President’s Message
By Don Moore, F154921
National President
November 2005
I couldn’t possibly begin this column without mentioning Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Gulf Coast on August 28. I can’t begin to comprehend the problems the people there have experienced. It has had an impact on all Americans. It will take years to get everyone back to a normal lifestyle.
In the past few years hurricanes have been causing damage to various portions of the United States. We are disheartened by such monumental death and destruction, but we will be strong and show our courage to help others, just like we did after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. I know many of you have already donated your time or money to help assist those recovering from this disaster.
FMCA’s 74th International Convention, held August 15, 16, 17, and 18 in Minot, North Dakota, was fairly successful overall, but not without some challenges. Despite the rising fuel costs, we had a total attendance of 3,025 family coaches. The total coach count was 4,038, when you add in the exhibitors who stayed in their motorhomes and the number of commercial display coaches.
All of our volunteers did a super job. We couldn’t possibly hold a convention without them. The parking crew did a great job settling in thousands of motorhomes in just a few days. This takes a lot of planning. But sometimes things happen beyond our control. The local police are usually very good about assisting with routing and helping with traffic. The rain on Tuesday night caused some problems in Lot BB, and some family members had to be towed from their parking spaces. At least there was no hail this year, as we experienced the last time we held a convention in Minot.
A great lineup of evening entertainment was enjoyed by all “” New Odyssey, Roy Clark, and The Lettermen. Entertainment was moved inside to the arena on the last night because of the possibility of inclement weather. The big band dance was well-attended, as were the square dancing and line dancing sessions.
Nova Cullen, F179623, was joined by June Davis, F158928, then-Education Committee chairman, and several others in presenting her seminar designed especially for national directors. On Sunday afternoon the candidates’ forum was held, conducted by the Nominating Committee. We also had many beneficial seminars, as usual, for our members, and they were well-attended.
The Coffee Hour each morning also was very popular, and the Frustrated Maestros did a great job with the music each morning.
After being elected president by the Governing Board in Minot, I began to work on committee appointments for the coming year. Committee members are appointed by the president with the consent of the Executive Board. I wished I could have appointed all the members submitted to me, but there just were not enough openings. Those not appointed will be considered for the future.
A list of the committees for the 2005 – 2006 year appears on page 10.
FMCA is a committee-driven organization. Committee members are volunteers. They should be commended for giving their time and talents. Each year in May and November the Executive Board members and the committee members travel to Cincinnati to meet and conduct FMCA business. Each committee has a purpose, and it is not taken lightly. They very often hold a workshop before their meeting, because time is of the essence. After much discussion and deliberation, each committee brings its proposals to the Executive Board for their consideration.
Each year millions of motorhome enthusiasts take to the road for vacation, to visit family and friends, to go to FMCA rallies and conventions, and just to get away. Rising fuel prices may curtail some of our traveling this year, but we hope it will get better soon.
As I am writing this, we are traveling west from Illinois to Winnemucca, Nevada, for the Rocky Mountain Ramble (September 14 through 17). I can’t help noticing the crops along the way in Illinois. (“You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy,” my wife says.) Illinois has been very dry this year, so the harvest has begun already. In Iowa, the crops are greener and not quite ready for harvest.
Each state has something different for us to enjoy as we travel. When we leave Winnemucca, we’ll go on to Hutchinson, Kansas, for the South Central Area Rally (September 27 through 30).
I’m hoping that fuel prices will be lower as the months go by, and we all can travel the highways and enjoy the beautiful fall colors.
Enjoy your trip, wherever you travel, and please be safe!
2005-2006 Committees
FMCA Chaplains
Len Bunts, F139872
Father Ralph Carney, F309996
Constitution and Bylaws/Policy and Procedure Committee
Connie Pool, F140306, Chairman
Dave Fuller, F331444
Jim Phillips, F158824
Mary Elizabeth Preston, F51004
Gary Smith, F155557
Convention Committee
Don Moore, F154921, Chairman
Owen Autry, F55048
Judy Czarsty, F79148 (beginning March 25, 2006)
Charlie Painter, F23514
Tony Vincent, F161584 (through March 24, 2006)
Education Committee
Jay Blumenthal, F230605, Chairman
Pat Dickey-Olson, F31142
Charles Powell, F191230
Arvin Spofford, F294804
Alfred Vormittag, F231342
Finance Committee
Jim Kern, F63208, Chairman
Doug Key, F72824
Carol Matson, F10696
Tom Mosson, F56464
Jack Rivers, F201884
R.G. Wilson, L21025
Governmental and Legislative Affairs Committee
Max Durbin, F76454, Chairman
Tom Ainsley, F182814
Frank Brodersen, F289730
Ralph Marino, F111272
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
Tom Harrison, F131100
Jim Kussy, F52982
George Schipper, F17603
Rich Tufano, F261995
Magazine Panel
Steve & Gail Ault, F106024
Marsh & Gwen Carson, F43813
Don & Wanda Fisher, L110294
Jim & Ginny Holifield, L387
Tom Kennington, F255700
Jay & Lucy Klaas, F170694
Robert Korb, F116983
Mike Middaugh, F3456
Bob & Cathy O’Connor, F191522
Charles & Maria Rock, F230266
Bob Sherwood, F234483
Bob & Sioux Smith, F122125
Bill & Kay Walker, F56746
Meeting Hospitality Committee
Darlene Moore, F154921, Chairman
Donna Blumenthal, F230605
Pat Conway, F99081
Steve Czarsty, F79148
Geri Innocenti, F56315
Jo Ann Kern, F63208
Bill Leahy, F234822
Charlie Painter, F23514
Corbett Pool, F140306
Ann Schipper, F17603
Janet Stubbs, F107765
Betty Vincent, F161584
Jeri Wilson, L21025
Member Recruitment & Retention Committee
Ginger Painter, F23514, Chairman
Judy Czarsty, F79148
Rosalie Pindell, F105443
Membership/Member Services Committee
Nelson K. Stubbs, F107765, Chairman
King deBord, L16686
Tony Innocenti, F56315
Roger Merrill, F11560
Carl Seale, F129709
Nominating Committee
Gerine Reagen, F101008, Chairman
Tom Ainsley, F182814
Don Crawford, F11012
Allen Rein, F214273
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
Sam Allen, F273937
C.B. Edwards, F221778
Larry Landes, F184821
Donzella Leahy, F234822
Technical Advisory Committee
Scott Brady, F19147
K. Stephen Busick, F45180
Bill Hendrix, F761S
Gary Henry, F243150
Ray Hobbs, F10175
Harry Owen, F92902
Ralph Quayle, F123759
Carl Rader, F300994
Steve Shepard, F221698
Brian Speer, F236388
James Ulmer, F356832
Ken Wilson, L13812
Youth Activities Committee
Tom & Carol Januski, F266041, Chairmen
Mick & Barb Bentley, F284524
Paul & Mary Dammers, F135857
John & Mary Juarez, F264001
Karl & Lori Lindfors, F794D
John & Jerri Morrow, F64569