President’s Message
By R.G. Wilson, F21025
National President
July 2005
For two weeks this past May, FMCA’s Executive Board and standing committees convened for the association’s annual spring meetings in Cincinnati. It was a busy time at national headquarters as the committees held workshops and official business meetings.
It also was a busy time at our Round Bottom Road campground, since most of our committee members come to Cincinnati for the May meetings in their motorhomes. The campground is adjacent to the building that houses the Member Services Department and mail forwarding facilities. It is approximately five miles from FMCA’s main headquarters building on Clough Pike.
My wife, Jeri, and I traveled to Cincinnati after attending the International Area Rally in Lebanon, Tennessee. The committee work began early on Monday, May 16, as the Information Technology & Communications Committee, chaired by Bill Conway, F99081, received a progress report from the information technology staff regarding their implementation of recommendations developed by the committee during our November 2004 meetings.
Following that presentation, the Membership/Member Services Committee, chaired by Nelson K. Stubbs, F107765, met. They examined and discussed many member benefit proposals. They presented some of these proposals to the Executive Board for consideration, among them an identity theft program and a proposed partnership with Kampgrounds of America that would give new FMCA members a free six-month KOA Value Kard.
The following day, the Constitution and Bylaws/Policy and Procedure Committee “” co-chaired by Jim Phillips, F158824, and Mary Elizabeth Preston, F51004 “” met and addressed several policies and procedures. This committee also has the tremendous task of reviewing and helping FMCA chapters with their bylaws.
Chairman Max Durbin, F76454, and the Governmental and Legislative Affairs Committee met on May 18 to discuss the many parking and other restrictions placed upon FMCA members by states, counties, and cities. This committee has developed a slide presentation that FMCA members can use when dealing with lawmakers concerning restrictive parking ordinances. They also reported on the progress being made regarding the “RV Friendly” highway signage program.
That afternoon the IT & Communications Committee met. They had experimented with an Internet software program that would enable the committees to have electronic conferencing via the Internet. It was decided that this could not be accomplished until the Executive Board members are equipped with standardized laptop computers with compatible software programs and high-speed Internet connections. The committee is developing a cost-justified program to be considered by the Executive Board sometime in the future.
The Risk Management Committee, chaired by Judy Allen, F193946, met on Thursday, May 19. Among other business, they discussed FMCA conventions and area rallies and ways to improve safety and reduce risk at these events. They also recommended offering an identity theft program to FMCA members.
That afternoon national senior vice president Don Moore, F154921, and the Convention Committee reviewed the activities of recent conventions and discussed ideas and ways to improve these events. They also discussed plans for the upcoming convention in Minot, North Dakota, and selected future convention sites.
June Davis, F158928, chairman of the Education Committee, met with her committee members on Friday, May 20. This committee is continuing to develop educational programs and seminars for FMCA members. The popular seminar for national directors will be offered in Minot on Saturday prior to the Governing Board meeting.
National treasurer Jim Kern, F63208, and the Finance Committee met all day Saturday reviewing the performance of our investment reserves, looking over the 2004 audited financial statements, and developing the 2006 budget.
The Long-Range & Development Committee, chaired by Tony Vincent, F161584, met on Sunday afternoon to review the progress on implementing FMCA’s strategic plan. They developed recommendations and a time schedule for our organization that will create uniformity in our governance structure.
Several workshops were held by the committees during the week and at night so that work could be completed according to our schedule. I appreciate the hard work these committee members do. They are very dedicated to their responsibilities and tasks.
The Round Bottom Services Committee “” a group composed of our spouses and chaired by my wife, Jeri “” is important as well, for it plans and prepares our evening meals. We go out to restaurants sometimes, but we eat most of our evening meals at the Round Bottom campground. This saves money for the association. Committee members prefer these campground meals, and the cost is about a fourth of the cost of eating at restaurants. We all appreciate this committee’s work and the other volunteers who help them.
On Monday, May 23, we held our FMCA Executive Board meeting. All the standing committees’ reports and recommendations were presented by the chairmen during this time. Usually the committees do their work so well that the board approves most of their recommendations.
The following day we held our Family Motor Coaching Inc. board meeting. FMCA is made up of two business entities “” Family Motor Coach Association is a nonprofit association, and Family Motor Coaching Inc. is a for-profit corporation.
The Executive Board members usually sit in on all of the committee meetings; this keeps the board members very busy but well-informed. We all work hard but enjoy each other’s fellowship while taking care of FMCA business.
Our Cincinnati staff is also very busy during these meetings preparing data, keeping minutes, and assisting the chairmen in conducting these meetings. We appreciate their dedication.
Although we all were tired as we concluded on Tuesday, May 24, I felt that the meetings were very successful, and that we accomplished our goals and completed our tasks.
I hope to see you in Minot, North Dakota, August 15, 16, 17, and 18 as we celebrate our next international convention. Drive safely.