Region One President’s Newsletter – February 2012
Published: February 1, 2012
By Russ Melocik
Last we wrote, Thanksgiving was coming. So were many of the snowbirds. Now that we’re into the New Year, we hope all trips were safe and that all are enjoying their winter lifestyle.
The club’s 2012 winter Board Meeting was in Hattiesburg MS during the second week in January. It was a quiet gathering of some 100 rigs with, for the most part, routine business being acted upon. Airstream’s VP of Sales, Justin Humphreys, flew in from the Tampa RV show to sit in on our meeting.
The Board of Trustees recalled that, at last year’s IBT meeting in DuQuoin, it voted to send the Motor Home Motion (qualifying Thor Class-A motor homes for club membership) to the delegates for their decision at the 2012 business meeting in Sedalia MO. Some among the Board at Hattiesburg looked into the possibility of recalling that motion. The Parliamentarian was quick with a reminder that a previous Board decision to send the matter to the delegates cannot be undone by a subsequent Board. In other words, the issue “belongs” to the 2012 delegates who will be given the opportunity to once again consider the MH issue.
It becomes important that each unit, at its 2012 Spring Business (or Special) Meeting give maximum consideration to selecting its delegate and alternate to the 2012 meeting in Sedalia. If your unit Constitution allows, you may send an affiliate member in good standing (who is also a regular member in good standing of another Region 1 Unit) as a delegate. Please check out your Constitution & membership roster for Affiliate Members willing to vote your unit’s best interests.
There was thoughtful discussion of the proposed Constitution & By-Laws overhaul. The short story is that it is still on the table but experiencing some differences in content as the CBL Committee tries to get it in sync with club goals, different legal opinions and the Secretary or the State of Ohio.
WBCCI.net and WBCCI.org are coming along. The Trustees voted some additional funds to purchase updated computer hardware and software. We all should be grateful to the Electronic Communications Committee for volunteering so much of their time and efforts to bring this consolidated electronic approach to the club’s membership.
The club now has a January edition of Blue Beret. It is the annual membership directory. Because of the larger format, actually a jumbo edition of the magazine, the production can be handled by the magazine shop, resulting in cost savings to the club. Extra copies are available from HQ for $4.50 ppd. Staples and Office Depot can slice and punch the spine & add a blue 8mm spiral. Staples charges $3.99. For an additional charge, you can have a plastic cover and back piece installed.
Sedalia registrations? 326 as of 02-01-2012. According to those who scouted the locale, it’s a wonderful venue, complete with WalMart Supercenter and grassy sites each with 3-way hookups.
2013 Winter IBT Meeting: Blythe CA immediately prior to Blythe’s Hobo Rally. Look for details and coupon(s) in Blue Beret.
2013 International Rally/Convention: Huron SD at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds. Water, 30A and pump. WalMart Supercenter in town.
2014 International Rally/Convention: Gillette WY at the Camplex.
January’s Florida East Coast Luncheon in Melbourne was a hoot according to Theda McGrath, Don & Fran Nesmith and Rich & Dottie Walbridge. Cynthia and I were in Hattiesburg. When we returned to Land Yacht Harbor, Don noted all five had a wonderful time. They stayed until 2:00 PM. The Region Officers will be spending some time trying to come up with a way to make it easy to maintain this event.
The Florida West Coast Luncheon was also a hoot. Some 42 caravanners gathered at Buffet City in Brooksville to do considerable damage to its Chinese food supply. Lots of levity and table hopping. We owe thanks to Ray and Cynthia Richard for the arrangements and for maintaining the hospitality and to Ernie & Madaline Bauer for contributing to a 100% attendance of Region Officers. We are also grateful that Jo (Int’l Recording Secretary) & Karl Jugel, Ray (Past Int’l Legislative Chairman) & Barbara Landman and Mark (Pres Metro NY) & Debbie Hammer could join in the fun. Thanks, all, for coming.
Thanks for reading. Thanks for participating. Safe travels.
~Russ~