President’s Message
By Charlie Shrenkel, L140050
December 2009
We are looking ahead to a new year that introduces more motorhomers to FMCA than ever before. To help accomplish this goal, we are kicking off a recruitment campaign in earnest on January 1, 2010. It is called “A Dozen Does It.”
For every 12 new FMCA members a chapter signs up, the chapter will receive a prize package. The package is similar to the one chapters used to receive. In the past, prizes have included some very nice FMCA logo merchandise that relates to the motorhome lifestyle.
Here’s how it will work. Each chapter member who signs up a new FMCA member will receive a thank-you letter, a $10 recruitment coupon, and a postcard from FMCA’s national office. The member will then turn in the postcard to his or her chapter president. When a chapter president has accumulated 12 postcards, he or she can send them in to the national office and redeem them for a prize package (limit two prize packages in 2010).
If you are not a chapter member and you recruit a motorhome owner into FMCA, you’ll receive a $10 recruitment coupon and a postcard, too. If you wish, you can give the postcard to someone who is a chapter member, to help his or her chapter receive a prize package.
Now, to sweeten the deal. Starting January 1, 2010, each chapter president will again receive five free memberships that chapter members may use to hand to motorhome owners who would like to join FMCA. If a family who receives a free membership coupon joins FMCA, that free membership (up to five per chapter) will count toward the 12 new members that a chapter needs to sign up in order to receive the prize package. So, instead of needing 12 coupons, a chapter might be able to earn a prize package by sending in seven coupons to add to the five free memberships used for recruiting. How’s that for an incentive?
Regarding the prize package, I have heard it said, “Why should I work for something that was free to my chapter in the past?” The more members we can recruit, the more benefits we can all enjoy. This is going to be hard work on our part, but we can do it. You own this association, so the effort that you put into it comes back to you in the long run. The strength of any association is in its membership. There are approximately 1.2 million motorhome owners out there who do not belong to our fine association. You, the membership, are a huge recruiting army. All you have to do is spread the news about Family Motor Coach Association.
Speaking of strength, when you stop and think about it, for most every F number out there, there are at least two people who are members. My wife, Jean, is a member, as am I. It’s food for thought as we consider the number of people who are recruiting.
When you and I joined Family Motor Coach Association, a door quietly opened, a door to excitement, adventure, and new friendships. I like to look at our fine magazine as a magic carpet destination manual. When a weekend was coming up, and I would try to think of places to go or things to do in our motorhome, I discovered that by looking in the back of the magazine at the Association Calendar, I could choose from some interesting rallies. I merely called the chapter that was doing something I was interested in and asked whether I might join them for the weekend. I have never been turned down; as a matter of fact, I was welcomed with open arms. You, as an FMCA member, may attend any chapter function listed in the Association Calendar. Simply select a rally, contact the chapter, and off you go. (The Association Calendar is also available online at FMCA.com; click on Chapters/Areas and then on Chapter Rallies.) Our magazine has been one of the best boredom busters for me in the past, and it still is.
It is the holiday season. All of us, regardless of our beliefs, or what country we call home “” be it the United States, Canada, or any other country “” wish each other peace and happiness during the coming year. I remind those of us who give gifts to one another during the season that one of the best and most economical gifts that you can give someone who owns a motorhome is (you guessed it) a membership in Family Motor Coach Association. This truly is the gift that keeps giving throughout the years. The membership benefits are valuable and many.
Finally, I would like to wish each and every one of you a happy holiday season. To my Family and friends, Merry Christmas!
Safe and healthy travels to you.