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[65GT]

On Tuesday I recieved a letter via US Mail from an attorney representing the club with regard to the modified logo that SaveWally has been using for the last FOUR YEARS.  Not a big deal really -- there's always room for improvements, and when they see how that logo will evolve, they'll wish they just left well enough alone. 

It's amazing how many people are easily confused, not understanding what site that they're at.  Our first disclaimer is now in place, but it's even more amazing that the WBCCI wouldn't want to claim the Unit Guide for their own isn't it?  Then again we're talking about smarts here and I think you can easily fill in the rest of that one...

http://wbcci.savewally.org

As a member, there was a most interesting paragraph at the end of that two page letter:

"Of course, you are at liberty to express your views of WBCCI, to share with others your experiences with the organization, and to exchange information concerning the organization and its activities.  WBCCI asks only that you(r) refrain from impinging upon the legitimate rights of the organization by imitating its trademarks, or making any other unauthorized use of its intellectual property."

Well that looks pretty reasonable, doesn't it?  That single paragraph telegraphs my beliefs from day one.  It would appear that leadership must finally understand what nearly everyone else does -- that if they fail, they're going to hear about it from the membership, they can't use the code of ethics like their mother's apron, and holding reimbursed leadership (to the tune of $100K+) accountable is the way it should be.  This club wouldn't be in any of this mess if leadership were simply held accountable by the membership.  Time to step up folks!

At 11am this morning I received an email from a different attorney representing the WBCCI.  Funny, this one didn't seem quite as accomodating as the last.  In part the letter read:

"I have recently been provided with documentation regarding the termination of your membership status with WBCCI.

The purpose of this letter is (to) advise you that inasmuch as you are no longer a member of WBCCI, you are not permitted to use any information regarding any club members, such as name, address, and email address, for any purpose whatsoever.  Although members of the Club are permitted use of this information, for very specific purposes, it has been a longstanding policy of WBCCI to prohibit the use of this information in any fashion by non-members, other than approved licensees.

I trust that you understand the position of the Club, as its members do not want their contact information used for 'unsolicited purposes'."

Pretty interesting on a number of points, the main one being that I have yet to be notified that my wife Gail and I have been terminated from the WBCCI.  Surprised?  I'm not, this is just another episode of the Keystone Cops in my mind and I've been watching this never ending series since 2005.  What's so different about this episode, a failure to follow procedure, a lack of common sense?  Making stuff up as we go along?  Creating and abandoning "established customs" simply because they can?

I've written this attorney back to see what laws I'll be breaking when I report to the membership.  I've got email addresses I've been using for years.  But let's be fair here.  I'll give the WBCCI 7 business days to file for an injunction to keep me from reporting to the membership as a whole.  That clock starts NOW and if I don't get served, every member with an email address will get a final report to review and consider.

When and if an actual termination notice ever does show-up, leadership gets one more whack at this, because an appeal is a certainty...

I've got plenty of posts to reply to on the inside, but it's now early morning and I'm beat...  I'll be back later -- feel free to post and be heard... 

[firedog]

Hi Leo, your not surprised are you.The club has rules and guide lines for its members.The elite membership has these rules for people like you,who do not comply.They use the rules of the club as they  see fit to apply.Its a totalitarian regime in a camping club.The Power must be very intoxicating and euphoric to  people in power.Leo you will not be the last,that message was imprinted on me as a new member of the wbcci.Get with the program,pay your dues and keep your mouth shut.I am a follower not a leader,but even followers have their braking point.This club is finished.I cannot recall my dues,next year will be different.The Wbcci will loose another 300 members next year.My prediction.member #3510.

[Mud Dog]

The WBCCI will lose another 300 members next year.  My prediction.

Fire,

The official number of members as of June 30, 2009 was 6,686.  In the February IP newsletter the number of members as of February 1, 2010 was reported as 6,235, a drop of 451 members, or 6.7%.  More will renew and some new members will join between now and June, but it's looking like a drop of 6% or more for 2010.

Between the dues increase and the recent unconscionable behavior of the EC7, I look for the drop to be a lot larger than that between 2010 and 2011.

In his "State of the WBCCI, 2008" presentation, Jerry Larson plotted a curve of the drop in membership over the previous 20 years and indicated that the loss trend averaged 5% a year in the 90's and 3.4% a year since 2000.   But now the trend is steepening--membership declined 5.7% between 2008 - 2009 and now it looks like at least 6% 2009 - 2010.

Looks like the Titanic is going down, folks.  Everyone please move to your assigned lifeboat stations.  First class passengers, of course, have priority.

Cheers,
Mud

[WKerfoot]

Leo,

What are you accused of doing, which caused the latest grevience?

Bill

[Pahaska]

I ahve a bunch of people lined up who are not going to renew in 2010.  Most, but not all, will pay dues after IBT in 2011.  In my case and some of my friends, renewal is contingent on IBT making some strides forward in January 2011.

When I speak to folks, I tell them it is like the farmer that started every plowing session by hitting his mule between the eyes with a baseball bat.  The first step is to get their attention.  if everyone speaks to their friends and we can show them a 1000 member drop, perhaps we can get their attention.

I do believe that we are starting to get the attention of the region Presidents.  We have some coming up that think right and will stand up and say the right words.

[MaryinVA]

At 11am this morning I received an email from a different attorney representing the WBCCI.  Funny, this one didn't seem quite as accomodating as the last.  In part the letter read:

"I have recently been provided with documentation regarding the termination of your membership status with WBCCI.

The purpose of this letter is (to) advise you that inasmuch as you are no longer a member of WBCCI, you are not permitted to use any information regarding any club members, such as name, address, and email address, for any purpose whatsoever.  Although members of the Club are permitted use of this information, for very specific purposes, it has been a longstanding policy of WBCCI to prohibit the use of this information in any fashion by non-members, other than approved licensees.

I trust that you understand the position of the Club, as its members do not want their contact information used for 'unsolicited purposes'."

Pretty interesting on a number of points, the main one being that I have yet to be notified that my wife Gail and I have been terminated from the WBCCI.  Surprised?  I'm not, this is just another episode of the Keystone Cops in my mind and I've been watching this never ending series since 2005.  What's so different about this episode, a failure to follow procedure, a lack of common sense?  Making stuff up as we go along?  Creating and abandoning "established customs" simply because they can?

I've written this attorney back to see what laws I'll be breaking when I report to the membership.  I've got email addresses I've been using for years.  But let's be fair here.  I'll give the WBCCI 7 business days to file for an injunction to keep me from reporting to the membership as a whole.  That clock starts NOW and if I don't get served, every member with an email address will get a final report to review and consider.

When and if an actual termination notice ever does show-up, leadership gets one more whack at this, because an appeal is a certainty...

So, let me get this straight--as of this point, you received a warning letter from an attorney concerning a termination of membership they haven't sent to you yet???

Non profit organizations must have policies and procedures for termination of membership. Requirements for notification of charges, opportunity for a hearing and procedures for appeal.

Anyone have the bylaws? Please check with an attorney before you mail that letter.

[MaryinVA]

Oh, and one other thing. Until you receive the notice of termination from WBCCI, you are a member.

[65GT]

Yesterday the cart, today the horse comes into view, behind the cart of course, but its finally here.  It's a five page EGC report followed by a 3 page "Resolution for Expulsion."  There are a couple if interesting notes within.  I'll be scanning and commenting and filing an appeal, but don't expect the small minority that knows better in this leadership pool to be able to wrest control of this one.

Bill -- Grievance #3 came from my deciding to copy in ALL EC7 / R36 once it was discovered that both the EGC and EC7 passed judgment while I was waiting to hear about my trial in grievance #2.  Trial or hearing they completely ignored the demand and moved forward on their own.  It's basically called not following procedure and ignorance has no place on an EG committee.  I got word I was found guilty while I was waiting for confirmation of a trial date.

I demanded that either they were going to rescind that probation, for a gross violation of procedure, or that I was going to file dereliction of duty charges against them all, and then how could that possibly be addressed with the EC7 and the EGC3 all tied up in grievances?  Bingo -- grievance #3...

They continue to drag up and ignore the fact that grievance #1 was dismissed yet still treat it as if I were found guilty and apply that at every turn.  What is there not to get here?  DISMISSED!  Could somebody please define DISMISSED for these folks?  Comprehension is repeatedly lacking in this regard...

Look -- let's get this straight -- its likely possible that when you look at the archaic rituals continually promoted and perpetuated by this self-selected preordained pool of leadership, that you simply cannot attract the most effective and brightest individuals to a leadership role.  Can you see Bill Gates in this get up, how about Marissa Mayer in these processions?  Anyone at AS maybe?  Even Larry H. has ditched his suit and tie -- come on BOYZ -- get with the program -- you're scaring potential members away!

Hence we get managers, and not very good managers at that, instead of real leaders with vision and the abilities to solve problems.  There most certainly are a few of those, I'm impressed by a few, but they're overwhelmingly outnumbered by those that don't.  Listen to the IBT seminars and you can weed some out near instantly.  You'll have to guess about all the ones you don't hear from, and that's a pretty good lead right there all by itself...

The rest of this goes in the appeal, but I'm afraid that comprehension skills are required, and few were able to comprehend much of this in the last round.  It only gets more complex each time we volley...