Washington DC Unit - What Happened

[Rhonda]

Well I can't wait to catch up with all the WDCU group again! We plan on Madison next year. A secret route to Madison sounds cool. We would certainly jump in if it wasn't too far out of the way.

[Pfredd]

Originally Posted by Over59

obscene tools.... now that's a crowd pleaser

Ummm - errr - yah.... Sorry about the Chief!

We made the mistake of going through one of the Illinois toll roads with our trailer. The toll for our truck/single axle trailer was more than two times the cost for a car!

Compare that to the West Virginia Turnpike - they charge you 25 cents more for ANY RV trailer.... Guess which state want tourists more?

[Frank's Trailer Works]

A year out and the convoy is forming already... Dave that sounds good. Maybe we can meet at your sight, then gang up with Steve's unit the day before and all roll in together. Give the parkers a run for their money.

[Over59]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

A year out and the convoy is forming already... Dave that sounds good. Maybe we can meet at your sight, then gang up with Steve's unit the day before and all roll in together. Give the parkers a run for their money.

No one have your numbers on and be hard of hearing....

[Silverhobby]

I have already been thinking about attending Madison next year. I really want to be there. It is sort of a central USA location.

[digger bear]

Originally Posted by Pfredd

It MAY start even sooner...

I am thinking of hosting a Pre-Pre-Rally gathering in Indiana where people can meet up, spend a night, then caravan to the VAC pre-rally gathering.

....

Pfredd - keep us in the loop also - the spouse and I are thinking seriously about Madison next year - hate to miss ANY party!

[Pfredd]

Like I said - it's just an idea at this point.

I will investigate several potential locations and get some info out early this Fall.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Originally Posted by Over59

No one have your numbers on and be hard of hearing....

As soon as I get my end cap polished I am putting my numbers on. I just had them made up. The color is the same deep red as the official numbers, but it is a very different font and they are 7 1/2" tall instead of 6". What do you think Paul?

[SilverRanger]

Originally Posted by vajeep

Melissa and I just sent our membership change to the WDCU unit. Count us as the two newest members to the WDCU unit

Abe/Melissa,
Welcome aboard! I have always considered you guys as a member of WDCU anyway. We changed our unit membership to WDCU last year, and in the words of the membership chairperson, "You didn't change units... you upgraded".

GLW

[rideair]

Frank,

I think the numbers are "Right on the Edge", just like you!

They are very fitting. I say run with them.

Keeping it real.

[Buttercup]

I was slated to be the WDCU delegate this year.
Once we were parked I realized with horror that 2 things happened - One, Kimber and I would have to leave early because we would have to be in Sacramento on Tuesday (actually, we knew this before we left for Bozeman) and second, I had no delegate credentials nor the result of the voting, which was done by email.
After some scrambling around and asking around, April volunteered to be the delegate. We were able to get a faxed credentials paper from Pete and get April registered with 10 minutes to spare before the final delegates desk closing.
I am disappointed to hear that the experience did not go well for her. It was her first International and obviously first time being a delegate and she was such a trooper to step up to the plate to do this. WDCU was very close to not having a vote at all. I hope to talk to her to see what happened and how she is doing.
I am also looking forward to Madison and hope Andy & April will be there as well...

[byamcaravanner]

Originally Posted by Pfredd

We made the mistake of going through one of the Illinois toll roads with our trailer. The toll for our truck/single axle trailer was more than two times the cost for a car!

Dave,

I alway get the feeling the toll worker is just picking a dollar figure out of you know where. LOL! Best thing is to open a I-pass account and then just zip right through... the transponder records your tolls and deducts the appropriate amount from your account. These also work anywhere in the E-Z Pass system.

In reality, the best this is to use your secret toll avoidance route and enjoy a longer, but more scenic trip... what did Wally say? "Drive over that hill and then the next and then the next."

[byamcaravanner]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

I just had them made up. The color is the same deep red as the official numbers, but it is a very different font and they are 7 1/2" tall instead of 6". What do you think...

Very Cool!

[robandzoe]

Not windows... but I don't do toll roads... and Frank - those Decals ( pronounced Deh-culs in Canada) will look sweet! Where's the "Yensan's Second Home" decals?

[byamcaravanner]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

After some scrambling around and asking around, April volunteered to be the delegate...I am disappointed to hear that the experience did not go well for her. It was her first International and obviously first time being a delegate and she was such a trooper to step up to the plate to do this. WDCU was very close to not having a vote at all.

This sort of treatment seems to be typical from the IBT. My first experience with this was last year when I listened to the simulcast of the meeting at Perry, GA. A woman (sorry I don't recall who it was) from my Wisconsin unit was to address the IBT regarding the State of Affairs of our unit. As some of you may know, we have a rather outspoken member of our unit (and past president of the VAC) Ed Emerick. I mention this because our representative. Ms. X was subject to an extended tongue lashing from Richard Heyde, region 5 pres (and member of the IBT) regarding comments and activities made over the years by Mr. Emerick. It was completely inappropriate for this to be addressed without Ed being present to defend himself and also very disrespectful to our spokesperson who had no involvement in the matter. It was as though Mr. Heyde was using the power and platform of the IBT meeting to fight his own personal battle with Ed by abusing this woman. It was very eye opening.

April,

Kudos to you for stepping up, that is very admirable. Please do not take offense at the treatment you received. It appears to be a badge of honor to be worn by soldiers in the fight for the future of the WBCCI. Wear it with pride! Maybe we need to make a special T-shirt for those brave individuals who have survived the abuse of the IBT.

"I took all the SH*T the IBT could throw at me and survived" LOL!

[utee94]

Okay, I've stayed out of it, but can't help but weigh in at this point. As an Airstream-Wannabe-Guy, I just haven't heard much positive about the executive leadership of the WBCCI. Makes me wonder if I would ever join? It seems like there are some great local units, so I guess that might be enough...

[Skater]

I'm thinking about going to Madison next year, too. Normally I have a car club event around that same time every year, but I have a funny feeling after this year I'm not really going to be interested in going to the car club event next year. I love the Indiana stopover idea! I'd probably stop there anyway.

I didn't return the vote for the delegates because I had no idea who any of them were, so I felt like the responsible thing to do was not vote.

[vajeep]

Originally Posted by SilverRanger

Abe/Melissa,
Welcome aboard! I have always considered you guys as a member of WDCU anyway. We changed our unit membership to WDCU last year, and in the words of the membership chairperson, "You didn't change units... you upgraded".

GLW

Thanks for the Kind words!!! Any chance we will see you at VTJ?

[47WeeWind]

Originally Posted by byamcaravanner

This sort of treatment seems to be typical from the IBT. My first experience with this was last year when I listened to the simulcast of the meeting at Perry, GA. A woman (sorry I don't recall who it was) from my Wisconsin unit was to address the IBT regarding the State of Affairs of our unit. As some of you may know, we have a rather outspoken member of our unit (and past president of the VAC) Ed Emerick. I mention this because our representative. Ms. X was subject to an extended tongue lashing from Richard Heyde, region 5 pres (and member of the IBT) regarding comments and activities made over the years by Mr. Emerick. It was completely inappropriate for this to be addressed without Ed being present to defend himself and also very disrespectful to our spokesperson who had no involvement in the matter. It was as though Mr. Heyde was using the power and platform of the IBT meeting to fight his own personal battle with Ed by abusing this woman. It was very eye opening.

Richard Heyde, having served his term, is out of office and no longer the Region 5 President. He is last year's news. Times have changed. I did not attend this year's Delegates Meeting, but did attend a wonderful informal Happy Hour.

This year on Wednesday evening, July 2nd, the Region Officers hosted Happy Hour at the VAC tent and provided all the food. Not all could attend due to prior commitments, but many Region Presidents, Vice President and their better halves attended. It was a delightful time. Two Region officers, Region 7 President Don Rogers and another whom I unfortunately forgot, brought a beautiful sheet cake with icing that incorporated photos of our trailers taken during the vintage parade. I spoke with the current Region 5 President who, like many other WBCCI Officers, was shocked and aghast at Mr. Heyde's outbursts last year and apologized for it.

The Region Officers sponsored the Happy Hour to mend fences and improve communications. There are a few Region Officers who own vintage trailers, are VAC members and strongly support the VAC, so please don't paint all Region Officers with the same inappropriate brush. There is strong support for VAC activities -- and other changes -- in many Regions and especially in the Midwest. Many Region Officers are pushing for change and get just as frustrated as others with the slow pace of achieving it. But they are in leadership positions and will continue to push.

I finally met Public Relations Chair Bill Schrader and vigorously shook his hand to thank him for all the great work he has been doing to modernize the WBCCI from the inside out. He also heads up the 2020 Committee and brought the committee members to the VAC tent to find out what changes we thought would improve the club. They took many notes.

This year's International was the best (of two) I've attended. The VAC had excellent parking on a grass athletic field and a busy agenda of fun activities. This year the days were pleasant and the nights were crisp (40s and 50s) for excellent sleeping. I'm sure other attendees will pipe up with their experiences.

But my main point is don't keep picking the Richard Heyde scab. Let it fully heal and let's move on to more current topics.

[47WeeWind]

Originally Posted by utee94

Okay, I've stayed out of it, but can't help but weigh in at this point. As an Airstream-Wannabe-Guy, I just haven't heard much positive about the executive leadership of the WBCCI. Makes me wonder if I would ever join? It seems like there are some great local units, so I guess that might be enough...

It's just like the evening news. Good deeds, good people and good news go unreported. Wrecks and disasters make headlines. Don't judge the WBCCI by the few comments you read (time and again) here.