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[66ASGT]

If any of you have read the post by David Tidmore on Airstreamforums then you are aware that President Jim Franklin has suggested that the name of the Club be changed from the "Wally Byam Caravan Club" to include the tag line that has been in use for at least a couple of years. The "new" name would then be the "Wally Byam Caravan Club, the Airstream RV Association."

What you may not know is that the tag line is already "under supervision" of THOR (I've been told this by our Region Legislative Chairman). If we continue to use "Wally Byam Caravan Club International, the Airstream RV Association", and vote to make it the Club's official name we will still have to sign a contract with THOR.

If Jim Franklin's suggestion is any indication there certainly appears to be a move to give THOR control over some aspects of our Club. That would be unconstitutional. Doesn't the IBT get that? Or, if they do get it why are they doing this?

At the meeting, "the straw poll was virtually unanimous in favor" of Jim Franklin's compromise "new name." This indicates that the membership still doesn't get it, and it has the appearance, once again, of a bait and switch tactic. So, let's be clear about it, THIS IS NOT ABOUT CHANGING THE NAME -- IT'S ABOUT GIVING CONTROL OF OUR CLUB TO THOR!!!

Ask yourself this, if we are already using "Wally Byam Caravan Club International, the Airstream RV Association" then why would we need a vote to make it our "new" name? Isn't that our old name? The entire effort is to get the word Airstream into the Club name so that THOR can exercise control over its trademark and logo. If we continue to use the tag line as an official part of the Club name we will find ourselves in the same position as the Vintage Airstream Club. THOR will force us into a contract and will take control of all merchandising in the same way that it did with the VAC. Notice that the VAC still does not have any of its merchandise for sale. Again, let me emphasize, THIS IS NOT ABOUT CHANGE -- ITS ABOUT GIVING AWAY OUR CLUB TO THOR.

[Simon]

And exactly why we suggest a NO vote only. Yes is unacceptable and any movement to amend is only an attempt at dissoloution of the no vote. The only appropriate vote is a no vote.

I like the suggestion and movement to prevent future changes along this line as suggested on the AS forums.

[Luminumtraila]

David Tidmore wrote at Airstreamforums: "Jim (Franklin's) comments on the poll seemed to indicate that he was leaning toward making a motion at the IBT to adopt "Wally Byam Caravan Club International, the Airstream RV Association", as our new name."

Does that mean that if this name is approved and adopted at IBT, there won't be a vote by the members?  Or does it just mean we'll be voting on a different name than AOAI?

[66ASGT]

That's a really good question. How and when did the WBCCI start using the tag line anyway? It certainly never went to a vote of the membership. And what if the WBCCI doesn't change its name at all, but HQ and the IBT continue to use the tag line? What then? Will THOR demand a contract, or will it threaten to sue the WBCCI for use of its trademark on WBCCI stationary, web site, and publications?

[65GT]

I don't get it.  The whole story looks like fantasy land to me but I'm sure David wrote it as he saw it.  It's just bizarre that the IP is still trying to find a way to work AS into the club name when I think ultimately it's the contract that's the death knell in this whole operation.  I think the contract issues will make most name change proponents hang it up.

It is nice to see that all WBCCI members get to see what the rest of the AS community has had to put up with over the last year and a half or so.  Who would have thought that Thor's litigious bullying ways would have not only rubbed so many nitch businesses the wrong way, but that they'd alienate a good portion of their end users.  You've gotta love it -- I know I do.  Owner Association Backlash -- who would have thunk it...