President’s Corner
PRESIDENT’S CORNER February 2010
AHH, February - - - the month of love AND snow. As I write this I look out the window at the last snow that fell last night. It’s beautiful but some warm spring days would be nice too.
I think of the many ways we show our love and concern for our families and friends, our nation and others throughout the world. We are all so blessed that we can enjoy traveling and meeting new people along the way.
A big welcome is extended to our newest members, Tom and Vicki Johnson from Whitsett, NC. We look forward to meeting you very soon at a luncheon or rally and hope you enjoy “Airstreaming” as much as we all do.
Our February luncheon was so well attended that I was almost in shock to see so many of you on such a questionable weather day. WAY TO GO!!! and THANKS!
We will again this year work very hard to achieve the superior merit award from WBCCI. Just remember that it takes all of us to accomplish this. Rally attendance and participation go a long way to help us reach our goals. Also, if you can, please volunteer at the Region 3 and International Rallies to assist on a committee. It’s surprising how much fun you can have as you work alongside others and how many new friends you will make.
See you on March 6th at Fat Boys in Mooresville, NC. Safe and happy travels to all.
Linda Fishel
President
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER January 2010
The New Year “2010” arrived on a really cold “wind of winter” and we are still frosty and cold outside. However, we are all fortunate enough to be able to keep snug and warm in our homes or in the RV for those of us who are traveling.
Our unit has an exciting year ahead of us. It’s our “50th” year as the Carolinas Unit of North Carolina – WBCCI . We were granted our charter in October of 1960 so our “big” celebration will be the October Rally at Tanglewood Park in Winston- Salem, NC. So, put the dates of October 14-17, 2010 on your calendar now and plan to be there.
We also hope to do something special at each rally this year to commemorate the 50th. We started this at the January luncheon when each person attending was given a special pin to wear proudly that has our unit name and dates 1960-2010 on it. Every member will receive a pin as you attend your first luncheon or rally this year. If I fail to notice it’s your first attendance, please remind me.
This next topic is not quite so pleasant, but one we need to be mindful of and concerned about. WBCCI is suffering financially and changes will be necessary to keep WBCCI as we know it alive and a smooth running organization. We should be prayerful that the needed changes can take place without ill-will and bickering among those in the decision making arena of our International organization.
Some changes will surely affect us on the local level as well. We might see a dues increase or lose some services we now enjoy. We must remember the times we are in just now and that WBCCI is a business organization suffering as we have seen in the “outside WBCCI” world. BUT, let’s be positive and look for the brightness that change can bring.
Enjoy the winter weather but look forward to again traveling in the spring. See you at Gary’s Barbecue on February 6th at 12 noon!
Linda Fishel
President
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER DECEMBER 2009
As my term as President of what I consider to be the best unit in WBCCI comes to a close, I want to take this opportunity to thank the many members who have made this unit the premier unit of WBCCI. Thanks to the many members who attended the luncheons and rallies this season. No organization is any better than the members strive to make it. This unit enjoys the prestige it has earned over the many years, not from the officers who agree to serve the unit, but from the support of the members who are the heart and soul of the Carolinas Unit of NC. You are a great bunch of folks and I thank you for your support from the bottom of my heart.
I also want to thank the many members who agreed to step forward and serve as officers, directors, and committee chairpersons for the unit. Each one did a great job and made my job much easier.
Many thanks to the members who helped with food and coffee preparation, food cleanup, desserts, and food dishes brought to many of the meals. As a result of all this help, each member was able to have a great camping season and enjoy the fun and fellowship experienced by all in attendance.
Several of our members were not able to attend luncheons and rallies this season due to various reasons. We missed each of you and hope your circumstances change so you can join us next year during our 50th anniversary celebration. We plan to celebrate during each of the luncheons and rallies, with our main celebration scheduled for our October 2010 rally at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC. Hope to see all of you there!
Again, many thanks for a great year.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Bob Clark
President
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER November 2009
As our season winds down for 2009, I would like to reminisce on a great year. We started the year with one of the favorite pastimes of this unit — eating! The January luncheon at the Golden Corral in Winston Salem brought forty-one members in from the cold to enjoy a delicious meal and renew old friendships and make new ones. February found forty-eight members enjoying barbecue at Gary’s BBQ in China Grove. We also helped Linda Fishel celebrate a birthday (you will have to ask her which one). March was our last and best attended luncheon. Fifty-six members were present for some great food and fellowship.
The Region 3 Rally started our camping season in Perry, GA. Our first unit rally was in May at the Yost Farm in Salisbury. As always, the hospitality was excellent and the food was delicious. Eighteen of our units and two guest units were in attendance. June found us at Highland Haven Airstream Park in Copper Hill, VA. We enjoyed great food and beautiful sunsets. Eleven units were there and we were able to meet Dan & Lisa Matthews and their children Dillon and Caroline (they have now joined our unit). July found thirteen units at the International Rally in Madison, WI.
Following International, eleven units made it to the unit July Rally at Fancy Gap KOA, Fancy Gap, VA. As usual, we had some great food. You can’t beat homemade ice cream on a July Saturday afternoon! In August, fourteen units made it to the Boone KOA. September found twelve units and a visiting unit at Raccoon Holler Campground in Glendale Springs, NC. During October, seventeen units elected our officers for 2010 at Mayberry Campground in Mt. Airy. We had a great rally at Lakewood Camping Resort in Myrtle Beach during the first week of November. The weather was beautiful and the campground staff was excellent.
Take care, be safe, and I hope all of you can attend the Installation Luncheon on Saturday, December 05, 2009 at Bethania Moravian Church, Bethania, NC.
Bob Clark
President
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER October 2009
The October Rally in Mt. Airy had great attendance and the weather was beautiful. The campground owner provided all our needs and was a wonderful host. Those who were unable to attend missed a great rally!
During our business meeting on Saturday, members elected the slate of officers and directors for the 2010 season that were recommended by the Nominating Committee. The following members will serve as your officers and directors for 2010:
President Linda Fishel
1st Vice President George Lamb
2nd Vice President Miriam Ross
Corresponding Secretary
& Newsletter Editor Lynda Brown
Recording Secretary Janice Caskey
Treasurer Jerry Hall
Directors:
2 Year Term Myrna Harris
2 Year Term Dick McKenzie
1 Year Term Monroe Bowles
1 Year Term Duane Carter
Congratulations to the above members who have agreed to lead and serve the club for the 2010 season. Linda Fishel will be contacting other members to serve as chairpersons for the various committees associated with the club. Remember, the club cannot run itself. It takes the effort of many members to keep this club operating as an efficient unit and with the excellent reputation this unit has enjoyed for many seasons. Please agree to step forward and serve if asked by Linda.
Take care, be safe, and I hope to see all of you at the November Rally (last rally of the 2009 season) in Myrtle Beach!
Bob Clark
President
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER September 2009
The rain came early, but the weekend was beautiful for the September Rally at Raccoon Holler Campground. We hope to see some of you we have not seen this year at one or both of the remaining rallies.
Most of you are familiar with the Unit Merit Award program. Many of the sections are very straightforward. Some of the sections will require information from the members as indicated in parenthesis.
Section I, Operation of an Effective Unit, includes 15 subsections. The subsections include Goals (Bob Clark), Unit Leaders (Bob Clark), New Officer Reporting Form (will be completed and submitted by Linda Fishel as new officers/directors are elected and new committee chairpersons are selected by Linda for 2010), Activities Schedule For Directory and Bulletin Board Form (Linda Fishel), Unit Leadership (Bob Clark), Unit Communications (Bob Clark), Membership Promotion (John Plaxco and Bob Clark), Membership Retention (John Plaxco and Bob Clark), Financial Management (Dale Dowler), Public Relations (Peggy Bowles), Airstream Dealer Relations (Bob Clark), Web Site (Jim Cocke), Officer Training (All officers/directors and chairpersons), Constitution and Bylaws (Ray Moser) and Blue Book Update (Bob Clark).
Section II, Member Services, includes 10 subsections. These include Rallies, Luncheons, Host or Sponsor Rally, Help Host Region or State Rally, Volunteers at State, Region, or International Rally (Need each member who volunteered at Region or International Rally to advise me with information), Unit Caravans, Promote Flying of National Flag, Community Service, Teen Queen and Unit Yearbook.
Take care, be safe, and I hope to see you at the October Election Rally!
Bob Clark
President
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER August 2009
Great turnout for the August Children and Grandchildren Rally at the Boone KOA! Everyone seemed to enjoy the cool breeze, the quiet atmosphere and of course, the great food.
Nominating Committee Chairman Linda Fishel and members Monroe Bowles and Ray Moser did a great job with the selection process for the 2010 Slate of Officers. Also, many thanks to the Slate of Officers who have agreed to serve the club. The club election will be held during our annual business meeting on Saturday, October 03, 2009 in Mt. Airy, NC. Any member may nominate from the floor a member (must consent to serve if elected) not included on the Slate of Officers. Once nominations from the floor have been completed, the members present at the business meeting will vote for the 2010 officers.
The Carolinas Unit of NC will celebrate 50 years of fun and fellowship during 2010. Each club member should start thinking of ways we can make this celebration a very memorable event. We also need ideas on advertising the celebration and notifying current and former club members and friends. Our October 2010 Rally will be scheduled for the newly renovated camping area in Tanglewood Park, Winston Salem, NC. Tentative plans have been made to have the celebration in Walnut Hall at Tanglewood during the rally. It is not too early to start thinking of ways to make this celebration one the club and its friends will remember for a long time! Start making notes of your ideas for presentation at future business meetings. Some members have suggested a committee to handle these details and this should be discussed at future business meetings.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the September Rally at Raccoon Holler, Glendale Springs, NC on September 10 – 13. Make your reservations today!
Take care, be safe, and I’ll see you down the road!
Bob Clark
President
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER JULY 2009
We had a great turnout from our club at the 52nd International Rally in Madison, Wisconsin. Thirteen units made it to Madison for a great time, wonderful fellowship, and some good eating. We all saw old friends and made some new ones as we met folks from across the country. The people around town seemed pleased to have us and were very accommodating. The weather was good during the rally, but it was very hot the week prior to the start of the rally on Sunday. We missed those who were unable to attend.
Start making your plans now for the trip to Gillette, Wyoming, site of the 53rd International Rally. The convention site there has over 1,000 full RV hookups and it looks to be a wonderful rally site.
During the delegates meeting at the International Rally, I cast your votes as instructed during our business meeting at Highland Haven in June. We had 59 votes for our unit and 59 votes were cast for Amendment One, changing/adding wording to the Constitution. Amendment One passed. We cast 59 votes against Amendment Two, allowing an associate member to represent a club with no regular member present at the delegates meeting. Amendment Two passed. We cast 59 votes for all International Officers selected by the International Nominating Committee, except Roy B. Bernd. We cast 53 votes for Bernd and 6 votes for Leo Garvey, who was nominated from the floor for International Nominating Committee. All officers selected by the International Nominating Committee were elected, including Roy B. Bernd.
We had a great time at the Fancy Gap Virginia KOA Rally in July. Again, we missed those who could not attend.
Make plans now to enjoy those beautiful NC Mountains at our August Rally at the Boone KOA and bring the kids! Rally dates are August 06 thru August 09.
Take care, be safe, and I’ll see you down the road!
Bob Clark
President
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER JUNE 2009
We missed everyone who was unable to attend the June Rally at Highland Haven Airstream Park in Copper Hill, VA. Those in attendance had a wonderful time and enjoyed some great food!
Plans were finalized during the Executive Board meeting for luncheon and rally sites for the 2010 season. Once all sites have been confirmed, the schedule will be published. The Board also appointed Linda Fishel Chairman of the Nominating Committee and Monroe Bowles and Ray Moser agreed to serve as members. If contacted by any of these members concerning officer positions for 2010, please give their request serous thought.
During the general membership meeting on Saturday, members voted on the proposed amendments and International Officers that will be presented at the International delegates meeting and provided instructions to the unit delegates as follows: (1) Unit delegates will cast 100% of unit votes for (yes vote) Amendment One (add Vision and Mission Statements to the current Constitution, Article III, Objectives…). (2) Unit delegates will cast 100% of unit votes against (no vote) Amendment Two (allow an Affiliate Member of a unit to serve as delegate for that unit when that unit is not represented at International by a Regular member of that unit. The affiliate member must be a Regular member of another unit in the same Region). (3) Unit delegates will cast 100% of unit votes for (yes vote) the slate of International Officers as selected by the International Nominating Committee IF Leo Garvey is not nominated from the floor for Nominating Committee. (4) If Leo Garvey is nominated from the floor for Nominating Committee, unit delegates will cast 10% of unit votes for (yes vote) Leo Garvey, 90% of unit votes for (yes vote) Roy B. Bernd. Unit delegates will cast 100% of unit votes for (yes vote) the remaining slate of International Officers as selected by the International Nominating Committee
Take care, be safe, and I’ll see you down the road!
Bob Clark
President
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER MAY 2009
Our first rally of the season at the Yost Farm in Salisbury was a wonderful success! Those in attendance enjoyed great fun, delicious food, and great fellowship. And as mentioned earlier in past articles, the hospitality of the Yost family was even greater than advertised.
During the business meeting, Kenneth and Ruth Dorn were inducted into the club by Ray Moser. The members also elected Bob Clark as the primary delegate and Linda Fishel as the alternate delegate to represent our unit at the Delegates Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin. Anniversary stars were presented to: Harold & Martha Kerns (30 years), Monroe & Peggy Bowles (25 years), Duane & Pat Carter (25 years), Bruce & Lynda Brown (10 years), Dick McKenzie (10 years), and Bob Clark (5 years).
The Executive Board continues to work on luncheon and rally sites for the 2010 season. Final plans will be made at Highland Haven in June. Contact any club officer if you have ideas.
During our business meeting in June at Highland Haven, we will discuss the proposed constitutional amendments and slate of International Officers for 2009-2010 that will be addressed at the delegates meeting at the International Rally in June. If you are unable to attend the June Rally and would like information on the proposed amendments and International Officer Candidates for 2009-2010, please contact me and I will provide you with the information.
Each current member has a page in the membership directory (Kenneth & Ruth Dorn page has been completed and will be mailed shortly), but information is missing on some member’s pages. Please review your information and contact me if any information needs to be added or corrected.
I hope to see everyone at our June Rally at Highland Haven Airstream Park in Copper Hill, Virginia. This is a superior park and the views are spectacular.
Take care, be safe, and I’ll see you down the road!
Bob Clark
President
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER April 2009
Welcome to our newest members! Kenneth and Ruth Dorn of Raleigh, NC joined in March and will be inducted at a future rally. We are looking forward to meeting these new members and seeing them at our 2009 rallies.
Hope everyone is looking forward to doing some camping! Our 2009 rally season kicks off with the Region 3 Rally in Perry, GA. I will not be able to attend due to a family conflict, but hope that many of you will be making the trip to the fairgrounds in Perry. The rally agenda provides many things to do and I am sure the food will be great as usual.
The club’s first rally of the season will be at the Yost farm in Salisbury, NC on May 14 – 17, 2009. I can promise you that you will not find any better hospitality at any other rally than you will receive from the Yost family. The site is excellent and the food promises to be “as good as it gets.” Make your plans now to attend this rally. You will not be disappointed.
Since we do not currently have a Second Vice President, our directors continue to work on rally sites for the 2010 season. Please contact any officer or director if you have any ideas for 2010 rally sites.
Some news of interest has come from Headquarters concerning future International Rally locations. As many of you know, our 2010 rally will be held in Wyoming. The CAM-PLEX Multi-Event Facilities in Gillette, Wyoming will host the rally and covers over 1,000 acres. The site is located in northeast Wyoming and contains a performing arts theater, a convention/exhibit hall, two large multi-purpose pavilions, rodeo grounds, RV campgrounds, and a 21-acre park and picnic area. The contract for the 2011 International Rally site has just been finalized with the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds in DuQuoin, Illinois. The fairgrounds are located approximately 90 minutes southeast of St. Louis, Missouri in southern Illinois and contain over 1,000 RV sites with water and electricity. Make your plans now to attend these two rallies.
Take care, be safe, and I’ll see you down the road!
Bob Clark
President
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER March 2009
What a great turnout for our March luncheon at Fat Boy’s in Mooresville! Fifty six members enjoyed some excellent food and seemed to have a great time visiting with old friends and meeting new ones. It would be wonderful if we could have numbers like this for some of our rallies this year. Remember, attending rallies will help the economy! We all need to do our part.
Your Executive Board met prior to the March luncheon and selected the following goals for the club to achieve during this camping season: 1) Sponsor eight rallies for the season. 2) Promote flying of the US and Unit Flags at rallies. 3) Prepare a Unit Yearbook/Scrapbook. 4) Encourage youth participation at rallies with programs by the Youth Activities Director (Sandy Carriker).
The Board also discussed rally sites for the 2010 season and will make final decisions at the May rally. Please contact any officer or director with YOUR ideas concerning rally sites.
During the March business meeting, members seemed to have a consensus that the luncheon sites this year were great and these sites will be considered for next year.
The Executive Board also initiated a new policy that the unit will make available $250.00 for use by the President for travel expenses to the International Rally. The purpose is to encourage the President to attend the International Rally to represent the club. The funds may be requested or rejected at the discretion of the President.
Now is the time to send in your registration for the International Rally in Madison, Wisconsin. If you want 30 amp electric, you must submit your registration prior to April 01, 2009!
Wayne and Peggy Tucker attended the March luncheon and advised that they did not renew their club membership for 2009. Wayne stated that after 40 years of RV fun and over 20 years as members of the Carolinas Unit, it was time for them to park their trailer. We wish them the very best and hope they will stay in touch!
Take care, be safe, and I’ll see you down the road!
Bob Clark
President
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER February 2009
It was good to see everyone who made it to Gary’s BBQ in China Grove for our February luncheon. All seemed to have a great time and the food was excellent. We had several members in attendance who were unable to attend the January luncheon and it was great to see them.
I hope those who were unable to attend the February luncheon will be able to make the next luncheon in March. This will be our last luncheon for the 2009 season and it would be great to break our attendance numbers and have a record turnout. Let’s see some members that we have not seen lately!
Your Executive Board will meet prior to the March luncheon and select goals for the club to achieve during this camping season. The board will also discuss rally sites for the 2010 season since we do not have a Second Vice President (We are still waiting for someone to step forward and assume this important position).
Please give each of these topics some thought and contact any officer or director with YOUR ideas on goals and rally sites. We have some excellent site suggestions from last year and hope to select sites for next year that are close, add variety, and offer excellent facilities and nearby attractions.
It is not too early to start making plans for the International Rally in Madison, Wisconsin. Let’s have as many members as possible attend this fun rally and represent our club and region. Start saving that fuel and food money now and it will add up fast.
If you have not already purchased a unit flag, now is the time to get one before our first rally in April. Each flag is 3 feet by 5 feet and can be purchased for fifty dollars. Dale Dowler will have the flags at our March luncheon. This flag looks great and will add to your rig’s appearance!
While it is on your mind, mark your calendar for the next luncheon on March 07 at Fat Boy’s Restaurant in Mooresville. It is very easy to find (I-77, Exit 36 beside the Day’s Inn) and the buffet is excellent. Hope to see everyone there.
Take care and be safe in your travels.
Bob Clark
President
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER January 2009
I hope all members had a very Merry Christmas, are having a great New Year, and are looking forward to a memorable camping season! I think Linda Fishel has done a marvelous job with luncheon and rally sites and I thank aoo of you for electing me to serve the club this year.
Welcome to three new members who were inducted into the club during our January luncheon at the Hanes Mall Golden Corral in Winston-Salem. Tommi Lauer and Andy & Carole Boyd were inducted as members by Ray Moser and all in attendance welcomed them.
I want to thank Jim Cocke for the wonderful job as he led the club as President for 2008. My thanks also go to the many other officers, directors, and numerous members who made the 2008 season a fun time for everyone. I would like to thank each one by name, but that would add several more pages to the newsletter. The willingness of members to jump in and help with any task is one of the many attributes that makes this an outstanding unit.
When I thanked and congratulated the committee chairpersons for the 2009 season in the November/December 2008 newsletter, I inadvertently omitted one of the chairpersons. Jerry Hall agreed to serve as our “Photographer” and was on the job at our January luncheon. Thanks Jerry for agreeing to tackle this important task!
Now that I have set the tone, I want to ask, beg, and/or encourage one member to step forward and volunteer to serve as the club’s Second Vice President for 2009. This is an important position that needs to be filled in order for the unit to operate as efficiently as possible. Next year, “2010”, is our Unit’s 50th Anniversary and the club does not need a vacant officer position. Please don’t wait for someone else to step forward; this unit is full of members who can tackle this task. Please make the right decision to serve your club and contact any officer today!
Mark your calendar for the next luncheon on February 7th at Gary’s BBQ in China Grove. Hope to see everyone there!
Take care and be safe in your travels.
Bob Clark
President
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER November/December 2008
Looking Back on 2008
How has this year been for the Club? I cannot possibly list everything our members have accomplished or contributed, but please read along as I recount some highlights.
Dale Dowler did a great job recruiting nine new members this year, another in a series of good recruiting years. The Club had three luncheon meetings, all very well attended, this year. We had outstanding attendance at Region 3 Rally, and many of us were able to watch our Past President, Sandy Dowler, accept the Merit Award on behalf of Carolinas Unit of NC.
The Carolinas Unit had seven rallies, starting with the May rally at Yost Farm and wrapping up with our traditional Ocean Lakes Rally in Myrtle Beach. One of the things Debbie and I have always enjoyed about Carolinas Unit is the opportunity to rally at different places every month and Bob Clark treated us with some excellent rally locations in 2008.
Carolinas Unit had six units attending the 51st International Rally in Bozeman, MT, and all six contributed in a big way and helped maintain the great reputation our Unit has always enjoyed in WBCCI. Ann Hall won first prize for her scrapbook entry and prepared and presented our Club’s wonderful Bulletin Board. Carolinas Unit members participated in the WBCCI band, the parades, Ushering, the Post Office, Property Committee, Amateur Radio Club, Awards, and presented two seminars. Carolinas Unit members were busy and contributed greatly at the 51st International Rally.
Bert Kalet organized, with support from David and Denese Lee, our Unit’s excellent Vintage Rally this fall. Bert’s planning was thorough, attendance was good, programs were excellent, and everyone said they had a wonderful time. We hope he’ll do it again!
Lynda Brown has published eleven informative and enjoyable Tarheel Traveler newsletters in 2008. She tirelessly gathers the news, seemingly magically puts it all together so it fits and looks great, and gets the completed newsletters to you every month, January through November. Please tell her thank you when you talk to Lynda!
Linda Fishel kept our focus on Community Service throughout the year, as our Club supported giving to charities through Region 3, then International, then to our local charities. Our club, thanks to Linda’s guidance, contributed generously again in 2008.
Bob Clark was busy all year updating the Membership Directory for distribution and asking every member what You think about and want from Your Club. We received interesting and helpful comments and direction, and will look forward to using this input in planning for next year.
I have had three great years, with help from all of you, serving our Club. Debbie and I have enjoyed representing you at Region and International functions, and are so proud of the great membership and history of our Club. My sincere thanks go out to Sandy, Linda, Peggy and Ray Moser, Bob Clark, and too many more of you to mention. Thank you all.
See You Down The Road,
Jim
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER October 2008
Leadership 2009
The Nominating Committee of Carolinas Unit of NC did a fine job preparing the 2009 slate of officers. Attendees at your Club’s Election Rally in October decided unanimously in favor of the Committee’s nominees. This determines the Club’s core leadership for 2009.
President: Bob Clark
1st Vice-President: Linda Fishel
Treasurer: Dale Dowler
Corres. Sec. & Newsletter Editor: Lynda Brown
Recording Secretary: Janice Caskey
Directors:
Joe Caskey (Term Expires 12/01/09)
Chuck Fishel (Term Expires 12/01/09)
Monroe Bowles (Term Expires 12/01/10)
George Lamb (Term Expires 12/01/10)
The work already begins for next year even as this year’s officers continue their work on your Club’s 2008 business. Some of you are receiving invitations from the Club’s President-elect, Bob Clark, as he fills his Cabinet. Hopefully you are telling Bob, “Yes, I will do my part for my Club.”
Your Club enjoys great rapport and involvement from many of its members. This involvement is critical to a great organization. It takes a lot of people doing a little work each to keep a volunteer organization like Carolinas Unit operating enjoyably.
2009 will be a great year! Our Vice-President-Elect, Linda Fishel, will organize the rallies. Bob Clark, the President-Elect, will preside over meetings and rallies, represent the Club in Regional and International meetings, and pilot our Club’s direction in 2009. The Club’s membership continues to grow; rallies and activities are exciting; and the future is bright for Carolinas Unit of NC.
Each of you has talents, experience, and special interests to contribute. Your involvement in the Club’s business tasks helps you enjoy the Club and helps the Club meet your needs and sustain growth and programs for the future. If not you, then who?
See You Down The Road,
Jim
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER SEPTEMBER 2008
An Airstream means different things to different people. Debbie and I learned at our first WBCCI rally we loved the warmth, fellowship, and fun the Carolinas Unit of NC showed us at Raccoon Holler. We had just bought our first Airstream. A couple of old-timers in the Unit sought us out and led us into attending that first rally. We couldn’t have dreamed we would find so much friendship and love through buying an Airstream as we found in this Unit and in WBCCI.
A full-timer at a seminar at Bozeman this summer said of full-timing, “You can take your Airstream wherever you want or need for the best medical care and still be at home.” He experienced this a couple of years ago after breaking his leg near San Francisco. He said recovery was not easy, at his age, but he was grateful he and his wife had their Airstream with them. It suited him perfectly to recover relaxing on California beaches.
Many of you heard recently about Ann and Jerry Hall and how they unavoidably extended their stay in Bakersfield, Ca, two extra weeks while Ann recovered from a heart attack. When he wasn’t at the hospital with Ann, Jerry was able to stay in their Airstream at the Bakersfield RV Resort with Pepper, their schnauzer. Four of the couples from the WBCCI National Landmarks West Caravan were able to come with their Airstreams to Bakersfield RV Resort to surround Jerry and Ann with love and support.
An LA newspaperman wrote last week an article titled something like, “Airstreams – still King of the Road”. The writer wrote glowingly of the borrowed Airstream his family used for a recent family vacation. He was taken with the awesome beauty of their Airstream reflecting the dancing orange and yellow flames from his campfire in the otherwise dark forest night.
Airstreaming is fuller and deeper, I think, through getting to share these experiences with fellow Airstreamers. We are a very diverse group in backgrounds, interests, and abilities. We gain from meeting and helping each other. Rallies and Caravans provide opportunities to learn about, and from, each other. Active membership in WBCCI and Carolinas Unit of NC is a great way to do this.
See You Down The Road,
Jim
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PRESIDENT’s REPORT JULY 2008
You are a member of the largest single brand RV club in the world. Whose club is it? Isn’t WBCCI your RV club? Many people tend to feel disenfranchised from the operation of our democratic governments and likewise we are likely to have some powerless feelings about our caravanning club. What can one citizen/member do in such a large republic/organization? Short of quitting (which would accomplish absolutely nothing) or volunteering to serve six or more years hard labor in thankless leadership positions for WBCCI, what can you do? Read on. . .
The life of the WBCCI organization revolves around the annual International Rally and International Board of Trustees meetings held each summer. Two weeks ago ended the 51st annual rally and meeting. I felt a little more connected to this one for two reasons. I served as your Unit Delegate, representing your sixty-six (66) votes on any issues put before the delegates. And the absence of particularly divisive issues somewhat enhanced the processes for me.
A little constructive business seemed accomplished in the two IBT meetings we witnessed, but not very much. We listened to arguments for, among others, the following issues:
v Member-at-large fees increase from $15 to $20 (adopted)
v Life member fees percent change to 3.5% (adopted)
v Carolinas Unit Flag approval for design and size (adopted)
v Georgia Unit Flag approval for design and size (withdrawn)
v Budget year $50,000 shortfall
(discussed at length without action)
The International Board of Trustees heard the Finance Committee report on a $50,000 budget year projected shortfall. Lengthy discussion ensued on the financial concern. Suggestions for possible savings were heard and Trustees and others had opportunity to speak on the issues. No suggestions (nor the sum of all the suggestions) would balance the budget. The Treasurer was thanked for his report.
The new President, Jerry Larson, passed up an opportunity, at the July IBT, to demonstrate he appreciates both the seriousness of this challenge and the stakeholders’ concerns about it. Instead we heard and watched as the IBT entertained lengthy discussion and neither took action nor offered any concrete schedule for action to be considered.
Our new International President is an organization man. He understands command and delegation. I’m sure he will be attending promptly and seriously to every possible measure to reduce costs while keeping member benefits intact. We all have a stake in this, whether we are campers, caravanners, officers, MALs, or Unit members. We joined the WBCCI because it represented something worthwhile to us. What’s that going to become?
What do you want from WBCCI? Please feel free to email or pick up the telephone and talk to any of your officers and let us know what you think. We’ll pass it along. If you know how to directly contact regional or international officers and want to tell them, please do so. There are eighteen International Officers and four thousand members. Why make the officers guess what you want? If you fail to speak then please don’t blame the officers for acting without knowing what you wanted.
Jim
St Marys, MT
July 21, 2008
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President’s Corner, June 2008
Many of you told me already how great it is. So many Airstreamers have done it before I did. And, while I believed you, I just had to see it for myself. Deb and I are simply awed. What’s the big deal? We wrapped up this afternoon our first WBCCI Caravan. John and Thelda Guy led the Fly-Drive-Alaska Caravan for their third time and no one was disappointed. (Except the people who didn’t attend.)
Caravanners streamed into Anchorage from Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. They arrived by plane and by cruise ship. Some arrived early to explore Anchorage and nearby points on their own before the rally. A few are staying on as most of us prepare to fly home.
Our group of 40 caravanners in sixteen Cruise America motorhomes came together wonderfully from the first minutes of meeting. I guess the only conspicuously missing thing was the great helpfulness we usually see at a rally of Airstreamers when someone has a problem and lifts an engine hood or a water heater door or a refrigerator panel. We were pretty much all without tools and were unfamiliar with the units. A few motor homes had problems (after all, they weren’t Airstreams) but no one dropped out and we all arrived at the assigned destinations each day.
Together we loped out of campgrounds every two or three days, in twos and threes, to explore another Alaskan village or city. Our drives averaged 160 miles and we managed to take up to seven hours for the trips. Deb and I have never thought we’d spend so long traveling so short a distance unless it was for mechanical break-down. But this is one of the joys the Caravan introduced to us.
We had to learn, and quickly, how to stop and explore every attraction along the road between two points. Each time we were pleased at the discoveries of little places, usually within a few miles of the highway. These included the Jade Shop between Anchorage and Seward, the beautiful lookouts and the chainsaw carvings between Seward and Homer, the Russian Orthodox Churches and Alaskan Native Heritage Center between Homer and Palmer, and on and on. The caravanners were delighted at these road stop attractions and probably saw more and different things on these road stops than from our destinations.
Deb and I have Airstreamed over 15,000 miles over the past two years since we bought our new Airstream. And we often felt compelled to go point-to-point to destinations, knowing we have skipped over countless memorable places along the way. Even the 145 mile trips from our former home in Charlotte to Virginia Highland Haven Airstream Park in Copper Hill, VA have been nearly non-stop. Now don’t you suppose anyone could find interesting things to pull off the highway and see between Charlotte and Copper Hill? Of course!
And when we Airstreamed out to Vancouver, BC last August we might as well have been on a jet plane for the the things we stopped and saw along the way. Well, almost. We stopped overnight in Sauk Centre in a lovely city park and had a harrowing miss by tennis ball sized hail as it coursed between St Cloud and St Paul. We did stop and see the largest buffalo in the world in Frontier Village in Jamestown, ND. And we saw a few other things that just happened to fall in our laps as we skipped across this beautiful country.
How can I decide what the best part of this caravan has been? We made friends with people from seven different states. We renewed acquaintenances with a few caravanners we had met before. We learned how to slow down and dig for the sights in our beautiful lands. We learned a little better how to slow down and enjoy the journey. Thanks to John and Thelda Guy for creating this great WBCCI Caravan, the Fly-Drive Alaska Caravan. And we are grateful for the Airstreamers and their guests who shared themselves with us and allowed us to get to know them better. What a great gift to share, isn’t it?
Many of you told me already how great WBCCI Caravans are. Many of you have done one or more WBCCI Caravans. Perhaps most Airstreamers either have gone, or will go, on a WBCCI caravan. Debbie and I feel enriched by the experience. And we can’t wait for another Caravan. We hope you’ll take a WBCCI Caravan if you can!
Your President,
Jim
St Louis, MO
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President’s Corner, May 2008
WBCCI members pledge in the second paragraph of the WBCCI Code of Ethics:
“To be ever mindful of what we say or print with
respect to the effect on others so as to avoid
disharmony and ill feelings among club members
and to dedicate ourselves to the work of cementing
together the members of WBCCI in bonds of good
fellowship and mutual understanding.”
This second paragraph of the WBCCI Code of Ethics has two distinct goals. One is to dedicate ourselves to building friendship and fellowship in our great club. The other is much like what our mothers taught us, if you can’t say something nice then keep it to yourself. The Code of Ethics says we must “work” to cement together the members.
If it was easy we probably wouldn’t need it in our Code of Ethics, but it isn’t easy. We need to apply ourselves to this; and, really, isn’t this a good reminder to each of us to try and grow through understanding one another better? We sometimes expect other people to conform to our expectations. We might not even be aware when we are doing this and other people may notice before we do.
It’s easier to keep on as we have been doing and ask others not to “rock our boat”. Can’t other people either leave us alone or just be more like us so we can stay in our comfort zone? Sometimes we might seem especially to want other people to learn about us so they can know how to fit in. But as Stephen Covey wrote in his 1989 book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, we must first seek to understand before trying to be understood.
Our Unit began at the Yost Farm Rally “introducing” or featuring several members at the Sunday morning service. We will continue this in meetings and in some editions of the Tarheel Traveler newsletter. Through member introductions we can all better try to understand each other. I hope this can lead to strengthening our bonds of good fellowship and mutual understanding.
The Code of Ethics is more than just a few paragraphs put together to fulfill a requirement for a corporation’s vision or mission statement. The Code of Ethics is a well-considered guideline for our club. I need to listen to you instead of just talking at you. I need to try to understand you better if I want to ask you to understand me. I’ll try.
Jim
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President’s Corner, April 2008
South Florida Unit recently proposed an amendment to the WBCCI Constitution [membership requirements section] for further consideration by the International Club.
Article VI, Sec. 2, Part D, if approved, would read as follows:
“Regular members, who own a motorhome manufactured by Airstream and who were in good standing as of the date of this amendment, may purchase a Class A Motorhome manufactured by the Four Winds International Division of Thor Industries, Inc., and retain their membership in WBCCI.”
If the membership numbers in WBCCI do not meet the finanicial obligations, what happens? Worst case, we could all join a Thor Travel Club with Dutchmen, Aero, Four Winds and others. I was researching an attractive Avion fifth-wheel we saw in the campground today. You remember their silver ones, I’ll bet. Later on Fleetwood bought Avion and started labelling them, “Avion by Fleetwood”. Avion Travelcade Club membership diminished over time. What happened next? The Avion Travelcade Club became . . . Fleetwood Travelcade Club, open to owners of any Fleetwood product “including Avion”. Search on [avionclub] for the sad description in the search result, or here’s the link to the Avion Travelcade Club: http://www.avionclub.org/.The goal is to increase WBCCI’s financial viability. The simplest way apparently is increase membership as it generates revenue to support staff, publications, and other operations costs. Any actions which reduce membership will reduce revenue and cutting expenses could further reduce appeal of the club to members and prospective members. Airstream Co stopped manufacturing Airstream motorhomes. Unless Airstream/Thor can create another Airstream motorhome, this will reduce membership. WBCCI members are proposing best guess ideas to save the club. The solution, short of resuming branding of Airstream motorhomes, seems to involve alienation of existing WBCCI motorhome members or to alienate some percentage of WBCCI trailer members.If the Club doesn’t support existing motorhome owners who are WBCCI members, then those members and perhaps all WBCCI motorhome members may become sufficiently offended to leave the club. If the Club agrees to allow another brand motorhome into membership in WBCCI, then a percentage of the Airstream trailer owners in WBCCI will become sufficiently offended to leave the club. Further, if the Club agrees to allow another brand into membership in WBCCI then how will the Club prevent the Paradise Park effect, where an exclusively Airstream membership was undermined through legal maneuvering? Is there no middle ground, which will less offend both groups and preserve the single-brand integrity of the Club?No one can unequivocally state they have THE solution. We each have to try to think what is best for our Club and act accordingly. What can you do? Recruit new members now. Approach owners of any un-numbered Airstream with a friendly smile, talk with them and introduce them to the friendliest WBCCI members they could ever meet. Oh yes, and invite them to join your unit or any unit, just join and enjoy all the fun we have with our Club. More members is A solution.Let your Unit President know TODAY, if you have not already, whether you support or reject this proposed amendment to the WBCCI Constitution.See You Down The Road!Jim
Crooked River SP, St Marys GA
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Presidents Corner, March 2008
We have a great club. I’m reminded of this with every interaction with each of you and with many people I meet for the first time. I talked with Betty Cross today about Bennie’s and her long association with WBCCI (twenty-three years, since 1984). She shared with me how much it has meant to her for so many members of our Unit to call her since Bennie’s death just over a week ago. We are glad to lend helping hands, friendly words, loving thoughts with each other in times of need. Please be sure we know when you’re going to be in the hospital or you or your family is suffering, so we can undergird you and keep you in our prayers.
Another great quality of our Unit is our charitable giving. We have done this consistently year after year through designated programs like Region 3, International, and our Unit’s charities. Although we know the needs will never be met still we each understand the need to share with others less fortunate and the blessings we receive by giving. This year Tom and Jackie Tisdel, our Region’s President and First Lady, have designated Interact of Wake County as the supported charity for our Region 3 rally donations. Please look at the article in this newsletter for information about how we can support this important giving opportunity. Giving through WBCCI helps build each of us and develops stronger ties between our communities and our Units. Please think and act as generously as you can.
We have increased our Unit’s membership by four units, or six people, this year already. Jim and Pat Waters transferred from Members-At-Large; the Rick and Marie Moore and Pam Devine joined, and Louis Stein reinstated his Life Membership. While a great start for our Unit, you know what it takes to keep a membership organization alive and kicking. We have to have members, especially active ones. So look around you and take every opportunity you can to talk up our Unit and the WBCCI, and see who you can bring to one of our Unit functions. Once they see us, they’ll join us. Let’s not keep Carolinas Unit of NC a secret. Invite a friend to join now.
See you down the road!
Jim and Debbie
Hollywood, SC