Advertise Your Chapter “” And Grow

If your FMCA chapter seems to be one of the association’s best-kept secrets, consider these suggestions on how to promote it.

By Steve & Gail Ault, F106024
November 2010

Is your FMCA chapter losing members? Is it stagnant from lack of growth? Although many chapters flourish, others face declining membership. Factors such as age, health, and waning interest may come into play and, as a result, some chapters are faced with replenishing their ranks.

If your chapter is losing members; was formed around a now-orphaned motorhome (one that is no longer being manufactured); or has restrictive requirements, don’t despair “” consider promoting it! No doubt your group has many attractive qualities. FMCA continues to add new members, many of whom are eager to enjoy motorhoming with a group of like-minded folks. Acquainting these enthusiastic RVers with your chapter may help to infuse the group with new members.

Consider these suggestions for increasing awareness about your chapter among FMCA members and beyond:

• Every issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine offers your chapter an opportunity to publicize your rallies in the “Association Calendar,” a listing of upcoming chapter rallies, area rallies, and conventions. These rally listings also appear online at FMCA.com in the Chapters area. Since RVers are a migratory bunch, what better way to catch a possible new member than to let us all know about your next rally? We just may happen to be headed to that region of the country and would like to drop in on your event. Your advertising is an invitation and makes us feel welcome. Any chapter rally listed in the “Association Calendar” is open to all members or motorhome owners; you need not be a member of that chapter to attend.
• Each month, FMC magazine features a particular chapter in the “Chapter Spotlight” column. This column provides a snapshot of the chapter’s history, scope, activities, rally schedule, special interests, etc. In addition, the magazine’s monthly “Family & Friends” section includes stories about chapter rallies and events, or focuses on the achievements or special interests of individuals in a chapter. Chapter members can submit articles and photos for possible inclusion in these columns; or, if writing assistance is needed, FMC’s editors can help out (send an e-mail to editor@fmca.com for more information).
• The “Join A Chapter” column is published in FMC magazine five times throughout the year. It enables prospective members to learn a little more about the chapters that submit information for this listing, including the dates of their next rallies. (See page 88 of this issue for an example.)
• Each FMCA chapter is listed in the “Chapter Directory,” which appears in the January and August issues of the magazine. The information also appears at FMCA.com in the Chapters section. The online listing enables chapters to add descriptions about their groups, so as to better acquaint FMCA members who are looking for a chapter. Does your chapter have a Web site? If so, you’ll want to make sure it is listed in the online directory so prospective members can visit and learn more about you. (Contact chapters@fmca.com to add Web site links, e-mail links, and chapter descriptions to the online listings.)
• The FMCA national office assists chapters in their promotion efforts by helping with a targeted mailing to other FMCA members. The mailing can be directed to members with addresses in certain zip codes or owners of certain brands of motorhomes. FMCA will provide the printing of the mail piece and will even pay up to $125 in postage once a year. Another option chapters have is to run an ad in a local newspaper promoting one of your chapter’s upcoming events, and FMCA will reimburse the chapter up to $125 for the ad. These and other promotion options are explained in a handy brochure titled “FMCA Chapter Member Recruitment Toolkit,” which is available from the national office.
• Another great freebie is the “Stoppin’ Spots” listing, which appears in each January issue of Family Motor Coaching and is accessible in search form on FMCA.com. This listing includes the names, hometowns, and phone numbers of FMCA members who have volunteered to assist their fellow motorhomers in one or more categories: “Stop Over Spot,” inviting members to park at their homes for a 24-hour emergency stay; “Come Visit,” welcoming members to their home for a 24-hour friendship visit; “Mechanic’s Helper,” suggesting reliable RV repair facilities in the area; and “Pinch Hit Driver,” offering to drive a member’s motorhome in case of emergency.

  Promote your chapter’s hospitality by signing up for this section; encourage chapter members to participate in this volunteer member service. If you don’t have a parking spot on your property, offer a chance for a cup of coffee and some conversation, or be a Mechanic’s Helper “” plain and simple fellowship. This enhances your chapter’s standing and enriches your life. To add your name to one or more of the Stoppin’ Spots categories, contact FMCA’s Member Services Department (e-mail membership@fmca.com).

• FMCA’s “goose egg” membership logo is another free form of advertising. Displaying the goose egg on one’s motorhome can lead to many friendly conversations with RVers whom you meet in your travels; you can tell them about the association and, in turn, your chapter. Encourage your chapter’s members to display their goose eggs. If your chapter has its own nameplate or logo, suggest that your members display the chapter identification on their motorhome as well.
• Do some research. Develop a chapter calling committee to see why members aren’t active. Follow up with those who drop out and determine their reason for leaving the chapter. Remember, it’s easier to keep a member than get a new one “” these old friends are the gold that makes the chapter so valuable.
• No doubt you’ve been reading about the new chapter member recruitment drive initiated this year by FMCA’s Executive Board, called “A Dozen Does It.” To help jump-start the program, each chapter was given five free FMCA memberships to use in recruiting new members to the association, and ideally, new members for their chapter. When a chapter recruits a dozen new members to FMCA, the group will be rewarded with a great prize package, to be used as door prizes at an upcoming rally. In the spirit of chapter growth, chapters might also consider initiating incentives for individual members who bring in new chapter members.
• Assign a current member the task of mentoring the newest members. Newbies can bring excitement, fresh ideas, and enthusiasm to a mature club. Go get ’em and show them a great time.
• FMCA’s area rallies and international conventions are a great value, offering entertainment, vendors, seminars, and many social opportunities. Bring a friend to a rally next time “” although not free, this is another way to promote FMCA and chapter membership. Without good advertising, the best product or chapter fails.
• If your chapter has not yet done so, volunteer as a group at a rally or FMCA international convention. Help is always needed; plus, it’s another good way to get your chapter’s name out before the general membership. If non-chapter members see that you are a fun and active group, they might be encouraged to join you. (Plus, you’ll enjoy the work and camaraderie.)

We hope our ideas give you the inspiration to breathe new life into your chapter, or to keep the current level of enthusiasm high. Perhaps you’ll come up with even more strategies on your own to advertise your chapter. Belonging to an FMCA chapter makes the entire motorhome experience much more enjoyable “” and the best chapter promoters are existing chapter members. So, get the good word out!

For more information about FMCA chapters, contact FMCA’s Chapter Services Department at (513) 474-3622 or (800) 543-3622; e-mail chapters@fmca.com.