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rideair · 03-29-2007, 08:49 AM

Currently, I don't know of anyway that the "unit" officers of the WBCCI have to exchange idea's, thoughts and just talk about the going on's of the WBCCI. So, I wonder, how many WBCCI unit officers present/past that currently use the different (airstreamforums, wbcci and savewally) forums? Which ones? Is there any interest in the "unit" officers forming an "online" group to exchange idea's? If you're a current or past WBCCI officer please responsed. I hope we can start something that allows us to work with each other in hopes of all of us making our units and the WBCCI the best Airstream club it can be. Hope to hear from you soon.

wkerfoot · 03-29-2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rideair

Currently, I don't know of anyway that the "unit" officers of the WBCCI have to exchange idea's, thoughts and just talk about the going on's of the WBCCI. So, I wonder, how many WBCCI unit officers present/past that currently use the different (airstreamforums, wbcci and savewally) forums? Which ones? Is there any interest in the "unit" officers forming an "online" group to exchange idea's? If you're a current or past WBCCI officer please responsed. I hope we can start something that allows us to work with each other in hopes of all of us making our units and the WBCCI the best Airstream club it can be. Hope to hear from you soon.

Paul,

One of the problems with this forum, is that so few of the 6800 or so WBCCI memberships belong (and even fewer of the 13,000+ members). I only know of one other member of our unit who belongs and I have heard that this forum has a bad rep with WBCCI leadership because of the complaining. With a nationwide and Canada wide organization it is hard for the unit presidents to talk, meet or even know each other and by the time you get to the International your term is over. Perhaps there could be a section of the WBCCI website which is for the use of unit officers only and available by password only. The only way that I see that you can talk face to face is at the region rallies or other unit rallies, and I don't know how much time can be taken to attend other unit rallies in addition to your own unit rallies.

Just my personal opinion.

Bill

Swanny · 03-29-2007, 10:41 AM

I think having forum for WBCCI officers to communicate that goes beyond the Blue Beret and Regional newsletters would be great. It appears that we, WBCCI, are stuck in the 'paper age.' In other words if it isn't printed, it won't be spread around.

When I talk about how great this forum is with my other unit members I get the same response about the opinion some have made about this website. Sad to say...discussing WBCCI on this forum is kinda like talking about what religion or political party you belong to. WATCH OUT!

Strictly speaking, I love this forum to help me in repairs, getting ideas, etc. It is not my primary means of communicating with other WBCCI members.

So...what do you think about proposing a WBCCI forum (separate from this) where people could communicate?

Mitch

InsideOut · 03-29-2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swanny

So...what do you think about proposing a WBCCI forum (separate from this) where people could communicate?

Mitch

There already is one...WBCCI has it's own underutilized forum at WBCCI.org although it is not nearly as populated as AirstreamForums is.

If there is enough interest, we may be able to set-up a Private Forum here...but as mentioned earlier, there aren't many of us here that would "qualify".

Shari

wheel interested · 03-29-2007, 11:29 AM

WOW! Can you imagine?! 140 or so organized WBCCI presidents addressing club matters, the very people with their hand on the pulse of the club being proactive for their members. Speaking out and being bold, put in office by the members acting on behalf of members. This could be good...this could be GREAT!

I think we have a number of presidents and past presidents here. I hope they chime in and are supportive. Their organization would not have to be limited to members of this forum but what a grand jump start!

Chuck · 03-29-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

...but as mentioned earlier, there aren't many of us here that would "qualify".

Shari

FWIW: most, if not all of our unit officers are members here.

myboyburt · 03-29-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck

FWIW: most, if not all of our unit officers are members here.

All of our Unit Officers are indeed members and active members at that.

The NEU seems to be so different than many WBCCI Units.

I'm wicked glad of this!

InsideOut · 03-29-2007, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck

FWIW: most, if not all of our unit officers are members here.

Individual Units may be well represented...yes, but the number of Units represented is very low. What I believe Paul is tossing about is getting opinions & ideas from various Units - how different units do things.

Shari

mistral blue · 03-29-2007, 12:50 PM

I think it's a great idea Paul.

bjond · 03-29-2007, 12:54 PM

I'm guilty also. But as Past Prez my influence is waning until I take another position. To me one of the reasons WBCCI doesn't evolve much is that the leadership in in constant change. By the time I figured out what the prez did I was on the downhill side. There is much inertia to keep rolling "like we have always done".

We (Pensacola Unit) have a few other board members on this forum but most aren't.

LuminumTraila · 03-29-2007, 01:07 PM

It sounds like a great idea, Paul.

Why not include officers of the intra-clubs as well, just to open it up to as many members as possible who have, or have had, leadership roles in WBCCI. It would be a great pool of knowledge to draw from, at a time when leadership and more open communication channels in WBCCI are sorely needed.

- J

dwightdi · 03-29-2007, 01:11 PM

The WBCCI forum is in the middle of major revision and If you contact Bill Schrader you might be able to get some of your Ideas incorporated. You can get to him thru his personal email or thru the WBCCI forum.

The club has a big we vs them problem now. I think you do not want to have a private forum only for present and prior officers. It would only make matters worse in the eyes of the general membership.

I am a former pres. of Northern IL unit of about 100 members and keep active by mentoring the new incoming officers without I hope not prejudgesing them. I try to recruit newer younger members to be officers so their selection of activities will be of interest to other younger members. Old timers can always find a way to keep themselves happy by themselves. They do not need any help.

From my activity logs of all the members, it appears only 50% are active at any time during the year. For those, the only thing they get from the club is the local News letter and the Blue Beret. To give them something to hang on to, I increased the content of the local newsletter so they can keep in touch with their old friends and included some luncheon type activities that they can do, even if they can not pull a trailer anymore.

InsideOut · 03-29-2007, 01:12 PM

I too, think the cross pollination would be good...the more different units participating the better.

tincantom · 03-29-2007, 01:22 PM

As a past Unit Pres (Pensacola FL Unit) and past Intra Club Pres (CAC) I guess I qualify, but as someone else said, "my (our) influence is waning". My wife, tho not an internet junkie, is 1st VP of the TN Unit. We have discussed it and whether or not that is the end of the line for her will be determined in Perry in July. I do keep her supplied with info from the forums (I guess I've become her corresponding secretary already!).

All that aside you have a great idea. When I was UP I wish I'd had somewhere like this to turn. Like many, I guess, I didn't start reading the Blue Book until I was in office and most of the time it was to find an answer to a pressing question, not strictly for education purposes. We spent a lot of time "putting out fires". No one told me there was a Blue Book until I was 1st VP. I'll bet that's more common than we'd all like to believe.

Tom

Charlie M · 03-29-2007, 02:35 PM

Paul;
Great idea. We are stuck in the paper age and very little if any information is passed along via e-mail. Currently I am the Nevada Unit 1st VP and assuming we stay an Airstream club I'll be Unit Pres in 2009. Sharing ideas via the Internet would be instant and a lot of officers past and present would most certainly have some great input.

We only have 25 familes in our unit and about a dozen do not own a computer and I'm not sure how many log on to the forums. Even so, the few of us that do log on can reap a lot in valuable information from such a forum.

You are probably aware of Renee Ettline's communication liaison via the Web. She respons quickly and forwards any ideas to the appropriate club officer.

Mike Lewis · 03-29-2007, 05:04 PM

Good idea --my observations--When at a region 6 rally this fall I mentioned the forum several times to different ones there. I couldn't find anyone who even knew what a forum was !!! ---pieman

rideair · 03-29-2007, 07:51 PM

My thoughts are currently between "A rock and a hard place". If we were(the unit prez's of the WBCCI and Intra clubs) to setup a forum for present/past officers to bounce idea's, etc... What's the best way and the best place? Keep it open or closed to only unit/intra club prez's present/past. If you close it, I can hear the "They are just like the IBT" already. If you open it up, you run the chance (on this forum) of having the "The WBCCI s*cks" and "I left because" and "I would not join becuase" responses that could muddy up what someone is trying to do. If you put it over on the WBCCI site, less people, but more members that I think are trying to make the WBCCI a better place and not just venting. If you put on the WBCCI site, it shows the IBT and the membership that the unit and intra club officers are trying to do their part in taking the WBCCI to the next level and into the future. And again, shows we are not just filling a spot. I will post a message to "Bill Schrader" asking him, just in case he does not check this site about the idea. I also want to make sure this comes from all of us and not just me. My time is up this year, but you trustee's, 3rd, 2nd and 1stVP's will be running with the ball in the future, so your input in "very" important on what and how you want to see something, if anything. I know, myself and many other past prez's will be more than happy to give ideas on what did and did not work. But am glad to see there is interest on the subject. Now we just need to figure out the best way for the membership and the future of the WBCCI to do it. Thoughts??

mistral blue · 03-29-2007, 08:05 PM

1) How many people are we talking about?

2) Can you all get together online during, say, a 48 hour period and just introduce yourselves briefly to one another?

Swanny · 03-30-2007, 07:41 AM

If indeed we do this...it should be opened to ALL unit officers. I've been nominated to be 3rd VP of our unit so that means several years before becoming Prez. One of my beefs with our unit has been getting them out of the 'clubhouse' mindset. Every rally we have MUST be in a clubhouse so the domino and card players can play.

I'm not in the domino/cardplaying recreation group and like campfires and folks that can play guitar, etc. By being able to ask other officers how they are doing this (campfires, etc) I may be able to pass some suggestions along to the officers in front of me.

Mitch

InsideOut · 03-30-2007, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistral blue

1) How many people are we talking about?

Potentially, a whole bunch! If there are 240+/- Units and the forum is for past, present & upcoming Unit/Region/IntraClub Board members, over a couple of years with healthy, active members, everybody gets their chance in the leadership roles. At least that's the goal...

Shari