By Jerry Yeatts, F390000
Executive Director
December 2015
This is the season when the red kettles begin to appear on the street corners and in the lobbies of grocery stores; local Boy Scout troops host Christmas tree and holly sales in church parking lots; cookie exchanges take place among neighbors; holiday music combines with office parties to create a celebratory atmosphere in the workplace. It is truly the season of sharing and caring for one another.
This also is a time when many FMCA members prepare to travel to warmer-weather destinations and escape the cold of the winter months. You organize clothes and supplies; provide your mail forwarding company your seasonal address; say your good-byes to your neighbors; program your GPS; and away you go! Okay . . . I realize it’s not that simple, but it sure beats thinking about digging out from an Ohio winter!
Whether you have winterized your motorhome and are staying put, or you are a road warrior getting ready for that next great adventure, I’d like to share some end-of-the-year tips with you to make the holidays a little less stressful.
- Motorhoming isn’t just a “summer” thing. Family Motor Coaching magazine will continue to publish technical columns, do-it-yourself articles, destination suggestions, and helpful tips to assist you as you travel, or dream of the winter thaw.
- Want something to look forward to? Register for the Western Area Rally, January 6-10, 2016, in Indio, California.
- While you are at it, THINK SPRING, and register for FMCA’s 93rd Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase, March 17-20, 2016, in Perry, Georgia.
- Talk with your motorhoming friends about the benefits of being a member of FMCA. For each new member you recruit to the association, you receive a $10 voucher that may be applied toward the purchase of FMCA logo merchandise, payment of FMCA dues, or registration for an area rally or a Family Reunion. When we grow our family, we all benefit!
- Consider an end-of-the-year contribution to FMCA’s Round-Up charities. Habitat for Humanity International, KOA Care Camps, Good Will-Hinckley School, and ProLiteracy Worldwide benefit from the generosity of FMCA members who choose to contribute through our Round-Up campaign. For more information, see page 118 of this issue. Remember, Round-Up contributions are tax-deductible as a charitable donation.
I Think I’ll Have A Guinness . . . World Record, That Is!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be part of setting a new WORLD RECORD? Now is your opportunity to do so, when National Indoor RV Centers hosts MarchFest at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, Georgia, followed by an attempt at the World’s Longest Motorcoach Convoy. FMCA has been working with Jayco Motorhome Group; National Indoor RV Centers; and Entegra Coach Owners Association, an FMCA chapter, in planning this attempt. Can you imagine seeing 1,000 motorhomes going down the highway? That’s several miles’ worth of motorhomes!
MarchFest is being held March 12-15, 2016, with the convoy scheduled to depart Conyers on Tuesday, March 15, and head to Perry, Georgia, for FMCA’s 93rd Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase. Please see the “Save the Date” ad on page 69 for more information.
There’s A Pot of Gold Waiting For You In Perry …
FMCA’s 93rd Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase in Perry is sure to be a great and memorable event. After we set the world’s record, we are going to yuck it up a bit with comedian Lee Marvin Adams. We’ll also kick back and enjoy some good ol’ country music with “Country Unplugged,” featuring country greats Mark Chesnutt, Lorrie Morgan, and Joe Diffie. On the last night, we’ll be treated to a performance by Pamela G and Jackie B, affectionately known as the “Sweethearts of Mountain View, Arkansas,” as they sing everything from gospel to golden oldies, and folk to bluegrass.
The day pattern has changed a little for the Family Reunion in Perry. Those dates are not a typo! The convention days will be Thursday THROUGH Sunday. Many of you have said that you are not able to attend Family Reunions because of work obligations, so we shifted the dates a bit for Perry to see how this works. Many of us are conditioned to leave on Sunday, but you won’t want to do that this time! We’ll start with the motorhome preview on Thursday, March 17, and conclude Sunday evening with Pamela G and Jackie B, with Monday, March 21, being the departure date.
Renewing Your Membership Has Never Been Easier!
FMCA now has a new option for renewing your membership. We realize you are busy traveling the continent, and sometimes your copy of Family Motor Coaching magazine doesn’t reach you in a timely manner. For the past few years, FMCA has included the dues renewal notification, along with your membership card, in a plastic wrapper with the magazine. We are pleased to inform you that you may now sign up for AUTO RENEWAL of your membership.
Those of you with a valid email address on file with FMCA will receive an email notification prior to the delivery of your magazine informing you that your membership will soon be up for renewal. If you wish, you may click on the link provided to renew your membership for one year or multiple years, or you may select the annual Auto Renewal option. With annual Auto Renewal, when your renewal time arrives each year, your membership dues automatically will be charged to the credit card you have placed on file.
You also may renew by sending in your dues with the printed notice, or by calling the membership department at (800) 543-3622 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. We hope the annual Auto Renewal feature will give you peace of mind knowing that your many benefits will continue uninterrupted throughout the year.
On behalf of your FMCA national office staff, I wish you a joyous and safe holiday season. We look forward to some great things in 2016.
Safe travels!
FMCA To Host Family Reunion In Massachusetts
Mark your 2016 calendar now! FMCA’s 94th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase is scheduled to take place August 3-6, 2016, at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts. This will be the first time FMCA has hosted an international event in the Bay State, and you won’t want to miss the fun!
National Office Holiday Closures
The FMCA national office will be closed Thursday and Friday, December 24 and 25, as well as Thursday and Friday, December 31 and January 1, to celebrate the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.