Speak Out, Be Heard, Participate
Help FMCA continue along the path to becoming a more member-driven organization.
National President
Jon Walker, F268778
jwalker@fmca.com
Back in October, I shared information in this column about FMCA striving to become more “member driven.” I included links to a video in which I shared my vision of what “member driven” is all about, as well as a link to a survey we are asking members to take. The survey includes questions related to such things as leadership, marketing, member engagement, communications, technology, and member expectations, with room for open-ended answers.
The results of this survey are starting to be read and analyzed by FMCA’s new Member Engagement Committee. I am happy to report that your participation in this survey — which required thought and time to complete — was incredible. We have had almost 2,300 responses so far! By the way, you can still view the video here — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFRhyuUIxcE — and take the survey here — https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RMCBY2R. We’d love it if every FMCA member completed the survey and shared their thoughts.
Following are some examples of responses we have received for the question, “What does being member-driven mean to you?” Replies included: member participation; member involvement; members have a voice; members devoting time and expertise; owner input; volunteerism by members; focus on issues important to members; making sure of strategic direction and moving the organization forward; making better use of surveys and feedback to learn member needs and expectations; recognizing every member is important; and more inclusive ways of involving members in the decision-making process.
We have received comments that weave an interesting pattern. Some members have said they believe they do not have a voice in the decision-making process. With our current structure, the delegates who make the actual governmental decisions for FMCA have to be members of chapters. Approximately two-thirds of our members do not belong to chapters, so how is their voice heard?
Many comments indicated that a vast number of our members are willing to help and participate, but they simply do not know how to go about doing this.
One of the tasks of the committee is to help develop a volunteer database to aid in identifying qualified volunteers. We know that “FMCA’s Got Talent.” The challenge is to find the proper way to define who has what talents, and to figure out how those people can best use those skills and abilities for the betterment of FMCA.
If you are coming to FMCA’s 99th International Convention and RV Expo in Perry, Georgia, March 13 through 16, note that I will talk about our Member Engagement initiative during the President’s Forum on Friday at 9:00 a.m. in Reaves Arena. In addition, on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Seminar 2, members of the Member Engagement Committee will be on hand to discuss the possibilities and opportunities this program will provide for our members and the association as a whole. I encourage you to attend both sessions. I have great faith in the ability of FMCA’s committees to make FMCA a better organization.
You also will be seeing more and more short surveys going out to our membership as we develop digital tools to solicit information from our vast membership, with the goal of giving our leaders better data as they make decisions for the organization. So, stay tuned.
By the time you read this, Sondra and I will have attended the Western Area Rally in Indio, California, in January and will be on the road from Indio to Lakeland, Florida, to attend the Southeast Area Rally in early February. As we attend FMCA area rallies, we always look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. When you see us at these rallies, please make it a point to stop and talk with us and give us YOUR ideas on what we can do to make our wonderful organization even better.
Remember, it still is all about having fun!
The Gift Of FMCA
With educational opportunities, events, and special offers for members, an FMCA membership is the gift that keeps on giving, year-round.
Executive Director
Chris Smith
csmith@fmca.com
Chris Smith
Education has been a hallmark of FMCA since its inception in 1963. Through the years, Family Motor Coaching, and now Family RVing, has been the primary learning tool for members. Attendees at FMCA’s international conventions also have benefited from the many seminars presented by RV experts and commercial authorities who participate in our events. Recently, we established the FMCA Academy to offer additional learning opportunities for members who sought more from their RVing experience.
This year, FMCA will roll out its newest FMCA Academy opportunity with the RV Driving Program, which will be held prior to the “Peachy In Perry” convention in March. I’ve always thought it was crazy that we didn’t offer some type of training in the single most important part of RVing — driving or towing the RV. So, during the Gillette convention, we met with representatives from the RV Driving School, and we’ve partnered with this group to provide the type of instruction every person behind the wheel needs.
The RV Driving Program is broken into two separate educational options — the RV Driving Class and the RV Backing Class. The driving class portion is a two-day session involving both classroom time and on-the-road training with an individual instructor. The backing class, which is all done on the same day, also includes classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction, but the backing training will involve multiple stations at which the student will learn how to maneuver the motorhome or towed vehicle in various situations.
Because of the individualized nature of instruction, attendees will begin arriving in Perry a week before the event, and the classes will continue until the day before the convention begins. For more information, visit FMCA.com/rv-driving-school.
Also prior to the Perry convention, we will present our ever-popular RV Basics class, led by “RV Doctor” Gary Bunzer. During this two-and-a-half-day educational program, Gary and other expert instructors will teach those new to RVing (and some who may just want a refresher) everything they need to know to make their travels safe and trouble-free. I can tell you, I’ve talked with more than a few people who have taken this course, and they come away feeling so much more enlightened and enthusiastic about RVing. If you’re just getting started, this is a class you should not miss. For more information about RV Basics, visit FMCA.com/rv-education-101.
Both the RV Driving Program and RV Basics have limited seats available, so if you are interested in taking one or more of these classes, sign up now. And while you’re at it, make sure to register for the “Peachy In Perry” International Convention & RV Expo, March 13 through 16, 2019, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. I know our Events team has been working hard to make this an awesome convention, and I’m sure they will not disappoint.
Celebrating Convention 100!
1964. The Beatles made their first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” and Beatlemania went into overdrive. Ford introduced its first Mustang. Elizabeth Taylor married Richard Burton for the first time. And FMCA members gathered at Fort Ticonderoga in Ticonderoga, New York, for the association’s first-ever convention.
This summer FMCA members will gather at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot, North Dakota, to celebrate convention 100! We’re calling it “Minot Magic: 100 Times The Fun.” The dates of this fun-filled event are August 14 through 17, 2019, and registration begins on February 13. The registration form appears in this issue of the magazine on page 29 and online at FMCA.com.
Meanwhile, we are gathering memories and photos for use in a special commemorative program we’ll be creating for this event. So, come reminisce with us. Tell us about your favorite convention. What made it special? Share a funny story about something that happened at one of the gatherings. Let us know about people you have met, especially those who have become lifelong friends. Please send them to 100@fmca.com or mail them to FMCA, c/o Convention 100, 8291 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45244.
We’d also love to see your favorite convention photos. To submit them digitally, please email them to 100@fmca.com. Keep in mind that we’ll need high-resolution images in order for them to reproduce well in print. That means images shouldn’t be downsized for emailing and, in technical terms, they need to be approximately 4×6 inches in size and at least 300 dpi. If you’re not sure your photos meet those qualifications, send them along and let us take a look.
If you have prints you’d like to share via postal mail, we’d welcome those also. If you send originals, know that we’ll take good care of them and return them to you after the project is completed. Send them to FMCA at the address above.
Give The Gift Of FMCA Membership
Your FMCA membership delivers benefits and savings to enhance the RV lifestyle. Plus, FMCA membership provides access to so many opportunities — events, chapters, education resources, and more. So we’d like to invite you to pass the gift of FMCA on to a fellow RVer. Anytime is the perfect time to present a friend or family member the gift of an FMCA membership. And we have a new online option for purchasing a gift membership that takes only a couple clicks of a mouse.
Visit https://www.fmca.com/giftfmca to get started and fill out the form. You will need to log in to your online account to view this page. You will have the option to email the gift voucher directly to the recipient, or you can choose to hold on to it if you prefer to keep it under wraps (pun intended!) until you are ready to present the gift. The voucher includes instructions for the recipient to redeem their new membership. If you have any questions, you can always call the Membership Department at (800) 543-3622 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.
So many good things are happening within FMCA. Help us spread the word.
Until next month, enjoy the journey.