LETTER TO THE MEMBERSHIP

Written by Ron Schmitt, Illinois Chapter “G” Rep

            I’ve been reading articles from Iowa Chapter “L” in the WOTR since the Chapter was formed.  It sounds like they are keeping busy and having a good time as a part of AGWA, and are taking advantage of the differences between AGWA and the “Other” clubs.  I’m glad they enjoyed our idea of a rally, where you meet up with old and new friends and tour different parts of the country and have a lot of fun with people who become like family in a short while.  In the “Other” club you walk around in the hot sun for a few days looking at the same vendors and possibly not seeing anybody you even know.  They picked up quickly about the difference between how the two clubs operate.  This can be summed up easily.  The “Other” club has Chapter DIRECTORS.  They direct people where you go, what you participate in, what you wear, and what your jobs will be within the chapter, whether you want them or not.  Rules come down to the members from a board of directors like a business corporation.  If members don’t like something, they’ll have a hard time changing it.  AGWA, on the other hand,  has Chapter REPRESENTATIVES.  They can take ideas or suggestions to the State Director, who will present them to the general membership through the other State Directors.  If a majority wants to make a change, it will be done.  In this way, maybe not all members will be satisfied all of the time, but at least things are done by a majority vote.  This is the most fair way for a large group can be governed.  Tennessee Chapter “F” seems like they feel the same way since they joined up.

            One thing puzzles me though.  To my knowledge, AGWA is the only club that operates this way, being run by the members.  That being the case, I don’t know why our national membership is so low right now.  We need more members if we are going to survive.  I hope our Iowa “L” and Tennessee “F” members can explain these differences to more of their friends and acquaintances from the “Other” clubs and get them to give AGWA a try.  They would be as welcome as the flowers in May and find themselves in a friendly, laid back, family atmosphere instead of a dictatorship.  Our founders designed AGWA to be the way it is and I think they were right.  If more people knew what our club really is, they should want to join us for so many reasons.  It doesn’t sound as if Tennessee “F” and Iowa “L” are sorry they joined us.