IBT Meeting

The results are in. Reports are filing in from the IBT meeting about 3 hot topics. The MOHO issue and 4CU are the big items. On the topic of the SOB Motorhome issue, Dick Bartram gave a report at the winter IBT meeting. He discussed many points and I have included the following summation:

You can listen to the 3 main sections of the meeting for yourself. We have published them HERE.

The Motorhome Issue was discussed by Dick Bartram. It was suggested that a study be taken of the Class "A" motorhome situation by International Past President Norm Hewer (#133).

Dick offered some history of WBCCI and motorhomes. He mentioned that until 1979 all Airstreams in WBCCI were trailers. In 1995 constitution was changed to allow all "hardsided" trailers manufactured by Airstream.

Don Shafer asked to have a study done of existing THOR motorhomes to fill the needs of WBCCI with respect to the loss of Class "A" motorhomes.

In a meeting with Dickey Riegal Don Shafer, Dick Bartram and Jerry Collins, it was discussed that "Not only does WBCCI need to preserve it's membership, but THOR wants the business that would result from this study." Dick injected at the IBT meeting that the response at that meeting was so positive that Dickey started the process of working with Four Winds and Damon on the issue immediately.

The idea is to take units manufactured by Damon and Four Winds and put a silver metallic base color on it with other colors for graphics. This was suggested by Jerry Collins.

All selected models would remain "branded as they are now" but would be labeled "Airstream Edition". The interior would be identical to the original models. These units would be sold and serviced by their manufacturer (not by Airstream). The units would be priced "slightly higher" than the non "Airstream Edition" versions. Current owners of the original units (Mandalay models for example) would not be eligible for WBCCI membership, they would have to be "Airstream Editions" to qualify.

The Class "A" Study Committee recommend to revise the WBCCI constitution to include Fourwinds (Mandalay) and/or Damon class "A" Motorhomes. The "manufactured by Airstream" requirement will also need to be revised to read "Airstream Edition Class "A" motorhomes manufactured by THOR."

Dick urged a prompt response by all parties involved in this issue is because there are currently "many WBCCI members planning to replace their motorhomes".

He continued stating that a "Yes Vote" to the recommended constitutional changes will permit class "A" owners/members to "retain" their membership." A "No vote will force them from the WBCCI" when the time comes to replace their motorhome. A "No vote" will also "accelerate club membership loss".

Dick's presentation concluded.

I have some thoughts on this presentation, much of which I can't say here. It is my expectation that the likely reason AS stopped making these Class "A" rigs is poor sales. And who in the WBCCI is looking to "replace" one of these $300,000 units. I mean really, is there a crisis here? Are there that many members looking to buy one of these.

I find it ironic that there is concern for the loss of Class "A" but the regular members, those of us with the lowly trailers seem to be of little concern. I would love to know how much money went into investigating this Class "A" issue as opposed to the amount of money that goes into investigating the general decline of membership in the WBCCI.

One point to note. I am guessing that for the next 10+ years the bulk of the officers inline to become president of the WBCCI are Class "A" owners. If that is true you can see why there is such great emphasis put on getting this motion passed.

Another thing mentioned at the meeting was that there was a concern of not souring the relation ship WBCCI has with Airstream corporate AND THOR. I got the impression that the leadership was concerned that if this did not get pushed through, the support WBCCI gets from these two organizations would diminish and WBCCI would suffer from that.

It was also suggested by the region 4 president that we should pass this motion because these folks who own these decrepit Class "A" moho's which badly need to be replaced are family and it is the right thing to do. He indicated that this was the way he was going to vote.

I am glad for the officer who was bold enough to mention that Grandfathering would also be an option for the folks who have given so much time and effort to the WBCCI.

It is also interesting to note that many of the people who attended the IBT meeting and offered question or comment on this topic were more interested why the cost of the re-branded units would be higher than if it was in the best interest to WBCCI as a whole.