WBCCI MOHO issue - 2010 to 2012

[SilverCabin]

Originally Posted by Condoluminum

Sent this reply/letter to editor to the Blue Beret today.. Doubt it will ever get published, so thought I'd share it here...

For two months we’ve seen letters here rehashing issue of Thor Motorhomes and membership. We should all remember this was a Trailer club started by the man who wrote “Trailer Travel” after a long career designing, building and traveling in trailers. I think more members would have been willing to “grandfather” (pun intended..) long-term members like Mr. Stumpf who could no longer manage his Airstream trailer, and allow them to continue to participate in rallies and caravans. I would gladly vote to let any 30+ year member continue their membership (but not in a national leadership role…) in ANY brand of RV, simply because they have established a number of great friendships. What I am unwilling to do is welcome an owner of a Thor Motorhome into the club as a new member simply because of the common ownership between Airstream and other motorhome manufacturers. Unfortunately, our Leaders didn’t present that option to vote on.

(I am a WBCCI member...)

Condoluminum's response, above, is along the lines of where I was going with this. I'm not in favor of opening the doors to anyone as some may think, I was just putting out an idea for consideration of a compromise solution and my rationale for it.

Shelby Foote, the Civil War historian, was asked how did it (the war) happen. He said: "Americans like to think of ourselves as uncompromising people. But our real genius is for compromise, and when it breaks down we murdered each other in great numbers." This applies to a lot in today's world.

I too will be watching to see if Condoluminum's letter is published or responded to by any of our leadership.

Randy

[rideair]

The "Non-Voting-Member" option balloon was floated by the IBT/EC7 and MOHO Special Committee back before the 2007 Perry International Rally by many including myself in hopes of meeting somewhere in the middle on this issue. In their mind, it's a winner take all issue and if they don't win, so does their control of the WBCCI, the rules, the $$$, etc...

Keep beating your heads. Because the more you beat your heads, the more you knock yourself out, the less of you there are standing, the better chance they have of winning "period".

If you want to do something, pressure the VAC and the Classic Airstream Club Intra Clubs to break away from the WBCCI creating a "New" Wally Byam Camping Club based around the "Classic" rounded look.

The time, money and effort will get you far more in the end.

[HowieE]

The simplicity of your idea is great. However TAC is trying that but some have come to realize the organizational foundation that Jackson Center HQ provides and the treasury have value that is not easily duplicated.-

[rideair]

Time: (The time spent fighting the IBT/EC7 could be spent creating the foundation for a club of which much of that work has already been done. Remember, the “Classic Airstream Club” was asked by the WBCCI to be a part of it. I’m sure most of the founding documents are around somewhere, along with the VAC documents)

Money: (Run the numbers. If you got 1,500 members (about how many has left the WBCCI along with the VAC/CAC) 1,500 x $65.00 = $97,500, plus the VAC dues $20.00 (8,000) that equals “$105,500”)

Effort: (A bunch of talent has left the WBCCI and the VAC over the past five years. If you could get that talent back with a little effort in writing articles, hosting rallies, caravans, etc… Plus since most of the communication would be via the internet, cost for publications would be low keeping the cost down.)

So, with a paid person writing articles, creating the news letters, scheduling rallies, answering a phone, opening mail, etc… (working from a home based office, say $50,000 a year as a consultant to keep cost down) that leaves you $55,500 bucks to run the club!

I’m part of a hot air ballooning club with 2,000 members and we have two full timers and get six GREAT magazines a year in the mail for around the same amount of dues I pay the WBCCI.

For that matter, you could ask Rich L. with Airstream Life to run the thing at a “per-person cost”, he takes the stories not good enough for his magazine and puts them in the news letter as fill or major stories, he’s has everything in place (get insurance in place, mailings, website, etc…) to run the thing. You never know, he might do it for the right amount of $$$$$

You might even get a few bucks from Airstream as "starter" cash.

It can be done, with the right amount of “Time, Money and Effort”

[Aviator]

Well said, Matt. Like it or not, the WBCCI IS an affinity club. It is a club firml centered on the Airsyream brand (this includes all trailers/motorhomes produced br Airstream). Any move allowing non-Airstream product motorhomes in will result in a much greater membership loss thannthe retention of the small number wanting to replace their Airstream with SOB.

Just my two cents.

[wkerfoot]

Paul,

Go for it, take the ball and run.

Bill

Originally Posted by rideair

Time: (The time spent fighting the IBT/EC7 could be spent creating the foundation for a club of which much of that work has already been done. Remember, the “Classic Airstream Club” was asked by the WBCCI to be a part of it. I’m sure most of the founding documents are around somewhere, along with the VAC documents)

Money: (Run the numbers. If you got 1,500 members (about how many has left the WBCCI along with the VAC/CAC) 1,500 x $65.00 = $97,500, plus the VAC dues $20.00 (8,000) that equals “$105,500”)

Effort: (A bunch of talent has left the WBCCI and the VAC over the past five years. If you could get that talent back with a little effort in writing articles, hosting rallies, caravans, etc… Plus since most of the communication would be via the internet, cost for publications would be low keeping the cost down.)

So, with a paid person writing articles, creating the news letters, scheduling rallies, answering a phone, opening mail, etc… (working from a home based office, say $50,000 a year as a consultant to keep cost down) that leaves you $55,500 bucks to run the club!

I’m part of a hot air ballooning club with 2,000 members and we have two full timers and get six GREAT magazines a year in the mail for around the same amount of dues I pay the WBCCI.

For that matter, you could ask Rich L. with Airstream Life to run the thing at a “per-person cost”, he takes the stories not good enough for his magazine and puts them in the news letter as fill or major stories, he’s has everything in place (get insurance in place, mailings, website, etc…) to run the thing. You never know, he might do it for the right amount of $$$$$

You might even get a few bucks from Airstream as "starter" cash.

It can be done, with the right amount of “Time, Money and Effort”

[LI Pets]

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Paul,

Go for it, take the ball and run.

Bill

Bill, actions are louder than words.

[rideair]

Bill,

It has been suggested a couple of times before the VAC should leave the WBCCI as far back as when Wayne M. was President and unfortunately (in my eyes and even suggested it myself) there was not enough support from the leadership of that Intra Club to push the issue or even propose it to the VAC membership. Not long ago, there was even a thread started about “Should the VAC leave the WBCCI” and even though there was support from current VAC members, non-members and folks saying they would join the VAC if it “were not” part of the WBCCI the VAC leadership shutdown the idea.

The key to my suggestion is the VAC and the CAC leaving the WBCCI (VAC at a minimum) which will give an instant number to the membership overnight and since I have no personal power to make this happen other than make the suggestion, it’s really up to the leadership of the VAC or the CAC to start the process. If/when they decide to make the exit, I and others will be more than happy to take an active role in the effort.

So, until something of this magnitude happens “both” the WBCCI and as part of that, the VAC/CAC, will continue to lose membership because of the leadership and club unhappiness at a high level. All the MOHO issue does is give folks another reason to leave the club on top of the others many already complain about.

Just think, if other brands of MOHO’s are included in the club, someone with a 25 year old Mandalay MOHO can join WBCCI thus, the VAC and become President of the VAC Intra Club!

As for actions, I've beat my head against that wall to many times under the current rules. Until the rules change (and I don't mean by changing the WBCCI Constitution to give the membership even less power, though some would want you to believe it gave them more) you're not going to win at their game. Plus, I've already hosted rallies and caravans outside the WBCCI, TAC, etc.. and be happy to do so for any break away club.

A break off will send a message to everyone, members and non-members there is hope for a large nation wide Airstream club.

Are we having fun yet?

[wkerfoot]

Paul,

I don't think that there is any interest in the VAC leadership to break from WBCCI. One of the reasons is expressed in post 631. Jackson Center and WBCCI provides much administrative support, insurance being one and many local, regional and national rallies another. The current leadership does not appear interested in making a new wheel. I happen to agree with them.

Bill

PS: As I have said before, if owners of non Airstreams are admitted to the WBCCI, I will not participate in any future national, region or special event rallies. I will only participate in unit, VAC and hopefully CAC events, until they no longer become fun.

[wheel interested]

Originally Posted by LI Pets

Bill, actions are louder than words.

You think, or just stirring the pot again and aggitating? Isn't that what you said when you told members they had to sue to be regarded? Or was it when you said we had to trust the committee for redress? That ship sailed a long time ago and the people put in that boat along with it and it all sank. Do as I say and not as I do is not the call to action that will be effective these days. It's time to step aside and let others have a go without making big noises. The club will think and vote and act accordingly, no doubt. Calling others out with pertinence has grown old, the crown tarnished, the kingdom sold.

[Deston]

We just bought our first Airstream, a gently used 2008 23 ft. Been trying to meet other owner,s.This thread makes me wonder what is going on. We want to have fun and meet people not fight. Is it really as bad as it seems?

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Deston

We just bought our first Airstream, a gently used 2008 23 ft. Been trying to meet other owner,s.This thread makes me wonder what is going on. We want to have fun and meet people not fight. Is it really as bad as it seems?

It's really not bad on a local scale. I'm sure it has little to no effect in most units, I know it doesn't matter to our WBCCI unit. As a general issue of "What are these codgers doing with our money?" there are some questions of principle, and some people are agitated about it (as you can read in this thread.)

Personally, I think it's an Airstream club and those representing the club should travel in Airstream products. However, as long as my local unit is fun to camp with and attending the events sponsored by other units is entertaining, and the cost of membership isn't a strain on my budget, I'll probably just continue to express my opinion and enjoy my trailer even if the International officers I never see are putting their numbers on some ugly Thor pusher.

[Deston]

Originally Posted by HowieE

Randy

Age and availability are problems in many origination. If you turn 36 years old you are no longer a member of the JCs, an origination that you may have made many good friends with. If you turn 18 you can no longer be treated at Children's Hospital, a hospital that in many cases has saved a child's life. If you no longer own a Corvette you are no longer in the Corvette club. If you have reached mandatory retirement age you are no longer CEO of many Corporations.

There are an infinite number of reason why people have to give up their relationship with different origination. Usually these reasons are to maintain the integrate, direction, or focus of the origination.

If MH owners would be allowed to go off brand why then shouldn't I be allowed to bring my 10 ft. Apache pop top trailer out of retirement and remain in the WBCCI. It is a lot easier to handle than my 34 and I to am aging.

i could not agree more, thought it would be fun to meet other people who own Airstream trailers. We just got our first one. But why would i join a club of airstream that is not a club of airstreams I would just join a club of RV owners.

[dwightdi]

It is only about 10 people who want more slides than good used Airstream Motorhomes offer. We should just ignore them and vote it down for the third time. Maybe by the time they try to bring it around again, they will be too old to consider buying an SOB motorhome. Or maybe they will quit and we can enjoy ourselves without all their noise.

[Gene]

Deston, most Airstreamers don't fight and you don't have to be a member of the WBCCI to meet people. There are Forum rallies, informal rallies by people who get together regularly and who will greet you at their rallies and there are TAC rallies. All can be found on the Rallies link. The Can Opener rally is soon, I think, and it is a Forum rally and somewhere in the southeast. Too far for us to travel, but you should check it out.

You are already a member of a group—the Forum—and if you post on various threads, you will meet many people electronically and may eventually meet them in person.

It is better than you have seen on this and other WBCCI oriented threads.

Gene

[Condoluminum]

Deston-

One of the side benefits of owning an Airstream is you will almost be forced to meet other Airstream owners as you travel. Three in a large park or campground seems like a mini-rally, and you will end up saying hello and getting acquainted... Some of the local units are good, some are not. Some are informal and fun, some are formal and tradition-bound and boring. The Forum Rallies (less formal organization, more flexibility to do your thing and meet like-minded people..) are a good way to get out and meet other cheerful Airstream owners enjoying themselves...

My sense is most of the fighting is between elders in Motorhomes and Leadership posts trying to protect and preserve their vision from younger members in trailers wanting to ditch the uniforms and parliamentarian and formal Hoo Haa of the International Rally and associated expenses and bureacracy... As Gene says, easy to ignore that if you choose, join an electronic regional unit like Washington DC and just enjoy your free time...

[Blue Pearl]

Just a note. The Oregon unit voted the motorhome motion down. We will vote 117 no votes at International this Summer.

[RickDavis]

Originally Posted by Blue Pearl

Just a note. The Oregon unit voted the motorhome motion down. We will vote 117 no votes at International this Summer.

Is there an an actual motion out there on the issue??
If so can some one send me a copy??

I thought all there was so far is a committee recommendation .

If there is a need to vote I want to be sure our unit is aware of it, and hopefully votes as Oregon did.

[LI Pets]

The motion was made, it will be voted on by the delegates in June.

[mbmbstreamer]

The delegates won't vote unless it is sent to the units for discussion. The proposal has NOT been sent as of October 8.