By Jerry Yeatts, F390000
FMCA Executive Director
February 2014
I am an Eagle Scout. I was a proud member of Troop 52 at Community United Methodist Church with Mr. Heacock as Scoutmaster. Mr. Heacock and the other leaders taught me how to be a respectful young man. I learned how to tie a rope, build a fire, plan and prepare a meal, perform CPR, fold a flag, and honor my fellow Scouts, family, and country. In general, Scouting gave me some of the skills I need to be successful today.
The Boy Scout Oath contains three promises: duty to God and country; duty to other people; and duty to self. Recently it struck me that these three promises also could be related to FMCA.
Duty to God and country. As FMCA members, we are fortunate to be able to travel this great continent. During our travels, we need to adhere to traffic laws instituted by states and provinces for the benefit of all. We may not always agree with these laws and regulations, but we have a responsibility to honor them. FMCA also has a Code of Ethics that members agree to follow. And FMCA supports the RVer’s Good Neighbor Policy: Overnight Parking Etiquette adopted by a number of RV clubs. A copy of each of these documents appears in the January 2014 issue of the magazine.
If you are a veteran or currently in the military, in law enforcement, or a fire fighter, thank you for your service. We enjoy freedoms today because of the sacrifices you have made and continue to make each and every day.
Duty to other people. I learned at a very early age to help others. I felt an obligation of service to those in need, whether it was planning a carnival to benefit muscular dystrophy research; participating in the local CROP walk to raise funds to end hunger; placing my quarter in the weekly offering at church; distributing toys at Christmastime as a member of the high school Key Club; helping the community through the Jaycee’s; or visiting shut-ins and caroling with the church youth group during the holiday season. FMCA members are no different. Through contributions to FMCA’s Round Up program, participating in Habitat for Humanity builds, helping tornado and flood victims, assisting our wounded soldiers, or helping out in ways that are too numerous to list, FMCA members truly have a duty to help others in need and to make this a better world.
Duty to self. The Boy Scout Oath talks about being physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Well, I can’t say with total honesty that I have maintained that physical strength. Office work, and, yes, motorhoming, have been less than kind to my body over the years. I have made excuses and have gained some unwanted pounds. But, thanks to my wife, Sue, and a group of inspiring friends, this year I have joined a running group, eaten a little bit better, and am taking steps to be healthier.
I interpret “mentally awake” as continuing to challenge myself to be better. I need to continue to ask questions, seek answers, and do whatever I can to improve the lives that I touch. In the case of FMCA, that means working for YOU every single day. I can tell you that we, in the national office, continue to challenge ourselves every single day to see how we can make your membership more meaningful.
Morally straight means to live my life with honesty and to be a trusted friend and colleague. That reminds me of an FMCA member whose spouse passed away during an international convention a few years ago. When I asked her whether she needed assistance in leaving the convention early, she said to me, “No, this is my family.” We often state that friendship is the tie that binds FMCA members. Through e-mails, letters, calls, and actions, FMCA members prove how important it is to be a trusted friend.
Keeping the Scout Oath in mind, there are a few items related to FMCA that I wish to address. I do not wish to offend anyone, but I simply wish to offer a few explanations regarding some discussions that have taken place with members over the past few months.
FMCA is a social organization of motorhome owners and enthusiasts. We don’t wish to take positions on political issues unless they affect the motorhome lifestyle. In the past, we have communicated with many of you at the request of industry leaders regarding such issues as local parking ordinances, length and weight issues, and taxation. Some of you have supported these movements, while others have criticized FMCA’s efforts. We continue to emphasize that the choice is yours to support, or not to support, an issue that affects motorhome owners. In this same spirit, FMCA also recognizes the fact that members have various religious beliefs. We wish to be inclusive with our membership, not exclusive.
In our efforts to provide benefits to the membership, sometimes things do not go as we would hope. In mid-December, a program called RV RoadHelp was launched. This program was designed to replace the Coach-Net relationship that ended in 2013. Coach-Net’s business model has changed to more of a dealer-driven program. Unfortunately, as a result of circumstances outside of FMCA’s control, the RV RoadHelp program was disabled shortly after its launch, when issues arose with the provider. I am hoping that by the time you read this article, this important roadside service program will be up and running.
Also on the subject of member benefits, soon you should be receiving some exciting information about a new motorhome insurance offering for FMCA members. This new program will give members more options in terms of insurance providers, arranged by RV specialists. While FMCA’s current motorhome and auto insurance program officially will end in March, I believe you will be pleased with the new program being planned specifically for you as a motorhome owner.
This should prove to be a very positive year for FMCA. Family members; commercial members; your national, area, and chapter officers; Governing Board members; and national office staff have an upbeat feeling for the future of this association. I hope you also catch this feeling and help us continue to grow and prosper.
So, as we celebrate the founding of the Scouting movement on February 8, please repeat after me, “On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty … ”
Safe travels.