WBCCI MOHO Issue - 2013

[HowieE]

With respect to that unit it is hard to say. It could be the result of indifference or intent on the part of the leadership. Only the members of the unit itself could answer that question.

The point is do those members wish to be represented by either of those positions.

[AWCHIEF]

Lynn, I brought that up at the last rally I went to. Was told most of the current members don't use computers (?). I can understand that after meeting some of them. I would say the average age of the last rally was in the 80's. At 62 I felt like a youngster. As a group I got the feeling that they fear change.

[damonbeals]

Region 6 in general needs a technology boost. Only three of the eleven units have a website. We have been trying. Just need the members to step up and do it.

Damon
#4827

Originally Posted by eubank

Ah, Mississippi doesn't even seem to have a page on the web so that one can access any info about their plans. Argh.


Lynn

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by damonbeals

Region 6 in general needs a technology boost. Only three of the eleven units have a website. We have been trying. Just need the members to step up and do it.

As a member of the technology-impaired Greater New Orleans Unit, and an associate member of the technology-savvy Louisiana Unit, I see both extremes.

[RickDavis]

Originally Posted by damonbeals

Region 6 in general needs a technology boost. Only three of the eleven units have a website. We have been trying. Just need the members to step up and do it.

Damon
#4827

In the many years I have been in region 6 I have never received any communication directly from the region and only rarely anything passed from region through the unit.
This actually goes beyond electronic communication as region 6 did not have anything in the April BB either.

I receive regular e mail info from region 3 even though I am not a member of any region 3 unit. Their leadership is a good example of how it should be done

I was not able to attend the last TN unit meeting and have not heard whether there was any vote or discussion of the motor home issue.

I did submit my vote against by email.

Last year there were only 3 votes submitted on the constitution issue.

I also don't know if there will be a delegate at the International .

There is a lack of communication at all levels in the region and of course nobody wants to step forward and handle it ( Yes , that includes me).
I suspect it is the same in other regions

[HowieE]

Rick

That brings up 2 questions.

If a unit does not vote but a member attends the International is he/she allowed to vote on the units behalf?

If a unit does not have a member attending the International can their unit be voted by anyone else not not appointed by that unit?

If neither is the case are their votes counted as Abstentions within the total or lost all together? As Abstentions they would in effect be a vote against. As not counted they improve the votes for as they reduce the number of votes needed for a passing count.

[monah]

HowieE:

The Unit President has to submit paperwork by I believe June 1 to identify a member or affiliate as delegate in order for them to be able to vote during the meeting.
A lack of votes by a Unit does not put those into Abstain...they are simply lost, which is a shame.
I don't want to misspeak on your other questions/comments but essentially the Delegate should be the voice of the Unit membership .....it's disappointing to hear that some don't have that opportunity.

[dwightdi]

We have 84 members who have stepped forward to maintain the units' websites. We have another 12 who have volunteered to maintain the Region Websites. The ECC can not demand that a unit maintain a website. Region 6 has the lowest percentage of units with websites. If some members of Region 6 units would volunteer, one of the ECC members will talk them through the 1/2 hour of procedures it takes to set up a unit website. Keeping current a good Unit website will like take the webmaster about 2 hours a month.

[Nuvite-F]

Originally Posted by RickDavis

There is a lack of communication at all levels in the region [Region 6] and of course nobody wants to step forward and handle it ( Yes , that includes me).

I suspect it is the same in other regions

Can’t speak for all regions but I know that in Region 7 we have good communications within the region and the unit presidents are good at communicating with the membership, by unit newsletters, web sites, and email.

Having served as a delegate twice, I can shed some light on some of the questions that have been asked.

Originally Posted by HowieE

If a unit does not vote but a member attends the International is he/she allowed to vote on the units behalf?

A unit’s delegate is appointed by the unit president. Most often, the delegate is the unit president. Appointed delegates have the power to vote the unit’s “voting strength”—the number of members of the unit. Hopefully the delegate’s vote represents the actual vote of the unit (it does in ours) but that is not always the case.

If a unit does not have a member attending the International can their unit be voted by anyone else not appointed by that unit?

No. However, under a recent change to the bylaws a unit president can appoint an associate member of the unit, who is a regular member of another unit in the same region, as delegate.

If neither is the case are their votes counted as Abstentions within the total or lost all together?

If a unit is not represented at the delegates meeting, it is not counted in the total votes.

This has not been as big a problem as people seem to think it is. At the 2012 International in Sedalia, MO, there were 121 units, of which 9 (7% of the units) were not represented. Sedalia was not a heavily attended International, with 420 members registered.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the units not represented are mostly smaller units, so the number of members not represented is relatively small. (Smaller than the number of Members at Large who are not represented. . .)

Originally Posted by monah

The Unit President has to submit paperwork by I believe June 1 to identify a member or affiliate as delegate in order for them to be able to vote during the meeting.

Actually, all that’s necessary is for the appointed delegate (and/or alternate) to show up at the registration desk at International, and after registering, go to the Delegate Registration desk where he exchanges his delegate authorization, signed by the unit president, for his official delegate credentials which show his unit’s voting strength. No one knows what units are represented until the roll call at the delegates meeting.


Above information is believed to be correct but is not warranted. Your mileage may vary.

.

[gaylejoe]

The Texas Hill Country Unit 8 votes For and 13 Against the motorhome motion.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by gaylejoe

The Texas Hill Country Unit 8 votes For and 13 Against the motorhome motion.

I wonder, concerning the people that vote "for"…

How many vote that way because they want a Thor themselves? And how many just don't mind if another member has one, but don't intend to get one of their own? I suspect that even most people who vote "for" will never be Thor owners in the future even if the amendment should happen to pass by some bizarre quirk of fate.

If all of the hullabaloo over the MoHo issue is for the benefit of one or two potential Thor owners out of the thousands of WBCCI members, then the effort put into even getting the amendment to a vote is a colossal waste and abuse of club resources. Amendments to the WBCCI constitution should be for the benefit of the club as a whole. Period. Even if I was one of the elite few who wanted a Thor MoHo, could afford one, and had been a member long ehough to fit the amendment's provisions, I'd have to vote "against" for that reason alone.

[Blue Pearl]

As always Protagonist, you have it correct, it's a colossal waste and abuse of club resouces. I agree, if I was one of the few who wanted a newer Thor motorhome I would also have to vote no out of respect for the heritage of the WB being a single brand RV Club since the 50's.

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by Blue Pearl

As always Protagonist, you have it correct, it's a colossal waste and abuse of club resouces. I agree, if I was one of the few who wanted a newer Thor motorhome I would also have to vote no out of respect for the heritage of the WB being a single brand RV Club since the 50's.

Not only is it a "colossal waste and abuse of club resources" but it is also this mentality and mode of operation that is driving people away from the club.

[Coloradobus]

Denco Votes were tallied last weekend at our Maintenance/Business Meeting Rally and the count was 2 to 1 against Moho issue in any fashion. We now understand the Washington State Unit will vote YES?? Unbelievable!

[wkerfoot]

And the Washington State unit is a large unit.

Bill

Originally Posted by Coloradobus

Denco Votes were tallied last weekend at our Maintenance/Business Meeting Rally and the count was 2 to 1 against Moho issue in any fashion. We now understand the Washington State Unit will vote YES?? Unbelievable!

[daveswenson]

I keep coming back to the analogy. I'm a member of The Edsel Owners Club, but the mileage is killing me, and they don't make them anymore. Can I sell it and buy a Mazda, and still be a member? After all it's the same corporate ownership.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by daveswenson

I keep coming back to the analogy. I'm a member of The Edsel Owners Club, but the mileage is killing me, and they don't make them anymore. Can I sell it and buy a Mazda, and still be a member? After all it's the same corporate ownership.

Another way to look at it, WBCCI should only allow Thor motorhomes when FMCA allows Airstream trailers. After all, a present owner of an Airstream Class A can belong to FMCA, but if they sell it and buy an Airstream trailer because Airstream doesn't make Class A's any more, they'd have to quit FMCA, right? FMCa isn't trying to change their rules to allow substitutions. Why should WBCCI?

[eubank]

I wouldn't recommend this route! According to the board members I've spoken with, FMCA is also hurting badly for members. They're brainstorming on ways to boost membership.

Lynn

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Another way to look at it, WBCCI should only allow Thor motorhomes when FMCA allows Airstream trailers. After all, a present owner of an Airstream Class A can belong to FMCA, but if they sell it and buy an Airstream trailer because Airstream doesn't make Class A's any more, they'd have to quit FMCA, right? FMCa isn't trying to change their rules to allow substitutions. Why should WBCCI?

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by eubank

I wouldn't recommend this route! According to the board members I've spoken with, FMCA is also hurting badly for members. They're brainstorming on ways to boost membership.

Lynn

Okay. I'll let that argument die an ignoble death. Wouldn't want to tempt FMCA to make the same mistake that WBCCI seems bent on making and thereby lose their club identity.

[AWCHIEF]

I have a novel idea. Someone should start a club for Airstreams only.
Never mind: There is already one, it is called the WBCCI.