I'll throw my .02 in here.
The Fun Caravan is CTB's monthly ride for September. It has traditionally been for members and guests only, as are all our monthly rides, not a public event. Guests of members are always welcome on, even encouraged, on our monthly rides and anyone interested in the club is welcome to join us! This is not to keep us private or exclusive, it's just the way most clubs operate.
Just as CNC had a workday/ride at the Rock Corps property a week ago or as The Muddevils are going to Harlan next weekend, there wasn't a general, public invitation for all to attend. Otherwise it wouldn't be a club
This year for the first time in 10 years, CTB has a new Fun Caravan director, Dylan W. Anyone associated with this forum knows how Dylan likes to operate .......... BIG! Part of Dylan's talent is promotion, hence his natural selection as the new director of CTB's annual club fund raiser event. And in his desire to make this a BIG event, remember, he likes to do things BIG, he encouraged the CTB BOD to open the event to the public, both as a means of spreading the fun as well as as a way to promote membership growth. Dylan is excited about CTB and the event, wants to make it available for everyone to enjoy and in the process increase our ability to help fund SFWDA, other 4x4 causes and to benefit individuals in need of financial help.
I can definitely see how his appeal might be taken as "come support our club financially" but in reality he had to beg the BOD to open it to the general public. His desire and goal is that others might experience the fun and fellowship that he has experienced as a member of CTB!