Reinvention of WBCCI

[badkat]

I am excited that the powers that be realized it is time for change. We have not joined a unit and did a search in the beginning of full-timings over 6 years ago. Once we were approached at an AS park by a President in uniform. It was not a great experience. So I now am more open to looking at joining. Too say if you do not put numbers on your unit is wrong does not sit well with me. It is your unit and numbers on or off is your choice. This is beyond silly for me. I am retired and so are many AS members. I do not set an alarm clock or listen to others on what I put on my AS. Love my life on my own terms now.

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by xrvr

Most new AS owners that are younger do not have the ability to think, hence wbcci is too confusing! So it had to be simplified and, makes sense?

hahaha. This comment, and some of the things being debated on this thread like the big red numbers, and the difference between a caravan vs a rally vs camping...are perfect examples why the average age of the membership will stay where it is, despite the efforts to change that with a new website. What a hoot.

[Halford1]

Originally Posted by moosetags

I'm afraid that I must voice my disagrrement with you. To me, the Big Red Numbers enhance the visual appeal of an Airstream. Of Course, do what feels right. Without the Big Red Numbers, it's just some other travel trailer.

Brian

I do not want to be part of a snobbery group... I want to be with where everyone is accepted and their AS is as good as any AS. I ain't gonna compete or be part of them. Not worth my time. I do not follow their rules and never have anyway.

[Airtandem]

PC; I just put that about caravan camping and convoy to get comments when talking about the letters in WBCCI. I was confused when I first joined as to their meaning. Sign it up to age; I'm close to 80.
Glad for the change; it's been long needed.

mj

[Hittenstiehl]

We don't have our numbers on our trailers, (yet), and may never not sure yet.

We also don't think we should join a club and then say we don't like and won't abide by the rules.

If we went on a caravan and it was mandatory to have the number displayed we would ask what the acceptable methods of display are and choose one of those.

[Airtandem]

Numbers; YES, the beret, white shirt, red tie and black pants, NO. I wore a uniform for many years, so didn't want to wear another.
mj

[DanB]

We have been members for about 10 years. With the exception of the International Rally where certain protocols at meetings are (and should) be followed, I've never seen a "uniform". Also, I rarely see a beret.


Also, our President Mona looked nice dressed up for installation!

[patriciahawk]

Originally Posted by Halford1

I admit that having the numbers displayed on the AS is too ugly for me. I only accept License Plate, that's it. I do not want to ruin my AS with numbers. I have joined yet and if its required to display the numbers, it is not worth it.

We love the history and reason for the beautiful, big, red numbers.

[patriciahawk]

Originally Posted by moosetags

I'm afraid that I must voice my disagrrement with you. To me, the Big Red Numbers enhance the visual appeal of an Airstream. Of Course, do what feels right. Without the Big Red Numbers, it's just some other travel trailer.



Brian

We love the history and reason for the beautiful, big, red numbers.

[bweybright]

Interesting thread and posts....a lot based on your age and what was deemed as valued and needed for social support in geographic regions and time period when you grew up. Hence the situation of Grange Halls, Elks (I was the family black sheep not joining as the son of founders of the Emblem Club) Lodges, Moose Lodges, Eagles Lodges, etc.


My take on things is I do what makes my wife and hence me happy. You do what makes you happy and we all go on. If the "member of a group" thing is for you then go for it and ignore the rest of the world and enjoy being part of that group.

I personally want to go in my trailer (not because it is an Airstream but because we like the floor plan and it reminds her of her childhood in an Avion) and enjoy the precious time I get with my wife away from work at a high pressure job for a company that you probably all have in your computer.


So for those of you who want a group meeting and pot luck - good en ya. For those of you who want to just go and live good doing your own thing good en ya. For those who want to go to a Jellystone Park good en ya, etc.


In other words - where is this thread going? Do what makes you happy and ignore the rest. You have an Airstream so obviously have worked hard in life and have some choice and in my opinion don't need to justify what you do to anyone except yourself. Forget the crap and do what makes you and your family happy.

[cwf]

The “club” is made of people. Go figure there will be issues.

The “new” is trying to meet the currents of society. We wish them luck.. and help where we can.

The changes, while hopeful for WBCCI viability, should and attempt to maintain respect the “past”..WBCCI exists to serve its members as historical trustees and conduit for bonding of various AS units primarily across America.

Maybe someone will use the next few years as a masters thesis...

[xrvr]

I agree, throwing out tradition for the sake modernizing is wrong.

[polarlyse]

I have my "Big Red Numbers" on my trailer. Put them on or don't, it's your trailer, but don't let someone who acts like the Number Police sour your opinion of the whole club. We attended rallies large and small for 8 years before joining and not once did anybody care. But they did take the time to meet us and promote club benefits in a polite way.

[Bill M.]

I like going on the caravans. We go to a national meeting every once in a while. A little updating could be a good thing. One thing I noticed on the last caravan was more first time caravanners than usual. I take that as a good sign. WBCCI went through a period where some of the top people thought a little too much of themselves and not enough for the club. That time has passed and we have good people working hard now. Way better.

[Bumpy]

Originally Posted by bweybright

In other words - where is this thread going? Do what makes you happy and ignore the rest. You have an Airstream so obviously have worked hard in life and have some choice and in my opinion don't need to justify what you do to anyone except yourself. Forget the crap and do what makes you and your family happy.

Apparently this thread is heading in the direction of our politics - "My way or the highway" attitude. Just what we need, even more splitting of folks instead of being able to accept some other thought different than our own.

Not exactly what I signed up for here. Is it what anyone really wants, division?

Just, finally, opened the ACI home web page. Behold what is there:


"AIRSTREAM CLUB BENEFITS
We Rally Together
It's not where you are, but who you are there with."

My take away if you don't care for those you are with find some others.

[WhereStream]

Changing the name to Airstream Club International makes sense. The old WBCCI name was awkward, and few people outside the club knew what the acronym stood for or who Wally might be.

I'm sure they will find a way to honor the great WB.

The logo ... good start, but I'd hope the leadership revises. the A-C-I letters overlapping is hard to decipher.

I'd recommend taking out the letters and dropping in a silhouette of a Bambi.

Everything else sounds like it reflects an effort to be more inclusive and welcoming. Two thumbs up.

Please note ... I am not a member.

[xrvr]

I am no longer z member for financial reasons but wouldnot want to be a member now. Lack of conformity and rules enforcement is a turn off to me,,, leads to camping anarchy at club events and i canget that at any cg.

[Airtandem]

I like the idea of the NEW logo; but I also would eliminate the entwined A C I and replace with an "Airstream". Too busy.
mj

[John&Vicki]

I remember seeing the red numbers about 65 years ago when I was a young kid. I asked my father about them and he explained it was a club and members could identify one another with the numbers and a directory which I thought was pretty cool.

When I received my numbers after joining seven years ago I was actually kind of excited to put them on as I recalled the old memory. I know, I’m a total dork.

We have a great group in the club out here in Oregon, informal and friendly. Pleased to see our member Mona head up ACI as she will bring a modern point of view. Which is much needed. For example, she received criticism from some of the older members for wearing a sleeveless dress for her “Blue Beret” cover shoot.

[twestover]

Originally Posted by Halford1

I do not want to be part of a snobbery group... I want to be with where everyone is accepted and their AS is as good as any AS. I ain't gonna compete or be part of them. Not worth my time. I do not follow their rules and never have anyway.

I don't think the WBCCI is snobby at all, at least not my experience anyway. And I don't see people competing about anything. Vintage trailers are loved and revered and people who are working on their trailers, the people I know are really supportive. I am International Membership chair and I do not have my numbers posted on our trailer. We have a plexiglass board we stand up on our battery box when attending official functions and it's requested to find people. Like other things, the issue of posting numbers is a lot more flexible and optional than it used to be. Are there people who still think you should have big red numbers on your trailer? Yup, but for lots of reasons, we just don't and I feel no shame about it! LOL