[VAC] Re: WBCCI MEMBERSHIP

["Richard P. Kenan" <as5368@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

This is a value judgement, and an insinuation that those
interested in the social aspects of WBCCI do not appreciate the
"magic" of Airstreams.  My experience says
otherwise.  Can't a member do both?  

There is, definitely, a tendency for a club to age, and for older members
to be in charge - especially if no effort is made to recruit younger
members and get them involved as club committee people and as
officers.  This is sad, and reflects the trend towards an aging
membership in WBCCI.  And, older members are more likely to be
"set in their ways."  IMHO, the only unforgivable thing is
to be rude, forming exclusive cliques.

Still, I find the repeated negative references here to older members to
be in poor taste. Remember, we VAC members are, often, seen as elitist by
many members of WBCCI.  That's probably because we tend to be
younger, and youth tends to arrogance (I'm an arrogant youngster at
69).  It's a hard path - to be one of only a handful of young people
in a predominately older club - but it's not made easier by insisting
that the club make itself over for your particular tastes.  It can
happen, but you have to make it happen; the other club members are happy
as things are.

>  It's like my own local
> chapter which actively states it is not an old folks club, but then
> proceeds to list all the obituaries and members in hospitals in the
> newsletter.  There is never any information about Airstream, the
> trailer, in the newsletter.   This is not to suggest disrespect
> for the elderly and their health problems, but it turns off younger
> members. After all , I'm 55 and will be getting "old",... but
> never in spirit.

What would you have in a *club* newsletter?  Should
people who are ill, or who have died, simply be ignored?  *That*
would be disrespect, indeed.  The WBCCI publication, "The Blue
Beret" has Airstream information in it, including some technical
stuff, and the VAC one has lots of great technical information (as well
as some social information).  

A club newsletter should, as yours does, contain information about the
members.  Ours also contains stuff going on at Top of GA, safety
seminars, additions to the email-address list, reports of the Board
activities/meetings, and other stuff.  And, yes, some social stuff
when that is timely.

Keep working on your unit; they'll come around, but only slowly.

- Dick
(5368)