totally understand your frustration in attempts to develop a "unit" that will better suit your personal needs and expectations of what "camping with your airstream" should be all about for you, your children, pets and friends.

While our membership has not lapsed quite yet - we have decided to leave our Ontario Unit. For many of the same reasons that have been stated through way too many threads that I have read over the past 3 years.

A few things that I have noticed that seem to spin the need for change:

The size of the unit - over 50 tends to lean towards the easiest methods to please it's membership - large rooms, cards, typical attraction style organization (which is needed to maintain order and fairness - i.e. Disney Land) So how can you possibly get that intimate close group feeling - Impossible. However if you looked closely at those big units you will see the group dynamics - and several cliques within the large group.

Second is the average age of the members within the unit. If it is an older unit that has evolved from the late forties with its members now in their 60'-80's then you can bet - any change that you would like to see will most definately take its time.

Why change does not happen fast in these larger units - simply it is the officers and the terms they are faced with. Although many get involved to make a difference - by the time they get in, learn the ropes, learn the rules and keep up with the LARGE units logistical demands there is no more time to "actually" listen to the members and their changing needs.

Ocassionally a member (rebel) will come along and try and stir up the pot - but the pot is just too big and too hot that the member is forced to make a decision - join or stay with a unit that does not do anything that interests them or leave and find what they are looking for somewhere else.

An alternative might be to search for like members within the Large Unit and start running satelite gatherings - but for any of us who have tried that you know what the UNIT Officer response is (if it is not our way it is the hyway).

A second alternative is as this thread is suggesting to start your own unit. And although there are valid points on both sides - the answer to the above is not proactive.

A regions mandate should be at all times to encourage membership - not to discourage it. If an area is TOO big to handle all the needs of the members in the "geographical" area than there should not be any objection to a new Unit.

However on the other hand - in order to call your unit WBCCI endorsed -there are rules and procedures to be followed - how they are followed should be up to the unit - whether they are in person or by mail, phone, fax, or internet. If the charter is meeting it's obligations to the WBCCI then that is all the Region should be concerned with.

Competing for members - IMHO is such a lame excuse. What does the region care - as the most of the fee goes to HQ. If the Unit is worried about fees dropping then possibly more effort should be made to encourage programs within the Unit that are smaller and for diversified members.

Not all members attend all the Rallies and events. And why is it so harmfull for members to have a choice to go to various rallies within their own area. If there be a kiddie rally, a Kayaking rally, a real camping rally (that one just blows my mind really as we all seem to drag a mini house around to say we are camping ) or how about on the opposite spectrum, the quilting rally, the Domino Rally, the Country Music Rally - why is it so difficult for Units to get around that they can organize 10 small events just as easily as they can organizing one large event for 100+ Airstreamers.

Someone please tell me WHY the powers to be get all bent out of shape to losen the reigns a bit and let some smaller breakout groups do their own thing without having to be full of red tape and procedures.

I found in Ontario's Unit that the majority of the 70 average out of their 128+ members who attend - were quite happy with the same routine that they have had since we joined. And that many of them are not interested in the more outdoorsy type activities - and those that are seem to have their "other groups" that they belong to outside of Airstreaming to get those fixes.

Adjust your reasons for the unit that will fall a bit more in line with the obigations of a Unit and then have fun. Appeal the decision to the Region on your new grounds - or aske specifically the grounds for refusal - based on the criteria of the by-laws. If the refusal is reasonable then as mentioned adjust them to better suit and re-submit your appeal to the next level.

Good Luck.

But on another note - have you tried working within the unit and recruiting members to attending a breakout event and do you have the units support for that approach - if not - stay the course above and start a new Unit.

Just my two thousand cents.....

[Over59]

Originally Posted by Airstream25

Wally was an amazing leader of daring and great spirit. His Cape Town to Cairo caravan was world class.

I believe the WBCCI organization had grown to a peak of about 25,000 but has now declined to about 8000.

I should think the current WBCCI leadership would be concerned about this decline and seek constructive ways to turn the organization around.

By the way, how does one conduct a poll on Airstream Forums? It might be informative to have the forums vote on whether they think the Region 11 leaders were right or wrong to deny the charter for the Four Corners Unit.

They would never allow that to happen. In fact I suspect they will be unhappy that this wasn't kept a "private matter". It's how most business is conducted, "in confidence".

[bryanl]

I think there is a lot of hot air blowin' - people need to be very careful about perceptions, especially of attitude.

I think good arguments can be made for not creating competing organizations for a social activity. That is not a good basis for a social organization seeking to encourage community.

There is also something to be said about demonstrating a need for organization before organizing.

In other words, get friends together doing things that complement other organizations - not compete with them. If the activities of your group of friends gets to the point where its activities need organization, then do the organizing.

The idea with WBCCI is not to play with organizational artifacts but rather to stimulate people to get out and utilize their Airstream RV. What I see in a lot of the hot air (and I am aware of the caveat in re perceptions) is folks who are putting the focus on the artifacts and not on what we gather to do together. Use WBCCI as a tool to help you if you find you need the organization and its support and structures. Don't use it as a foil for your other frustrations or problems.

[dscluchfc]

Lubbock Texas is home to the Largest Lion's Club in the USA and 2nd Largest in the World.
However, there are also about a dozen other Lion's Clubs in Lubbock that are smaller, more intimate, and serve the needs of their members.
Is there competition???....sure.....friendly rivalry???....sure.
Is that okay????...sure it is.
I do NOT understand the stodgy, super secret, smoke filled room attitudes represented in Chester's response.
People have different needs and expectations.
People are able to compete and have friendly competition without "ruining" an organization....in fact, it might just spur growth.
The ONE THING we all have in common is Airstream Ownership.....so why do we all have to do it by some WBCCI Bible Guidelines that are never to be changed?
It appears to me that WBCCI could study Lion's International and LEARN a few new tricks about membership and Club Charters.

[bryanl]

I do NOT understand the stodgy, super secret, smoke filled room attitudes represented in Chester's response.

Probably because they were not really there.

There is competition and then there is rivalry. When you have several Lion's clubs in the same area serving different interests, it is not competition as they serve different markets. Same thing exists with WBCCI.

why do we all have to do it by some WBCCI Bible Guidelines that are never to be changed?

You don't. And the ones you complain about don't exist the way you portray them - they are fantasies.

The first step for anyone is to get a handle on reality if they want a productive discussion. The danger is a real one and a serious one. We have to be very careful of what we know and what we think we know in order to avoid charging off into someplace that doesn't really exist.