Executive Director’s Commentary
By Don Eversmann, F240000
July 2005
Is this the time of year when you traditionally travel extensively in your motorhome, or do you travel year-round? Do you follow the weather and take in the beauty of the changing seasons? In a like sense, the locations for FMCA’s international conventions are chosen in an attempt to take advantage of the climate of different parts of the country. Next month “” August 15, 16, 17, and 18 “” we are hoping to enjoy the days of summer by traveling to Minot, North Dakota, and I encourage you to join us at this event.
From March 20 through 23, 2006, FMCA’s 75th International Convention will be held on the grounds of Fairplex in Pomona, California. We return to this site frequently because of the weather and the spacious facilities.
FMCA members attend conventions to shop, to enjoy the entertainment, to meet up with old friends, and to travel to new locations. They visit FMCA area rallies for the same reasons. The people who plan area rallies also take the weather into consideration when they choose a site and make a schedule for their events. The sites and dates they select provide the opportunity for members to get together without traveling extensive distances (if they live in that area), and to enjoy the best that the region has to offer. Of course, there’s always the possibility of an unusual outbreak of unseasonable weather. No amount of planning can prevent this.
FMCA’s 10 areas usually offer a rally each year, and I encourage you to consider attending one in your neck of the woods. Over the next 12 months, the following events have been planned by the areas:
Northeast Area Rally
July 13-16, 2005
West Springfield, Massachusetts
Rocky Mountain Ramble
September 14-17, 2005
Winnemucca, Nevada
South Central Area Rally
September 27-30, 2005
Hutchinson, Kansas
Eastern Area Rally
October 6-9, 2005
Harrington, Delaware
Western Area Rally
January 11-15, 2006
Indio, California
Southeast Area Rally
February 1-5, 2006
Brooksville, Florida
Great Lakes Area Rally
May 25-29, 2006
Berrien Springs, Michigan
Northwest Area Rally
June 8-10, 2006
Albany, Oregon
Midwest Area Rally
June 21-24, 2006
Henry, Illinois
International Area Rally
June 30-July 3, 2006
Gillette, Wyoming
I also would like to bring to your attention my favorite type of FMCA gatherings: chapter rallies. As I have said quite often, these are very similar to family reunions. They are a great time to kick back and enjoy each other’s friendship while visiting different parts of one’s local area. My wife, Sharon, and I try to attend chapter rallies in neighboring areas whenever our schedule permits. We normally check our kitchen calendar and then research chapter rallies by looking at the “Association Calendar,” printed in each issue of this magazine, or the “Event Calendar,” accessible online at FMCA.com.
Sharon and I find listings of chapter rallies taking place within a reasonable traveling distance from our home in Cincinnati, or en route to an event we will be attending. Then we call the chapter representative and ask whether we may visit his or her chapter’s rally and, if so, we find out how to register. We ask about events planned at the rally so we will be prepared to participate to the fullest extent.
In the seven years that we have been attending chapter rallies, we have never been disappointed. We have visited many attractions in Ohio and the surrounding states that we probably would not have found on our own. Most of all, the wonderful people we have met at each rally have made these weekends a favorite time to remember and talk about with others.
My parting comment this month is to encourage you to take advantage of all the events that are offered to you as an FMCA member, whether large or small. I think you will be surprised by how much you will enjoy sharing time with individuals who have similar interests. And last, but not least, as you visit chapters and attend their rallies, consider making some lasting relationships by joining a chapter of your choice. You can join as many chapters as you like, but be forewarned: the fun of chapter membership is addictive.
For assistance in finding an FMCA chapter that meets in your area or focuses on a special interest you share, please contact the FMCA Chapter Services Department at (800) 543-3622 or chapters@fmca.com.
New Member Benefit: Group Rates On Long-Term Care Insurance
FMCA has entered into an agreement with Long Term Care Insurance Planners to offer a group rate discount on long-term care insurance for members only. An article about the new program will appear in a future issue of FMC magazine. Representatives from Long Term Care Insurance Planners also will be on hand at FMCA’s Minot, North Dakota, convention next month in booth number 422 to answer questions. Members who are interested in learning more about this program in the meantime may contact the company at (866) 582-0003; www.ltc-planners.com.