President’s Message
By Jeff Jefcoat, F118344, National President
January 2002
As FMCA president, one area that I promise to apply my efforts toward is membership growth. Early in 2001, we introduced the FMCA North American Road Atlas & Travel Guide. Not only is this a very good road atlas, but it also highlights three favorite stopping spots for our members, namely Flying J Travel Plazas, Cracker Barrel restaurants, and Wal-Mart stores.
This atlas is yours free for the first new member you successfully recruit. After you have been awarded a road atlas for your recruitment efforts (either in 2001 or 2002; one atlas per family), you will receive a $5 coupon for each additional member you recruit. These coupons are good toward the purchase of merchandise at Camping World stores or may be redeemed for FMCA logo merchandise, which is available at FMCA conventions and some area rallies and soon will be available for order via the FMCA Web site and later in Family Motor Coaching magazine. And don’t forget that after you’ve recruited 100 members to FMCA, you’ll receive a pair of beautiful FMCA watches.
During the year, more than 50 percent of our new members joined us as a result of having been told about FMCA by an existing member, and this is the area where we are asking for your help. Imagine the possibilities if each FMCA member family introduced just one other family to FMCA.
You might be thinking, “All my motorhome friends are already FMCA members.” Stop and think further. Do you know any motorhome owner who is a NASCAR fan or a boat-racing fan? Someone who attends horse shows or dog shows in their motorhome? Do you know any motorhome owners who visit casinos or enjoy family outings to the beach in their homes on wheels? How about sports fans who enjoy tailgating at ball games? FMCA has benefits that any and all of those enjoying the above activities might need.
We’re continually reminded that the most cherished of all FMCA benefits is Family Motor Coaching magazine. Some of us enjoy attending rallies and conventions; some do not. Some of us like extended trips across this great land, and some prefer short trips that never take us too far from home. But all of us look forward to the Family Motor Coaching magazine that arrives every month of the year. Best of all, the subscription is free with your membership.
Another benefit that also is included with your membership at no additional cost is the MEDEX Plus program, which was just renewed through 2003. This emergency medical evacuation plan is one benefit you hope you never need, but if you do, it could be unbelievably beneficial.
These are just two of the many benefits afforded by your FMCA membership. The others are outlined in the Member Benefits Guide that appears starting on page 189 of this issue. Health factors know no limits on age; however, in our membership, health of one or both in a given family forces several hundred members a year to alter their enviable lifestyle of motorhoming.
How can you help the effort to continue to spread the word about FMCA among motorhome owners? Look around, find persons who own a motorhome, and sign them up as FMCA members. You’ll be glad you did, and they will be glad, too. I am counting on your help; please don’t let me down.
Jean and I wish for each of you a healthful and happy new year.
About The Cover Artist: Motorhome Murals Are His Passion
Artist Dave Knoderer created the inspiring painting that adorns this month’s cover especially for Family Motor Coaching magazine. Dave is better known to RVers as “Letterfly,” the mural artist who creates custom airbrushed designs on motorhomes and other vehicles.
A professional artist for more than 30 years, Dave has specialized in crafting custom designs on motorhomes since 1986. To date he has put his distinctive touch on more than 1,000 coaches. For the past three years, Dave has been the resident RV mural artist at Lazydays RV Supercenter in Seffner, Florida. Dave recently commented that the “residency” part of his current job is a welcome relief, since he had spent the previous nine years on the road pursuing his business.
Most of the murals he designs go on the rear of customers’ coaches, but Dave has designed special looks for the sides of motorhomes also, as well as coordinating artwork for towed cars, motorcycles, cargo trailers, and other vehicles. He noted that although patriotic themes have always been popular among motorhome owners, he’s been impressed with the new ideas that people have brought to him since the September 11, 2001, attacks on America. “I have had the privilege of creating artwork from mystical to mundane, whimsical to wanting, and fanciful to fearless. But never am I more proud of my profession than when I am asked to create art with a patriotic theme … especially now,” he said.
Prices for Dave’s rear motorhome murals range from $1,200 to $1,400, depending on the amount of detail involved. Smaller lettering and images are less expensive. For more information, contact Dave “Letterfly” Knoderer in care of Lazydays RV, 6130 Lazy Days Blvd., Seffner, FL 33584-2968; (800) 626-7800 (Lazydays); (813) 505-5539 (cell phone); (941) 379-5539.