President’s Message
By R.G. Wilson, F21025
National President
October 2003
This was one of those unusual years for FMCA in terms of the national officer election that was held during the Governing Board meeting in Buffalo, New York, in that only one incumbent was running for the four available offices. National president Jeff Jefcoat, L118344, decided not to seek re-election because of health reasons. June Davis, F158928, completed her third and final term as secretary, so she could not be a candidate for that office. Connie Pool, F140306, the only incumbent, ran for treasurer. After hearing about Jeff’s decision, I decided to run for the office of president, thereby leaving the office of senior vice president without an incumbent.
A candidates’ forum was held during FMCA’s 69th International Convention in Pomona, California, this past March, and another forum took place at the 70th International Convention in Buffalo, New York, prior to the Governing Board meeting. These forums were well attended and beneficial to the national directors and voting delegates in determining the qualifications of the eight candidates who ran for the four offices.
The election of officers is usually the last item on the agenda of the Governing Board meeting, which was scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, July 16 and 17. The meeting went so smoothly that we finished handling almost all business except the elections on Wednesday, so the election took place on Thursday morning. Connie Pool was re-elected as treasurer; Ginger Painter, F23514, was elected secretary; Don Moore, F154921, was elected senior vice president; and I was elected president.
The newly elected officers assumed their duties at the annual membership meeting on the last day of the convention. We held our first Executive Board meeting on the day after the convention and took care of the usual housekeeping items involved in transferring duties. The other major item of business was the confirmation of presidential appointments to the various FMCA committees for the 2003-2004 year. As you may know, FMCA is a committee-driven organization. Most changes in policies, procedures, and member benefits come through recommendations from our committees. Almost all changes and major decisions must have approval of our Executive Board. You can see the responsibilities that committee members have been assigned to in the list on page 10. Members were appointed to the Magazine Panel as well; their names are listed on page 20.
FMCA’s Executive Board is made up of the four nationally elected officers; the 10 area vice presidents, who are elected by the national directors of the chapters in their respective areas; and the immediate past national president. Another unusual occurrence this year was that six of the 10 areas elected new vice presidents this past May. Ginny McGrath, F87335, was elected to represent the Great Lakes Area; Nelson K. Stubbs, F107765, the Midwest Area; Bill Conway, F99081, the Northeast Area; Duane Pindell, F105443, the Rocky Mountain Area; Tony Innocenti, F56315, the South Central Area; and George Schipper, F17603, the Southeast Area. The four incumbents returning are Skip Skipper, F119793, Eastern Area; Max Durbin, F76454, International Area; Jim Phillips, F158824, Northwest Area; and Tony Vincent, F161584, Western Area.
You can now see what I mean when I say we have truly had a “changing of the guard” in FMCA this year. I feel very good about the new leaders of your organization. They are individuals with good experience in the business world and in FMCA. They all seem very excited about working together for their fellow FMCA members.
Two weeks after the Buffalo convention, all of the newly elected members of the Executive Board and their spouses attended an orientation program at the Cincinnati offices. Other Executive Board members and their spouses who had not attended the orientation program in the past joined us also. The FMCA staff did an outstanding job explaining their duties and how they serve our 10 areas, our chapters, and our membership. Each of the five departments spent a half day explaining their functions and the services they provide. This was time and money well spent to help board members learn how to better serve you.
I thank all of you for the trust and confidence you have placed in me by electing me as president of FMCA. My wife, Jeri, and I look forward to a lot of family, fun, and fellowship with you as we lead our great traveling family into the future.
2003-2004 FMCA Committees
Chaplain
Lewis Lint, F93272
Constitution and Bylaws/Policy and Procedure Committee
Jim Phillips, F158824, chairman
Phil Griffin, F128165
Ginger Painter, F23514
Mary Elizabeth Preston, F51004
Convention Committee
Don Moore, F154921, chairman
Royce Bishop, F62577
Charlie Painter, F23514
Jim Phillips, F158824
Duane Pindell, F105443
Corbett Pool, F140306
Convention Subcommittee
Charlie Bonaventure, F87229
Leonard Davis, F158928
Don Ellis, F258861
Fred Kaminski, F34411
Garth McDonald, F151700
Ginny McGrath, F87335
Earl Oakes, F100516
Gerine Reagen, F101008
Charlie Schrenkel, F140050
Education Committee
June Davis, F158928, chairman
Bill Conway, F99081
Charles Powell, F191230
Gary Resnick, F146323
Finance Committee
Connie Pool, F140306, chairman
John Elliott, F197496
Jim Kern, F63208
Tom Mosson, F56464
Robb Steinheider, F200844
Governmental and Legislative Affairs Committee
Max Durbin, F76454, chairman
Jim Belanger, F278840
Bob Gummersall, F127494
Duane Pindell, F105443
Don Tallman, L1956
Tony Wiese, F178480
Long-Range & Development Committee
Tony Vincent, F161584, chairman
Tom Ainsley, F182814
Wilma Jean Alexander, F163804
Jeff Jefcoat, L118344
George Schipper, F17603
Member Recruitment Committee
Dottie Pierce, L57064, chairman
Pat Conway, F99081
Joanne Durbin, F76454
Geri Innocenti, F56315
Don McGrath, F87335
Rosalie Pindell, F105443
Ann Schipper, F17603
Helen Skipper, F119793
Janet Stubbs, F107765
Betty Vincent, F161584
Membership/Member Services Committee
Nelson K. Stubbs, F107765, chairman
Jim deBord, F16686S
Tony Innocenti, F56315
Roger Merrill, F11560
Skip Skipper, F119793
Nominating Committee
Verne Roland, F73154, chairman
Billie Blythe, F70340
Leonard Davis, F158928
Bill Hohmann, F221258
Bruce Holcomb, F54442
President’s Council
Royce Bishop, F62577, chairman
Owen Autry, F55048
Gerry D’Amico, F126453
Hollis Dick, F175262
Aubry Myrick, F97089
Risk Management Committee
Judy Allen, F193946, chairman
Richard Poe, F297488
Jack Rivers, F201884
Technical Advisory Committee
Scott Brady, F19147
K. Stephen Busick, F45180
Don Ellis, F258861
Bill Hendrix, F761S
Ray Hobbs, F10175
Donald Hoffman, L2494
Ralph Quayle, F123759
Hal Sharpe, F95050
Brian Speer, F236388
Ken Wilson, L13812
Youth Activities Committee
Corbett & Connie Pool, F140306, chairmen
Paul & Mary Dammers, F135857
Tom & Carol Januski, F266041
John & Mary Juarez, F264001
John & Jerri Morrow, F64569