The History of the Gulf Streamers International RV Club
The Gulf Streamers International RV Club is sponsored by and is a division of Gulf Stream Coach, Inc. The Gulf Streamers club's early beginnings dated back in late 1985 with an organizational gathering of some Gulf Stream owners in Punta Gorda, Florida. They met to determine the feasibility and interest in forming a national Gulf Stream travel club. The consensus of those in attendance determined the fate of what in 1987 was officially organized as the Gulf Streamers International RV Club.

The first rally was held in Orlando, Florida, in February 1987. The primary function of this first rally was to organize and form the International club, elect officers and adopt a Constitution and Bylaws. To serve during 1987, Harrel Stovall was elected to serve as President with Helen Saczynski as Secretary, John Saczynski as Treasurer and Burr Gray, as an ex-officio representative of Gulf Stream Coach, Inc. With much success and over 150 members in attendance, the Gulf Streamers were on their way.

The second rally was held in Mackinaw City, Michigan and was chaired by Julia and Vern Scott and Ray Eller. Over 240 members and guests were in attendance. Expanding in numbers and with success at hand, the Gulf Streamers were soon in need of a formal operating headquarters and staff.

In 1988, Recreational Club Management Inc., (RCMI), a leadership organization for recreational associations, became the International Office for the Gulf Streamers club. Staffed by full-time personnel, their responsibilities included general administration, planning and direction for the organization and its activities, and the formation of the Main Stream newsletter. RCMI formally began their involvement with the club in time for an introduction at the third rally, held in San Antonio, Texas.

The third rally, chaired by Evelyn and Rudy Tilley with support from Val and Bob Quiggle and Carole and Leonard Smith, was ready to roll. And San Antonio soon became a success as well. With membership on the rise, plans were soon in the making for a fourth event to be held in Nashville, Tennessee. The Gulf Streamers International RV Club, now under formal organization, began International events (such as caravans and rallies) four times a year and published the Main Stream newsletter on a quarterly basis as we continue to do today.

With the reorganization of the Gulf Streamers headquarters came the continued success of various fun-filled rallies and caravan adventures. Harrel and Jo Ann Stovall, the club's founding organizers, took on a new roll as International Events Managers for the club. The International Events Managers work with dealers to start new local chapters. They also assume the responsibility as wagonmasters for all International rallies and caravans to oversee and execute all activities planned by the International Office. When Harrel and Jo Ann retired in 1993, Charles and Doris Peters became the International Events Mangers leading the club through years of tremendous growth. In 1999, Charles and Doris retired and turned the reins over to Les and Jean Potteiger, our current International Events Managers.

In November, 1991, Gulf Stream Coach, Inc. hired Diana Lynch to take the club through another growth phase and to also manage this growth right here at Gulf Stream Coach, Inc. in Nappanee, Indiana. Diana worked as the International Director of the Gulf Streamers Club until 1999. In September 1999, Diana was blessed with a little girl, Kristina, and made the decision to pursue motherhood full time. Laura Turley, the club's rally coordinator took over the International Director reins in 1999.

In May of 2003, Linda Wells, who had been with the club for many years, decided to leave for a new job opportunity. In June of 2003, Laura Turley resigned to take care of her new daughter, Evelyn. Both were appreciated and will be missed! In 2003, a new Gulf Streamers staff took the reins, Bonnie J. Cooper, Jennifer Shaw and Leslie Bloom. Listed below is an introduction to the Gulf Streamers staff.

Introduction and explanation of Gulf Streamers Staff:

• Bonnie Cooper, International Club Director, Researches and organizes rallies, contacts dealer and vendors for sponsorship, attends International Rallies
  Contact Info: 800-289-8787 Ext 3664 gulfstreamers@gulfstreamcoach.com

• Les & Jean Potteiger, Wagonmasters & International Events Managers, Researches and organizes rallies & caravans, attends International Rallies, Chapter Rallies (as schedule permits), assists with start of new Chapters, leads caravans and camps with group at rally locations.
  Contact Info: 540-220-7649 lpotteiger@aol.com

• Jennifer Shaw, Membership Coordinator, new member sign-up, renewals, address changes, member numbers, streamwear orders, rally application processing and payments, maintains and updates the Gulf Streamers website.
  Contact Info: 800-289-8787 Ext 3067 jshaw@gulfstreamcoach.com

• Leslie Bloom, Chapter Coordinator, contact for chapter info, door prizes and dinner sponsorship for chapter rallies, Main Stream publications, and Gulf Streamers cookbook.
  Contact Info: 800-289-8787 Ext 3019 lbloom@gulfstreamcoach.com