By Jerry Yeatts, F390000
Executive Director
March 2014
March Madness is a time that evokes anticipation, excitement, suspense, euphoria, and anger, many times all within the 40-minute time frame of a college basketball tournament game. For the fans, it’s a time to don the appropriate collegiate apparel and to head to the local watering hole to experience the marathon of round one and round two tournament games. For the teams, it represents the culmination of a season of success, and possibly a couple of “learning moments” as they work on strategies to perfect their game plan.
Passport To Perry
FMCA is experiencing its own type of March Madness. This month, March 17-20, FMCA’s 89th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase will be held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, Georgia. If you have never experienced an FMCA international event, this is one you will not want to miss. The theme is “Passport to Perry,” and there will certainly be much you can do at this international event produced by the world’s largest motorhome owners club. Seminars, tours, entertainment, fun and games, prizes, motorhomes on display and for sale, as well as hundreds of accessories that help to enhance your motorhoming experience will all be in Perry, along with a few thousand families who share your love for the lifestyle. Those who already have registered are full of anticipation, and the national office staff, elected officers, and planning committee have done a huge amount of strategizing to ensure a memorable time for all. We hope you will join us! Visit FMCA.com for more information or call the FMCA national office at (513) 474-3622 or (800) 543-3622.
FMCA RV Insurance
FMCA is about to launch a program in April that will give FMCA members more options when it comes to purchasing motorhome insurance. The FMCA Insurance Coalition, composed of several RV specialty insurance agencies, will utilize their collective experience, tools, underwriters, connections, and relationships to provide a positive customer experience. The multiagency, multi-carrier design of this new program will expand options, allowing for more competitive rates and enhanced coverage availability. I believe the FMCA Insurance Coalition will provide top-tier underwriters that have outstanding ratings within the insurance industry. More information will be forwarded to you in the form of an e-mail notification, as well as a formal announcement in next month’s issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine. You may also learn more about this exciting program at FMCA’s 89th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase in Perry.
Michelin Advantage
Many of you have purchased tires using the Michelin Advantage tire program, letting us know of the tremendous savings you have achieved. The praises have come from owners of Type A motorhomes, since these are the only vehicles the program benefits. However, we hope to have some good news to share with Type B and C owners shortly. Information about using this program appears on FMCA.com; look for the Michelin logo on the home page. Or call the FMCA national office at (513) 474-3622 or (800) 543-3622.
Pilot/Flying J
FMCA has received clarification from Pilot/Flying J regarding changes to the Frequent Fueler Advantage, Real Value, and MyRewards programs. Current RV loyalty cards, including Frequent Fueler Advantage, FJ RV Real Value, and MyRewards, will continue to function as normal through 2014, but card holders will receive the following new discounts: Gas $.03 per gallon; Diesel $.03 per gallon; Propane $.05 per gallon; and Dump $2.50 off $10. These particular cards are no longer being issued and will not be honored after December 31, 2014. FMCA is continuing to explore other fuel programs for FMCA members.
U.S. Bank Visa Credit Card
A member contacted the national office recently regarding the FMCA Visa credit card offered through U.S. Bank. Several years ago, FMCA and U.S. Bank teamed up to offer a credit card that would earn rewards for both the credit card holder and the association. U.S. Bank recently informed FMCA of the discontinuation of the program. For those of you who have an FMCA Visa card, it will be converted to a U.S. Bank Visa credit card upon expiration of your current card. FMCA will not receive any remuneration from the issuance or use of this card.
In The May Issue
There are so many special days to celebrate in the month of May. Many of these days are in honor or remembrance of those who safeguard our safety and freedom. Just a quick glance at the list of special remembrance days finds V-E Day on May 8; Military Spouse Day on May 9; Peace Officer’s Memorial Day on May 15; Armed Forces Day on May 17; Victoria Day and National Patriots’ Day in Canada on May 19; and Memorial Day on May 26. I would like to consider including in the May issue of FMC magazine some stories of friends or loved ones who have served their countries so proudly. All people submitting stories will receive a U.S. or Canadian FMCA decal to place on your motorhome or on your towed car. Please send your stories to me at jyeatts@fmca.com or mail them to the national office (8291 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45244). Please submit your stories to me by Friday, March 21.
Speaking of veterans, do you know that FMCA has a Military Veterans chapter? This chapter, boasting more than 200 members, is international in scope, with members who have served in the various military branches of the United States — Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Air Force — or in the Canadian military. Through socials, meetings, and prerallies, members share in the camaraderie and the dissemination of information pertaining to veterans’ benefits. More information about this chapter may be obtained by contacting the secretary of the Military Veterans chapter, J. Carol Lee, via e-mail at 1938.carol.lee@gmail.com or via phone at (256) 366-5974. For general chapter information, please feel free to contact the Chapter Services Department staff at chapters@fmca.com or at (513) 474-3622 or (800) 543-3622.
Safe travels.
Nomination Deadline Approaching For FMCA Awards
March 15, 2014, is the deadline to submit nominations for two newly created awards that recognize FMCA members for their service to FMCA.
The Kenneth T. Scott Pipe Dreamer’s Award is for those members who have earned the gratitude of FMCA by some exceptionally worthy or beneficial service to FMCA or to family motor coach owners in general.
Kenneth T. Scott, L63, was FMCA’s first executive director. His vision for the association was to promote “family” first and foremost. He enjoyed working with people and had the ability to help different people to come together to agree on a common goal.
The Robert L. Richter Award is to recognize an individual who is responsible for chapter newsletters, chapter publications, or communications to and about an FMCA chapter.
Robert L. Richter, L1, was FMCA’s founder and first editor of Family Motor Coaching magazine. Mr. Richter began publishing the association’s cherished periodical out of his home in February 1964. The first edition was “dedicated to those far-sighted people who can realize that here we begin a new era in American travel.” Mr. Richter’s vision was that Family Motor Coach Association and Family Motor Coaching magazine would become a national information center for owners of motorhomes and for those interested in them.
For details regarding the nominating process for either award, please contact the Chapter Services Department — chapters@fmca.com; (513) 474-3622 or (800) 543-3622. Again, the deadline to submit nominations is March 15, 2014.