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History: NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIT Martha Clark, Historian |
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The Northern Illinois Unit Established in 1964 |
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The Northern Illinois Unit was established January 24, 1964. The Wally Byam Caravan Club International, Inc., on that date granted and issued Northern Illinois Unit as Unit Charter as an affiliate member of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International Inc. The Unit thus charted became officially a division or branch of Wally Byam Caravan Club International Inc. Its members qualified on the above mentioned date as members of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International Inc.
Before the NIU became a charted member of the WBCCI they were members of the Midwest Unit in Indiana. The Midwest Unit was among a group of three Units founded after the original Western Unit making the Midwest Unit among the oldest within the WBCCI. The Midwest Unit was charted November 1956. The original five core states to form the Midwest Unit were Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. By the fall of 1958 the Midwest Unit consisted of nine states Wisconsin, Illinois. Michigan, Indiana, Ohio. Kentucky, Iowa Missouri and Minnesota.
Eventually each state formed their own units although they were called Chapters, but in time became Units. Today there are 44 Units in the original nine states. In May of 1962, four Units were formed in the State of Illinois, three remain - Southern Illinois Unit, Lincoln Land Unit, Northern Illinois Unit.
At 2007 the Northern Illinois Unit is a 44 year member within the organization of the WBCCI. Numerical Regions were later founded and our Unit is now within Region five of the WBCCI. Northern Illinois Unit had several home locations, Olympia County club and at the Moose Range Sycamore Campground before settling at the 4-H Center Fairgrounds in Amboy, Illinois.
In 1963 the first President of the Unit was LT. COL. Earl Wilson. Since then the Unit had had 45 Presidents. The Current President for 2008 - 2009 is Norm White and the First Vice President is Carol Dixon. Immediate past President is Bob Whitesell. The longevity of our Unit reflects a successful effort from our past and present Presidents and members.
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FROM THE ARCHIVES: Historian Martha Clark clarkooij@aol.com |
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Without Wally Byam We would not have WBCCI and we would not make history together |
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Past President and past First Lady Richard and Phyllis Harold. They served the NIU in 1983, 25 years ago |
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Our present Leadership |
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First Lady Sharon White and President Norm White |
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First Vice President Dixon Carol |
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The Northern Illinois Unit of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International is absolutely about having fun using your Airstream RV product. Our unit provides unique opportunities to meet people and develop friendships. Belonging to our unit guarantees that you and your Airstream will not remain stored or parked somewhere.
Each year the unit offers about six weekend rallies: Three rallies take place at our home base in Amboy and three are in state or private campgrounds. Once a year our unit has a annual caravan traveling to the International Rally, and once a year we also travel to attend the Region 5 Rally. When the weather turns cold we retain and encourage connections with each other through three annual luncheons.
Long lasting friendships, fellowship, adventure, joy in traveling, and members becoming involved in the club is what knits members tightly together in our unit. Any one who is interested is welcome to experience this wonderful club of the WBCCI -- Northern Illinois.
Our unit is diverse in several ways. We have older members, retirees, working people and young children. We are also diverse in our politics, socio-economic and religious expressions. This diversity brings different talents to the table, we all benefit. This diversity is represented by about 103 members and associate members.
Check out our activity schedule to see what’s going on in 2009. Check out the newsletter for reviews of some of our past and present events by checking the Links section of the unit web site, explore the unit web site. Visit WBCCI.org directly to find out more about the WBCCI’s history and foundation.
If you are in the area of the Northern Illinois and are looking for a few more reasons to use your Airstream trailer or Airstream motor home -- look no further -- come and join us. We are a friendly bunch.
A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step (Chinese Proverb)
http://northernillinois.wbcci.net/ Martha Clark: Historian clarkooij@aol.com
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Northern Illinois Unit 038
of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International ______________________________________________
About Us |
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