WBCCI They just don't get it

[HowieE]

blkmagikca

You have been a victim of what is killing our democratic way of life. In all to many cases, I would almost go so far as to say in all cases, our governing regulations are proposed by zealots. While this may work in smaller organizations where everyone shares the same common goals it can not work in larger ones. Examples of this failure include many of the regulations proposed by the 2 coastal medias here in the US. Picking up dog droppings on the streets of New York does not play well in the middle of America farm country. Gun restrictions in schools does not play well in Alaska where students often carry for bear protection.

Now those are extreme examples of zealots, attempting to apply to the greater society, what they would like to have in their back yards. They each sound good when presented on national tv but then the majority of those watching tv may just have a sidewalk or backyards and can't see beyond the fence. WBBCI is a victim of this change in our society and the principle reason behind my title of "The WBCCI They Just Don't Get IT"

If they want to grow the membership they will have to look over the fence and see what is on the other side.

[SeeMore]

On the positive side of the WBCCI expanding the marketing effort, RVillage does not charge for the club's marketing presence as opposed to Airforums.

[xrvr]

I thought the firearms issue with the Ontario unit was not endorsed by the international and eliminated. This was many years ago, no? Not a member now, no AS, but I know for a fact that at one AS only park there were members carrying and keeping weapons in their trailers. Bear country.

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by 65Streamer

Wait a sec. Before you pigeon hole us let me explain. I dreamt of owning a Harley since I was a kid growing up in Milwaukee. I was proud of the brand and the Phoenix-like rise it made coming out of the AMF dark years. I've met Willie G, my brother-in- law works for them, my neighbors rode them and within a 4 block circle I counted 4 HD employees. I've toured 3 of the 5 major plants with as much interest as the AS mother ship in Jackson because American manufacturing is how I make my living. I enjoy the product AND the culture/brotherhood. Sure the Bean Counters have now begun to screw up a good thing but I'm hoping they rise again.
Plus, my Harley's have been as good or better than my "other" brands I've owned. I'm talking comfort, reliability and easy to maintain.
I'm also a lifetime H.O.G. member. For my payment to join, which was 1/3rd the cost the WBCCI quoted me, I get a full color monthly magazine, towing and trip insurance, exclusive entry to rallies around the globe and discounts on product. Couple that with my cash back Harley US Bank visa which provides me with cash for maintenance, upgrades and new bikes and I've got a hobby that's constantly "funded." Harley knows how to market every aspect of their product.

As a comparison, I left the WBCCI after one year. I attended the Madison WI International rally. It was my fist time camping in my vintage AS. Somewhat disappointing to say the least. The pomp & circumstance and stuffiness of the non-vintage portion was a turn-off. But I Did get to hang out with some great people, including Pee Wee!
My Airstream means as much to me as my bike for similar reasons. I just wish the club experience was as positive. Maybe the Tin Can Tourists would be more my speed.

It is unfortunate that you apparently only had this one experience to judge the club on, especially if it was your very first exposure to the club. We have been to three International Rallies over a 12 year period and have found them our least favorite events. There is something cool about being with that many Airstreams, but they are so big that they are impersonal. To us, the best part of the International Rallies is meeting old friends that we have not seem in a while. That said, I'll bet this year's International Rally in Lewisburg, WV will be the best in a long time.

Personally, we've enjoyed every other type of WBCCI event we've tried better than the International Rallies, including: National Special Event Rallies, Region Rallies, Unit Rallies, National Caravans, Unit Caravans, and Unit Luncheons.

You've got to try more than one event to see if you like it.

[Nuvite-F]

Originally Posted by blkmagikca

First – I am no longer a member of the WBCCI; I had been a member from 2005 to 2012, but while the early years of my membership were educational (learning about my AS, rallies and caravans), changes made without due process to the unit’s bylaws were not acceptable to me, particularly where head office (including a PIP said he would fight to prevent such a change to be brought up to International, but did squat against the change at the unit level) did nothing, presumably because this was the Ontario Canada Unit and they felt it was a “Canadian issue". The change was to disallow having firearms, ammo, fireworks or explosives in your AS – I do trap shooting and target shooting and hand-loading, and I'm not prepared to drop this in order to be a member of any RV club.

Like, I think, most folks on these forums, I have heard your complaint against WBCCI (specifically, the Ontario Unit) many times before. I don't blame you for being unhappy about it, or leaving the WBCCI over it, but I do have a question about it, which perhaps you can answer.

My question being, how in the world did (or does) the unit expect to enforce such a rule? Are they going to conduct searches of trailers for contraband? Or, in other words, did the Unit expect to enforce their rule using methods forbidden even to agents of the government?

(I am aware that you don't have a Bill of Rights in Canada like we do in the US, but it is my understanding that the basis of the Castle Doctrine ("A man's home is his castle") dates back to English common law.)

Had I been in your situation I think I might simply have ignored their stupid rule and let them try to enforce it. If you were found guilty of violating it, the most they could do is file a grievance and chuck you out of the WBCCI, the same outcome as you conceded by leaving voluntarily.

[Nuvite-F]

Originally Posted by HowieE

If they want to grow the membership they will have to look over the fence and see what is on the other side.

Whatever WBCCI may be doing right or doing wrong, right now the membership is growing rapidly. I have been a member for 12 years now and this year our unit is growing at the rate of 3 - 5 members every month, a growth rate I have never seen before.

[sandlapper]

Come on folks, give it a rest. The WBCCI is not a one size fits all club. Some folks just don't fit in anywhere, and are not happy when they are happy. Their life revolves around misery and finding the worst in everything. Then, they are happy.

The WBCCI is made up of VOLUNTEERS doing the best they can.

All politics aside, consider this......you already own the most recognizable, iconic, and special trailer on the planet. Why, then, would you not want to be a part of it's special club, warts and all. The $65 or so is not gonna make you or break you.

Just be a part of it.

[blkmagikca]

Nuvite-F – If asked I would reply truthfully. The then unit president had told me that 10 members were prepared to walk if this amendment to the code of conduct was not made. Subsequently, 2 members of his executive told me that his statement was completely false. I prefer not being involved with untrustworthy people.

Sandlapper – I didn’t start this thread; I simply added to it. You need to know what kind of people you are getting involved with. Personally I attach a high value to honesty and integrity – both were sadly lacking. Since this was brought to the attention of head office and they did nothing, while telling me that they would never allow this to happen at the International level, I can conclude that the whole organization fails the integrity test. Hence I quit. I get far more satisfaction as a member of the Escapees. Keep in mind that the Escapees is a considerably larger club than the WBCCI and it is a much friendlier club.

[xrvr]

Have fun as you escape to the escapees.

[Dingo Girl]

Originally Posted by PammieSue

I'm here to learn more about my Airstream and meet people and say, "hi!". I don't do clique, and I don't do snob. If I thought I could find room in my life for another club, I'd do it. Unless of course the people in that group were snobby, cliquish, racist and homophobic. Ain't nobody got time for that, LOL! Vintage Airstreams were made well, but after reading so many threads here I am no longer certain that today's Airstreams are any better than all the other RVs. Plus, even if Airstreams were better, it doesn't follow that the people inside them always are. *laughing*

:-)

[Bev1940]

Originally Posted by PammieSue

I'm here to learn more about my Airstream and meet people and say, "hi!". I don't do clique, and I don't do snob. If I thought I could find room in my life for another club, I'd do it. Unless of course the people in that group were snobby, cliquish, racist and homophobic. Ain't nobody got time for that, LOL! Vintage Airstreams were made well, but after reading so many threads here I am no longer certain that today's Airstreams are any better than all the other RVs. Plus, even if Airstreams were better, it doesn't follow that the people inside them always are. *laughing*

I agree no time for Uppity people! I have a 1978 31' International AS that I think is much better built than the new ones and much lighter. It has had only one small leak at a roof vent and all the windows are fine. I have pulled it many thousand miles with no problem . I usually attend one rally per year if its close to home, I'm spending the winter in Louisiana with a group of CareAvanners as a Habitat volunteer, I have done this several times but have never seen any other AS on one of these sites .

[SteveSueMac]

I'm all for hanging with like minded folks who are honest, have integrity, don't hate other people, don't make mistakes, don't give in to temptations, do give to the poor, make the world a better place, etc.

In the meantime, I enjoy hanging out with the human race. 😃

As for the original intent of the thread - I didn't understand the email either. Maybe I just don't get it?

[DanB]

OK, after letting this go for few days, let me offer an opinion.

I think we are overthinking this!!!

Who know who instructed this email to be sent or perhaps it was just Lori thinking the membership might be interested?

What the heck is the big deal? It was a suggestion, not a requirement!

[banderabob]

Amen, Sandlapper!

[3wd67rg]

Originally Posted by sandlapper

Come on folks, give it a rest. The WBCCI is not a one size fits all club. Some folks just don't fit in anywhere, and are not happy when they are happy. Their life revolves around misery and finding the worst in everything. Then, they are happy.

The WBCCI is made up of VOLUNTEERS doing the best they can.

All politics aside, consider this......you already own the most recognizable, iconic, and special trailer on the planet. Why, then, would you not want to be a part of it's special club, warts and all. The $65 or so is not gonna make you or break you.

Just be a part of it.

You're right, it's not a one size fits all club. So why are you asking us all to join it in spite of that?

Silly. I never willingly add warts.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by sandlapper

Come on folks, give it a rest. The WBCCI is not a one size fits all club.

The WBCCI is made up of VOLUNTEERS doing the best they can.

This was a topic of discussion earlier today at my Unit's Valentine's Day Rally.

The fact of the matter is, the WBCCI Constitution and Bylaws identify the duties of each administrative and executive position in the organization. But they do not identify the qualifications needed for those positions. It is no wonder that you sometimes get enthusiastic but unqualified people in positions of authority. They really are volunteers, doing the best they can, and they are elected by the general membership to do those jobs.

It doesn't matter if there is only one person on the ballot for a given position. The Constitution and Bylaws allow any member to run for any office "from the floor." But while there are many people who will say, "They're not doing a very good job so I quit," there are far fewer who are willing to say, "I think I can do a better job and I'm willing to try if you'll elect me."

WBCCI is unique in that it is run by the members, on behalf of the members. It's just unfortunate that sometimes it's run by people who care but have little ability, on behalf of people with plenty of ability who don't care.

[sandlapper]

Originally Posted by PammieSue

You're right, it's not a one size fits all club. So why are you asking us all to join it in spite of that?

Silly. I never willingly add warts.

Because.... once all the smoke clears, and the politics subside, and the bickering stops.... there sits that wonderful trailer we all adore.

It is the bonding agent.

I suppose we don't need an official club to enjoy each others company, but we have one. And in my perhaps overly simplified way of thinking, why not join the club spawned from the belly pan of the Airstream?? It is not mandatory that you attend rallies, or read the Blue beret, or vote, or participate in any way.

Consider the $65 as a way to help share the love.

[PKI]

We are new to the WBCCI. We joined to get those fantastic red numbers, learn about ASs and meet new people. We have attended one local rally. We enjoyed talking with other ASers about their experience and their rigs. We were impressed by the absolutely fanatical contribution the leaders made to make the event a success. We appreciated the welcoming response we got from those who attended the rally. It was a very positive experience. We left with a smile on our face. The Greater Bay Area Airstream Club is a cool group. Hope your unit is as well. Pat, 14711

[3wd67rg]

Originally Posted by sandlapper

Because.... once all the smoke clears, and the politics subside, and the bickering stops.... there sits that wonderful trailer we all adore.

It is the bonding agent.

I suppose we don't need an official club to enjoy each others company, but we have one. And in my perhaps overly simplified way of thinking, why not join the club spawned from the belly pan of the Airstream?? It is not mandatory that you attend rallies, or read the Blue beret, or vote, or participate in any way.

Consider the $65 as a way to help share the love.

I'm "blood related" to a lot of people, and THAT is not even a bonding agent. ROFLMAO!

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by blkmagikca

I can conclude that the whole organization fails the integrity test.

This is an incindiary comment and completely false. I personally take offense that you have lumped me in your stereotype. You have never met me.

You may have met some people you did not agree with inside the club, but to lump us all together is unfair. I am sure you have also met people you did not like outside the club. The great many people in WBCCI are great people doing their best. Are you ever going to agree with all several thousand? Obviously not. But when you weigh the good against the bad, the good wins for a great many members. But some folks don't quite fit in, and that is ok. You, obviously didn't fit in.

Please refrain from hating on us all in the future.