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RoadKingMoe · 06-30-2003, 05:24 AM

On a glass window would be okay, but not on the tinted plexiglas rock guard.

63flyingcloud · 06-30-2003, 11:59 AM

1) NUMBERS: A new set costs $7.50. How 'bout putting them on for the International, and taking them off the next week?

2) RELIGION: A little God never hurt anyone, but a lotta God has.

3) ALCOHOL: A little booze never hurt anyone, but a lotta booze has.

4) BERETS: The Berets look stupid. Unless you're a drummer with some appreciable amount of hair on your chin, you will look stupid in a beret, too. (You will note that this rule effectively precludes 98% of men and 80% of airstreaming women from ever wearing a beret.)

5) WBCCI ORGANIZERS: Right now, there are people standing in a pasture of fermenting grass, in a God-forsaken state with 2 weeks of good weather a year (not this month). They are trying to organize 2,000 trailers and 4,000 people, half of whom are septuagenarians who are apparently sharing medication ("Hey Vern, can you spare a Viagra?). They are fielding the same questions repeatedly, most of which deal with the 1,000 or so exotic cats and "dogs" (most, no bigger than a healthy nutria) which made the trip. These volunteers are doing this, not for money or glory, but for the love of the game---Airstreaming! Because of their efforts, a couple of thousand people will have a great time, and in all likelihood, will return home with new friendships and happy memories. We're all a little richer for their service, aren't we?

Next time you see a WBCCI event organizer, give him or her a hug. And tell them to take off the stupid beret.

Pahaska · 06-30-2003, 12:04 PM

So far I have been to about 5 unit rallys and a region rally and I have yet to see a beret. Frankly, I hope it stays that way.

markjoandall · 06-30-2003, 01:11 PM

We just got home from the international because of work. I must say, the most I saw of the blue beret was at the opening ceremony. The International officers, regional officers and unit officers were wearing the "uniform". Most in the audience were not.

As for the volunteers. They make the whole thing happen. While we were there, the weather was hot as blazes and verry humid. I did not witness a single person volunteer or participant in a foul humor. I and my wife were very impressed.

Just my .02 about the organization.

TBKP's Overlander · 06-30-2003, 02:26 PM

I'm with Eric on this one. If I see an Airstream parked on the side of the road, I'll whip around and check it out. If the owner is around I'll ask them about it. However I'm not interested in going to an "Opening Ceremony" or a "Flag Celebration". I don't know about pulling up a chair and starting a conversation with a person of any age about the job, grandkids etc. Not everyone is the same. Some people like to get to know new people and others just want to go to someplace informal and if they meet someone then that is fine. But many of "us" don't want to pull up to some place that they don't know anyone and have forced conversations.

85MH325 · 06-30-2003, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TBKP's Overlander
I'm with Eric on this one. If I see an Airstream parked on the side of the road, I'll whip around and check it out. If the owner is around I'll ask them about it. However I'm not interested in going to an "Opening Ceremony" or a "Flag Celebration". I don't know about pulling up a chair and starting a conversation with a person of any age about the job, grandkids etc. Not everyone is the same. Some people like to get to know new people and others just want to go to someplace informal and if they meet someone then that is fine. But many of "us" don't want to pull up to some place that they don't know anyone and have forced conversations.

The older I get, the more I realize how little I know. I have never been a 'joiner'. I don't particularly enjoy clubs, but after owning Airstreams for years and never joining, we finally joined WBCCI in 2000. At the Sioux Falls International, I had the pleasure of being able to pull up a lawn chair next to the late Dr. Holman, WBCCI #1935 and chatted about building the 'original' kit Airstream with the Ford model "A" taillights, early camping, the evolution of Airstreams and a whole variety of things. I carry the memory fondly. I have photos of Dr. Holman Sr., his trailer, and a friend with Dr. Holman.

At the same rally, I also struck up a conversation while standing in a hallway at the convention center with an elderly couple who looked a little distracted. As it turned out, they were the last surviving charter members of WBCCI. We chatted for nearly an hour about Wally Byam, the founding of the club, the evolution of the Airstream products, and I heard many tales of the early caravans around the world. It was fascinating.

I've also gotten to meet many of the VAC club members and learned loads and loads of 'stuff' from them in informal chats. None of these meetings had anything to do with the 'formal' WBCCI International doin's except that we were all there and shared a common interest.

Aside from the organized club activities (which I might add we seldom participate in because of our distance from our club) our membership in the club isn't a sentence, it's an opportunity to meet people who you would otherwise never get to meet.

What more could you ask from an organization than to be able to meet interesting people?

Roger

smily · 07-01-2003, 05:34 AM

These events are attended by folks who wish to be there!

Obviously, paying a fee to attend is a pretty good indication that these folks are looking forward to sitting down and meting new people.

I dont think that the WBCCI has EVER dragged someone who wished to be by theirselves to a WBCCI event. ( but I bet that all have been invited and welcomed)

Get real man!

53flyingcloud · 07-01-2003, 06:04 AM

63flyingcloud

Quote:

("Hey Vern, can you spare a Viagra?).

Don't use it, you're on your own...lol

ciao

63flyingcloud · 07-01-2003, 04:35 PM

Me neither. But I'm willing to learn.

Chuck · 07-04-2003, 04:48 AM

funny thing: just came back from the rally in Burlington. We stayed for a couple of nights at a local campground, and met a couple of other streamers from new england. We told them how we were brand new Wally club members, and the discussion very quicky turned to the geriatric demographics of the wally club....pretty much the same conversation we're having here. So it must be a pretty wide-spread sentiment. LOL!! anyway, one guy I was talking to told me that the New England unit was now headed up by all younger folks....they don't get into the old-fashioned stuff...they just want to go camping. So, it may all depend on your local unit.

as far as the rally itself went...it was an interesting site. and yeah...almost ALL old folks. we stuck out like a sore thumb, pushing a baby carriage around.

Baby Jack (10 weeks old) turned out to be quite an ice-breaker, though...lots of attention from all the grandparents. He was quite a hit.

I will say that everyone was very nice, and very friendly.

overlander64 · 07-04-2003, 09:29 AM

Greetings Chuck!

I concur with the statement that each local unit is unique, and it is those differences that can be directly related to membership satisfaction. One of the reasons that I continue my membership in the Wisconsin unit even after moving to Illinois is that their activities are spread out about the state so there is a tremendous variety of activities to choose from.

Kevin

smily · 07-08-2003, 04:15 PM

Okay, I am going to go out on a limb and say..........

Come and join the South Carolina Coastal Unit!

Our unit is very diversified and a fun group of people who are very active in the WBCCI.

It sounds like some of the units are a little boring and I am sorry to hear that but you can ALL come to our unit and see how different it is.

I know that the "Fred's" would maybe not like to be louded out but I am fortunate to have two members in my unit that are very distinguised in Airstream circles and their spouses just the same.

Fred Bothman has restored more airstreams than most of us commoners on this forum, (no disrespect Andy R.) and the infamous "Phred Says" Fred Etttline who both hang out here once in awhile.

Those who spend a lot of time on this forum know of my participation in this site and I still can say.............

I AM PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE WBCCI!!!!!!!!!!!

Silvertwinkie · 07-08-2003, 04:48 PM

I’m simply not convinced.

Eric

smily · 10-10-2003, 10:23 AM

Since this thread was generated on my experience at my first WBCCI event, I thought it would be good time to raise the subject again. This thread has been visited and replied to with many facets, opinion, and thoughts. It is best if reviewed from the beginning of the thread.

Well it has been a year since my first WBCCI event and I am going back again. The SC State Rally is next week and I am looking forward to welcoming the new members.

Come one come all and join the WBCCI.

Smily

Silvertwinkie · 10-11-2003, 10:05 AM

Well, I had about 90 days since my last post to reconsider my thoughts on the subject....and I've concluded that I still haven't changed my mind on this one in any way. Plus, the new membeship that I got free will expire shortly and the new coach won't come with another freebie, so..........I suppose this is my stop.......

Eric

HURST · 10-11-2003, 01:40 PM

If the numbers are so offensive and you dislike the local club and the international WBCCI club WHY did you buy an Aitstream???

Maybe you would enjoy another brand.

Silvertwinkie · 10-11-2003, 01:47 PM

Hurst,

I think you are confused. As far as I know the two are completely different subjects (owning an Airstream and belonging to an Airstream club).

My thought is that simply joining an Airstream club is not by any means a condition of owning an Airstream.

To me there is a heck of a lot more to owning an Airstream then joining "a club" none of which I think I need to qualify here.....

Eric

HURST · 10-11-2003, 02:39 PM

Eric,
Why not come to the International Airstream Rally in Lansing, MI in July 2004? And check out all the Airstreams with numbers. Some old , some new, and some on top of old numbers.

Membership in WBCCI provides access to many years of Airstreaming and RV experience.

Kistler · 10-11-2003, 06:12 PM

We bought our Airstream because we liked the trailer. At the time we didn't even know Wally's club was still alive.....actually I am not certain they are "alive" here in southern AZ....the unit was dissolved just this last year.

We were sort of surprised to read in the BLUE BERET of the activities--caravans and rallys that are held. These activities don't fit in with our schedule and travel habits

.

Please do not tell me that we should not have bought an Airstream.....am already a little discouraged with the loss of value blue book wise.....however, the State of AZ seems to value my trailer highly as referenced by my licensing fees.

AND we like our Airstream.

Silvertwinkie · 10-11-2003, 07:07 PM

Hurst,

I'll really think about it. The next midwest rally and my personal vacation time might all fit into that date and I might give it the WBCCI another look see if it fits into the overall game plan.

The numbers aren't really my main issue with WBCCI....

Regards,

Eric