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rebelstand · 07-11-2010, 09:52 AM

I've done a small bit of research on membership. It seems like this is a troubling time in the club right now. My husband and I are too new to understand exactly what is going on. All we really want to know about are the benefits and disadvantages of joining, minus the debate on policy. Not trying to negate anyones concerns, but I've read enough of the debate to understand that it is dividing people in this community. I've also read enough to know that membership could be enjoyable and informative too.

We have kids under the age of 10, are their fun activities for them? Are there many people who join with small kids? Are there obligations to joining? Can you join and avoid all the controversy? What to expect?

Thanks for any advice!

wheel interested · 07-11-2010, 10:05 AM

Controversey is strickly an option. The unit rallies are enjoyable for all and some units have more children than others and really go all out with keeping the kids happy and having special fun for their ages. It's just like any other group of friends only they are camped alongside each other. You get all kinds of personalities and there are all kinds of neighborhoods. Visit and you'll be glad you did. Larger rallies as state, region or Internationals can be convention like because of the sheer numbers of participants and the various activities scheduled.

The responsibility is to pay the dues and that is all you have to do to be a member as an Airstream owner. There are meetings, rallies and luncheons. There are special events and caravans and once a member you can go to any rally or function within the organization. You get campground discounts and courtesy parking listings, a unit newsletter, a membership directory, badges and membership cards and a copy of the Blue Beret member magazine 10 times a year filled with events and some articles and pictures and a brief section on each region with many articles highlighting the International Rally and city as it approachs. You also become eligible to join an intraclub such as the Classic Airstream Club or the Vintage Airstream club or the Computer Club and others. You can even become an associate member of other units. There is a member at large status but then you have no vote or unit home. You get a Sky-Med discount and a possible free prostate exam at the International.

And but of course, you get RED numbers for your Airstream!

I know you will get plenty of invitations now that will be friendly for all ages. No kid friendly events or units in your area, then be the first and bring in others. Who hasn't been the Kool-aid mom at one time or another in their lives?

rebelstand · 07-11-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheel interested

And RED numbers for your Airstream!

Our girl has been the owner of two sets of numbers. The original which was removed and now she has blue numbers. Is there a difference? Will we need to remove the blue numbers?

wheel interested · 07-11-2010, 10:19 AM

Blue numbers are the Air Forums numbers, red is the WBCCI's numbers.

Perhaps you can request the same number and just paint a red shadow over the blue ones.

But you have your own Air Forums number as we register for the forum. 47767 is yours. Hover your cursor over your name over the profile, at the bottom of the screen in the status bar you will see the number. Mine is 3656 for Air Forums but we don't have any numbers on our Airstreams we are considered a "baldies."

Many people put their numbers on plexiglass and attach by suction cups or various other temporary attachments.

rebelstand · 07-11-2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheel interested

Blue numbers are the Air Forums numbers, red is the WBCCI's numbers.

Perhaps you can request the same number and just paint a red shadow over the blue ones.

But you have your own Air Forums number as we register for the forum. 47767 is yours. Hover your cursor over your name over the profile, at the bottom of the screen in the status bar you will see the number. Mine is 3656 for Air Forums but we don't have any numbers on our Airstreams we are considered a "baldies."

Many people put their numbers on plexiglass and attach by suction cups or various other temporary attachments.

We have the Air Forum number 20682.... I wonder if the history of my trailer is posted somewhere in the forums.

wheel interested · 07-11-2010, 10:41 AM

The members list is at the top of the page, click it and you will see the members and numbers. I tried to do a search by air number and was not successful. The information should be there, I just don't know how to find it easier than to page through all the pages. Perhaps a moderator will step in and help. You may have success searching for your year and type of Airstream. What kind do you have? And congratulations and a belated welcome to you!

rebelstand · 07-11-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheel interested

The members list is at the top of the page, click it and you will see the members and numbers. I tried to do a search by air number and was not successful. The information should be there, I just don't know how to find it easier than to page through all the pages. Perhaps a moderator will step in and help. You may have success searching for your year and type of Airstream. What kind do you have? And congratulations and a belated welcome to you!

I found the air forum number but it belongs to someone in California whose account show zero activity. We know it was originally bought in OKC. And we are pretty sure it's never been owned by anyone outside OK. The Tax documents says it's been registered for 39 years here. Wonder if someone put WBCCI numbers on in blue by accident....

wheel interested · 07-11-2010, 11:37 AM

Airstream Forums - View Profile: 66Overlander

Joe is the historian for the VAC and often helps people find the history on their Airstreams. He has a library of past memrship indexes and can check the number for you. I checked the number in the 2009 index and that number was not listed but it may likely be listed years ago. Private message Joe and I am certain he will check for you when he has the time. You can also do a search on threads about finding out the history or locating the previous owners of your Airstream. I recall seeing many trying to find out more information of their "new" Airstreams but offhand cannot direct you specifically. good luck with your searches and keep us posted on the progress both in your Airstream's history and on your experiences with having fun in the club.

dwightdi · 07-11-2010, 11:43 AM

If you find a local unit of WBCCI that meets your family's needs and decide to join, you will get a WBCCI number. If you can determine from the shadow what the old WBCCI number was you can request that number. That is what I did. All the locals have their own flavor. The local is where the working people get most of their WBCCI benefits. Visit a couple of rallies of various units and determine if they have something to offer you. Retired people, with time on their hands get most of their WBCCI benefits by participating in the longer national caravans, International and special event rallies.

Dakota's Dad · 07-11-2010, 12:53 PM

We decided to join, have met some great people. Wife's schedule makes it hard to caravan and even to make many rallies at this point. But we have had fun with every thing we have done with our unit, even though chronologicaly, they are much older than us as a whole, but, I don't think most of them pay attention to the calender. We have also met many great people from right here on the forums.

Personally, I would say join, hang with them for a year, do a rally or two, make some friends, learn some stuff, then if it's not for you, don't "re-up"... like anything, no one can really tell you whats best for you, or more importantly, if any particular group is for you. Paying attention to the politics is purely optional.

BTW, when we joined, we told WBCCI what our trailers old numbers were, and they gave us one of those. If it's available, I am sure they will do the same for you. Although, the same number for both groups and overlapping the numbers or using two tone red and blue, is GREAT...

Aviator · 07-11-2010, 01:35 PM

rebelstand,

I too was hesitant to join after reading about all the stuff going on at the national level. My in-laws, and original owners of our trailer, were long time WBCCI members. They went on the caravans an everything. We ended up joining after meeting a couple of the members of our local WBCCI unit and talking to them. We will attend our first rally with them this week. Our children are 10 and 11. The rally agenda lists some kid friendly events. I hope there will be some other children or grandchildren at the rally for them to befriend and play with. Time will tell. If it doesn't work out, we simply won't renew.

The first rally we attended was SpringStream with Airforums. It was a blast and everyone in the family had fun, even the dog!

rebelstand · 07-11-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aviator

rebelstand,

I too was hesitant to join after reading about all the stuff going on at the national level. My in-laws, and original owners of our trailer, were long time WBCCI members. They went on the caravans an everything. We ended up joining after meeting a couple of the members of our local WBCCI unit and talking to them. We will attend our first rally with them this week. Our children are 10 and 11. The rally agenda lists some kid friendly events. I hope there will be some other children or grandchildren at the rally for them to befriend and play with. Time will tell. If it doesn't work out, we simply won't renew.

The first rally we attended was SpringStream with Airforums. It was a blast and everyone in the family had fun, even the dog!

Since everyone seems to say try it for a year, and then see. I have decided to get a membership package sent to me. Thank you all for answering my post. Much appreciated!

wheel interested · 07-11-2010, 10:43 PM

Here's a thread to post your number for information, http://www.airforums.com/forums/f116...ers-48200.html

rebelstand · 07-12-2010, 11:17 AM

Thanks Everyone!

mbmbstreamer · 07-12-2010, 06:45 PM

We joined when our kids were 12 and 14 (4 years ago). They found many new grandparents who were happy to teach them new games and new crafts. Our oldest has been a Teen Queen Escort...I know the time is past, but he still enjoyed it. Both have been to International Rallies and enjoyed meeting other Teens "stuck" there. Our unit is hosting a Kids Rally this weekend. As Craig pointed out, we will have activities, including an all kid Talent Show. I have 9 kids signed up to perform, so far.

Would I do it again? YES.

Are there folks who don't care to have kids around? Always.

Try it and be your own judge.

rebelstand · 07-13-2010, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbmbstreamer

We joined when our kids were 12 and 14 (4 years ago). They found many new grandparents who were happy to teach them new games and new crafts. Our oldest has been a Teen Queen Escort...I know the time is past, but he still enjoyed it. Both have been to International Rallies and enjoyed meeting other Teens "stuck" there. Our unit is hosting a Kids Rally this weekend. As Craig pointed out, we will have activities, including an all kid Talent Show. I have 9 kids signed up to perform, so far.

Would I do it again? YES.

Are there folks who don't care to have kids around? Always.

Try it and be your own judge.

Do they secretly enjoy being "stuck" there? Mine are still young enough under 10 to think it's fun. How I wish ours was ready to go!!

wheel interested · 07-13-2010, 03:30 PM

At the Internationals there is a children's program and there are local trips scheduled for the kids too.

rebelstand · 07-13-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheel interested

At the Internationals there is a children's program and there are local trips scheduled for the kids too.

I can't wait for my packet to get here so I can read over it. I spent some time at the region 9 website today. I haven't yet found anything about kids, but I am sure I've not found the right link yet. I think I'll spend some time looking at the International site too.

By the way I love your quote,

If you do nothing unexpected, nothing unexpected happens.

That is so true! It reminds of the quote from Shawshank Redemption -

"Get busy living or get busy dying!"

DEITZ645 · 07-14-2010, 09:18 AM

Rebelstand,
Welcome aboard. You have made the correct decision. Give it a try and see if you reap any benefits.

One benefit of owning an Airstream, not necessarily membership in the WBCCI, is the use of all the Airstream Parks scattered throughout the US. Take a look at some of them here on the Forums in the Review tab at the top of the pages...

Airstream Trailer & Motorhome Reviews - Airstream Only Parks - Powered by ReviewPost

Heck there's even one on Oklahoma...

Region 9, WBCCI

Here's another location with a listing of the parks...

Fred's Airstream Archives - Airstream Parks