[VAL] To Join or not to join.

[Daisy Welch <jtdjtd@xxxxxxxx>]

I have some thoughts about joining the WBCCI, or not, to get 
off my chest.

First of all, it does not cost more than a few bottles of 
antifreeze or a few tubes of Vulkem. We are not messing 
around in boats, I mean Airstreams, because we are intending 
to save money. Especially if you join a unit like the 
Washington DC group where dues are $1 a year. None of us 
want to replace our refridgerators, but we will. So why not 
join ?

Secondly, refusing to join the WBCCI does not have any 
effect on that organization, they don't know you are unhappy 
with them, so as a gesture of protest, it falls flat. If you 
want to be heard or better yet make changes for the better, 
then the first thing you have to do IS to join it and start 
to work on it. It's all very well to sort of have a Boston 
Tea Party idea that the VAC should form its own group appart 
from the WBCCI, but we wouldn't last long. Among other 
things, the visibility of the WBCCI is such that without 
them, we would have a very hard time keeping our membership 
rolls up.

"What do I get for my money"  you ask ?

Principally you get an organization that is an umbrella and 
clearing house for anything and everything to do with 
Airstreams. The most visible and fun parts of this are the 
rallies and caravans. You also get courtesy parking, the 
Blue Beret ( for whatever it's worth), and the VAC gets the 
support and protection of the organization from an insurance 
and liability point of view. The VAC CANNOT afford this, and 
I for one would not be an officer without that protection.

Those of you who have met me know I have no patience with 
stuffy tiresome people and no fear of doing what I want to 
when I want to. Maybe 16 years of teaching High School 
Industrial Arts has made me fearless. At any rate, one of 
the most hilarious moments of last years International was 
moi, dressed in Tom Howarth's beret, shirt and tie, carrying 
the flag at the opening ceremonies. There is even a picture 
of me to prove it in the VA. So if an old hippie like me can 
deal with the pomp and circumstance and the fussy rules, you 
can too. There are boring people and boring events everywhere.

Everyone should go to at least one International. Watching 
an instant city spring up overnight in the middle of a field 
will help you understand what an undertaking this is and why 
there are so many rules and regulations. This is not to 
excuse those unfortunate instances where someone has no 
manners, not enough useful to do, and gets a bang out of 
being the Rules Police.  Instead, remember the hundreds of 
people who work all year to put it on.

If you enjoy this list, enjoy the VA, then you should become 
a full member.

If you have never been to a rally, you are missing a great 
thing. You like to email about vintage trailers? Wait until 
you get to talk to a big bunch of people who are happy to 
talk trailers 24/7 AND let you, nay beg you, to see theirs.

Write that check and get over here !

The FL state Rally at Sarasota is nearly here ! One of the 
best. I'll be there ! Write a check and hurry on down.

Daisy