June 2005
The 2005 election of FMCA National Officers will be held August 15, 2005, at FMCA’s 74th International Convention in Minot, North Dakota.
This year’s Nominating Committee was elected by the Governing Board in accordance with FMCA Bylaws. Its members are Chairman Bill Walker, F56746; Bob Haught, F82522; Norman Holley, F21819; Fred Kennedy, F44281; Gary Smith, F155557.
FMCA’s Nominating Committee has submitted its slate of candidates for national office.
Although balloting is restricted to National Directors and National Officers, we invite all FMCA members to review the candidates’ resumes and to communicate their preferences to their respective National Director or Area Vice President. Doing so will help him or her better serve you on election day. Also, nominations can be made from the floor of the Governing Board meeting; however, committee members ask that this be done only with prior consent from the proposed nominee.
CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Donald H. Crawford, F11012
It is with great pleasure that I am honored to place my name to be nominated to run for the office of President, and I welcome this opportunity to again serve you as a National Officer.
Kathy and I have been members of FMCA since 1973, and over the years have attended 27 International Conventions as well as several Area Rallies. We have been active in our home chapter, the Ontario Overlanders, and in fact are Charter Members. I have held offices in the chapter as National Director and Alternate National Director for a total of 18 years. We have hosted Chapter Rallies, both annual and mini. At present I am President and National Director.
We are also members of the Prevost Prouds and were Charter Members of the National Converted Coach chapter, joining in Centreville, Michigan, in 1976. We are also Charter Members of the Great Lakes Converted Coaches Chapter that I helped start in 2002. The latter chapter is one of three chapters I started in three years as National Vice President, Great Lakes Area. I served on the Legislative Advisory Committee for five years up to 1998, and was also a member of the President’s Council from October of 1997 to August of 2000. I was Chair of the Policy and Procedure Committee for two years, and helped draft the new Policies and Procedures that were presented to the Governing Board prior to the annual meeting in Hutchinson, Kansas, in the fall of 2002.
Other experiences include work in the community. I am Past President of our local Rotary Club, active in church work, and served for six years as a Commissioner of the London Ontario Transit Commission. Four of those years I served as Chair and oversaw a budget of approximately twenty million ($20,000,000.00) dollars and four hundred (400) employees.
Professionally I have been employed for over thirty-five (35) years as a Trial Lawyer and have handled major cases of both a Civil and Criminal nature at Trial and Appeal levels. I have served on panels on Continuing Legal Education including law school and police college programs. As such I have become acquainted with people from all walks of life and have attempted to become a facilitator to make sure that the proper results were obtained.
Kathy and I have been married over 40 years and have three children who have successfully completed various university degrees. We are also blessed with one grandson.
I have an obvious interest in motorhoming, including the joys of pulling on the coveralls, rolling up my sleeves and getting grease on my hands trying to fix my converted coach, enjoying people, and helping out our fellow citizens. There is nothing like the open road, the scenery, and the fellowship of the great members of FMCA. In summary, I have years of experience at both the local and national level to serve as your President, to represent our members, and to support your objectives. We have the time to devote to the office and would enjoy having the opportunity to serve you.
As for the future goals of FMCA, it is my belief that we need strong leadership at the national level in order that we might have orderly growth; expanded member benefits; strong, experienced representation from all Areas; and a voice not only from the chapter level but from the individual membership level as well. We also need a continued examination of our finances, especially as it relates to expenditures, and to obtain and maintain a voice in the motorhome and recreational vehicle industry and community. I would like to serve as your President in the upcoming two years, and have the interest, dedication and time to take a further leadership role.
I ask for your support in marking your ballots for me so I may play a leadership role with this great organization in the 21st Century. Thank you very much.
CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Donald E. Moore, F154921
I’m a candidate for the office of National President of Family Motor Coach Association. Currently I’m serving on the Executive Board as National Senior Vice President and Chairman of the Convention Committee. Previous to this office I served as National Vice President of the Midwest Area for four years. Committees I have served on include Membership/Member Services, and being Chairman of that committee for two years. Other committees include Education and Insurance and Risk Management. I worked with the National Parking Layout Crew for two years. I have assisted with Member Benefit Seminars at the Western Area and International Area and conducted the same seminar for the Midwest Area Rally.
I was born and raised on a farm in Missouri with two older brothers. Darlene and I have been married for 52 years. We raised three boys, one deceased in 1996. We have two grandsons and three granddaughters, also two great-granddaughters. I have been a deacon in our church for several years. Darlene and I have been active volunteers in our community. I served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict. I belong to the American Legion and served as an officer of the local Legion. I served as Boy Scout Master for six years and 4-H Club Leader when our children were involved in those activities. I also belong to the Masonic Lodge in Springfield, Illinois. I attended the University of Kansas and Chicago Institute of Technology.
Darlene and I joined FMCA in the early 1990s. We both have been active in chapters, and at the area level. We belong to several chapters: Cat RV Club; Cenois Prairielanders; Coaches for Christ; Coaches for Christ Midwest; Coaches for Christ Southeast; Foothills Fire Side; Frustrated Maestros Midwest Noteables; Lincoln Landers; Lincolnland Coachmen; Midwest Good-Timers; MIME, International; Newmar International of FMCA; Snowbirds S.W.; Spartan Chassis International; and We’Come. I worked with several Midwest Area members to form the Midwest Area Co-op (MAC). I served as Security Chairman for MAC for two years and was serving as Vice President of MAC when I was elected Midwest Area National Vice President.
I worked for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company for 38 years as supervisor of technical services. After retiring I owned and operated my own business, where I was U.S. Government Certified to test and calibrate industrial gas meters in six states: Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana.
From 1981 through 1985 I served as a City Councilman, and I also served as Mayor of Chatham, Illinois, for four years, 1985 through 1989.
During my four-year term as National Midwest Area Vice President, and President of MAC, I have been responsible for four Area Rallies, in Madison, Wisconsin; Forest City, Iowa; Henry, Illinois; and Elkhorn, Wisconsin.
As Senior Vice President I have brought good business management to our International Conventions, while working closely with our very qualified staff in Cincinnati and the Convention Committee. The past two conventions have come in under budget. We can provide the quality conventions our members want while managing expenses within budget. We have cut costs by using more volunteers and controlled hiring of temporary help. A flowchart was implemented, so all volunteer staff are on an equal pay scale.
It would be an honor to serve as President of FMCA. Serving as Area Vice President for four years and Senior Vice President for two years, and serving on several committees, has given me the experience for the office of President. I want to share information, be truthful with you the owner/members, and do what is right for our organization. I also would like to have unity with others in our industry and work together to improve our organization.
It is my desire to continue the goals set forth for us in the Long-Range plan to insure a successful future for FMCA. I will also continue to use my business experience and skills to improve the operations of FMCA as your National President.
I would appreciate your support and vote in Minot, North Dakota, in August.
CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Max A. Durbin, F76454
In 2002 I was elected as International Area Vice President, re-elected in 2003 and 2004, and have put on area rallies during all three terms, besides being rally master for the International Area rally in 2002. During my three years in office the number of International Area chapters has been increased from eighty-four to ninety-four, a quarterly newsletter has been established, the International Area Organization bylaws and standing rules have been rewritten to conform to the National Bylaws, and the International Area Organization has been incorporated. I served on the Executive Board subcommittees charged with recommending a new corporate attorney; rewriting the executive director’s job description, performance evaluation and handbook; and, finally, a committee to rewrite the Employee Manual.
In 1998 I was appointed to the National Legislative Advisory Committee, renamed the Governmental and Legislative Affairs Committee, becoming chair of the committee in 1999. Under my leadership the Governing Board was asked, and they agreed to a Bylaws change to enable FMCA to engage in limited lobbying. Later, the activities of the committee were broadened to undertake work at national and state levels. I have authored a Legislative Lobbying Handbook and a Government Lesson Plan handout for Parking Rights Subcommittee Volunteers; helped in revising the Parking Rights Manual; and conceived a portable program for defense of parking rights by FMCA members, which is now being produced. I continue to chair the committee and have had seven articles published in FMC magazine. As chair of this committee I have given, or participated in, related seminars at all the International Conventions since 1999 and many of the area rallies. I was on the national convention Parking Layout crew starting in 1999.
In 2001 I was elected to the office of Secretary of the International Area. Prior to that I was the founding president of two FMCA chapters. In 1996 I served as the captain of the men’s seminars team at the Perry International Convention. My spouse and I presently maintain membership in fifteen chapters.
My background includes thirty-one years in local government as police chief and city administrator of Kirkwood, Missouri; police chief of Flint, Michigan; and police commissioner of Warren, Michigan. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Louis University, and have attended the FBI’s three-month National Academy and the Department of Justice’s two-week National Police Executive Institute. I also attended the Ford Foundation’s Police Executive Program given in San Diego, California. I attended a weeklong seminar presented at the Menninger Medical Center in Topeka, Kansas. During my career I strongly believed in returning something of myself to each community in which I served; and as a result I have served as an officer, including the president, for many professional associations and civic organizations. Since retirement I served on the elected Board of Directors of the community association where we live. My wife, Joanne, and I have been married for almost fifty-four years and have raised five children. In our various motorhomes we have toured all the continental United States and all the Canadian Provinces and Territories, as well as many of the Mexican States.
Last fall I wrote in the International Area newsletter, “The International Traveler,” that I was not going to run for a fourth term as International Area Vice President because I felt three years was enough and I wanted to give advance notice so that others who are interested could declare their candidacy. I also mentioned that due to my age and health concerns I would become less active in FMCA. That has changed considerably now. When I came home for the holidays I went through my annual physical, and as a result of a preliminary diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis this past June, a high-resolution CAT scan was done and also an echocardiogram with a stress test. These tests indicated no evidence of pulmonary fibrosis or heart damage. Since I no longer feel my health is a factor, I have changed my mind about cutting back on my FMCA involvement.
My wife and I have a deep commitment to God, country, and FMCA. I feel I can give cohesive leadership in the position of National Senior Vice President, involving the other officers and committees in decision making, and would plan to contribute strong leadership to FMCA as a voting member of the Executive Board, putting the best interests of FMCA and its members in the forefront.
CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Connie Pool, F140306
FMCA Experience
Served as National Treasurer and chairperson of the Finance Committee from 2001 to 2004. I wrote and published the “Chapter Treasurer Guidelines” handbook and have conducted Treasurer Forums at area rallies and at the International Conventions. My husband, Corbett, and I served a total of nine years on the Youth Activities Committee, four as committee co-chairmen. Collectively, we have served FMCA a total of 13 years as members of the Governing Board as well as my three years on the Executive Board.
Prior to my election as National Treasurer I served one year on the Finance Committee. We are members of ten FMCA chapters, and are charter members of the Friends of Children, Roamin’ Catholics International, FMCA Chapter: Habitat for Humanity®, and Collegiate Support chapters.
We purchased our first coach in June 1990, joined FMCA in January 1991, and attended our first International Convention that summer at the University of Notre Dame. Since joining FMCA we have attended a total of 25 International Conventions and all ten area rallies numerous times each.
Personal Background
Born in Lakeland, Florida, and graduated from the University of South Florida in 1970 with a BA (Accounting). I entered the United States Marine Corps in June 1971 and continued to serve on active duty until July 1993 when I retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Corbett, who is also a retired Marine Corps Officer, and I met while stationed in Hawaii and have been married for 25 years. We have five children and four grandchildren. Our youngest daughter, Kelly, served as an FMCA TATS officer for five years, twice as President, during her teen years.
Education and Work Experience
I became a Certified Public Accountant in 1981 and received my Masters of Accounting degree at the University of Hawaii in 1988. During my 22-year Marine Corps career I served as a Personnel Officer, Area Auditor, Analysis and Review Officer, and Base Comptroller. My last assignment was Assistant Chief of Staff, Comptroller, Fleet Marine Forces, Atlantic, and with a staff of fourteen, controlled an annual operating budget of over $450 million. My responsibilities included advising the Commanding General and the General Staff of fiscal restraints during operational planning, including Desert Storm in 1990-91. Additionally, I oversaw the operations of six subordinate comptroller offices on the East Coast and in England. As a Marine Officer, I served in many challenging leadership roles including that as the Executive Officer of a 600-man Headquarters Battalion. Upon retirement from the Marine Corps I established an accounting practice in York County, Virginia, where I specialized in not-for-profit organizations.
After retirement, Corbett and I pursued a ministry of working with the homeless with an interfaith organization of over 60 churches called Hampton Ecumenical Lodging and Provisioning (H.E.L.P.). We also spent 19 months serving as general contractors and volunteer coordinators for the rebuilding of the H.E.L.P. Center, which received Hampton, Virginia’s 1999 Mayor’s Civic Improvement Award. The formation of the FMCA Chapter: Habitat for Humanity® presented an entirely new opportunity for us to share our time and talents. We have participated in 17 Habitat builds, and served as build team leaders on seven of them.
FMCA Goals
Devote time, leadership and resources to implementing the Bostrom Management Report and continuing to refine our strategic plan with emphasis on new member benefits and continued growth of FMCA.
Strive for efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of FMCA. Work closely with FMCA’s President and our FMCA staff, especially the Executive Director and Conventions/Commercial Services Department. I firmly believe we can provide entertainment at our International Conventions that is popular with our members, and in the locations they desire to travel, while managing convention expenses within budget at a price easily affordable by all.
As a youthful (56) full-timer in excellent health I can devote the time, energy, and dedication required of the Senior Vice President to meet all the travel requirements for site selection and planning trips for the International Conventions, and attend as many area rallies as possible to make myself available for members to express their thoughts and ideas. As a member of the Executive Board, I will maintain my policy of openness and accessibility and strive to serve as a voice for our membership.
CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL SECRETARY
Ginger Painter, F23514
My History with FMCA
My husband and I joined FMCA in 1978. The first international convention we attended was held in Syracuse, New York, and since then we have attended over 50 international conventions.
I have served at the national level for 6 years: 4 years as International Area Vice President, and this past 1-1/2 year as your National Secretary. Largely through my efforts as International Area Vice President we were able to preserve this 80-plus-chapter area as a single entity. The thought had been to divide. Today under the leadership of the Area Board, the area runs very smoothly. We, the newly formed Area Board and I, were able to successfully carry out the first 3 consecutive area rallies, a first. It takes thought development and leadership, plus a great husband. Charlie and I are active members in 10 chapters. We were the founding President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Snowbirds SE, and charter members of the Parking Layout chapter. I was an officer in the latter chapter at the time I was elected to the office of Area Vice President. I have also been an officer in Coaches for Christ, and have helped form many more chapters.
I have served on several committees over the past 6 years. I have been chairman of the committee that has written a job description for our Executive Director, and working with the Staff, we have updated the Employee Manual. I have been a member of the Constitution and Bylaws/Policy and Procedure Committee; with the passage of our new Bylaws in 2002 and again with the Policies and Procedures being rewritten to correspond, it has been a totally interesting and busy time.
My History
Charlie and I have been married over 50 years. We have 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. We are members of the Asbury Methodist Church, and have been adopted by the 1st Christian Church of Chassahowitzka, Homosassa, Florida. I graduated from Thomas R. Proctor High School, and attended Utica College of Syracuse University.
I have spent several years in the business world, many as a corporate secretary. We owned and operated a fleet of 100 buses, having 125 employees. Coordinating, bidding, setting up routes, along with doing payroll, payroll taxes, and bookkeeping, were all part of my job description. At this time I served on our local zoning board. This board helped plan local land development. In 1978 we purchased our first RV park in Florida. We continued on to develop a 300-space park. At this time I also had a successful real estate career.
Wrap-up
In the 25-plus years we have belonged to FMCA, I have worked with the 6 Directors and Staff. It is important that we keep the mutual feeling of respect that we have at this time. Our Executive Board, of which I am a part, has a great responsibility to you the Governing Board, and our membership. We must be stewards of the affairs of this organization. We also have a fiduciary responsibility to see that member benefits are protected while keeping an even balance with our Staff and their benefits, an all-important way for our organization to continue operating in these changeable times. We need to do this in an effective way for the good of the organization. I feel with the continued team effort that we have, our goals as expressed in our Long-Range Plan can come to fruition.
What I Would Like: A consideration for your vote.
CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL TREASURER
James (Jim) Kern, F63208
FMCA Experience
I served on the FMCA Finance Committee for two years before I was elected as your National Treasurer for 2004 – 2005. I am now seeking re-election for the year 2005 – 2006. We joined FMCA in 1983 and have been volunteers in many areas such as Security, Trams, Registration, Welcome, and Parking. We are members of Coaches for Christ, Crafty Crafters, Foretravel International, Lewis & Clark TT, Parking Layout, We’Come, and Western Bus Nuts chapters. Jo Ann is the Alternate National Director for the Crafty Crafters chapter. I have served as Assistant Wagon Master, Wagon Master, Vice President and President of our local Bus Nuts Chapter.
Personal Background
Jo Ann and I have been married for over 50 years. We have three children and eight grandchildren.
I earned an Associate of Arts degree in business and accounting from California State University Chico and subsequently obtained a California Real Estate License. I also completed four Dale Carnegie courses relating to sales, business administration, and people skills.
I am retired from a forty-year career with one of the nation’s largest baking industries. I started in route sales, was promoted to route supervision, then to Branch Manager, and retired as Manager of Sales. As Manager of Sales my responsibilities included personnel supervision; sales promotion and projection; and budget preparation, accounting, and operation. I also owned and managed a drive-in restaurant for two years. My interest in finance and business developed early. At the age of fourteen, due to a circumstance of WWII, I was granted a special driver’s license in order to distribute 600 papers to four bicycle carriers, 600 papers to newsstands, and to personally deliver 1,100 papers over a seventy-five-mile route. I did this every day from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. (2 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekends) for twenty-seven months without a day off.
My primary personal interest has been Christian service. Under appointment from our church district, I served as chairman of the board and business manager on two occasions. One of my primary responsibilities was to restructure the financial budget of the church and subsequently establish the budget and constitution of a kindergarten through 8th grade private school. Another personal interest has been Bible study and Bible teaching. This interest led me to complete a Berean Bible course in order to receive a minister’s license. After retirement Jo Ann and I served as pastors to the seniors in our local church. I also accepted an appointment as the treasurer and business manager of a family and children’s camp that had suffered mismanagement, resulting in a severe lack of funds and possibility of closure. During my tenure with the camp, I established an operational budget and made over $90,000 worth of improvements on 88 buildings. At the end of our four-year term we had $175,000 in savings, CDs, and checking accounts for future operation and improvements.
Goals
If I am re-elected as your treasurer, I will encourage FMCA to continue to be a strong volunteer organization. I will maintain unity between the Executive Board by encouraging the establishment of common goals beneficial to the membership as a whole. I will work in conjunction with the long-range and strategic plans currently in effect. I will continue to support our national office staff. It would be my personal responsibility to maintain a high standard of efficiency and accountability as treasurer and do my very best to get the most for every FMCA dollar.
CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL TREASURER
Robb Steinheider, F200844
FMCA Experience
Elected as Treasurer, Wandering Winnies of FMCA chapter in March 1997, serving as Treasurer until 2000. Elected as President, Wandering Winnies of FMCA chapter in 2000. Currently serving as President and Alternate National Director for the Wandering Winnies of FMCA chapter. My wife, Sue, has served as Newsletter Editor for the Wandering Winnies of FMCA chapter since March 1997 and as Treasurer since 2000. She is the Newsletter Editor for the International Area (INTO) of FMCA. We are also members of the California chapter and Parking Layout chapter.
We purchased our first coach in May 1989 and joined FMCA for the 1991 Pomona International Convention. We have attended the West Coast winter conventions since that time; most of the Western Area Rallies; and the Ames 1999, Redmond 2001, Hutchinson 2002, Buffalo 2003, and Redmond 2004 summer conventions.
Personal Background
Born and raised in Auburn, Nebraska, and graduated from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 1960. I also attended Wentworth Military Academy for one school year. I was a participant in the ROTC program at Nebraska and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in June 1960. I continued to serve on active duty until September 1980 when I retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Sue also served in the Air Force for three years as a Lieutenant. We have been married for 41 years. Our son, Fritz, lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, with his wife and five children. Sue and I are members of the Methodist Church.
Education and Work Experience
I received my BS (Business Administration) degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1960. While in the Air Force, I received an MS in Systems Management (MSSM) from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, in 1978. Following training in the Air Force as a navigator, I was sent for additional training as an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) at Keesler AFB, Mississippi. I served as a B-52 electronic warfare officer, instructor electronic warfare officer, and standardization officer for B-52s until 1972 when I was made Chief, Bomber Scheduling Branch coordinating B-52 training for new crewmembers. In 1975 I was transferred to March AFB, California where I served as Radar Bomb Scoring Site Coordinator, and later as Director of Operations Training for B-52s coordinating training and evaluation for B-52 crews throughout the western U.S. Upon retirement in 1980, I worked for Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Fontana, California, as Business Office Manager and in 1985 was chosen as Finance Administrator for the Southern California Permanente Medical Group for the new Kaiser Foundation Hospital to be opened in Riverside, California. I maintained that position until 1994 when I became Finance Administrator for the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District in Indio, California, a position I held until retirement in March 2001. In this position I was responsible for establishing budgets, monitoring budgetary compliance, and investing $6 million in excess funds in a prudent and responsible manner. I have served on the FMCA Finance Committee and currently chair the International Area Audit Committee. Sue retired in October 2003 as Assistant Public Affairs Representative for Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Riverside, California. Since we are both retired, we plan on traveling and will be able to attend conventions/rallies we have been unable to attend due to work schedules. Since 1978, I have been an accountant for U.S. Figure Skating, having served as National Vice-Chair for Accountants for three years. I have served as an accountant at nine U.S. National Championships.
FMCA Goals
I have the training and background to be Treasurer of FMCA, and I pledge to you I will continue to devote the time and energy to do the job to the best of my ability. I will continue to attend as many of the area rallies as possible and to provide in-person updates on FMCA’s financial status and be available to discuss your comments and concerns. I will continue to maintain openness of the financial records and provide the Governing Board the financial statements necessary for the sound fiscal management of FMCA.