Springtime is Coming!
As winter fades away and the days grow longer, we Airstreamers are itching to kick off or expand our camping season. With Airstream supplies packed, we’re ready to hit the road for some outdoor fun. There’s a buzz of excitement as we gather around campfires, swapping stories and soaking in the fresh air. For us, the start of camping season means reconnecting with nature and making memories that’ll last a lifetime.
For LaVerne and me, we’re off on a trip that includes “The Mothership” in Jackson Center, OH for our ACI International Board of Trustees Strategic Planning Meeting, joining the Arkansas Razorbacks Airstream Club at one of the ACI Club eclipse rallies (April 8th), attending an Urban Rally in Arkansas, staying at one of our favorite private campgrounds (The Range Vintage Trailer Resort in Ennis, TX), joining the Region 9 Rally in Bandera TX, and of course spending time along the way with our Airstream friends. Life Is Good.
“I’m Hearing a lot about Courtesy Parking – What is it?”
Our Airstream Club International Courtesy Parking program is a members-only benefit that connects members with roughly 900 Club hosts who offer overnight parking on their private property. This exclusive initiative fosters a tight-knit community of Airstream owners, providing convenient and comfortable accommodations as we travel and explore.
It’s available now to all Club members, but there’s room for improvement coming soon. Check out the Press Release: Harvest Hosts and Airstream Club International Join Forces to Revamp Their Courtesy Parking Program. More information is coming in the next few months, so stay tuned (also refer to the February Campfire Chat on our YouTube channel, which introduced the new program and answered member questions).
Website Menu Structure Changes
I’m pleased to let you all know our Club website (airstreamclub.org) has been updated to simplify the main menu, plus the addition of a “Leadership Portal” (sign-in required) that brings together all the forms, instructions, policies, bylaws needed by leaders in our Local Clubs, Regions and IBT.
Annual IBT Strategic Planning Meeting
I’m fond of describing our Club as consisting of two elements: the “Just Camping” side and the “Business” side of the Club, which provides the structure and sustainability to the “Just Camping” side. Who is involved in the “Business” side? Look around to the leaders in your Local Club/Unit, your Region, the Caravan Leaders, and the International Board of Trustees (IBT). It’s a lot of work sometimes, but I thank you for sharing your insight, skills, and time on the “Business” side – we all benefit from what you do, and our Club would not be possible without your contribution.
Current Club Strategic Priorities
- Internal Communications
- External Communications
- Welcome and Retain Members
- Infrastructure
- Training at all Levels
Upcoming International Rallies
- Signups are going strong for our Rally2024 in Sedalia, Missouri. So far, we have just over 1,200 Airstreams registered.
- Note: Check out the rally website (org/rally2024) about reserving group bike tours on the Katy Trail and the Missouri Quilt Shop Hop that you may want to incorporate into your trip plans.
- Rally2025: York, PA (August 2025)
- Rally2026: Tentatively Minot, ND (August 2026)
- Rally2027: Due to popular demand, “Back to Rock Springs,” WY (June 2027)
- Rally2028: Tentatively east of the Mississippi
That’s it for now!
Looking forward to seeing you all down the road, and let me know if you have ideas for our Club.
Eric McHenry
International President / BRN 153 // Amateur Radio callsign AA6EM
