President’s Message
By R.G. Wilson, F21025
National President
November 2004
Joining Family Motor Coach Association is probably one of the best investments you will ever make. Our independent outside auditor calculates that we furnish our family members benefits that cost the association more than $90 per family each year. The actual value of these benefits, if purchased at retail and without FMCA’s group buying power, would be much higher. This is a very good return on your annual dues investment of $35.
I’m sure you’re wondering how a not-for-profit organization like FMCA can do this. Although we are a member-owned not-for-profit organization, we have a for-profit subsidiary (Family Motor Coaching Inc.) that operates our international conventions and publishes our monthly magazine. We sell advertising in Family Motor Coaching to commercial members and others; this generates the revenues to furnish the many benefits to our members. This first-class monthly magazine is mailed each month to each of our 129,000-plus member families as one of their member benefits. Many members feel, as I do, that this benefit alone is worth more than the annual dues. The travel and product information motorhome owners receive through our magazine helps enhance their enjoyment of their recreation vehicles.
Another benefit FMCA members receive is educational programs. Most of these programs, such as the RV Safe Driving Course, the Fire and Life Safety program, RV Weight and Tire Safety, Personal Safety, and CPR training are offered at our two annual international conventions and/or at area rallies. At our conventions you also will enjoy good entertainment and the opportunity to view the latest and largest exhibits of motorhomes and RV-industry-related products.
FMCA offers many types of insurance coverage designed specifically for motorhome owners. Our members are covered under the MEDEX Plus program, which is designed to help manage the complexities and expenses of out-of-area travel and medical emergencies. The program provides for emergency medical air and ground evacuation (must be arranged by MEDEX Plus), among other services. Accidental death insurance coverage is automatically extended to all FMCA family members. Other insurance programs are offered through various RV insurance specialists. These national programs offer broad coverages, competitive premiums, and RV-specialized claims handling.
FMCA has an expanding program of discounts, too. They include savings at some commercial member campgrounds across the country; discounts on fuel purchases with the FMCA Flying J Real Value Card; and many others.
Our member-owned association also offers many other services, such as free classified advertising in Family Motor Coaching magazine, printing of member business cards, a lost key return program, membership identification emblems, and an antitheft program.
Members receive full access to the association’s Web site, www.fmca.com, a useful source of online information about FMCA member benefits, upcoming conventions and area rallies, and other important information about our organization.
You can read about the above benefits and others starting on page 173 in this issue of the magazine.
Perhaps the most rewarding of benefits we receive as members of FMCA are the contacts we make with other RVers that develop into great and lasting friendships. You have the opportunity to join chapters whose members have common interests that you share. These interests vary from the brand of motorhome you own to the social or business interests you may share.
Another benefit that I see within FMCA members is pride of ownership. This is confirmed by the fact that most new members come from contacts and recommendations from current members. We also offer great incentives to members to promote and build the membership. If you sign up a new member, you will receive a free copy of the FMCA Official North American Road Atlas & Travel Guide, valued at $14.95. As a special incentive for 2004, if you sign up five new members between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2004, you also will receive a free year of FMCA membership, valued at $35.
Now, don’t you agree with me? FMCA is the best investment you can make! Let’s all take this message to all our motorhome friends and give them the opportunity to share in the family, fun, and fellowship.
Safe travels.
FMCA National Office Holiday Observances
The FMCA national office will be closed in observance of the following holidays in the remainder of 2004:
Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 25; Friday, November 26
Christmas: Friday, December 24; Monday, December 27
New Year’s: Friday, December 31; Monday, January 3
2004-2005 FMCA COMMITTEES
FMCA Chaplain
Len Bunts, F139872
Constitution and Bylaws/Policy and Procedure Committee
Jim Phillips, F158824, Co-Chairman
Mary Elizabeth Preston, F51004, Co-Chairman
Judy Czarsty, F79148
Phil Griffin, F128165
Ginger Painter, F23514
Convention Committee
Don Moore, F154921, Chairman
Owen Autry, F55048
Charlie Painter, F23514
George Schipper, F17603
Nelson K. Stubbs, F107765
Convention Subcommittee
Charlie Bonaventure, F87229
Leonard Davis, F158928
Don Ellis, F258861
Tom Januski, F266041
Fred Kaminski, F34411
Bud Leezer, F197235
Garth McDonald, F151700
Ginny McGrath, F87335
Gerine Reagen, F101008
Education Committee
June Davis, F158928, Chairman
Pat Dickey-Olson, F31142
Richard Pasetto, F169404
Charles Powell, F191230
Finance Committee
Jim Kern, F63208, Chairman
Carol Matson, F10696
Tom Mosson, F56464
Wilburn Ply, F99043
Jack Rivers, F201884
Governmental and Legislative Affairs Committee
Max Durbin, F76454, Chairman
Frank Brodersen, F289730
Duane Pindell, F105443
Al Talbott, F223128
IT & Communications Committee
Bill Conway, F99081, Chairman
Bob Gummersall, F127494
Charlie Johnston, F27211
Hal Sharpe, F95050
Long-Range & Development Committee
Tony Vincent, F161584, Chairman
Art Giesick, F161686
Jeff Jefcoat, L118344
Jim Kussy, F52982
George Schipper, F17603
Magazine Panel
Steve and Gail Ault, F106024
Marsh and Gwen Carson, F43813
Don and Wanda Fischer, L110294
John Harder, F279367
Jim and Ginny Holifield, L387
Jay and Lucy Klaas, F170694
Robert Korb, F116983
Mike Middaugh, F3456
Bob and Cathy O’Connor, F191522
Charles and Maria Rock, F230266
Bob Sherwood, F234483
Bob and Sioux Smith
Pamela Wisby Kay, FMC Publishing Director
Robbin Gould, FMC Editor
Guy Kasselmann, FMC Art Director
Member Recruitment Committee
Dottie Pierce, L57064, Chairman
Pat Conway, F99081
Steve Czarsty, F79148
Joanne Durbin, F76454
Don McGrath, F87335
Rosalie Pindell, F105443
Ann Schipper, F17603
Janet Stubbs, F107765
Betty Vincent, F161584
Membership/Member Services Committee
Nelson K. Stubbs, F107765,
Chairman
Jim deBord, F16686S
Tony Innocenti, F56315
Roger Merrill, F11560
Nominating Committee
Bill Walker, F56746, Chairman
Bob Haught, F82522
Norman Holley, F21819
Fred Kennedy, F44281
Gary Smith, F155557
President’s Council
Aubry Myrick, F97089, Chairman
Jack Aumiller, F51453
Gerry D’Amico, F126453
Hollis Dick, F175262
Bobby Donald, F107800
Risk Management Committee
Judy Allen, F193946, Chairman
C.B. Edwards, F221778
Robert Ellett, F5820
Larry Landes, F184821
Round Bottom Services Committee
Jeri Wilson, F21025, Chairman
Geri Innocenti, F56315
Jean Jefcoat, L118344
Joanne Kern, F63208
Darlene Moore, F154921
Charlie Painter, F23514
Ann Phillips, F158824
Martin Pierce, L57064
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
Brian Speer, F236388
Ken Wilson, L13812
Youth Activities Committee
Tom & Carol Januski, F266041, Chairmen
Paul & Mary Dammers, F135857
John & Mary Juarez, F264001
John & Jerri Morrow, F64569