1993 COUNCIL OF COUNCILS MEETING
Marriot's Seaview Golf Resort
Atlantic City, New Jersey
February 6, 1993

Brian Walker called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM and welcomed the reps. He noted that the hotel management had requested that this be a no smoking meeting. He also noted that there would be a new format for this meeting, with the reps seated at the tables up front. Lynn Harmonson made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the last meeting and approve the minutes as published in Vanning Now.

Brian introduced the Council of Councils Board and noted that Jim McCleaf was sick. Brian introduced Jeanie, from the host council, who welcomed the reps and introduced the New Jersey Van Council, host council for the 1993 meeting.

The reps introduced themselves during roll call. There were 30 councils in attendance.

Brian read bids to host the 1994 Council of Councils meeting. There were two bids. Southern Ohio Van Council made a bid for Cincinnati, Ohio for February 4-6, and Heart Of America Van Council made a bid for Kansas City, Missouri for February 11-14. Ballots were then passed out and Heart Of America Van Council won the bid for the 1994 meeting.

During the NATS discussion Lynn Harmonson noted that he would like the NATS board to get the results of the meeting they had last night to Vanning Now. The NATS board noted that the first 15 minutes of their meeting is set aside to hear complaints from anyone who couldn't get with their area rep, or anyone who feels uncomfortable talking with their area rep, or anyone who just wants to discuss a problem or idea with the board. The only bid for the NATS was from out west.

Bob Rowland of VAM gave an update on this years NATS. There are 237 pre-reg to date and they are coming in at a rate of 2 or 3 per day. The earliest you can get in to the warmup party is 3 PM on Sunday afternoon. Joe Madonia noted that the NATS itself begins Thursday. He also noted that you shouldn't show up for the warmup party Friday night and whine to the host club that you can't get in until Sunday at 3. Also, fires must be contained above ground. There are about 20 men's and 20 ladies showers. The closest major airport is D.C., Charlottesville has a commercial airport about 40 miles away. There will not be a rent-a-van class for the show-and-shine. There will be a movie room set up for teenagers. The movie room will be closed during the kid's games and, after 8 PM, will be for teenagers only. There will be a carnival with 2 adult rides and 3 kids rides. There will be a curfew for kids. Also, no bike riding and no skateboards. Age 16 is considered an adult & has to pay adult prices, so they will not have a curfew. The van show will be outside the fence, and open to the public. The carnival will be inside the fence. Chicago asked VAM to provide information on the local radio station types
(station & type of music, etc.).

SCHEDULED TOPICS

Northwest Van Council brought up the issue of some people's disregard for property, such as, dropping beer cans on the floor instead of in the trash can. One suggestion was for the host club to provide rakes for the clubs so they could rake up the cans. Spodie of New Jersey noted that lots of clubs are recycling and vanners should support that effort. Howard Furtak said that it is up to us to educate those people who litter. A suggestion was made that the host club distribute garbage containers throughout the campground, rather than centralize them at one location. It was also noted that we should keep the bathrooms clean.

Van Club Association of Michigan noted that ice is not always available inside the campground. They also noted a need for better security. They have seen stuff taken off their vans. It was suggested that we watch out for each other. When at an event get to know your neighbors at the next campsite.

Midwest noted a problem with unsupervised kids. Some parents turn the kids loose at the gate and just say, "Don't forget, we leave Sunday at noon." A comment was also brought up about keeping pets under control.

Corn Belt Van Council and Colorado Van Council suggested holding the NATS during the week. Both had sent letters to the Council of Councils and the NATS board. Their idea was to start the NATS on Tuesday and end on Friday. That way you use less vacation time and have a weekend to get there and a weekend to return on. Corn Belt noted that, the way it is, you have to take two weeks of vacation to attend the NATS.
Several concerns about the proposal were:
1 - In case of East Coast to West Coast (or vice versa) would have to drive two long-distance weekends in a row.
2 - First time vanners wouldn't want to try a mid-week event.
3 - The majority (60%) of those attending an event are within a 6 hour drive.

At this point it was noted that the hand-held, wireless microphone being used, so that everyone in the meeting room could hear the speaker, was a great improvement.

There was a long discussion regarding flags (Swastika, Confederate, etc.) at the NATS (or any other event). Spodie said we should use a little judgement and ask nicely for people to take down offensive flags, etc. The response was that the individuals were told nicely to take down the flag, or leave. At this point Howard pointed out how far we have come and we need to have respect for our neighbors.

It was suggested that we keep the NATS in areas that will provide strong attendance. Chris Paige said that if you don't try other areas than the northeast how do you know what the attendance will be. The important thing is not how many attended, but how much fun the ones who attended had. Also, moving the NATS around gives folks a chance to see other parts of our great country. It was pointed out that it doesn't matter where the NATS is, just be sure its based on a good bid by someone who can deliver what the bid says.

It was requested that a van be defined (as far as entrance to the NATS is concerned) and enforced. Howard said that it is difficult to come up with a definition. For instance, some of the new minivans coming out are called vans, yet they look a lot like a car.

Midwest Van Council suggested we have a stamp of approval as a way to provide information on whether Event A is better than Event B. HOAVC noted that, given a choice, they go to the "sanctioned" event. It was noted that a lot of councils don't sanction events. Also, in some cases, "sanctioned" just means that the host club belongs to a council and automatically gets sanctioning. One rep said that the best way is to let the market place handle it. If it turns out to be a bad event, then don't go back next time.

New Jersey said we need guidelines for regulation of vendor fees. Wisconsin said that you can't please all the vendors all the time. Joe Madonia said that a lot of host clubs are charging too large a vendor fee for the amount of vans in attendance. Desperado said that we just need to use a little common sense.

The NATS board read the minutes from the meeting they had last night.
 1. By a 9 to 0 vote, the meetings will be closed to the public.
 2. The minutes of the Friday night meeting will be read at the Council of Councils meeting on Saturday.
 3. The Show N Shine topic will be discussed during the Saturday evening meeting of the NATS board.
 4. NATS contract to be signed before the end of the C of C meeting.
 5. Has the NATS been in your state.
 6. Friday night meeting will be held at 6:30 PM before the Council of Councils meeting on Saturday.
 7. Minutes of the meetings will be kept.
 8. Meetings at the NATS will be held Friday at 11 AM.
 9. Corn Belt's letter was discussed.
10. Discussed the warmup party letter by Fast Lane. The warmup party is not part of the NATS, therefore, it is not within the NATS board jurisdiction.

It was noted that we should keep working towards nationwide communication. Harmonson said that every single vanner should subscribe to VANNING NOW, and the Council of Councils does a great job. Ontario Federation of Vanners said everyone should run an ad in their newsletter supporting VANNING NOW.

New Jersey said we need insurance for the Council of Councils meeting. The hotel has insurance, but make sure rider covers the Council of Councils attendees and the host from liabilities. Howard noted that could be a real consideration if you give away free beer and someone gets into an accident.

After the lunch break it was noted that Stone City Street Vans had to rush off bus and their banner is missing. Please return. It was also noted that one of Midwest vanners lost his glasses.

Quinton, of the Florida Van Council, thanked everyone who attended the Pajama Party last night (to a round of applause).

Southern Van Council noted that they have a standard of van judging defined, but there's none in the East. It would be nice to have a standardized system. Howard said that the NATS board would try to standardize guidelines for CLASSIFICATION ONLY. They're shooting for the next NATS, not Virginia. Greater New York asked that classifications be published in VANNING NOW.

New Jersey (this years host council) suggested that each council pay a fee or donation to cover the correspondence and phone calls, etc. associated with putting on a Council of Councils meeting. Howard noted that the NATS board raffled off a quilt to cover their expenses and the Council of Councils might consider a similar method.

New Jersey suggested that we have elections and limit the time a person can serve on the NATS board and the Council of Councils board. They should have more members, less coverage. Joe Madonia explained that NATS board members are NOT council reps. They provide applications for NATS and investigate sites. There are currently 9 reps and 9 alternates.

Brian said the Council of Councils board is similar to the NATS board to provide some order and continuity to the annual meeting. There was a problem back in 1987 with the meeting. Bob Rowland sent out a letter to ALL the councils stating that we had to set up a board to avoid future problems. Only a handful of councils showed up at the meeting, and those councils had the say in how the board was set up. FVC set the board up and it is self-perpetuating. There are guidelines for the operation of the board and for replacement of board members.

Midwest Van Council said they want to see more local information in the truck-in "bibles". They would like to have a clear map of the area, and useful information about facilities, welding shops, etc.

A.L.I.V.E. noted that there are two important new laws in Illinois that could affect vanners traveling through:
1 - Mandatory proof of insurance. $500 fine if you don't have it.
2 - Drinking and driving with a minor in the car is a felony.

It was noted, in response to a question, that there are only 2 reps per council allowed at the tables up front.

Doc, from New England Van Council, asked that everyone at the Council of Councils meeting have a name tag so we all know who each other is.

There was a round of applause for the New Jersey Van Council for hosting on this years meeting.

Raoul discussed the Vanner's Yearbook. There are photos from over 100 clubs, events, etc. He brought the proofs with him. The book won't be done until next week. Profits will go to Rocky Mountain Vans to continue supporting vanning. There are 450 clubs registered, worldwide, in the book – vanning isn't dead.

Suds City Vans suggested that you try to get van show on public access cable TV. It doesn't cost that much; the one in Milwaukee is free. This is a good way to show what vanning is about and possibly get new members.

A few more NATS topics came up. In Virginia you can only buy booze from the State Store (ABC, for Alcohol Beverage Commission) from 9 AM till 7 PM. There will be no 50/50 raffles at the NATS. Instead, come up with a carnival-type game on the midway (dunking booth, etc.) and you can't give away booze at the game. If you want to do a game you need to let VAM know by March 31.

A.L.I.V.E. requested vendors name and address of "Moon Child". In case your van is ever in an accident and the artwork needs to be repaired, how can you find the vendor's local address?

Cookie Monster asked to run puppy game at this years NATS.

Newsletter editor asked about updates to NATS. If they wait until VANNING NOW comes out, the information too late.

Brian said Council of Councils board had some reservations about the new format of the meeting, but it worked out great. If it works this well at a large meeting, it will work anywhere.

Jeanie passed out plaques to the reps who attended this years meeting.

The party this evening will be in the main dining room. House rule: leave coolers in your room. Patronize the cash bars.

There was a motion to adjourn and the meeting was concluded at 3:30 PM.

ATTENDEES AT THE 1993 COUNCIL OF COUNCILS MEETING
 1. A.L.I.V.E
 2. NSVA - Britain
 3. Southeast Virginia Van Council
 4. New York Van Council
 5. Northeast Van Council
 6. Midwest Van Council
 7. Hoosier Van Congress
 8. Southern Ohio Van Council
 9. NC/SC Van Council
10. Southern Van Council
11. Northwest Van Council
12. Northern California Van Council
13. Southern California Van Council
14. M.O.V.E. (newsletter)/ Corn Belt Van Council
15. British Columbia
16. H.O.A.V.C.
17. Colorado Van Council
18. New York Van Council
19. Wisconsin Van Council
20. Ontario Federation of Vanners
21. Maryland Van Council
22. West Lake Erie Van Council
23. Florida Van Council
24. Pennsylvania Van Council
25. Van Club Association of Michigan
26. Northeast Ohio Van Congress
27. New Jersey Van Council
28. Greater New York Van Council
29. Texas Van Federation
30. Colorado Van Council