Wally Byam Caravan Club, International (WBCCI) Governance, a case study -
Behavior, the identity expression of an organization

Dear Association Leader

The expression of an organization’s values is in the behavior of its members. The WBCCI defines its expected standard for behavior as a Code of Ethics place at the front of its Blue Book containing its governance documents.

Code of Ethics

To be ever mindful of our responsibility to Wally Byam Caravan Club International, Inc., and through conduct, indicate to the public that membership in this organization is an assurance of our courtesy on the road and good willto all peoples and countries.

To be ever mindful of what we say or print with respect to its effect on others so as to avoid disharmony and ill feelings among club members and to dedicate ourselves to the work of cementing together the members of WBCCI in bonds of good fellowship and mutual understanding. (6/23/01)

To conduct ourselves in a manner to inspire others engaged in recreational vehicle travel to a full appreciation of the intent and meaning of this code.

To maintain our camps in an orderly manner and leave them in the same way.

Article III in the WBCCI identifies the Vision, Mission, and Objectives of the club.

Sec. 3 Objectives. The objective of the International Club shall be to furnish encouragement and assistance in the development of Regions, Units and Intra-clubs; to afford opportunities for outdoor fraternization of recreational vehicle owners; to encourage safe driving and assist in improving the general welfare of the recreational vehicle public through assistance and active participation of all its members in building a strong organization for the betterment of good will toward recreational vehicle travel; to coordinate the interest and activities of its Regions and Units; to cooperate with other organizations within its sphere of interest which are seeking to elevate the standards and ethics of the various groups; to disseminate information of an advisory and educational nature which will be of value to its members and the public; to study, advise and recommend legislation in the interest of the recreational vehicle public and to oppose all legislation which is discriminatory and injurious to the recreational vehicle public and to encourage government and private agencies to provide more and better recreational vehicle parks and facilities. (6/30/09)

These provide the measure against which the actions of the members and directors of the association can be measured. The current case study indicates that the WBCCI suffers in this area. The Leipper Management interest in WBCCI behavior was the topic of a 1998 edition of the Dear Association Leader. The theme on that used the WBCCI annual rally for ideas. Much of what was noted then can still be observed now.

There are several behavior issues on display in this case study. One is that of disclosure and explanation. Another is the list of allegations in the proposed motion. These allegations contain no substance or support and are not explained in terms of the governance of the WBCCI. Rather than show respect and friendship and a common goal of improvement, they illustrate a hubris and expression of authority that has stimulated some vitriol in online forum discussions.

The reference to supervision and the undertaking of an authority that is not supported by proper agreement or delegation also give evidence of a behavior direction away from that expressed as proper by the WBCCI. The focus is on authority and supervision of the members rather than using the status as a representative of the membership to supervise the behavior and actions of the organization. That shows in the motion where the effort is to get rid of the SNU rather than fix the WBCCI governance and management that has imperiled the status and identity of the WBCCI.

Another example of not being mindful in behavior is in the mailing to each SNU member. The WBCCI Constitution specifies that communications be via the SNU officers. There is a reason for this. The SNU may be a subunit of the WBCCI but it is its own independent organization with its own members. It is improper for nonmembers to involve themselves with the internal affairs of any membership organization. Yes, the WBCCI, the IRS, and other entities may have requirements that the SNU must meet if it is to exist as a chartered tax exempt subunit of the WBCCI but that does not convey privileges for outsiders to interfere in internal affairs. This is an inherent identity characteristic of any organization and respecting the difference between the organization and the members is a critical part of civil behavior.

The history of WBCCI Trustees in this issue has not shown much concern for the purposes and values of the WBCCI as expressed in its Code of Ethics and its objectives.