Terry, I was just thinking the same thing as wheel interested was. I'm also very sorry that this happened to you and your daughter. If it's true that according to the rules and regs only the owners of the Airstream unit are members in the WBCCI, then I guess only one of the two adults in our family is a member and the other adult and two kids are just...what? tag-a-longs? This is just another one of those things about WBCCI that needs to change. But (sigh) instead of finding ways to fix these things that could help them grow, they're worryin' about what name they're going to take to the grave!
After reading your post I can't imagine why you would want to stay in WBCCI, but I hope that you'll consider using your membership to attend some of the rallies of other more family-friendly units. At any rate, if you're ever in New England, feel free to drop in on one of our events. We'd love to have ya!
As I started reading your experiences and disappointments I thought to myself that you encountered such as many of us have had, but when I got to the part about your daughter I knew that this was far worse, it wasn't a matter of disappointment, it was an emotional assault, however insensitive to that fact the person was when they said it. As I read on about the president's letter, I thought, oh, good, an apology to you and your family was sent. Then I read they hit you with the rule book! That is the best example of the worst experience that I have heard. And I for one am sorry.
Hi Guys,
When I took on the role of Membership Chairperson for the New England Unit I was told to badge *every* family member *and* to offer to customize the badges for the kids. By customize I mean special colors for the kid's names or to offer their parents names next to theirs.
Are kids members of the New England Unit? You bet! Are they members by WBCCI standards? I don't know but if they are not then shame on the people who are running the show as we need champions to continue our club in the future.
__________________ Michelle & Leon
WBCCI # 7032 New England Unit
White Mountains NH Unit
Vintage Airstream Club Tin Can Tourists Vintage Club
It is ashame you had to experience what you did. - Many of us have gone through the same motions. We are lucky we did not have kids - because if we had that experience I just don't know what I would have done.
However I am afraid the only way you will see change - is to change it yourself. It will be our generation that will have to lead in the change. We really can not expect the generation before us to. We sort of hope they won't mess things up even further than has already been done.
For the generation (and not all are lumped in this deal!! cause there are some pretty cool open minded and progressive pre-baby boomers out there) but then for the rest - they have entered the mobile retirement home syndrome which we will never be able to change. Our efforts can be concentrated elswhere
When you get your directory list - find out who the members are that are your age group - take the initiative and give them a call - get together and do things - you don't need permission like many think you do. Just go have fun and camp. The more people you find the more you will do and then people will notice - the ones that have the fun will attract others who want to have fun - and that is how NEW spin off Units form -they made it easier for us - by stipulating only 10 members can form a Unit!!!
If we get enough 10 folds and then amalgamate over time - we will have evolved into a brand new WBCCI (without having to sing Old MacDonald had a farm......)
__________________ Streaming in the spirit of Exploration... "To go places and do things that have never
been done before-that's what living is all about." - M. Collins
I can't believe what I'm hearing! Children are not part of the WBCCI!Are we suppose to leave them home while we are out streamin'? "By the way kids, you have to be home alone again for the weekend because mommy and daddy will be gone with their AS". I suppose we are not anticipating our children to be the next generation of Airstream owners. Who will be carrying on the Wally Byam dream?
We can only talk about our New England Unit. Family is, and will always be part of the experience! Personally we are fairly new owners of an AS, and members of the NE unit. Our two daughters and the rest of the children in the unit (and there are quite a few)are part of one big family in the NE unit. Our little one will basically disappear at the get togethers, and will be eating lunch with her friends in one tt , see a movie in another tt or petting myboyburt's loveable cat (Buddy) in her trailer. Even our oldest, who is about to go away to law school, will sometime come with us when she is home. A group is only as good as the people who make up the group. Enough said!
Regards.
Titu
__________________ Crazy Banker & Wonderful Nurse
2 Beautiful daughters
1 AS named Daisy WBCCI #2905-NEU
When I took on the role of Membership Chairperson for the New England Unit I was told to badge *every* family member *and* to offer to customize the badges for the kids. By customize I mean special colors for the kid's names or to offer their parents names next to theirs.
Are kids members of the New England Unit? You bet! Are they members by WBCCI standards? I don't know but if they are not then shame on the people who are running the show as we need champions to continue our club in the future.
Do tell, just how do you manage to keep the masses in line? Your unit seems successful, friendly, warm and well run, have you ever found it necessary to mail rule pages to your participants for infractions?
I myself would love to do an "attitude adjustment" on a member or two.
__________________ CJ The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.-Eleanor Roosevelt It is never too late to be who you might have been.-George Eliot
For those of you interested in starting your own WBCCI unit's, you need 15members to start your own unit. Attend one of our New England Unit rallies to see how we manage it!
You can ALL make the difference! There are 10,000 forum members, and how many are members of WBCCI? Several units can be created by all the FORUM MEMBERS!
Answer: Start your own lively and fun units.
Gail
__________________ Crazy Banker & Wonderful Nurse
2 Beautiful daughters
1 AS named Daisy WBCCI #2905-NEU
Do tell, just how do you manage to keep the masses in line? Your unit seems successful, friendly, warm and well run, have you ever found it necessary to mail rule pages to your participants for infractions?
I myself would love to do an "attitude adjustment" on a member or two.
No, I have not needed to send out the "rules" to any member. Come to think of it I should send the rules to myself as I'm a big WBCCI rule breaker.
__________________ Michelle & Leon
WBCCI # 7032 New England Unit
White Mountains NH Unit
Vintage Airstream Club Tin Can Tourists Vintage Club
For those of you interested in starting your own WBCCI unit's, you need 15members to start your own unit. Attend one of our New England Unit rallies to see how we manage it!
You can ALL make the difference! There are 10,000 forum members, and how many are members of WBCCI? Several units can be created by all the FORUM MEMBERS!
Answer: Start your own lively and fun units.
Gail
Make that 10 Members not 15 - the amendment was approved at the Delegate meeting last year. And it appears in the new Directory - where the Constitution is published.
__________________ Streaming in the spirit of Exploration... "To go places and do things that have never
been done before-that's what living is all about." - M. Collins
Ten members is correct. A group of twelve of us in Texas (Region 9) formed the "Heart of Texas Camping Unit". Children are most certainly welcome as most of us have kids, and while I can't speak for others, one of the major reasons for Airstreaming and being involved in a club like this is to expose them to something special. So far they, the kids, love it. They have formed their own bonds which I think makes it all worth it.
__________________
Paul & Annie
Paul Mayeux,
President Heart of Texas Camping Unit, Region 9
WBCCI #7162
Charter Member - Heart of Texas Camping Unit
AIR #1565
Our motto is: "It's just camping" and our attendance at unit events has increased quite a bit since we adopted this way of looking at/running things.
The "rules" thing is quite a turn-off for us younger airstreamers (how long do I get to say younger?). I think the "it's just camping" policy is perfect and that WBCCI should provide guidelines based on experience, but no rules.
Hi,
At the rate the old timers are dying off, we may be a younger group sooner than later. Just look at the last issue of the blue beret. A very long list of "heavenly members".
Our Florida Springs unit is very welcoming and friendly. We have a mixture of older and younger people. We live further south than the rest, but this was the group we wanted to be a part of. The local group here keeps trying to get us to change, but we like our unit.
Find a unit you can be a part of, even if it's not local. That's what we did.
I wish we had more children in our group because I love having kids around.
Marie
__________________
When people lie to you, and refuse to honor their word, don't regret trying to follow a dream, new adventures and friends await you.
With sincere apologies to Terry, now I am getting even more furstrated with our local unit in land of high tech.. To recap: No E-mail, no web site, no badges til you join their rally, rallies at Fairgrounds from Thursday to Sunday morning with religious services and rules, etc etc... None of officers live in county where unit is headquartered (they ALL moved away when they retired..)! And now, Terry's letter reminded me they've been sent warning memo's from WBCCI HQ in past 2 years for holding rare RV Park rallies at "Adult Only" RV parks where children not permitted to be in attendance...
We may have to try for Nor-Cal "Unit" though it might be hard to find a dozen Forum members still willing to send $60 dues to WBCCI for privilege of receiving Blue Beret..
John McG
__________________ Condoluminum
In Theory, there's no difference between Theory and Practice, but in Practice, there is usually a difference...
With sincere apologies to Terry, now I am getting even more furstrated with our local unit in land of high tech.. To recap: No E-mail, no web site, no badges til you join their rally, rallies at Fairgrounds from Thursday to Sunday morning with religious services and rules, etc etc... None of officers live in county where unit is headquartered (they ALL moved away when they retired..)! And now, Terry's letter reminded me they've been sent warning memo's from WBCCI HQ in past 2 years for holding rare RV Park rallies at "Adult Only" RV parks where children not permitted to be in attendance...
We may have to try for Nor-Cal "Unit" though it might be hard to find a dozen Forum members still willing to send $60 dues to WBCCI for privilege of receiving Blue Beret..
John McG
John,
Why don't you try the Northern California Unit, I hear that they are pretty good and they have a website, although the last time I looked it was not updated. They also have been holding a rally at the Sacramento Jazz Festival over Memorial Day.
Bill
__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
Quick Links
New England Unit 
Unbelieveable! 
Are we suppose to leave them home while we are out streamin'? "By the way kids, you have to be home alone again for the weekend because mommy and daddy will be gone with their AS". I suppose we are not anticipating our children to be the next generation of Airstream owners. Who will be carrying on the Wally Byam dream? 
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