Executive Director’s Commentary
By Don Eversmann, F240000, Executive Director
August 2009
As members know, FMCA is a wonderful organization to belong to. It enables us to better enjoy and utilize our motorhomes; helps us to learn more about them; and provides a means for us to meet other folks who are as keen on RVing as we are. Of course, since we all are individuals, FMCA may appeal to us for a variety of reasons. What do you like best about the association?
During the committee meetings in Cincinnati this past May, discussion centered on current FMCA members and what their membership in the association means to them. Why did they join? What do they value most? And why not share the good news with others?
Throughout the past 10 years, I have met a large number of members who are enthused about their FMCA family. Some say it’s because of the chapters they belong to, and some note that they derive great satisfaction from participating in chapter and area rallies and international conventions. Many folks value the information and entertainment provided by Family Motor Coaching magazine, as well as the association’s official Web site, FMCA.com. And like many FMCA members, my wife, Sharon, and I can attest to the friendships that we’ve formed, which would not have been created were it not for our affiliation with FMCA.
Here are a couple of testimonials, if you will, from FMCA members who are proud of their membership in the association. If you’d like to share your own thoughts on what your FMCA membership has meant to you, e-mail your comments to editor@fmca.com. We’ll consider including them in a subsequent issue of the magazine.
Bob & Sue Haught, F82522
Etowah, North Carolina
How did you join FMCA? Our first RV, bought a few years after our marriage nearly 40 years ago, was a pop-up tent trailer. We enjoyed it for almost 10 years, mostly local weekend trips, and knew we were hooked on the camping lifestyle. But then we borrowed my uncle’s Class C motorhome a couple of times to attend a few automobile races around the East Coast and I thought, “Hey, I gotta get me one of these things.” Sue agreed, so we made our first motorhome purchase, a previously owned 24-foot Class C Holiday Rambler. We thought it was great!
We had fellow tent-camper friends who also had migrated into a motorhome. While they were staying at a campground, an FMCA member gave them a couple copies of Family Motor Coaching. They, in turn, gave them to us. I was so impressed with the magazine that I told Sue, “I want to get this magazine.” We joined in 1986 and have been enjoying FMCA since.
What do you like best about FMCA? The traveling is fun, the places and events we’ve attended have been wonderful, and the magazine and all the other member benefits have been appreciated and enjoyed. But for us, there is no question that the people we’ve met are the best part of FMCA.
Sue and I have been involved in most everything. We’re members, including charter, of several chapters, both large and small. We’ve been (and still are) chapter officers; we’ve hosted and cohosted numerous rallies; we’ve volunteered and served on various committees, etc. “” almost whatever is involved in running a chapter. We’ve been active in area rallies and events and volunteered at conventions, and we’ve both served on several different national FMCA committees.
Any advice for other members? Our best advice is to get involved and have fun! Join a chapter, or join several chapters. Volunteer to help, plan, and host rallies; serve on committees; visit rallies and events; introduce yourself to other members and officers; run for office. And look at both large and small chapters. Large chapters can have large rallies with a lot of different activities; smaller chapters, with smaller rallies and fewer folks, are where you can form friendships that will last for years. As is true of so many things, what you get out of something is dependent on what you put into it. So, get involved. You won’t regret it.
If you know anyone who has a motorhome and isn’t yet a member of FMCA, encourage them to “Come on in.”
Bruce & Jane Battey, F284722
Peoria, Arizona
How did you join FMCA? For years we had been fifth-wheelers and had really enjoyed our travels and outdoor adventures. Eventually we tired of the “challenges” of parking, unhooking, leveling, and ultimately rehooking up. And, of course, it always seemed to be raining when we were going through that process! The motorhome was so much more “civilized” (read that “easier and drier”!). With our first motorhome purchase, we were hooked and are now on our third coach. We have been RVing for more than 20 years and motorhoming the last 12 years.
We became FMCA members in 2000 when we moved to Arizona the first time. Some FMCA friends introduced us to a great group of people in the Pace Arrow Roadrunners chapter, which is now named the Desert Roadrunners. We quickly became involved in the activities of the chapter and really liked doing things together with others with like interests. There were great opportunities for us to become involved in the workings and leadership of the group. We are still members of the chapter (actually we have been made life members), and enjoy the closeness and friendships we have made.
What do you like best about FMCA? It’s hard to identify only one thing that we like the most. We like being a part of a group . . . chapter to area to national. We love the friendships we make. We like to volunteer and help others. We like the travel, particularly as part of a group. We like what we learn about motorhoming. And we just like the fun and adventure that is a huge part of FMCA membership.
I (Bruce) am a member of the Finance Committee. This has been a major activity for me over the last two to three years, and it has helped me learn so much about the workings of our association. I have been very involved in nearly every chapter officer position and area association officer position.
FMCA presents a great opportunity to meet so many wonderful people with like interests. It gives one an opportunity to grow personally and to share and learn more about the RV lifestyle, which, if you are a motorhome owner, you certainly have made a great investment in. FMCA membership provides a powerful forum for volunteerism and for learning . . . something we all must continue to do!
Any advice for other FMCA members? The key to enjoying FMCA membership is to be involved. Volunteer; accept leadership opportunities when presented; or seek them. FMCA is a voluntary membership organization that can only grow and succeed with the active participation of the membership. Don’t hold back; get involved. It is rewarding and fun!