Suspended!

Units are NOT happy about Bob's suspension, and this "Three Strikes" letter is now being distributed to entire unit's membership so that members can understand what is going on.  How is it even possible that a 31 year member, an IBT member, could have had a grievance filed against him for criticizing the administration?  It's all about CONTROL folks.

It doesn't matter if those at the top are right or wrong -- it's all about CONTROL.  It doesn't matter if they try to intentionally pull the wool over the membership's eyes when they try to ply their agenda on us.  They don't need to do, due diligence, they don't need to disclose the hazards involved in any of their campaigns.  Their job, as they see it, is to determine the right course of action, in THEIR eyes, and sell it.  You didn't need to know why they wanted Airstream in the club name.  You didn't need to know that Airstream would control our club's name, our club's logo, and dictate what products could and could not be produced with OUR club name on them.  That Airstream would DICTATE to our club where those products could be made, who they could be sold to, and all the while, Airstream would retain the right to discontinue the use of their name, in our club name, forcing us to rename the club yet again.

Here is the letter that got him suspended...

"Subject: WHAT IS GOING ON?
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 14:02:02 -0400

First we have the Proxy Motion at Mid-Winter IBT ruled "out of Order" based on a flimsy excuse. When, in fact, the motion does provide for a real human (the Proxy Holder) to be authorized to represent the unit giving the proxy.  That Proxy would be instructed in the exact same manner as any Unit Delegate, prepared and ready to debate issues, and vote on amendments, for that Unit.  That proxy holder would present themselves to the Delegate Credentials Committee and receive their credential. That Proxy Holder, now the Delegate for that unit, would be at the Delegates Meeting and have all the rights of any other Delegate. Yet our leadership, apparently not wanting every member's vote to be counted, rules the motion out of order, without the process of being discussed and voted on. It appears that I was wrong in thinking that we were following Robert's Rules in the conduct of a democratic meeting. STRIKE ONE MR COLLINS.

Then we come to the Parade issue.  Who is minding the store? Mr. President, the flag issue is not a rumor; your statements are an insult to the membership. The buck stops at your office, and this issue should never have occurred. It appears, Mr. President, that your administration is "out of order" STRIKE TWO MR. COLLINS.

Now a four page voting procedures document is issued to some of the units - others did not receive it. The document is very biased against candidates running from the floor, and heavily favors the official slate of nominees. What's next Mr. President?

Since the Federal and State of Ohio election laws pertaining to corporations (including non-profit ones) appear to indicate, that if a unit, or an organization, does not follow the written voting procedures of the parent organization, then their votes can be nullified and not counted.  This is similar to the two state Parties who did not follow the election instructions of the DNC, which like the WBCCI, is also a non-profit organization. Is this the intent? If not, why then do you say that you will take the matter under consideration and not take the necessary actions to correct the problem while we still have time?

Your own CB&L Chairman agrees that there is a problem. Some units don't even know that there are two people running for I3VP. Why is your administration trying to implement the "Two Highest Votes" provision, when it has NOT yet been voted on by the Delegates, and therefore is not yet a part of the WBCCI Constitution?

I'll bet that there are quite a few lawyers out there that would love to get their hands on this one. They would have a field day. Now there is an idea whose time may have finally come.

Why issue the voting procedures document in the first place? I've got news for you Mr. President, the membership is very smart and knows how to vote without it. Gee, Wally must be turning over in his grave. STRIKE THREE MR. COLLINS.

THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT MR. PRESIDENT. YOUR ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED.

Wait, there's more. Mr. President, the Club's budget is operating in the red to the tune of thirty thousand dollars. Can we, the members, expect your administration to continue to operate in the red? I've not been informed of any significant cost savings since the Mid-Winter IBT meeting.  ANOTHER STRIKE MR. COLLINS.

Retention is the number one problem in the Club, so what positive initiatives has your administration enacted?  How come Regions I and II (among others) are growing and the leadership in your administration has not even looked into why, when other regions are not. Let's look at this retention problem a little closer.

Are you aware that last year a group of Airstream owners consisting of WBCCI members and non-members held a get-together in Western Florida? Most were non-members and it appears that they convinced some WBCCI members that there was a hassle-free way to have Airstream fun. It is understood that WBCCI lost some members as a result, the proof was in the DOING. That group again held a get-together this year, with even more Airstream RVs in attendance, over 60 RVs strong. Want to know more about this and other "get-togethers" across our country, then check out the "AirForums" website.  This is happening in other areas of our nation. Their numbers are growing and ours are not. What does that tell
you? No action on your part gets you ANOTHER STRIKE MR. COLLINS.

Oh! Almost forgot, it appears that a Region 3 unit passed a motion under section 1 of the amendments Article. It is believed that amendment concerned the motorhome issue. Now, let me say up front that I am an Airstream trailer owner and that I believe that the Club should remain Airstream Products only Club. BUT I also believe that the Unit putting forth their motion had every right to do so under our Club's Constitution and I will fight for their right to do so, even though I would cast a no vote on such a motion.

AND it also appears that a Region 2 unit passed a couple of motions under section 1 of the amendments Article and sent such to their Region President.

So why have these not been sent to the other units in their region for a vote in accordance with the WBCCI Constitution? It is your administration Mr. President, the buck stops with you. It is understood that your administration appears to have taken action to cause the withdrawing of one motion and delay of the others. . Were scare tactics involved? What is going on?  Why is International interfering with due process? Don't try that in my Region while I am the Region President.
Yeah, I know, you will "take it under consideration" Well that is ANOTHER STRIKE MR. COLLINS.

And while we are on the subject of a Section 1 of the amendments Article, allow me to advise you of coming events.

As you are aware (or should be) I have submitted the Proxy Motion to be placed on the agenda for the upcoming IBT. Now we know your "Out of Order" position, so a Unit placed the very same motion on their business meeting agenda; discussed it, and voted 100% for it. All with an attorney present. That motion was passed under Section 2, where in a unit may submit motions directly to the Delegates, without going through the IBT. As that motion is going through the process, you may have prevented all units from casting their votes in the short term, but all you have done is delay the inevitable.  Our membership and our units will be able to cast their votes by proxy when necessary, and if you find the need to block this attempt just one more time, it is our membership that will make this happen in '09.

Now another unit is voting on the same Proxy Motion to amend the WBCCI Constitution under Section 1, and when their Region President receives the documentation, it will be sent to all of the units in their region to be voted on. And there is no greater example of a deliberative assembly then that of a unit addressing an issue. Every member has the right to speak, debate, and vote. When an administration fails, it is the right of the membership to take corrective action. Section 1 is their tool. The Constitution of the United States and that of Canada provide for this thye of Article and the Constitution of Ohio provides for such and WBCCI Constitution provides for it also.

Mr. President, it is believed that your administration is in a mess; is a complete failure; and is "out of order." YET ANOTHER STRIKE MR. COLLINS

Tell me, Mr. President, how many vendors are going to be at International? Less than fifty?  Another failure.  ANOTHER STRIKE MR. COLLINS.

Tell me Mr. President, How many helpful seminars are going to be at International? Not many, huh. Our Region 1 Rally has eleven helpful seminars planed plus several workshops. It is noted that Region 2, under Barry's administration as well as Don's current leadership have both presented great seminars and informative presentations. AND over in Region 3, Tom's administration has done a great job. In fact, Region 1 people go to many of the seminars in Regions 1 & 2 so we may learn and do better in our own Region. No wonder attendance is up at Region Rallies. Why hasn't International used some of these presenters?

Another failure, ANOTHER STRIKE MR. COLLINS.

NOW, IN ALL FAIRNESS TO YOU, MR. COLLINS, THESE STRIKES ARE LIKE IN A BALL GAME. YOU HAVE SIMPLY STRUCK OUT AND YOUR ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED.  IT IS SAD TO SAY, IN THE END, IT IS THE MEMBERSHIP THAT HAS LOST.

Ok IBT members, you have kept silent long enough, STAND UP AND BE COUNTED.

If the above comments do not provoke you into taking a position instead of being just another sheep in the flock, then I too have failed our membership. Take a stand, for me, or against me, it does not matter, just stand up for your Region's membership and do what is best for them, and best for WBCCI.

To paraphrase another, I know not what course others may take, but I will stand by the membership and work for the membership to my last day in office.

Robert E. Thompson II
Region 1 President"

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