As our club struggles for the way forward, Phil Pons offers up another article for the membership to consider: LABELS – The Pros and Cons by Phil Pons WBCCI# 1057     We use labels to categorize, classify, and group people, activities and organizations. It is our “short hand” way of making life manageable. If we did not do that, we would be overwhelmed by the abundance of stimuli that reaches our eyes, ears and other senses. In short, labels or categories are essential to our wellbeing.     The issue then is not that we label, but that we rarely take time to analyze the effect of these labels on our relationships with the outside world. In fact, often we are completely unaware of the impact of these labels on our thinking, our attitudes and our relationships.     The first point, and a critical concept, we might consider is the notion that labels not only describes our impression of or attitude towards another person or object, the label also prescribes our behavior towards that person or object. We can relate to this when we reflect upon some person or object that we do not care for. Regardless of what that person does or says, we view ...

Due to the actions of your IP on Mar-04-2009, my candidacy statement has been revised.  New content is in navy below... In 2007 WBCCI membership dropped below the point where our bloated celebratory expenses outpaced our income.  In 2008 we posted a $15,000.00 loss.  A $50,000.00 loss is projected for 2009.  There isn't a single international leadership initiative in place that will guarantee a balanced budget for 2010.  There isn't a single international leadership initiative that will modernize our club, and promote growth in membership.  Will 2020 initiatives ever be implemented? Allowing just 3 members, out of 6,000+ members, to select next years International Leadership simply doesn't work.  We need a competitive election process.  One where candidates and nominees will campaign, hoping to earn your vote. (For a full page print version, click here) What will I do, if elected? I will endorse candidates that have a viable recovery plan for the WBCCI.  A plan that includes club modernization, profitability, and growth.  One that each candidate will take personal ownership of. I will endorse candidates that will not allow club finances to run in the red, period. I will endorse candidates that will release a position statement, to our membership, long before the Mid-Winters, detailing their top priorities ...

This one is a personal message from me.  I'm never surprised when individual members come forward, sign up as supporters, take part in forums, and speak out. I'm very suprised when an entire body organizes, and with one voice, speaks out against the reprehensible acts, and in my mind, the cheap politics being played by our International Leadership.  This is the second year in a row that I have become very impressed by the Ontario Canada Unit, at nearly 200 members strong. What follows is a letter that was sent to the IP Larson by the Ontario Canada Unit Leadership, just this morning.  I would hope that you would consider sending as many of your unit members to this link as possible.  I'm sure there are many other leaders in this club, in fact the majority of members in many units in this club, that will fully support these positions.  Read on... February 9, 2009 Mr. Jerry Larson International President, WBCCI Dear President Larson: We are writing to you to convey our feeling of dismay at reading your latest President’s report.  The information on Executive decisions to put up additional barriers to interested members of WBCCI running for International office is extremely discouraging.  Frankly, the requirement that ...