Sierra Nevada Airstreams - Recreation with vehicles in the Sierra Nevada and American Great Basin areas

Achievements of Sierra Nevada Unit in 2008

The following is a summary of the efforts and activities of the SNU in 2008.

The Sierra Nevada Unit looks to the founding principles of it's parent organization, the Wally Byam Caravan Club, International to provide the foundation of the Unit. These principles guide the SNU in it's activities and it's management.

The Wally Byam Creed -|- Wally Byam Code of Ethics -|- Wally Byam's Four Freedoms

In our unit:

• SNU membership continued to grow. The Unit gained nine new members in 2008 and ended the year with a total of 40 members, a new record for the SNU

• We held rallies in three new locations, all scouted out by SNU members. One of these was the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola, CA. The reason for this was to research the 42 ft custom Airstream owned by the museum. The other sites were Hope Valley and Sweetwater Summit.

• Average attendance at rallies increased 21% from 2007. Three members attended their first rally.

• The SNU has taken on the task of refurbishing the custom Airstream at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum. The Unit's efforts, spearheaded by our Past President, include seeking funding and other support for professionally restoring it so that it can be used by the museum as an educational resource. SNU current efforts include doing a preliminary evaluation and determining approximate costs for restoration, writing letters of agreement with the museum, and writing letters to solicit funds and support.

• The first SNU supported Death Valley rally was held in November of 2008. The rally included a guest from the Four Corners Unit.

• The SNU had an elected delegate attend the WBCCI International Rally in Bozeman MT. In addition, four other SNU members attended the International rally and all of them participated in one capacity or another. Tasks carried out by SNU members included working on various volunteer committees, Carrying the Unit flag in the opening ceremony, putting together a notebook of SNU newsletters and submitting it in the Unit newsletter contest, creating a Unit poster for the poster contest, playing in the band, and meeting with various regional and international officers to promote and gain support for the SNU. This is the first time the SNU has had five members attend an International rally.

• After a vote by Unit members, the SNU ordered flags with the Unit logo on them which Unit members could purchase at cost. The flags help promote the SNU. We now fly our flags at rallies and other gatherings.

• Fun is a standard part of any SNU activity. A round-about potluck before a snow storm, a smoothie, sausage, and waffle breakfast, rides on locomotives, impromptu dinners at local restaurants, marathon fishing in a lake, and a visit with a Belgian draft horse were some of the fun activities at SNU rallies in 2008. One member commemorated some of our activities in three great cartoon drawings.

• SNU members continue seeking out other Airstream owners, telling them about the SNU and asking about their Airstream experiences. Guests and visitors are always welcome at our rallies and meetings. The SNU had guests at several rallies in 2008. Two potential members participated in the Pyramid Lake rally. Airstreamers from the Sacramento area participated in the rally at Portola. Potential members from Gardnerville participated in the Sweetwater rally. Members from the Monterey Bay California Unit participated in the Obsidian Dome rally and members from the Golden West Unit stopped for a day visit at Obsidian.

• SNU members also participate in rallies sponsored by other WBCCI Units and unofficial Airstream groups. These included rallies of the Four Corners Unit, the Western Oregon Unit, a California WBCCI Unit, and a forum group.

• SNU public service announcements in local media continue to create awareness of the Unit. In 2008 PSA's were responsible for at least two people contacting the SNU and attending Unit events.

• The SNU monthly newsletter continues to be one of the Units key communications tools. It is directly responsible for one couple deciding to join the SNU as affiliate members.

• The SNU was delighted to welcome the Region 12 Corresponding Secretary, who is also the chair of the WBCCI standing committee on membership and her husband to our September rally at Obsidian Dome. We were also happy to have Judy Bechthold, Region 12 2^nd VP and her husband join us for our December luncheon. This is the second visit we have had from the Bechtholds.

“It's the Airstreams that bring us together but it's the people who keep us together” - Jerry Thornburg (2797) describing the SNU

"The WBCCI is an exclusive club because not everyone owns an Airstream! The idea is to get out and have fun with your RV - with friends who share common interests." - Bryan R. Leipper (772)

SNU Philosophy

• “The formula that the leadership in our unit uses comes straight from Wally and his creed which they have adopted as the primary focus of the group. It also comes by their determination to be inclusive with respect to the members, open to new ideas and by providing opportunities for everyone to participate in the way that best suits them.” - Former SNU member

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