Exactly why I put myself for my avatar "profile pic". After going to Keystone and recognizing Matchstick from his, I came home and did the same. I would likely have never made the connection otherwise!

Sorry Ken. I haven't made it on lately! I like the idea. A database with searchable fields and a "profile" picture for recognition I think would be ideal. BUT fortunately, as was mentioned, a great deal of long-time vanners do not have (or want, or care, etc!) internet access. It will unfortunately be up to us regular users to track and update many (if not most) vanners' information. I often look at last activity date on here for people, but that doesn't mean that they've stopped vanning. I know a few people that just don't care for the site.

Given all that, is it a good idea? I think so! Is it a lot of work? Yes. Will it be used to its potential? Only time will tell. I don't think we can automatically expect it to work, but I could only hope it would not be a wasted effort. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

And I do suspect that the younger vanners are more computer savvy and may pick up on it more readily. Perhaps it will even gain us a few more interested youngsters if it is widely searchable. Then again, with our ugly mugs, maybe it will scare them off!

And more importantly, given this conversation, if it is of any interest, I know that Performance has been talking about a "Vanner Registry" for a couple years now. A suggestion was a "card" that linked you to the register, similar to like a "social security card of vanning". So, say if you're an East Coast'er and you make it to the West Coast, you'd get an easy welcome if they know you are not some schmoe off the street, and are truly the "real deal". There are a lot of people out there that are questionable and it sucks that we have to be so careful to not let unsavory people who are just looking for a party to get drunk and cause trouble spoil our good time. In these days it sucks we have to protect our way, and I'm sure that's what's causing the reluctance to invite new members. But we can always hope for improvement!

Damn that's a long post! Well, really if there's anything I can do to help with the database or if you'd like more about Performance's ideas, let me know.

Gee whiz. I never thought of that. Not many places keep parts for earlys in stock.....but I know some vanners that do. That would be really useful to know who you could call for he help.
That would also be great for long road trips…. Figure out who is in the travel path and what yards you could park in.


I would have to agree with you. Sketchy people suck! But how do we sort the rejects from the people we would want around. It is a very ironic problem. IMHO, the trusting of “outsiders” has been and still is the leading contributing factor to the decline of the vanning movement over the last few decades. I get the impression that the community doesnt seem comfortable letting outsiders in, yet we sit around scratching our heads wondering why vanning nearly died out (Litterally). It is indeed a pickle….
I’ll be honest, new people that I don’t know sketch me out. : - )

Maybe a way to weed people out would be to have a probationary period or at least three or more evants?. Maybe the requierement that you actually drive a van and drive it to evants? I know that I had more fun at keystone and Summerset then at Freezeout because there were more puppies at Freezeout and the other two had an older attendence (no offense) And not that I didnt have fun at Freezeout, it was just louder and rowdier. But maybe the older people were just the same way when they started? Not sure what the point I am trying to make, but I know its there somewhere!

Oh Boy!.....Geezer Truck-ins! Geritol & Walkers Only!

"It was just louder and rowdier. But maybe the older people were just the same way when they started?"

Thats what I would like to believe :-)

Well, actually, Freezeout only had maybe 4 puppies this year. Last year , I think it was more like 10 puppies. I think it was louder because we were all in Free Bird's big hootch and had the heater going and TV and DVD player going and of course, lots of partying going on. Even at Keystone, Free Bird's campsite always seemed to have a "full house" all week long or at Big Bob's place. Party goers go where the noise is. We did have alot of the younger generation there but alot of them are part of the Free Bird Club. I know that Wizard and I always have a great time no matter where we are. That's part of socializing. Yes I have to admit though, it did get crowded in there and loud in there but I guess that is just part of it. As long as everyone goes vanning, socializes and has a great time, that's all that matters. Hope to see you back at Freeze Out 2011 and let's hope it won't be as cold.

What U say? wait leme turn up the hearin aid! opps LMAO

sounds like agrea idea ken but alt of work hard part would be for people keep you updated

Like this one Downie ???

http://www.vannationalsboard.org/emergency%20contact%20vanners.pdf

Judith Pilon of the Natz board is putting that together for quite a while now....