Region 5

BLUE BERET – APRIL 2008 – REGION 5
From Nancy Green

      April is here and it’s a great time to start preparing for the rally season in Region 5. Is your Airstream unit ready to go? If you have been south for the winter perhaps you can say, “YES.”

      If not, get out that to do list of how to prepare for the rolling season. It’s rumored gas prices may be going down. Let that be your incentive to get ready “to roll.” When the snowbirds all come home to roost, attend your unit’s first event with enthusiasm. It may be a spring luncheon or the first rally but plan to be there.

      The first event for Region is the luncheon on June 29 at 11:45 at the Holiday Inn, 5 Baxter Lane Bozeman, MT. Our new region officers will be installed this year. Unit presidents are reminded to return their ballets to secretary Barb Bergen by the deadline. The slate for officers includes Bob Moyers, president; Louise Humble, lst vice president; and Bob Gregory, 2nd vice president.

      The pocket schedules will be available through your president if you did not attend in dinner at the Florida State Rally. These are important tools to keep track of all activities in all three states of the region. Why not pick one rally of another unit to attend this year? You may be surprised how much fun you’ll have. Start anticipating!!

BLUE BERET MARCH 2008 — REGION 5
From Nancy Green

      Easter will be here this month. Does that sound like spring is just around the corner?

      To prepare, think spring!! Focus on things besides your new Easter bonnet, spring cleaning, or new clothes. Think of new things to do. Embrace the last weeks of winter. If you went to region 5 rally at Rantoul last fall you have a wooden bird house as a souvenir of that occasion. Did you remember you can decorate that bird house and bring it to the next region rally at Brandenburg Kentucky for judging? How about that for a March project?

      Your unit president may still need someone to fix up the bulletin board for International Rally at Bozeman. Give him a call and volunteer to help with that project if needed. Start planning for your lst rally. Can you help with food, entertainment or games for your group? Offer to help or ask for a small job to do your part. Some units will be having elections in the spring. It is “your” club and the best way to enjoy it is to offer “your” help.

      March is a good time to prepare for the upcoming WBCCI season. Commit to helping and plan to enjoy the activities by offering your contribution to the event. You’ll be surprised how rewarding it can be. Enjoy this Easter season. Hop right into the “Wally spirit” and join in the fun of fellowship with your fellow members.

BLUE BERET FEB. 2008 – REGION 5
From Nancy Green

      Question!! What are Airstreamers doing with that extra day this month? It’s not too late to plan some exciting things to do. You might not have taken the time to check out the new web sites in Region 5. This will be your opportunity and you will enjoy this display of activities in our region.

      Region 5 web site can be found at region5.wbcci.net and this site has links to the units with web sites. Other information includes officers and staff, unit news, news of deaths among members, 2008 region rally and computerfest rally, plus some reports on 2007 activities such as photo album, board meeting minutes, Southern Illinois quilt project, Reg. 5 newsletters, Computerfest report and photo album. What a wealth of information right at your fingertips. Bill Schrader reports 5 units also have their web sites up and going. These include: Indiana Dunes Unit at inddunes.wbcci.net and Kentucky Unit at Kentucky.wbcci.net and Northern Illinois Unit at northernillinois.wbcci.net and Southern Illinois Unit at southernillinois.wbcci.net and Southern Indiana Unit at southernind.wbcci.net. Unit web sites give you a list of officers, activities and in some cases membership. Also some are including pictures of upcoming and past activities. Some are posting their newsletters as well. Spend that extra time this month to check this out.

      If you are going to Florida, don’t forget the Region 5 dinner to be held Feb. 21 in Sarasota. It will be at 5 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 4150 South Shade Avenue. Reservations are NOT NECESSARY. Hope to see you there.

      If you stay in Region 5 area enjoy your winter wonderland; if you are somewhere warm, call your friends and tell them what the temperature is today!!
BLUE BERET – DECEMBER 2007 – REGION

      Seasons Greetings!! It’s time to empty your pockets shopping and for your mailboxes to be filled with best wishes for the holidays. Region President and First Lady Dick & Judy Heyde and their staff wish you the best for this holiday season. If you’re lucky you’ll hear from lots of those Airstream friends you have met along the way in your travels. What a blessing those friendships are. Thank you WBCCI for introducing us.

      When your new membership book arrives, take a little time to absorb some of its contents.

      Review Wally’s creed and code of ethics in the front pages. What a summary of things to encourage us to be better members for 2008 and enjoy each moment of our adventures.

      Check out the section titled REGION 5. It’s full of dates to mark on our new calendars. This year mark lots of rallies and activities on your calendar, so you won’t miss out. Plan to stay a while in the area and check out some of the places that are unique. Spend some of your winter looking for baldies (Airstreams without numbers). Then stop and tell them about your club. Leave a membership form or better yet, sign them up and send it in. Leave your phone number in case they have questions in the future.

      When 2008 arrives, greet the New Year with new jest for your club. If you are heading south for the winter, schedule the Feb. 21 dinner at Sarasota among things to do. It will be held during the Florida State Rally at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 4150 South Shade Avenue. Start anticipating another year of fun and fellowship. Enjoy the season!!–Nancy Green, Contributing Editor.

BLUE BERET - November 2007 Issue

     </spanBirds of a feather did flock together at Rantoul, Il., for the 32nd Region Rally. Eighty-seven Airstreams came together with the Southern Illinois Unit having the highest percentage of members in attendance. Our appreciation goes to Dick and Judy Heyde for all the fun and fellowship and great entertainment. Bill Schrader deserves a thank you for his work on the computer rally held before the Region Rally. The same location proved successful with 30 units participating.

      Carol White reported on community service. Twelve members helped at the food bank a total of 26 hours, 100 food and tolietry items were donated as well as cash donation near $900 (daily collections and church service). Good job Region 5!! Membership for 2007 was reported at 415, a decline of 6 percent. Each of you is encouraged to contact a member at large to explain how much fun it is to belong to your unit. Members at large who join a unit are more apt to retain membership. A brochure is being developed to be placed in the dealerships to contain information about all units in Region 5. One region caravan was approved. “Where the River Road Begins” will follow the Mississippi River and will be Sept. 18-Oct. 6, 2008. Jerry Humble of the Southern Illinois Unit will be leading this limited caravan. More information will follow. Please inform caravan chairman Bob Moyers if you are planning a caravan, so it can be publicized.

      Other items reported include: next year’s Region Rally will be held at the Meade County Fairgrounds, Brandenburg, Kentucky, Sept. 10-14. The Region 5 Computer Rally will start Sept. 7. The Region 5 dinner at the Florida State Rally will be at the Methodist Church in Sarasota on Feb. 21 and the Region 5 luncheon at the International Rally will be at Bozeman, Mt. on June 29, 2008. Mark these dates down and plan to come to all of them.

      Be sure to count WBCCI as one of your blessings this Thanksgiving!–Nancy Green, Contributing Editor.

BLUE BERET - October 2007 Issue

      To all who helped make the “Birds of a feather flock together” rally at Rantoul Illinois a success – THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP. Without you our Region activities could not happen. Speaking of making things happen, we have some new players on the field. Congratulations to all the new unit officers of Region 5. Your game of duty is beginning. Two of your most valuable tools should be in your hands- namely the Ideal Book and the Merit Award Sheet. Plan your lineup and ask lots of people from your unit to become involved. Start your game plan now. Remember your region officers and staff are here to support you and answer your questions.

      To all you members listed in the roster; plan to dedicate part of your time and talent to help the unit. Mention to your new officers you would like to help. Watch for a smile!! Call those bench warmers who never show up and tell them you miss seeing them and encourage them to plan to attend a few activities in the future. More people, more fun and fellowship.

      Don’t forget your admission price—Dues are due. To be included in the 2008 membership book, you must send your dues to your treasurer before the first of November. Have a good season, WBCCI needs you.–Nancy Green, Contributing Editor