MINUTES OF THE 1989 COUNCIL OF COUNCILS MEETING

The 1989 Council of Councils meeting was held at the Holiday Inn Central Park in Orlando, Florida on February 18, 1989. The meeting was called to order at 9:50 by John Cunningham, Secretary of the Florida Van Council. The Florida Van Council officers were then introduced as follows:

Minutes of the 1988 Council of Councils meeting in Detroit, Michigan were read and approved.

Coop requested that two people from the host Council take the minutes for future meetings. He felt that past minutes did not do justice to the content of the meeting.

John then introduced Jim McCleaf, a member of the Council of Councils Board to present a summary of the bids for the 1990 Council of Councils meeting. Jim introduced Steve Sharperson, the newest member of the Council of Councils board as well as Brian Walker (PoorMan), Bob Rowland, and John Cunningham. He then noted that the following questions were posed to all bidding councils:

The following councils submitted bids for the 1990 meeting.

Wisconsin Van Council Southern Van Council

Missouri Van Council Southern California Van Council

Maryland Van Council Southern Ohio Van Council

Jim McCleaf then announced that the board appreciated the bid by Southern California Van Council but as they had never before attended a Council of Councils meeting the bid was rejected.

Judith Pilon then gave the results of the survey sent to all registered councils prior to the meeting. Of the 24 councils present, only nine had responded to the questionnaire. Judith noted that the survey questions were taken from previous Council of Councils meeting minutes and seemed to be the main issues of concern of all councils. In the future more response is needed to make the survey worthwhile. Results of the survey are attached.

The tabulation of votes for the 1990 Council of Councils* meeting was completed. The 1990 meeting will be held in Dallas, Texas. The annual "pass-along" plaque was then given to the Southern Van Council who will be the Host of next years meeting.

John then asked for volunteers to act as a clearing house for area events. The volunteers are listed below:

If you wish to have your event publicized, send a flyer to these people to have it included in their newsletters. Likewise if you are interested in events anyplace in the country write to them. They send their newsletters all over the nation.

OPEN DISCUSSION:

First introduced under open discussion was the Southern California Van Council. They requested that everyone who is hosting an event or has an ongoing newsletter to send it to their council as they have many members who will travel long distances. Send them to Tom Chronister, 89 Vista del Golfo, Long Beach, CA 90803.

Ontario Federation of Vanners noted they had sent a newsletter to Jeff Johnston, a free lance writer and photographer, and excerpts from their newsletter were published in the March issue of Truckin magazine. They encouraged everyone to write letters protesting the fact that the magazine has had very little van coverage for the past several years.

Joe Madonia stated the last 15 issues had no van coverage. He feels we are wasting our time trying to get coverage in Truckin. We should start our own vanning magazine. Desperado noted that Truckin publishes all event schedules that we send to them free of charge.

Judith reed part of a letter from Jeff Johnston, pertaining to the subject of very little van coverage in Truckin. Jeff said the following. What can an individual do? You're not going to want to hear it, but writing to the various editors is the most effective action to take. I can't speak for every publication, but at Truckin, they read every letter, and it doesn't take many to indicate a trend. The last time I spoke to them, I was told: "We’re kind of surprised, we're getting alot of letters from vanners these days. Some of them are still reading us."

It was then noted that Diamond-P Sports sponsors "Truck-In USA". They are looking to air and/or publish articles about vanning events on the Nashville Network. They are looking for volumes of written materials and especially photos. If interested send anything you have to Diamond-P, 11230 Castanso St. Dept. TR, Woodland Hills, CA 91364. This is a chance to get the coverage that we are all looking for. It’s up to you to use it. Notify them of your upcoming events. Let’s spread the word about vanning,

The Ontario Federation then mentioned that it is extremely costly in both time and money for the Council of Councils and the Nationals to be held in the same area. National Reps must forfeit time and money to attend both, while those in the immediate area get a years "free ride", Brooklyn Vans then argued that the NATS and Council of Councils was a "luck of the draw." Those clubs who travel long distance this year may get a break next year.

Brooklyn brought up the fact that airfares were extremely high this time of year and asked if this could this be taken into consideration when booking the time of the event. It was noted that postponing this years Council of Councils meeting would have run into "Spring Break" and prices would be higher than ever. The meeting is held in the beginning of February so that the word can get out to all about the events for the coming year.

Rocky Mountain Vans suggested a standard fee be charged for trailers, i.e. one dollar per foot. After some discussion it was the general consensus that the fee be left up to the host club as different campgrounds charge different rates for the trailers.

Colorado Vans them noted that there is an error on the map to the 1989 Nationals. STATE ROUTE 41 SHOULD READ 91. Please make a note of this on your flyers.

It was announced that the Texas Van Federation won the 1990 Nats bid. July 12-15, 1990 are the dates. It will be held on 350 acres on Lake Tawakoni, 1 1/2 hours drive NE of Dallas off I-30.

Joe Madonia them mentioned that he corresponds periodically with the Van clubs in England and encouraged others to do the same. If you are interested in subscribing to their Newsletter $10.00 American - for a year. Write them, they love hearing form us. Contact Joe for details and addresses. Joe's address is 16924 Winston, Detroit, MI 48219

Brian Walker (PoorMan) has begun assembling a Council of Councils booklet. It will have club histories, council histories, addresses, etc. Please check with Brian and make sure your information is up to date and correct. If you want to be included in this publication make sure you get your information to Brian.

John Cunningham then initiated a round table introduction of all attendants at the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned.

COUNCIL OF COUNCIL MAILING LIST

1989