WBCCI Cleveland Unit

Members present: Christophers, Standings, Maxwells, LeVecks, Maties

President Christopher reviewed planning being done by the present Executive Cte regarding membership, rally planning, past rally activities and communications.  Extensive work has been done to identify Airstream owners in the Cleveland Unit geography who are not members.  Tom Christopher has called all that could be tracked down and has 6 new members signed up.  The target is to add a total of 10 by year end.  This will refresh the membership which has been depleted by aging of those who sustained the Unit in the past.  Five active member unit (Paughs, Whitmores, Parsels, McNeillys and Fergusons) will likely not be members for 2011.  But we will have a solid core and the new members will have partners to ensure their continued satisfaction with WBCCI.

Member packets, including dues statements, will be sent out by President Christopher before the end of August.  A discussion occurred regarding the importance of having all member contact information up to date along with the dues payment.  This will allow 2011 membership to be finalized well in advance of the 1 Nov. deadline for reporting to Jackson Center. 

The 2010 Officers also have worked on a communications plan.  Todd LeVeck, who teaches computer science for Cleveland Metropolitan School District, has launched a Facebook Page for the Unit and will take over the web page on wbcci.org which Tom Standing has been updating.  We need to encourage members to rely on e-mails and checking the websites for updates and information.  Where no e-mail address is available, we need to flag the members for direct mail copies of e-mails, web pages etc.

Discussions of 2010 rallies to date allowed members to be updated on the issue of Class A vehicles eligible for WBCCI membership (a committee to study the issue was set up at the International). 

Rally ideas for 2011 were discussed.  Some tentative dates were also discussed.  Ideas include a “Spirit of Cleveland” urban camping rally the weekend before the International in Illinois (23-26 June likely), an “Erie Shores” rally near Maxwells in August (18-21 Aug), a mid-summer Wine and Falls event (joint rally probably 20-24 July) and possibly a joint rally at Bob Evans Farm in Rio Grande OH and/or at the Air Force Museum near Dayton in the Autumn.  Novel locations can be used as “buddy rallies” for added recruiting.

Luncheons will probably take place in December (Quail Hollow worked well last year) and January (near IX Center with RV show) for sure and perhaps a “maintenance luncheon” if there is interest in the winter.

The schedule for rallies and luncheons will be finalized in early October so that it will be available for the “Blue Beret” and planning with other units for joint events.

Officer planning for 2011 was also discussed.  Tom Christopher (besides being a member of the Executive Cte as Past President) will be Membership Chairman to help maintain energy and progress around the strategic plan.  The Nominating Committee is planning to propose Todd LeVeck for 2^nd VP, Paula Christopher for Treasurer and Terry Standing for Recording Secretary.  The Executive Committee will set a date in mid-September for a business meeting which will allow for voting on this slate of candidates and the required 15 days of notice will allow for on-line voting in advance of this meeting date.

Paula Christopher asked that all digital photos taken during the Wine and Falls Rally be burned onto a CD and sent to her for consolidation.`

The campsites at Four Mile Creek State Park were gorgeous as usual, the camaraderie was flowing and the adventures were new and exciting at this year’s gathering on the shores of Lake Ontario.  While retirements, school starts and other travels reduced the numbers to 5 Units and 1 Buddy, the fun was shared with enthusiasm.  Besides the jet boat trip on the Niagara River that was added last year, this year included tours in Lockport of the caves created to channel water around the “Flight of Five” lock system on the Erie Canal and a boat trip along the Barge Canal with exciting “lifts” up and down Locks 34 and 35.  Some of the group visited the Casino in Niagara Falls, Canada while others shopped in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  We all enjoyed the meals and evening entertainment provided by hosts Tom and Paula Christopher.  We look forward to next year with eager anticipation.  A business meeting was held and minutes can be found under “Annoucements”.

Come to East Springfield PA for turkey dinner, bonfires, covered bridge tours, bike/walking tour of Presque Isle State Park, New Officer Installation and lots more!  See Rally Schedule for details.

2010 R & R Rally, September 12 – 19, 2010

This is a joint rally with the Cleveland Unit

Chairmen: Dot and Jim McAfee, Gary & Pat Auman, Charlotte & Gene Hill

When: Sunday Sept.12 to Sunday Sept. 19, any part or all the days to suit your schedule.

            Where: Dillon State Park, 5265 Dillon Hills Drive, Nashport, Ohio (need Zanesville)

            Utilities: Electric at every campsite, nearby water, shower and a dump station.

 Reservations: You will make your own reservations. We will be camping in a circle with sites 64 to 91. The Cleveland tent will be on site 77. Call 1-866-644-6727. (7 am to 7pm.) to make your reservations directly with the State of Ohio. Don’t forget to use your Golden Buckeye Card for a discount. Cleveland Unit should advise Dot and Jim McAfee (440) 365-4233, Akron Unit should advise Gary and Pat Auman (330) 882-6340 or Charlotte and Gene Hill (330) 896-7050 of your arrival date and departure date so we can plan meals.

Pets: Pets are permitted on sites 33 -104. No pets on sites 1 – 32.They must be on leash         at all times and not left outside unattended.

            Meals: Most of the breakfast and dinners will be provided. Lunch will be on your own.      

            There will be a fee of $3.00 per person per day. There will be an afternoon hospitality

 (4:00) each day….bring your own beverage and snacks. Important to Note: Sunday      evening 9/12 bring your own fixings for pie iron pizza, Tuesday night we will have a pot luck dinner. Bring a dish to share.

Things to bring: Bicycles, pie irons (for one night supper) games, cameras, snacks to share, hiking  shoes. Please bring some fire wood.

Comments: Things you can do:  Visit:

1.     The Wilds, Cambridge, Ohio

2.     J.C. Penny outlet store, Columbus, Ohio

3.     Longenburger Basket Company

4.     Black Hand Gorge (for hiking and biking)

5.     Biking trail in Mt Vernon

6.     Ohio Ceramic Center

7.     John Glenn Home.

8.     Campfire each night, bring marshmallows and items to enjoy at the fire.

Come and join us for a fun and relaxing time with your Airstream friends in a delightful state park.

There will be a one hour Akron Unit Business meeting on Wednesday night after dinner in the dining tent. This will the official annual meeting where we nominate and elect officers for the following year to be installed at the October Rally.

The WBCCI is all about Fun, Fellowship and Adventure.  Part of the “fellowship” mission is building the community of Airstream owners so that they can share their excitement about their “silver twinkies”.  The Facebook social networking site is ideal for this purpose as it adds real time spontaneity to our communications.  Keep in touch with fellow Airstreamers and our activities by becoming a member of this Facebook Group centered about the Cleveland Unit of WBCCI!  Go to the “links” area and click on the Facebook connection.

NEW!  In an effort to improve member communications, the Leadership Team of the Cleveland Unit has set up a Facebook page.  Go to “links” and check us out!!  Become a member and let us know where you are going with your Airstream, ask questions about travel, maintenance or club activities and keep in touch with other Airstreamers.

Glidden House, Cleveland Ohio

Attendance  – 8 units present (Christophers, Standings, Johnjulios, Whitmores, Webers, Jenkinses, Maties, LeVecks)

Actions – Since President Christopher will not be at the International meeting in Gillette WY, an alternate needs to be selected to represent the Unit.  A form for this purpose from WBCCI was presented proposing that Bill and Sandy Johnjulio fulfill this role.  Bill Weber moved the action, seconded by Tom Standing.  This motion passed.

Bill  Johnjulio reminded President Christopher that the Unit flag will be needed for the Region 4 rally and for the International meeting.  A search is on to locate the flag.  2nd VP Joe Maxwell will represent the Unit at the Rally.

President Christopher reviewed actions undertaken to gain new members for the Unit.  Using a list of Ohio Airstream owners obtained from the company, local owners have been contacted by mail – about 40 in number – and will be followed up on to offer a year’s free membership in the club.   A target of 5-10 new members is what we are after.

The plans for various rallies were reviewed and it was noted that the Cedar Point Rally, organized for July 16-18, would be an excellent recruiting tool for potential new members, especially those with children or grandchildren.  It was suggested that having a rally in October, possibly in Penn-Wood, might also reinforce the “Fun, Fellowship, Adventure” message for new members.  Tom Standing (1^St VP) agreed to look into that option.  He will follow up with Joe Maxwell after the Penn-Wood rally in early May.

 Sunday, April 18   12:30-2:00PM

University Circle is one of the true gems of the Cleveland area.  It is home to Case Western Reserve University and many cultural icons — Severance Hall, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Botanical Gardens, and the Natural History Museum.  For those who are “royalty of the road” in their Airstreams, a “must see” is the Crawford Auto and Aviation Museum, which houses the stellar car and plane collection of Fredrick Crawford (one founder of TRW Inc.).  This luncheon will take place at Glidden House Inn, a boutique hotel on the campus of CWRU which was built in 1910.  gliddenhouse.com

Our annual Christmas get-together will take place on Sunday, 13 December.  The location — Quail Hollow Resort in Concord OH — will enable our Pennsylvania members to join us without extended travel time and distance.  The resort is just off Route 44 at the I-90 interchange.  The time is set for 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM.  Please join us for some Holiday cheer.

We had a fun and informative luncheon on Sunday, 15 November at “Mario Fazio’s” in Willoughby Hills, Ohio.  Pres. Tom Christopher lead us through the “Strategic Plan” developed with help from Joe Maxwell (2nd VP) and Tom Standing (1st VP) that lays out plans for 2009/2010 and beyond.  The goal to is re-vitalized the Cleveland Unit with at least 10 new members and an offering of activities that bring “Fun, Fellowship and Adventure” to the experience of WBCCI Membership.  Highlights include the “Spirit of Cleveland” urban camping experience rally in June and a Cedar Point Rally in July.  Sustainability for the WBCCI begins at the Unit level!

After a delicious lunch, we had a good, interactive conversation with Larry Huddle who has been with Airstream Inc. since 1979.  He described the financial condition of Airstream and its parent, Thor Industries, as “very good” considering the financial shocks of the last few years.  The balance sheet is strong and orders are returning with vigor.  The mix of styles is changing with the needs of the customers and the 34 footer and the Classic model have been eliminated.  (They say that all good things must end some day.)  Airstream sales are about 45% “Flying Cloud” and 30% “International”.  The company is positioning its iconic design as a way of accessing Adventure and is partnering with the National Park system as well as KOA to have “ruggedized” units for rent on site. Other moves include design collaborations with Victorinox (Swiss Army knife), Orvis, and Cabela’s.  Finally, Airstream is working with Camping World to establish repair site that might replicate the Jackson Center experience.

A total of 17 Airstreamers joined in the luncheon including 3 from the Akron Unit.

Submitted by Tom Standing