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mbmbstreamer · 10-21-2011, 05:36 AM

Agreed. We should submit an amendment in Sedalia. I believe my unit would support it.

wkerfoot · 10-21-2011, 11:14 AM

Before anything but a no vote is made, I believe that the motorhome owners should be polled to determine how many this will actually effect. Some own Classic Argosy and Airstream units, I don't believe that they would purchase a Thor unit. Some own BVans, and they are not eligible for this change since they don't own a Class A. Some are not of an age or financial situation that they believe that they will replace their Airstream unit with a Thor. Some, as has been assumed here have "slideout" envy, and want a new unit. Out of the 450 or so, how many are we really talking about.

WBCCI lost over 6,000 members in the last five years in non renewals, shouldn't more be done to keep these members that some portion of the 450?

In addition, this is only about attending WBCCI events, how many of you have lost friends over your lifetime due to changes in interests, jobs and locations. Although it would be nice to keep all of them as friends, life changes.

Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbmbstreamer

Agreed. We should submit an amendment in Sedalia. I believe my unit would support it.

mistral blue · 10-21-2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Some own BVans, and they are not eligible for this change since they don't own a Class A.
...

Out of the 450 or so, how many are we really talking about.

Bill

"Motion: Regular members who are LIFE MEMBERS may, upon request, retain their membership as Regular Members if they replace their Airstream manufactured recreational vehicle with a Class A motor home manufactured by a division of Thor Industries, Inc., the parent company of Airstream, Inc."

As written, this motion only applies to LIFE MEMBERS. One does not have to be a Class A owner to be a LIFE MEMBER.

Last I heard, there was less than $200,000 in the LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP kitty, which means there's probably fewer than 200 LIFE MEMBERS in the club. Not all LIFE MEMBERS are Class A owners. I believe Deb Mann can provide more accurate numbers.

(My favorite word in this so-called motion is "replace".

)

wkerfoot · 10-21-2011, 01:16 PM

According to the June 30, 2011 financial report, there are 578 life members. Approximately $20,000 was withdrawn last year to pay dues. One new life member last year.

Other that PIPs, how many of the 578 are of the 450?

Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistral blue

"Motion: Regular members who are LIFE MEMBERS may, upon request, retain their membership as Regular Members if they replace their Airstream manufactured recreational vehicle with a Class A motor home manufactured by a division of Thor Industries, Inc., the parent company of Airstream, Inc."

As written, this motion only applies to LIFE MEMBERS. One does not have to be a Class A owner to be a LIFE MEMBER.

Last I heard, there was less than $200,000 in the LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP kitty, which means there's probably fewer than 200 LIFE MEMBERS in the club. Not all LIFE MEMBERS are Class A owners. I believe Deb Mann can provide more accurate numbers.

(My favorite word in this so-called motion is "replace".

)

mistral blue · 10-21-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Other that PIPs, how many of the 578 are of the 450?

Bill

I don't understand your question.

wkerfoot · 10-21-2011, 01:23 PM

Other that PIPs, which were given life memberships for their service, how many life members currently own motorhomes.

I doubt if anyone knows the answer.

Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistral blue

I don't understand your question.

mbmbstreamer · 10-21-2011, 01:39 PM

With this motion, it doesn't matter if they currently own a Motorhome!

mistral blue · 10-21-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Other that PIPs, which were given life memberships for their service, how many life members currently own motorhomes.

I doubt if anyone knows the answer.

Bill

Ah! Thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbmbstreamer

With this motion, it doesn't matter if they currently own a Motorhome!

Correct.

wheel interested · 10-21-2011, 02:23 PM

Didn't the treasurer say the lifetime membership fund would be exhausted in a matter of time in his last report? I wonder how that will impact the club. Most organizations seem to be whittling retirement benefits whereas WBCCI is still awarding memberships apparently.

wkerfoot · 10-21-2011, 02:27 PM

As I recall, yes. A $160,000 balance and annual withdrawals of $20,000 means only eight years. I believe that the club purchases the PIP membership by transferring funds from the general fund to the restricted Life Member Fund.

Increased life expectancy and reduced investment income puts a bind on such funds. It is possible that the purchase price of the life membership needs to be re-evaluated and probably increased.

Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheel interested

Didn't the treasurer say the lifetime membership fund would be exhausted in a matter of time in his last report? I wonder how that will impact the club. Most organizations seem to be whittling retirement benefits whereas WBCCI is still awarding memberships apparently.

Coloradobus · 10-21-2011, 02:43 PM

Bill

You are probably correct about the unknown number of Moho's. Club HQ doesn't know we have 1984 270. And no, we don't want to replace it with a THOR product, then again we aren't life members, either.

wheel interested · 10-21-2011, 02:46 PM

Creating a special class of membership for lifetime Thor Class A motorhome owners should also give precedent to accomodate other privilege and groups. To be fair I don't see why any member new or old couldn't have a motorhome or any other class of any brand rv. A non- Airstream eligibility requirement for a member should be applied evenly across the board and not limited and defined by those that will immediately benefit from the change. There is nothing magical about life members or Thor motorhomes, imho. The club is either open or closed, and not just opened up enough to allow someone to get what they want and then go back to closing it up for every other member. If it is for the good of the organozation and not the special interest of the individual the delegates will change the membership qualifications accordingly. Anything contrived for a few with the express purpose to circumvent the constitution of the largest and oldest single brand recreational vehicle club to exempt themselves from the rules is not fair. They need to put on their big boy pants and move on just like many mere members have done when the club no longer fits.

wkerfoot · 10-21-2011, 02:48 PM

If your unit treasurer does not check the motorhome box on the dues renewal coupon then there is no way that Jackson Center can know what any member owns.

Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coloradobus

Bill

You are probably correct about the unknown number of Moho's. Club HQ doesn't know we have 1984 270. And no, we don't want to replace it with a THOR product, then again we aren't life members.

Coloradobus · 10-21-2011, 03:52 PM

Bill, we have 6 airstreams. Which one do we pick.

wkerfoot · 10-21-2011, 03:57 PM

The dues receipt has a check box for trailer, class a, 5th wheel and class b. The treasurer checks the box based on his knowledge or what the renewing member checked on the unit renewal application, if the unit uses a renewal application.

I usually just check what the member puts or my knowledge if blank. If more than one type, I check more than one box.

Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coloradobus

Bill, we have 6 airstreams. Which one do we pick.

Ed Emerick · 10-21-2011, 04:23 PM

I am going to send in my payment for a life membership this weekend. On Monday I'm buying an AS motor home, and then hang on to your hats. I've seen some, ah, well, how do I describe this.... well used.... Thor motor homes.......
I can't wait to park with the big boys at the next rally.

mistral blue · 10-21-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Emerick

I am going to send in my payment for a life membership this weekend. On Monday I'm buying an AS motor home, and then hang on to your hats. I've seen some, ah, well, how do I describe this.... well used.... Thor motor homes.......
I can't wait to park with the big boys at the next rally.

You don't even have to buy an AS motorhome if you don't want to!
I hear there might be a PIP out there offering partial ownership shares in an old AS that you can then "replace" when you get your Thor!

Gene · 10-21-2011, 06:55 PM

Aren't Thor products of inferior quality compared to other brands? If so, maybe the slides won't work among other things.

If they buy Thor MH's, they may suffer the law of unintended consequences.

Gene

lewster · 10-21-2011, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

Aren't Thor products of inferior quality compared to other brands? If so, maybe the slides won't work among other things.

If they buy Thor MH's, they may suffer the law of unintended consequences.

Gene

Actually, they are not anywhere near the top rungs of the RV quality ladder. I've posted this before, but from my perspective of doing the majority of my RV service work on large motor homes and from what I see on the insides of these behemoths, Thor products actually rank pretty low on the scale.

There are several much higher quality OEMs out there like Tiffin, Newmar, Monaco (and all of their assorted brands), not to even begin to get into the high-end range of Newell and Prevost.

So Gene, you are probably correct in your assumptions!