Print

[PeeWee]

Three Questions


Three questions of amusement keep the pace from the inquisitive.

Do they still make these now?

Do you know who this is?

What would Wally do?


The first two questions are easy to answer.

Yes, they still make Airstreams in Jackson Center, Ohio.  The Airstream trailer has been in production for over 78 years, and is going strong under the tutelage of Thor Industries.

It is embarrassing to detail that when I am in a group a friend introduces me to their friends, by saying, “Do you know who this is?”  Yes, my Mother was the organizer of the club.  And no I was not Wally Byam’s nephew; I am however, his first cousin once removed. So goes introductions.

The last question depends upon who is commenting on Wally’s words, wisdom and knowledge.  The interpreters are looking for Moses coming down off the mountain.  They hunger for answers that will unite the factions within the Wally Byam Caravan Club.

My answer, no one will want to hear it, is nothing.  Wally would do nothing.  Why?  Because the Club was founded for and by Airstream owners and not by Airstream.  That doesn’t mean that Airstream hasn’t supported the Club. 

If several factions didn’t agree upon something Wally would call for Helen Byam Schwamborn.  Though Helen was on the payroll of Airstream, her first priority was to making sure the Club ran well.  She could take those with the most hardened positions, listen to both sides, come up with solution that calmed each group, and protected and insured that the Wally Byam Caravan Club would not be injured.  Her talent in dealing with Club Members, the Club Officials and Airstream insured the survival of the Club.  We can all see that the Club is still around after 54 years.

Today the Club has conflicting parties.  The aloofness, bull-headedness, emotional confrontations is not what the Club needs or is in the spirit of why Airstream owners formed the Wally Byam Caravan Club.

I think it is time that all Club members, in office, out of office, unit members, at-large-members, sub units and inclusive of everyone come to terms with the spirit and intent of the Club, and put aside the letter-of-the-law just long enough to review what really is best for the Club. Keep what makes sense, add-on anything that will protect the Club, and toss those things that are ludicrous and destructive to the Club.

It seems to me the Club needs a Helen Byam Schwamborn.  At least the Wally Byam Caravan Club needs an arbitrator, mediator, and negotiator to cure the apparent ill will.

Three questions that are asked often, two are easy, and one seems to require open-mindedness, caring and civil review.

I suppose if push comes to shove Wally might intervene if asked.  He probably would take the disgruntled parties behind the woodshed.  Wally had a way to take care of problems.  If necessary, he didn’t mince words.  When the group reappeared, I am quite sure that all questions would have been settled.  Again this is fantasy.  Wally didn’t interfere with Club matters; that is why he depended upon on Helen.

Helen outlived Wally; and the Wally Byam Caravan Club outlives Wally Byam and Helen Byam Schwamborn.

Dale “Pee Wee” Schwamborn
#2

[65GT]

It seems to me the Club needs a Helen Byam Schwamborn.  At least the Wally Byam Caravan Club needs an arbitrator, mediator, and negotiator to cure the apparent ill will.

I don't disagree with anything you've written Dale, but maybe the question should then be:

"What would Helen do?"

I've often viewed Cindy Reed to be Helen's successor, knowing that her husband, at one time, was the WBCCI Director.  I just don't think Cindy has been given the reigns to control and direct, and from what little I do know of Cindy dealing with her these last few years, she's a gem, and I'd hate to think of where we'd be without her.  Now, covering the bases   there's nothing that says Cindy would want anymore responsibility than she already has.

Still, I think Helen had control, at all times, and could wrestle things where they needed them to be.  It seems to me that Cindy merely gets a new boss every year, and established customs can come and go every July 5th.

So, what would Helen do?

THREE consecutive administrations purposely, and deliberately, moving forward with ever increasing projected financial losses.  None of which has even broached (publicly) eliminating mandatory travel, eliminating reimbursed expenses.  Instead they agree to move forward, flushing club reserves down the toilet.  Leadership?  LEADERSHIP?  I don't think so...

Unless somebody calls an emergency meeting, you've seen the last of that group until a Mid-Winter IBT meeting we simply can't afford to run, one that will cost our membership another ~$17K in officer reimbursements.

Your message is great, and on target, but from my perspective those with all the power, those with all the control, will do as they please, regardless of what common sense and general business practices dictate.  Ever hear of an austerity budget?  That should have been THREE years ago.

Competitive elections could fix this wagon real fast, if there were enough people that actually gave a damn.  We've got THREE WBCCI members that get together every two weeks and record and broadcast for a solid hour.  They've done it every couple of weeks for 2+ years.  We could run official meetings, meetings where members could participate, just like they do in person, for a fraction of the cost we're reimbursing leaders.  Leaders that are accomplishing little, while the annual deficits just increase...

So Dale, what would Helen do?  

[ByamCaravanner]

So Dale, what would Helen do? 

Dale,

YES! Please answer this question... we need your Mother's wisdom to be known to those now in charge of her club.