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Wow, age is really a relative thing. I have just turned 60, yup, another boomer! During the time I have owned my AS, I have thought long and hard about joining the WBCCI but can't decide. Frumpy jackets and hats don't cut it with me. Formal events are not interesting either.
Having fun? Yeah, but that is relative too. Sitting around a campfire drinking and whooping it up til the wee hours is not fun to me (it was 40 years ago though), however, happy hour is never denied. My wife and I love to explore new and different places using the AS as a base for our adventures. when we return from a day of what we enjoy, it is time for relaxation- kick back, have a few and listen to some good tunes. What we don't like is to be bothered by boisterous brats bouncing frisbees, balls or whatever off the side of our wonderful Silver Sausage. OK, I know Airstream folks with kids would never permit such a thing - just wanted to reference it. We like to bike - not set records, trail walking, enjoying nature is good to. Boating is a great pastime also. I guess what I am attempting to say is that age is not reason to classify all the same. I for one will never like the stodgy ways of what has been referred to in this post as the WBCCI.
Sure, join and make change - I can attest to the validity of that. A while back I started and acted as pres. for 5 years of a marque specific car club. Only a handful of folks were "do-ers" and this holds true everywhere. Unless there are a vast number of members willing to partake in ALL club hapenings, change will only come to the desire of the few who run the show.
If I only lived in a place where more AS club happenings occured, perhaps I could state with more concrete example of why or why not I should join the WBCCI. Until I experience the jacketed, or lack thereof, I will remain aloof - but really not by choice. You see, my wife and I really would like to be part of the greater AS community, but without the pomp and circumstance. We love our blue jeans and sneakers that go along with our carefree and casual lifestyle.
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Ron
2004 Classic 25 - The Silver Sausage
2005 Nissan Titan CC
Wow, age is really a relative thing. I have just turned 60, yup, another boomer! During the time I have owned my AS, I have thought long and hard about joining the WBCCI but can't decide. Frumpy jackets and hats don't cut it with me. Formal events are not interesting either.... (snip) ...You see, my wife and I really would like to be part of the greater AS community, but without the pomp and circumstance. We love our blue jeans and sneakers that go along with our carefree and casual lifestyle.
Very well said.
Now, short of volunteering, running for office etc etc, how do we get the current "Commanders" sit up and notice that this is the sentiment of many members (and would-be members)???
Young? We attended our first WBCCI function in Cody at the Yellowstone National Rally 2 years ago. We were speaking with a couple at happy hour and they were very excited about all the caravans and rallies they had lined up for the summer. They also booked a whitewater rafting trip, class III and IV. They were always trying new things. Gave up Snow Skiing when they turned 75.
We are young by WBCCI standards. Our kids are 16 and 13 and we are in our 40s....still working. I agree with many of your points. We are attending our second International this summer and planning the trip from GA to Bozeman with another couple from GA.
We do attend 1 or 2 unit rallies each year and the folks there are nice...mostly retired. They are all in the same spot, since our unit has a very nice CG and at $7 for full hookups and WIFI it's hard to beat. We are not yet able to devote a month to a caravan, but wish there were more Weekend Rallies. The WDCU has some really neat rallies and we hope to attend one soon.
Best option for getting more young folks in the club...invite them and bring them to a rally. Pick one they will enjoy. The International can be a blast, if you don't let the formal program get in the way.
Matt the Top is a neat place to visit, love Helen and the German foods. I am sure that there will be many coming from the Top to Bozeman, looking forward to seeing you there.
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Keep the shiny side up. WBCCI # 3485 Region 3 2nd VP
Past President Tidewater Unit 111
visit tidewater Virginia's web page @ www.tidewaterwbcci.com
Rick Bell in "Silverbell"
This was posted quite a while ago. I was a pretty long post so I pulled out the highlites.
Quote:
Originally Posted by an Airforums member about 5 years ago
I recently attended my first International Rally. I was a bit overwhelmed by all the pomp and circumstance I encountered at the rally. What does everyone else think about this? Are these rituals needed?
He went on to quote an article that appeared in the Blue Baret around 5 years ago. Here's a part of that article.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ...
“Why do we have to have rituals or traditions? Why don’t we have just an organization with officers and bylaws governing our business meetings and let it go at that?
snip... The traditions of the Club are enhanced by our uniforms and ceremonies. These symbols were adopted by the members to separate the Club from the mere mundane, casual business or travel organization.
snip... Let’s keep our Club and its traditions strong and vibrant.
I just want to ask this - isn't the fact that it's an Airstream club for Airstream owners only enough to elevate the club above the mundane?
interesting thread. unfortunately my guess is the people who really need to read this thread never will.
as a 36 yo with a young family, the wbcci has very little appeal to me. granted i haven't bothered to research it enough but when i catch snippets of tuxes and uniforms it reinforces the little appeal thing. it doesn't sound family friendly (i'm not saying it isn't as i've never been to a rally, but that's what i deduce from all the wbcci talk on the forums).
i'm sure there are great units but the overall message of the wbcci is probably old and outdated. again, that's my perception from what i've read on the forums. also, it sounds like it's just too much darn work
once i get my flying cloud on the road, i'll certainly check out the 4CU, not because i want to join the wbcci, but because brad and company sound like a fun bunch of people to rally with.
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david
*by asking the above question,
i verify that i have already used
the search feature to the best of my ability...
interesting thread. unfortunately my guess is the people who really need to read this thread never will.
as a 36 yo with a young family, the wbcci has very little appeal to me. granted i haven't bothered to research it enough but when i catch snippets of tuxes and uniforms it reinforces the little appeal thing. it doesn't sound family friendly (i'm not saying it isn't as i've never been to a rally, but that's what i deduce from all the wbcci talk on the forums).
i'm sure there are great units but the overall message of the wbcci is probably old and outdated. again, that's my perception from what i've read on the forums. also, it sounds like it's just too much darn work
once i get my flying cloud on the road, i'll certainly check out the 4CU, not because i want to join the wbcci, but because brad and company sound like a fun bunch of people to rally with.
David,
Check out El Camino Real also. It is a great unit and you will be welcomed. There is a rally at Malibu RV park in September, drop on by and say Hi.
Bill
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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
once i get my flying cloud on the road, i'll certainly check out the 4CU, not because i want to join the wbcci, but because brad and company sound like a fun bunch of people to rally with.
If you've read any of my posts on this thread you can see that I don't particularly like a lot of aspects of the WBCCI. The uniforms and ceremonies are not my idea of camping fun for any age.
However, I did send in my check today, mainly so I could join the 4CU. I think there are a lot of great times ahead with that unit.
We've had a great time at each of the WBCCI events we've attended. At each, we've commented on the pomp and formality. We've enjoyed the company of those attending. We've enjoyed the experiencing the REAL tradition of WBCCI. Fellowship is really the tradition. There are many folks in the club who dismiss the leadership and it's tradition of formality.
Get involved and help the club get grounded! We have and we really like it.
.......snip.... Get involved and help the club get grounded! We have and we really like it.
Matt #3518
Matt, you have made some excellent points and I agree with most of what you're saying. I have no problem at all in giving my time and participating. As a matter of fact, I sent in my application and dues today. I plan to participate in whatever way I can. However, my involvement will most likely be only at the unit level. The views of the unit I'm joining are right on target with mine. However, as soon as someone hands me a dress code and list of what I should be wearing at a rally then I'm tail lights! Tuxes and gowns have no place in a campground. Show me a picture of Wally Byam in a white tux and Stella in a gown, at a rally, then I'll reevaluate my opinion.
To me, Airstream ownership is going to be about getting away, enjoying the outdoors, enjoying the gorgeous scenery of the Southwest and enjoying it with a few other Airstream owners. In my early impression, that's what the 4CU is supposed to be about. I also understand that the fellowship in that unit is really strong. I'm looking forward to being an active part of it.
There is nothing wrong with and organization being steeped with tradition. It can really be a good thing. But - when an organization is so stuck in pomp and ceremony for the entertainment of a small handfull of elder members, while denying younger members activities of interest, then something is wrong - seriously wrong.
I agree with you on formality. Many members of club leadership believe they RV, not camp.
I can assure you that the group we spent our happy hours with last year in Perry was CAMPING...in spite of afternoon temps around 100. We had outdoor time most every afternoon. We attended most of the evening meetings...in comfortable clothes. We held a pot luck dinner the night of the Installation Rally. Only our Teenage son went. He did wear a coat and tie, but he was a Teen Queen escort. (OK! Don't start. It got him involved with the other teens and they found plenty to do.)
At our unit rallies, we spend a lot of time sitting around talking with others. Our unit Pres. even had the area around the fire pit cleaned up and we have a campfire most nights during the rally. Our kids (teens) have enjoyed competing with the adults at holey board, darts, horseshoes, manipulation, and joker (almost endlessly).
When the leadership gives you a "dress code" for an event, you can politely decline to honor their request...or ...decline to attend that event. Leaving the event or the club only leaves those who agree with the formality in the club. Please don't leave...help us re-claim the club.
Wally took his friends to remote places with no services and no Nitely Entertainment. The "bull session" around the campfire and the fellowship with other "trailerites" was his idea of evenings in camp. He absolutely scheduled activities, tours, dinners, etc. in the locations they visited. Remember the words See More and Do More are planted firmly in the Airstream creed.
OK. I'm off my soapbox. Don't let the club slip away. It IS worth saving.
OK. I'm off my soapbox. Don't let the club slip away. It IS worth saving. Save Wally!
Matt
Matt - You said a lot of good things while on your soapbox. Granted, I've been quite vocal in letting the whole forum know that I disagree with the formality - but I think that the organization is worth saving too. To show that I'm not just running my mouth and complaining I took a step in doing something about it. My application and check went into the mail yesterday.
Luckily, I live in the region that has one of the coolest units in the club (4CU). That's where I'll start participating and I'll see where it goes from there.
Mike (Streamer23) has started some threads outlining the statistical trends of the club. It's pretty grim. Check out To all WBCCI members. It's an eye opener. There's a lot of work to be done.
Mike (Streamer23) has started some threads outlining the statistical trends of the club. It's pretty grim. Check out To all WBCCI members. It's an eye opener. There's a lot of work to be done.
Jim
Here are some other threads you may be interested in reflecting the health of the club.
There are some units that have aged and are not as active as they used to be.What I can speculate for some of these units is that when a younger member joins they find the unit is not a good fit for them and they either try to find another unit or drop out.This may happen over and over in the same unit.If a couple of these members would have stayed,I think more would have joined and a healthier unit would have resulted.
I have heard and read countless times from younger members that have quit that they thought the older folks in the unit were all friendly and welcoming but had more luncheons than rallies and the rallies were full hookups as opposed to boondocking.Activities at these rallies were also geared to the preferences of the current makeup of the unit,which only makes sense.
I really believe that the club will change in the upcoming years and a lot of the 'pomp' will be replaced by a more relaxed leadership in tune with its members (young and old).
There are some great units out there and I am proud to belong to one of them.I look forward to the day there are more.
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