65GT -- WDCU sounds like the model I'm thinking about, but truthfully I don't know a whole lot about how WDCU operates. Maybe Shacksman could give us a little bit more information about how they are set up, and how they communicate. Since it's predominately an eastern U.S. unit now, with rallies held in the east, I'm wondering if it would be possible to expand WDCU simply by having its western U.S. members, midwest U.S. members, and members from other countries, plan and hold rallies in their areas and add them to the schedule, much the way the forum rallies are set up. Is there anything that prevents them from doing that now?
Thats exactly right. We have members all over North America because we picked up Members at large. If anyone anywhere wants do set up a rally it's on. Right now the members in the east are more active and the rallies tend to be in their area. We have had rallies North to Canada and South to the Outer Banks and East to New Hampshire. Some are only 10 or 12 strong but they can be fun too, as you get to know everyone. We would like to see rallies in the West or how about Florida in the winter.
We are centered on Washington D.C. for convienience only. You can join from anywhere and keep in touch through the yahoo groups here http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/WBCCI_WDCU/messages or our web page http://www.servintfree.net/wbcci-dc/
Our only set rally is the CBR in April to start things off. We are instrumental in planning the Capetown to Cario rally in 2009 if you want to go wild.
We would love to be 900 strong, then we could really influence how the club is run. Come on out to one of our rallies and see why our moto is (It's just Camping)
MALs are virtual we just haven't unified and thus don't get counted. HRUMPH!!!! It seems you only need a body in presence to be WBCCI worthy. The flesh counts one vote. Now the spirit of Airstreaming and embodiment is at issue. The placement of my skeletal system seems to be the problem as it must be attached to one geographical location which is in direct conflict with Airstreaming.
And as an aside, I still think it borders on contempt to have not counted the members votes from the East whose delegates were priced out of their votes in Bozeman. Was there something like 12 units all on the East coast that had no vote/delegate present???
__________________ Cj Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
My wife, Carol and I would be very interested. Also I bet both my kids and their spouses would too. I would like whoever is keeping a list of those interested to add my name.
Ted
This is the second time I have been a member of WBCCI. I quit the first time for most of the usual reasons and am on the fence once again. Let me offer more than griping and moaning. Take it for what its worth.
Clearly, applying 1940’s organization/social networking solutions to 2008 problems is more than a little ludicrous. The penalty of not fulfilling modern needs is evidenced by having more people quitting than joining WBCCI and the upsurge of alternative groups such as this forum.
Really it is a tribute to the love generated by Airstreams great design and the cultural inertia lit by Wally B that has kept it together for as long as it has.
It would be pointless (and undermining to this thread) to itemize individual problems at this point. This club was founded in a time when land lines and telegraphs were cutting edge technology.
History comes from history.
Today’s “old guard” was trained by four generations of “old guard” before them. If you think they look like relics to you now, wait until the next generation (our children and grand children) comes on board and looks around. They simply will choose to not get involved. To pull from a parallel thread, it isn’t about people not being happy getting no cream on their berries. The fact is: there may not be a market for that type of berry anymore - cream or no cream!
I believe it is more about creating a new business model. Not for the sake of survival, survival is not a lofty goal, but to prosper and grow.
It happens every day.
I am in academia (talk about old guard!) and, as an administrator, have to adjust our department’s business model on a regular basis. If I don’t – we die.
It appears to me there is a real need (read market) for a Virtual Unit that is in touch with contemporary lifestyles. That IS the new business model.
A Virtual Unit would, in part, satisfy geographic/social/support needs already outlined by previous posts. Perhaps needed more so to demonstrate how the organization in-toto can operate in the current century.
It’s hard to argue with success.
When allied units see the success of a virtual unit, they will be able to use it as a template. They join the party, we all win. Simply a case of the tail wagging the dog — it works.
I do have two suggestions:
1. I’m not sure amending an existing unit, no matter how progressive and visionary they are, into THE “Virtual Unit” would be as effective as starting with a fresh (to WBCCI) concept and demonstrating how it can operate successfully. Being up front about your intentions would be the best policy, as least from an organizational view. Otherwise, the group will always be seen as the xyz chapter that does a lot of web communications. It will never "be" the thing but will always "be like" the thing.
2. A fresh unit, grown out of the larger organization (WBCCI) would be preferable to attempting to cobble this group (owned by a corporation) with an “old guard” nonprofit. Some short term benefits could be had but, long run, it would make for an uncomfortable marriage. Certainly both groups will work in tandem but, again, it’s best to grow the concept and reap the benefits from the inside the organization.
If folks are really interested, let’s find a way to make this work. I’ve read a library about ongoing and past problems. Really, it doesn’t matter. Let move forward. I am willing to do much of the work, governance documents, communications, and so on – no problem. I do that for a living.
Maybe we can form a working group to develop a proposal. Naive? Probably, but, that may not be a bad thing.
Interested?
__________________ Digger Bear
Non impediti ratione cogitationis
For geographic identity, why not just declare "world" or "earth". With the internet, there are no real boundaries any longer. I understand what you're saying about the importance of local units, but I can see tremendous value of a cyber unit for those who, for whatever reasons, may not be able to physically travel. Through the internet, they are still able to participate via web broadcasts, blogs or podcasts.
__________________
Cameron & the Labradors
Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Canada
__________________
Rob, Zoe', Stanton, Bryce and Braedon Baker
WDCU President
Do you Listen to the www.theVAP.com
Plymouth, NY 13832 WBCCI #2820
Courtesy parking (607) 334 4960
58 30' Sovereign of the Road: http://sweetsovereign.blogspot.com
65 17' Caravel, 54 22' Safari, 1959 Buick Electra
sadly, a perfect example of how someone now on the officer tract reacts and helps...
-a belief that s/he speaks or thinks for others...
-the realization (and fear) that without a defined and confined base of members, no one will follow...
-the INability to deal primarily with the idea.
as suggested earlier the wdcu used this 'virtual unit' concept to skim and scab recruits into their unit...
those numbers have fallen this year, like all other membership groups and they are worried.
new folks joining the wb' IN unit #000 (mal) is STILL the largest group of new members...
giving those folks a REAL OPTION to join a new virtual unit, would be a success.
and this IS a threat to many current units and basic club tenets.
cheers
2air'
__________________ all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.johnson
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
Perfect example.... what are you talking about......I sense negativity and that is not what I was meaning...I am serious... 2nd life is the Virtual world...I've been toying with the idea myself ..it's a 3d world...and virtual..without limitations...and the possibilities are endless... I've also been toying with a 2nd life Airstream company.... and if I do that, I will need the club too...it's beyond the earth. I wonder if the citizens in 2nd life take vacations...we could make millions...the only problem is that I am not a software coder...Rob
__________________
Rob, Zoe', Stanton, Bryce and Braedon Baker
WDCU President
Do you Listen to the www.theVAP.com
Plymouth, NY 13832 WBCCI #2820
Courtesy parking (607) 334 4960
58 30' Sovereign of the Road: http://sweetsovereign.blogspot.com
65 17' Caravel, 54 22' Safari, 1959 Buick Electra
If you haven't checked out Second Life: Official site of the 3D online virtual world you should.. I think they are on to something and it's possible the Virtual / Cyper unit could benefit from what they have already solved over there... Some people (and I guess I could have worded my post better (I was traveling and on my TREO so I kept it short on purpose)) need to think before they post.. a public apology 2Air please, as I take offense to your "Perfect example" statement you made!!! A virtual unit needs a virtual place to meet, hold meetings, etc... (email does not cut it!!!!).. read below and see what I am talking about... I'm thinking outside of this current world.... and the exploration could be fun as well.. .just don't get lost in the "other" world.
Second Life Grid is your virtual world solution for:
Many organizations are using the Second Life Grid today to enhance their productivity by focusing on internal business uses such as training and simulation. Others engage with their customers through interviews, recruiting, and product research. You can reduce travel costs and downtime by substituting use of the Second Life Grid for real world events and meetings. Prototypes can be created quickly and inexpensively. back to top Effective Collaboration
The Second Life Grid enables participants in different environments and locations to collaborate in real time in 3D space. You can walk through a new piece of equipment, engage with a scripted training simulation, or cooperatively design a new workspace. back to top Improved Communication
The Second Life Grid provides multiple channels of communication, including images, audio, video, text and voice, with both groups and individuals. The platform supports multiple languages, and real-time text chat translators are available. Educators are using the Second Life Grid as a platform of choice for a range of distance learning options from entire virtual campuses, to classes, office hours, meetings and presentations. A visible indicator of speech and spatial 3D-voice makes it easy to identify the speaker from among those present. back to top Enhanced Engagement with your Customers or Audience
Second Life Grid enables a unique, two-way opportunity for direct engagement with your customers or audience. Unlike most traditional Web sites, this virtual world platform encourages high engagement times with participants. Many organizations have taken advantage of this 3D interaction space and high engagement times for focus groups, customer research and feedback, recruiting and interviews, and other practices. back to top Reduced Business Costs
Save expensive travel and business costs through the use of the Second Life Grid. This virtual world solution enables your organization to establish a private or public centralized 3D meeting space where participants can communicate, collaborate and present using voice and text in real-time. Meet with global partners at your own branded virtual headquarters. Walk a product team through a prototype to find design problems before committing to real-world construction. Participants from around the world can connect together daily for a fraction the cost of video conferencing solutions or airline tickets.
__________________
Rob, Zoe', Stanton, Bryce and Braedon Baker
WDCU President
Do you Listen to the www.theVAP.com
Plymouth, NY 13832 WBCCI #2820
Courtesy parking (607) 334 4960
58 30' Sovereign of the Road: http://sweetsovereign.blogspot.com
65 17' Caravel, 54 22' Safari, 1959 Buick Electra
I love this virtual idea. I wouldn't need to buy a real Airstream as I would only need a virtual Airstream - wouldn't cost me real dollars. We could talk around the campfire without leaving the comfort of our keyboards.
Sorry - I got to go as I'm leaving to spend the weekend in my real Airstream and I will be enjoying real people.
Quick Links
It seems you only need a body in presence to be WBCCI worthy. The flesh counts one vote. Now the spirit of Airstreaming and embodiment is at issue. The placement of my skeletal system seems to be the problem as it must be attached to one geographical location which is in direct conflict with Airstreaming.
Linear Mode
