Print

[66ASGT]

The Code of Ethics can be found in the Appendix of the WBCCI Bylaws, APPENDIX # 6, Page 10, Article XIII (and in the TOS of WBCCI's forum  ).

I don't know why this has been so difficult to understand. The Code of Ethics is mentioned, but it is not a codified bylaw. What you quote, Appendix 6, Page 10, Article XIII, is part of the "SUGGESTED MODEL OF UNIT BYLAWS", and is not an International Bylaw. What would it be under that heading (see page 6), a "suggested code of ethics?"

So, it is policy at best, and as a bylaw should only be enforceable at the Unit level, provided the Unit has it incorporated into their bylaws or constitution. BUT at the International level it is not.

Who wrote it? How was it proposed? Who voted? It wasn't voted on by delegates or it would be in the Constitution. It wasn't voted on by the IBT or it would be a bylaw instead of just a suggested bylaw for units. This is one of those back door inclusions that have become "custom." Ask Leo about that, when a custom is challenged it is supposed to, "fall to the floor." In other words, customs are not binding when challenged.

[Mistral Blue]

It's not difficult to understand at all. Back in March of this year I described the COE as merely unenforceable "pretty words."

Quote from: 65GT on March 04, 2009, 06:08:43 PM
From: Jerry Larson
Date: Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Subject: Re: Garvey for Int. Nominating Committee
Cc: Cindy Reed WBCCI, Tom Collier, Ralph Forrester, Jerry Collins, Carolyn Florence, Barry Heckenswiler, Norm Beu, John Garmhausen (club attorney)

<snip>
 
I encourage you to comply and support the Membership's approved processes for recommending changes to the Constitution and ByLaws and conduct yourself with respect for the Membership's approved  WBCCI Creed, especially paragraph 2. printed on page 4 of the Membership Directory and states: "To be ever mindful of what we say or print with respect to its 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."
 
Jerome (Jerry) Larson
International President
WBCCI, the Airstream RV Association
803 E. Pike Street
P.O. Box 612
Jackson Center, OH 45334

The above condescending paragraph does not have its roots in Wally's Creed.

What Mr. Larson is referring to is found in the Club's Code of Ethics which was incorporated in 2001, some 40 years AFTER Wally Byam died.

BTW, the Code of Ethics is NOT in the Club's Constitution, contrary to popular belief.
At best, it's an unenforceable preamble to the Constitution. ("Pretty words")

[66ASGT]

Then we're in agreement, it is simply an adopted custom or practice. If it were even policy it would be listed as such in the Bylaws and Policy book. Instead, it's only printed in the Membership Directory. Thanks for reprinting the letter, it confirms it altogether.

[Mistral Blue]

Then we're in agreement ...

Most definitely.

And every grievance based upon alleged breaches of the COE should be dismissed. But as we all know, THAT won't happen any time soon. The IBT remains an unreviewable power.

[Mud Dog]

From the beginning, the IBT = an unreviewable power.

An unreviewable power is one that is likely to self-indulge itself and unlikely to engage in any real analysis.

Eventually, an unreviewable power will wield the law as a weapon of intimidation rather than as an instrument of protection. It leads to a club paralyzed by fear, unwilling to assume responsibility. It leads to a club being both overly reliant on the IBT's authority and distrustful of it.

Right now, those at the top of the WBCCI food chain, the ones who have finally made it to the International level, can only be expected to represent the views of past generations better than the views of the current day.

Don,

Thanks, as always, for the clear analysis.

But, a question to which you will have a better answer than I.

Is the IBT really an unreviewable power?  Or are they only unreviewable until someone becomes sufficiently aggravated to "go to law" over it?

As officers of a corporation it seems to me the EC7 (if not the Region presidents) have an enforceable duty to obey the laws of the US, and of Ohio, since WBCCI is an Ohio corporation, with respect to their governance of the WBCCI.  And I presume that this means paying more than lip service to the corporation's own constitution and bylaws. (I note that in Jerry Larson's reply to your March email he cc:ed the WBCCI's attorney.)

And I wonder if this may not come to a head in connection with some Court of the Star Chamber grievance action, as seem to be increasingly popular.

In my mind's ear I can just about hear some judge saying, "All right, Mr. XXXX, I'm going to rule in favor of your motion for an injunction against your expulsion from the WBCCI.  But it's beyond me why you would want to remain a member of such a dysfunctional organization."

Cheers,
Mud Dog

[Mistral Blue]

MD,

I think you already know the answer to your question. 
For all practical purposes, we ARE dealing with an unreviewable power.



However, now we have Forrest's motion which will go a LONG way in changing this situation. 
BUT this motion will require nurturing and ACTION by the membership to make it a reality. 

[66ASGT]

BUT this motion will require nurturing and ACTION by the membership to make it a reality.

And this is going to be a time consuming process. The EC of the DENCO Unit approved the forwarding of the motion to the Unit members. It was published in our last newsletter and the Unit membership will vote on it at our meeting in May. From there it will go to the other units in Region 11 and if it passes then to all the other regions - the clock starts ticking then for a year.

Unfortunately, in light of the most recent developments, it could turn out to be too little, too late. Still, "while there is life there is hope."

[Wheel Interested]

That is encouraging.  Moreso in the support of the unit and the impetus to draft motions.  Hooray for DENCO.  Forrest is there a copy of what you are referring to posted?  Or can you give more details.  I apologize I have missed prior references.

[Mistral Blue]

Please see post #1 of this thread.

[Wheel Interested]

Thanks.  I didn't realize this was a continued second page.  I'm set to read the forum posts current first.  And the little "new" stickers, well you know.   Oops.


 “The Delegates shall have full authority to construe and interpret the Club’s Constitution and annually review and/or repeal any Club Bylaw and/or Policy.”

That would be such a positive change to have unit representatives able to help interpret and shape the rules.  Currently the IBT has had dubious results in applying their discretion to business matters.

I hope the units take the action necessary to get this change through and to pave the way for more.

[Lynn]

I certainly agree and again commend Forrest for discovering that such an ultimately simple change to the constitution might have such far-reaching results.
 
Lynn

Thanks.  I didn't realize this was a continued second page.  I'm set to read the forum posts current first.  And the little "new" stickers, well you know.   Oops.


 “The Delegates shall have full authority to construe and interpret the Club’s Constitution and annually review and/or repeal any Club Bylaw and/or Policy.”

That would be such a positive change to have unit representatives able to help interpret and shape the rules.  Currently the IBT has had dubious results in applying their discretion to business matters.

I hope the units take the action necessary to get this change through and to pave the way for more.

[firedog]

A friend told me, this." if there is no law, then there is  no law.You all get my meaning.What good are rules and laws if they are not applied to everyone equally.Then there is no law!  A Impeachment is in order,to all who violate the law.