Re: [VAL] WBCCI dues, etc. and running at large

["Tom" <thomm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

We've been members of our local unit for over 10 years and we've made some 
life-long friends so I agree with you on that aspect.

We've also met some really nice people outside of our unit at rallies, on 
the road, etc.  We made some nice acquaintances at the Homecoming 2005 and 
the International Rally in Springfield as well.

However, we have given lots of thought to running at large especially since 
the Int'l rally for several reasons.  We now plan to go to as many smaller 
rallies and gatherings as possible as they are much more intimate and never 
as widespread as int'l rallies with everyone going in all different 
directions at any one time.

I've spoken to lots of others who feel as we do since traveling to 
Springfield, MO - that the WBCCI needs to make many changes (now would be a 
great time to do so!) lest the organization die from declining membership 
and the "old guard-types" that refuse to even give thought to doing things 
in a different way than they were "taught" to do them.

The WBCCI has lots of militarism and that's understandable to a point - but 
the military attitudes of a lot of the "old guard" seems to say that no one 
should ever question how things are done because that's the way it's always 
been done.  Time marches on and things change for the better over time but 
the WBCCI seems to be stuck in a time-groove or time-warp as some have said 
previously.

I guess it's pretty hard for some to really ever leave the military way of 
doing things - just do it and don't ask questions sort of attitude.  But 
it's that very attitude that is driving others away from our group - ask the 
younger membership who is still working the 40-hour week and who only get to 
use their Airstream on weekends and vacations.

For instance:

    I think it's ridiculous for a large group of WBCCI members to be left 
all weekend in the bullpen simply because the "volunteer parkers" are not 
"on duty".  What good did that do and just what was the point in ignoring 
those people ALL WEEKEND?

    The 3-amp people and the 30-amp people were *segregated* from each 
other.  WHY?  The ONLY reason I can come up with (since everything else was 
"equal") is that someone or the WBCCI leadership was "afraid" of people 
*stealing?* electricity that they didn't pay for?  I read where some said 
that IF they had to pay the extra $125.00 for the 30-amp service they'd not 
have enough money to attend the Int'l rally.  I know we have people living 
"close to the bone" and paycheck to paycheck - those types would most likely 
be forced to park in the 3-amp section.  Who would make sure that those that 
didn't pay the extra money didn't 'take' extra amps that they didn't pay 
for?  What would stop anyone from 'sharing' their 30-amp service with those 
that couldn't afford it?  I feel that the answer to these 'what-ifs' was to 
*segregate* the group from the haves (have 30-amp service) from the 
have-nots (those that didn't or couldn't pay for the 30-amp service) who 
parked in the 3-amp section.

    If I'm wrong about any reason WHY our people were segregated into 2 
camps of electricity supply I'd like to know it.  If I'm not wrong then 
perhaps others haven't given it much thought personally until they read what 
I've posted here due to my discussions with others but before and after the 
rally in Springfield, MO.

    Is there any reason we can't *upgrade* from CB radios that broadcast 
those announcements at specified times during each day?  I KNOW we can do 
better - but who's going to take that bull by the horns to effect a change? 
We could have our very own small FM broadcast frequency to use for these 
events - in effect we'd have our own FM radio station - where messages could 
be looped during the day so that at any time anyone could easily tune into 
an FM frequency when they are in the area.

    Sitting around the CB radio at preset times to get the daily 
announcements puts a picture in my mind of people sitting around the old AM 
radios to get updates on WWII and those fireside chats!  Surely we can do 
better.

    Most if not all of us like and love our electronic wonders such as our 
computers and the Internet, our E-mail, etc.  Why couldn't we have provided 
Wi-Fi to our membership at the 'camp'?  Or 'camps' as it was due to the 
distinct 3-amp and 30-amp restricted parking areas?  WBCCI can and should be 
doing these things for the sake of all of use to make OUR gatherings more 
memorable and easier to communicate with each other.

    We shouldn't have to rely on our personal cell-phones (some of which 
NEVER worked in Springfield) to get 'to' the Internet for today's E-mail as 
popular as it is and which grows by leaps and bounds weekly if not daily.


There are many other issues that need to be addressed in the WBCCI so that 
we can ALL come together for fun and fellowship.  I do think it's a real 
shame that some felt the need to stay at the KOA or the other small 
campground in Strafford, MO rather than being with "the rest of us" out in 
the field/s.  I'd love to hear why some felt compelled to stay outside the 
group with did stay at the 2 'camps' as described above.

Airstream will soon face BIG hurdles not only with the company and it's 
products but also how they will market those products to the tens of 
millions of baby-boomers who have now begun to retire.  If Airstream wants 
to do as they have in the past and sell 60% of their product to the WBCCI 
membership then changes are needed.  Older WBCCI members of less means on 
fixed incomes will not be buying that 60% of Airstream production due to 
lots of factors today.  Airstream needs to find a way to sell their product 
AND increase WBCCI membership without causing dissent in the ranks of the 
WBCCI members.

Airstream is now planning to offer units to Europe that fit their roads and 
tow vehicles, making more modern trailers and motorhomes for those that can 
afford them and so much more.  The future looks  bright for Airstream BUT 
there are huge hurdles they MUST overcome if they are to succeed as they 
have in the past - they MUST address the issue of lower numbers in the WBCCI 
for starters.

Now, if it takes the formation of a morphed WBCCI that will recognize the 
needed changes that I and others feel must be made than so be it.  If the 
'old guard' refuses to accept change it will be the death of the WBCCI as we 
know it today and THAT would be a real shame.  New blood needs to come into 
the WBCCI and encouraged to join in the fun and fellowship AND the running 
of the club with new ideas, thoughts and deeds.

If change isn't made in our ranks we will only have ourselves to blame - 
eventually.

Tom Meeker
WBCCI 5303