How has WBCCI changed?

[Lily&Me]

Last IBT meeting we attended, 7-8 years ago or so, the treasurer reported the Club had about $1,000,000 in savings, and there were thoughts thrown about at that time that a service organization such as the WBCCI should be dispensing some of that money to worthy causes.

What is happening there, and what are current membership fees?

Maggie

[rideair]

One MAJOR change, it appears the IBT has given up on allowing certain "THOR" motorhomes into the club which was a very rough time (IMHO) for the club back in the 2007 era. It was a very tough time to be a Unit-Prez, for those not wanting to include them, but we got through it keeping it an "Airstream" only products club. I personally made many enemies and was not well liked by the IBT, but in the end now looking back 10+ years, it appears to be the right decision and glad I helped do it.

What is funny, being in the club since 2001 at one time I was one of the young members, now just a gray haired old fart

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by rideair

One MAJOR change, it appears the IBT has given up on allowing certain "THOR" motorhomes into the club which was a very rough time (IMHO) for the club back in the 2007 era. It was a very tough time to be a Unit-Prez, for those not wanting to include them, but we got through it keeping it an "Airstream" only products club. I personally made many enemies and was not well liked by the IBT, but in the end now looking back 10+ years, it appears to be the right decision and glad I helped do it.

What is funny, being in the club since 2001 at one time I was one of the young members, now just a gray haired old fart

Paul,
Many of us were against the inclusion of non Airstreams into the club. Since the makeup of the IBT changes every year, the members on the board who were in favor of that motion have been off the board for many years.

I was one of the young members also, but I do not have a single gray hair on my head!

[SerenityVT]

Our 2019 Airstream is still pending in the Jackson Center queue, but we went ahead and joined the 'club'. Folks we met at the December meeting of the Northeast Mountaineers were welcoming and just plain great.

[Aviator]

Gus and Mary,

You may wish to reach out to Jim Cocke (N5RTG). He is the immediate Past President of the Club and made a lot of great changes which are being expanded upon. I believe he checks into the Eastern Net regularly, so you may be able to reach him there. 7191 Khz

[rideair]

Richard,

Does this bring back any memories?

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by rideair

Richard,

Does this bring back any memories?

Those were some difficult times for the club and for being a pirate, gar...

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by NoResults

I am not a member but it seems to me that the dues structure is all wrong. I don't mind paying the approx. $100.00 a year but it should be $80.00 to the local unit and $20.00 to the national.

Unless you are a caravan fan the national is of no use.

Dave

I agree with this 100%. The local units seem like they are getting pooched on this deal.

DH and I became members only because it was compelled - we wanted to join Texas Airstream Harbor, so WBAC membership was a prerequisite. We are younger, not retired, still full-time employed, and will remain so for the foreseeable future. With our lifestyle, there is zero chance of us engaging in rallies or caravans. Even if we had the time, we wouldn't be interested at this point because our focus is more on (a) spending our severely-limited vacation time with my father in Canada and (b) "seclusion traveling" (off-gridding). We certainly have no objection to retired persons - quite the contrary. But the relative lack of age diversity has been a bit of a concern to me, in that I am limited in the extent to which I can share day-to-day experiences with people who have reached the stage of financial independence - it's a completely different head space and lifestyle that I don't currently share.

That being said, I have found that WBAC basically projects a "live and let live" vibe. Participate or not participate per your own preferences, no pressure. And that's good.

[Airtandem]

The National dues is set, but the chapter dues varies,from "0" to "?" Per chapter.
We joined to have access to the different Airstream parks and meet fellow Streamers. One was Traditional and the other way more Liberal, more like a Forum Rally.
We also don't get involved with the National Politics.
Try different Chapters and see what fits your style. Your experience will what you make of it.

Red shed, don't forget Moraineview, it is getting full in the circle but still some close sites.
Mike & Dana

[switz]

We joined WBCCI before I took delivery of our new 2013 25FB in October 2012 and upgraded to Life to help the club's finances. Our initial unit was one unit in Arizona that I never heard from until the next renewal of dues. We found our current Arizona unit (4 Corners Unit) and it is growing by leaps and bounds. No formality other than no cutting in line for the food that is always in abundance at the rallies.

Our WBCCI membership was a requirement when we purchased our membership in Ponderosa Shadows, an Airstream only summer RV park in Lakeside, AZ in 2014. That WBCCI membership requirement has now been dropped. We did put the WBCCI red numbers on our Classic when we went to the International in New Mexico but have put them on plexiglas with suction cups for our 23D. Numbers are not needed for our 4CU rallies.

If one gets involved by showing up at the rallies, lots of fun can be had and new friends can be made.

[SteveSueMac]

Not sure if this matters but it seems to me that clubs consist of more than one person. Every person’s tastes differ. A group of more than 1 Airstreamers will have some things in common, and some things not. The odds of every member of a club or unit of a club being 100% on the same page about everything are roughly zero.

Units also tend to take on the personality of their local leaders and members. There’s no doubt a sliding scale on which you could place every unit - from two extremes of rigid formality to uncontrolled chaos and every point in between.

The only way to know is to check out units close to you, see whether more than 50% of the vibe resonates with you and make your decision.

If you’ve ever been part of any group that figures out how to get along despite the impossibility of 100% agreement on 100% of the issues they face, you can find a unit that works for you and in which you can receive and give.

If you expect the unit to conform to your specific wishes, it may be best to pass since that only frustrates you and the unit.

If you have no desire whatsoever to be part of a club, go have fun solo - no harm no foul.

I’ve been a member only since 2012 - I initially joined one local unit that didn’t work for me and then transferred to the New England unit (now the New England Airstream Club) and it’s been great. Since that’s been my sole experience, I can only speak to the changes within that unit - which other than name aren’t many. There are some ceremonial moments at some business meetings - not my cup of tea, but I appreciate them for what they are - thankful they represent much less than 1% of my time with the group.

The group’s philosophy seems to be - hey, it’s just camping - and that works for me [emoji3]

Oh - and on name tags - we have them and try to use them at least on the first night of a rally - since I have a sieve for a brain, I find them helpful to get to know people. One of the members made absolutely AWESOME leather bolo tie badge holders with an aluminum clasp that includes our trailer number. They’re way cool. Your mileage can vary. Hey - it’s just camping [emoji3]

[Caffeinated]

My two cents. The Oregon unit is awesome! Hi Terry, can't wait for this summer.

Mike and Anita

[RedSHED]

I think my beef with nametags is work related. I wear an ID badge at work. When I put it on in the morning, I feel "on the clock" until I come back home and take it off 8, 9, 10, 12 hours later.

When I'm on vacation, I'd rather not feel like I'm at work. Someone pegging me about how my badge isn't properly displayed can really kill the feeling of being away from work.

I've been thinking of a compromise solution ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKR3_LYLnjk

[rmkrum]

What's that famous line?

I think it's very applicable to leisure time:

"We don't need no stinking badges..."

Although some hectic days at work, I need to check my badge to see who I am...

[Hittenstiehl]

I agree with no badges but I also can't remember a name until I really know someone. We have unit name badges but no one cares if you don't wear them. Of course that also means I'm reintroducing myself to people I've already met and asking for names again and again.

[Airtandem]

If one doesn't know someone's name; address them by saying your name ie Hi, Mike and they usually reply with no, I'm . Saves you both.
Mike

[kb0zke]

For the last 25 years or so of my teaching career I wore a name tag around my neck for the first week or so of school, starting with the Open House two days before school started. The difference was that it was upside down. When someone would point that out, I would pick up the name tag, look at it, and say, "No, it isn't. I can read it just fine." That usually got a chuckle from the student and they remembered my name. Unfortunately, they had maybe six teacher's name to learn, and I had up to a hundred students.


If everyone at an event knows everyone else well, name tags aren't all that necessary. If some people haven't seen each other in a long time (whatever that is) it may well be that someone will recognize another but not remember their name. A name tag with large print, at least for the first name, can avoid a bit of embarrassment. Someone who is new to the event will really appreciate the name tags.


I'm looking forward to getting an Airstream and joining the Club. Like others do, I'll probably put the numbers on something that isn't a permanent addition to the trailer. That isn't because I'm antisocial but I'm trying to be considerate of the next owners. The numbers will stay with me when I get another Airstream, so I can take them with me and the next owners won't have to remove them.

[Castaway]

My question is, has enough changed within WBCCI to make it a good fit for the rest of us or is it still a club fitted best to those who have retired from the armed forces?


Well the first VP is a women,another VP is gay, and a black man is running for National office this year. This would have been unthinkable 20 year ago.

Gary

[Air Apparent]

The Northern Illinois unit has changed significantly over the last 10 years. We are much more informal and relaxed. Our youngest member, who joined in October 2018, is under 35 and a great addition to our unit. We formally changed our name to “Northern Illinois Airstream Club”. One of our Unit VP’s just joined last year and is younger. We are eager for younger leadership with new ideas.

I am of the mindset of “We don’t need no stinking badges.” However, we have had so many new members that I wear a badge to make it easier for them to remember names. It also helps me to remember new members names. There are no need for badges if we all know each other’s name.

Our unit leader (president) is a women.

We invite all Airstreamers to join us at any of our rallies to get a feel for the unit.

All of our rallies are listed on our unit website.

When we joined in 2005, we were the “youngins” and rebels. I can’t say that anymore.

[LY007]

Our local unit is small, friendly, and informal. I’ve never seen a name tag.

OTOH, I’ve never had any contact with WBAC beyond my local unit, other than to write them a check for a magazine that I don’t really need.