12 February 1983

The 1983 meeting, hosted by the Southern Van Council - West was held at Sleepy Hollow Campground in Pumpkin Center, Louisiana. Representatives from Florida Van Council (FVC),

Southern Van Council West (SVCW), Alabama Van Association (AVA), Maryland Van Council (MVC), New England Van Council (NEVC), North Carolina/South Carolina Van Council (NC/SC VC) and Louisiana Van Association (LVA) were present.

Rick Wood of Southern Van Council chaired the meeting. The attendees introduced themselves. The minutes of the 1982 meeting were read and applauded.

SVCW reported about the same number of members as last year. SVCE reported a slight decline in membership to 7 clubs. NC/SC VC stated they had 7 clubs this year. FVC started the year with

27 Clubs, but expects the number to grow to about the same as last year. LVA membership was reported to be stable at 20 clubs. MVC membership was also stable at 40 Clubs. NEVC currently has 30 clubs and some of their clubs do allow pickups.

SVCE announced a decision to regroup and go by the name Alabama Vanners Association (AVA). They plan to keep Communications going through V.D. V.D. is their newspaper, Van Dispatch, to spread the word.

Skip Babin announced that they have inter-city events.

SVCW has 2 votes per Club and the combined block of independents is allowed 2 votes. AVA allows one vote per club. Rulings are made by majority vote of the members present. NEVC allows one vote per Club. It takes 3 vans, or pickups, to constitute a Club. Decisions are made by 2/3 majority vote of those members present. NC/SC only had 4 Clubs show up per meeting. No proxy votes are allowed. FVC noted that they allow one vote per club and stated that they have recently allowed independents to join. The independents have no vote and are not allowed to hold office. LVA (formed after the 1981 Council of Councils meeting) allows 2 votes per Club and 2 votes for the block of independents. They noted that the purpose of having two votes per club was to allow a split vote within the Club. MVC noted that they allow one vote per club and decisions are made by majority vote of the representatives present. If a Club misses 3 meetings or falls behind in dues they are dropped from the roster. Independents are not allowed. MVC have a lot of informal Clubs. Louisiana noted that some of the independents are more dependable than the Clubs.

It was noted that there is a Texas Van Federation.

SVCW has a point system that encourages participation in the meetings. This has created a lot better communication recently. LVA said the only way to build vanning up again is by getting the positive aspects of vanning in the media. LVA is planning to help out in the Special Olympics. MVC noted that there is a lot better communication because we have a lot more addresses to send information to. Central Florida Vans stated that they have a mall show annually and display their awards, etc. to the public. This gives them a chance to explain what vanning is all about and the person can have a chance to ask questions, This is a good way to communicate directly to people and explain what constitutes a truckin. MVC asked if all FVC events were family oriented, as some of theirs weren't, Judy said all FVC events were family oriented, but not after midnight. FVC noted that they keep their roster accurate by updates at each meeting to ensure that every club gets information. Texas noted that the communication can be improved by special flyers and communication by telephone, The correct telephone number is just as important as the correct address.

Rick announced that whoever is the news editor for a council has a thankless job but it may well be the most important.

NEVC has a directory of events booklet that comes out twice a year. This is yet another means of Communication.

It was noted that the economy has reduced the number of vans at events so the registration fee has had to go up. The major expenses of band and trophies stays the same, no matter how many vans show up. T.O. Wynne noted that the a club can make up their own plaques and trophies to cut expenses.

SVCW sanctioned 11 events in 1982. They do not sanction events hosted by pickup truck clubs, even though they may attend these events. LVA wants to keep their association for vans only. MVC has had a request to allow pickups and 4x4' s at sanctioned events. The consensus of the group was that the solution is to let the people in, but park the pickup or 4x4 at the gate. NEVC noted that they allow pickups at their events if they are members of a club.

LVA wanted to know how the councils handled Trans Vans. Are they vans or Campers? It seemed that the other councils didn't face that problem. Most of the councils allow pop-up campers, etc. as long as they are pulled by a van.

AVA proposed a universal pre-registration form to cut down on reproducing the same information over and over on flyers, etc. This will be discussed further in the afternoon meeting. It was also noted that flyers for events should include phone numbers at the Campground where a vanner could get emergency calls from home.

The vendors representative asked that the vendors fees be kept to a minimum and the number of vendors be limited to one or two vendors of a kind. NEVC noted that they are so tight that they have the same vendors at most of their events. Some events let the vendors in for a door prize commensurate with the number of people at the event.

LVA circulated a sheet, showing what proceeds went to charity, etc. That had been successful for them in getting sponsorships and promoting a good public image of vanning. LVA announced that they were very dissatisfied that the nationals would not allow pop-up Campers.

FVC announced that they were beginning to have problems with clubs bringing small cannons to the events. The suggestion was made to include a statement on the flyer that no firearms or fireworks are allowed. MVC stated that they would throw the whole club out of an event for that violation. Rick stated that the only noise he wanted to hear was a pop-top.

FVC made a motion to adjourn and the meeting was concluded.

February 12, 1983

Minutes were read from morning meeting.

In Rick’s absence Bill Atkins ass was on the spot. Below are listed Representative of Councils present:

Dave Pilon - F. V. C .

Jim Bellott – L. V. A,

Lauren Truitt - S. V. C. W.

Michael Elf Dagnese - New England Van Council

Steve Blankenship – N. C. & S. C. Van Council

Harvey Ricketts - Maryland Van Council

Don Hawkins - Alabama Van Association

Joe Spears - Rainbow Vans & Truckin club

Further questions of pick up trucks were brought up to each Council,

Mike Smith of F.U.G.M. Vans, Vice president of L.V.A. brought up a discussion of a Hot line for all Councils to help promote more vanning in other areas.

Maryland Van Council states that they meet once a month and talk amongst themselves as to who w will be attending future Van Rallies. Skip Babin of Crazy Cajun suggested all clubs and Councils belong to Van Directory especially all Vanners who have a positive attitude. F.V.C. stated that they send addresses and phone numbers to Camel, in California fairly often.

In N.E.V.C. six states get together and put on one truck-in and party as one Council.

Mike Baker brought up to the L.V.A. if out of state clubs would be able to join L.V.A.. Jimmy Bellotts answer was to join S.V.C.W. and as a member of the Council they would receive a newsletter. He also stated that they could pay L.V.A. fees to receive a newsletter.

It would cut down on newsletter size and cost. The reason for a Universal Form is to help cut down in cost of flyers and' newsletters. M.V.C. stated their Council does not flyers. F.V.C. stated that Truck-In Magazine puts out calendar of events.

Motion made by M.V.C. to adopt Universal form. Second by Dave Pilon F.V.C. Motion passed to print Universal Forms and use them when needed.

Jimmy Bellott stated to Bill Atkins, he wasn't sure if he was saying what he was saying.

M.V.C. stated that they are in contact with Camel all the time. Look for M.V.C. story next month on Support Council. M.V.C. writes for East Coast, Camel writes for West Coast.

Judy of F.V.C. said if there is any information that is needed send her a self-address envelope or give her a call after 5:30 PM or on weekends or write:

Clearing House

6148 Glen Barr Avenue

Orlando, F1a, 32809

Suggestions were made as to where to hold next council of Council. Alabama declines at this time. Maryland is too far for everyone. Dave Pilon asked that Florida be allowed to host next Council of Council. John Cunningham suggested Council of Council be kept in February because of it being before Van-Ins season starts. Dave Pilon of F.V.C. suggested it be held at a Hotel/Motel. Jimmy Bellott (L.V.A.) said Louisiana will go with the flow. Suggestion for it to be held at a campground was made by Ed Parks.

Mike Smith said anyone could stay at his house for Mardi Gras as long as they could sleep with his dog.

M.V.C. suggested putting your club and Council information in the Vanpoon. You only get out of it what you put in it.

N, E. V. C. passed out information sheets for their area with directory information.

Discussion of difference on Van-In and Truck-In. M.V.C. explained back in early 70's Rocky Mountain Vans stated all of them as Truck-Ins.

Everyone wanted Mike Bakers "Mikie-Burgers."

Crazy Cajuns has a dance February 18, 1983. Ebony has dance tonight in New Orleans, LA. Ebony's Van-In is June 25, 26, & 27 at Frenchman’s Wilderness Campground, Butte LaRose, La.

Meeting has been adjourned.

COUNCILS ADDRESSES