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[Ed Emerick]

Hello All,
Just wanted to say hello and I look forward to reading ( and even posting ) a few comments about how we can help improve the WBCCI!
Thanks
Ed
VAC President

[Wheel Interested]

Hi Ed, you must have much experience with the WBCCI then.  Is there one particular area or issue that you find you would most like to see addressed?

[Ed Emerick]

I have been around for some time and part of the WBCCI since 1997 or so. It seems that the current leadership has lost sight of what the club is all about, having fun! I have held a number of positions in the club including Unit President and found that if you focus on fun and not all the other stuff the club runs smoother and people join. My wife and I have helped many people find thier first Airstream and then join the club, I have had to stress to them to stay away from all the crud that some of the others can try to get them into and focus on using the product. Also you have to understand that I am more into restoring my coaches than all the formal stuff of the club, that is why I like the VAC.

The key issue in my eyes is that the leadership has to listen to the membership and the membership has to have some kind of way to make an impact on what the leadership does to change the club. In short, unless you are at every meeting from the Unit level to the IBT board meeting you will not be able to offer or make change. Also you need to be an officer in the club to be seen and that is a real problem, not all of us want to do that.

[65GT]

Ed!  Welcome aboard!

I couldn't agree with you more!  Our next task is to get a motion that will amend the constitution and put the final say on any motion back on the membership.  We can't let less than 3% of the club (140+ delegates) make final negotiations and then pass motions based on such a small group of leaders.  Let them have their fun -- let them concoct whatever they like -- but put it back in the memberships hands for the final say.  This should apply to both the bylaws and the constitution.

Attending the Delegates Meeting in Salem was a real eye opener.  More than a few delegates were confused and not sure what was going on, or what they were actually voting on.  When the tally on the name change came through there were VERY FEW in the audience that understood instantly that the motion failed -- including the Chair!  Don't take my word for it -- listen to the audio tapes supplied here by Simon and you'll see the Chair declared the motion failed, then passed, then failed again.

When members question the procedural path motions have taken - take the time to investigate and learn Robert's Rules as a result -- only to be declared a nuisance (yes that DID happen) because they were able to determine the TRUTH about all the missteps that had taken place -- we're left in a sad state of affairs for sure.

It's time we put a stop to all this nonsense and make the club work for the members.  Not the silly pomp and circumstance that currently surrounds the legislative process were very few understand Robert's Rules and even fewer know what a proper complete motion really is.

We intend to offer a constitutional amendment that will fix this entire system and we hope EVERY WBCCI member will take the time during our open comment period to get involved and either verify that we're headed in the right direction or help us get the right wording in place.

I'm hoping we can hammer out the rest of this so that we can preview it by sometime next week.  We've all got different travel plans going on right now so we've hit a small delay.  I know I'm tied up most of the next two weeks (including weekends) but we really need to get this motion developed and going.

I'm looking forward to your input once we've posted the document.  Hang in there -- it's coming!

[Wheel Interested]

Ed your take on the situation now is the way I see it as a humble member beginning the fourth year.  I do care about change and having a voice but I cannot attend all the meetings and rallies and work my way up as an officer to have the chance for a say, and even if I could, it is not the way I would want to spend my time.  As you mentioned  putting the fun back in the club is what brings membership and success. 

So this is where I really hope Leo may effect some changes through his proposed constitutional amendments.  I was trying to follow much of the Robert's Rules and the processes that were determining the path and outcome of the name change issue and I was overwhelmed and astonished by the complexity. I listened to quotes from knowlegeable members and officers, even lawyers and "newly interested legal students" and spent more time trying to follow it than I think the average member would care to spend. 

I'll be cheering for the two of you to try pulling progress along.