[VAC] Re: A Modest Proposal

[Sarah Calhoun]

Jim, I may have gotten ahead of the ball a little bit.  I was assuming that the group would somehow have to report on assets, which may (or may not) include assets in the form of time donations.  I was also envisioning this in relation to owning a piece of property and an operating business, which of course is only my fantasy and probably impractical in relation to what Tuna proposed, which was a more informal process altogether.  But I believe we would have to have some kind of structure to hold the ownership of the trailers while they were being restored, and for the ongoing management of the purchasing/restoring fund.  I don't know if the WBCCI would be able/willing to take on that task as well as all the club functions. In terms of initial donation, I would be willing to make a contribution (not necessarily "sizable" but not neglible either) to the fund, and/or there may be people who would donate trailers they have despaired of working on, in the interest of getting them back on the road. --Sarah Jim Greene wrote: Tuna, the proposal would require some up front money to get the ball rolling. Any idea what that would be? I didn't exactly follow the distinction that Sarah made between donations of money and donations of time. I guess I missed something. Are the VAC members who might elect to participate in the restoration by providing services to be compensated? I didn't see any mention of that. My impression was that everything (time and money) would be a donation to/for the VAC. Jim Greene'68 Tradewind ----- Original Message ----- From: Robert C Townsend To: Multiple recipients of VACList Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2001 14:08 Subject: [VAC] A Modest Proposal  I'd like to share an idea that occurred to me while remembering Bill Scott:That the VAC membership consider establishing a small fund in Bill's name for the 'rescue' and restoration of rare and unusual vintage Airstreams, in the following manner: 1) 'Candidate' Airstreams (I would argue that Bowlus-Teller trailers and Curtiss-Wright trailers built during Wally Byam's tenure be considered) be located and brought to the attention of the general VAC membership2) 'Candidates' are evaluated as to rarity, purchase price, and restorability3) A provisional budget/restoration plan drawn up4) The VAC membership vote to approve/deny the project5) The purchase of the Airstream, and transport to the first phase restoration site Now for the fun part - the restoration would be carried out under the direction of the entire membership, with the subject land yacht to be moved among various members according to their proximity, willingness, availability, and ability to carry out such repairs as are needed. Parts, materials, supplies, and labor to be provided by the membership. Upon completion, the restored Airstream would be brought to the next WBCCI Rally to be 'unveiled' and displayed with complete documentation of the restoration process. Following this, it would be sold/auctioned, and the proceeds returned to the Bill Scott Vintage Airstream Rescue and Restoration Project. What do y'all think? TunaWBCCI #8862/VACReno, NV