Join Us As “Adventure Peaks”!
FMCA is having a party in Central Oregon in August, and you are all invited!
Glenda and Gary Milner
National President
Gary Milner, F409834
gmilner@fmca.com
What an amazing convention in Tucson! I hope you were among those who gathered with us in sunny Arizona for “Fiesta Del Sol,” FMCA’s 108th International Convention & RV Expo. We had a fantastic time with our “family” members. This issue of the magazine headed to the printer right after the convention ended, so look for a full report next month.
Where Adventure Peaks!
We’d like to invite you all to join us August 14 through 17 at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon, for FMCA’s 109th International Convention & RV Expo. We’re calling the event “Adventure Peaks,” in honor of the host area. The Expo Center is a modern, state-of-the-art facility set on 340 manicured acres in the heart of Central Oregon, on the eastern side of the spectacular Cascade Mountains. The area offers all sorts of opportunities for fun and outdoor recreation — golf, fishing, cycling, rock climbing, etc.
We especially need chapter national directors to consider making the trip to Redmond, as we will be conducting FMCA’s annual business meeting there, and a quorum is required for the budget to be approved and for other business decisions to be made.
I know it is a long trip for some, but Glenda and I are taking advantage of many bucket-list locations en route and would suggest that you consider doing the same. If you’ve never been to this part of the United States, you won’t regret going. It’s so beautiful — breathtaking, in fact. It’s a real treat to wake up to the snowcapped mountain range, and the weather in this high-desert location is quite comfortable, with sunny days and average summer temperatures ranging from lows of 45 to highs of 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let’s Talk T-Mobile
FMCA members have a great opportunity! We’d like to encourage all members to consider participating in the new mobile internet plan offered by FMCA and T-Mobile. The cost is $59.99 a month for this unlimited plan (subject to network management after 100 GB). And for those of you currently on the Tech Connect+ program with other carriers, please consider switching to the T-Mobile plan. If our members support this new opportunity, we will increase FMCA’s financial position significantly. Glenda and I have an unlimited plan that has worked great for us (she loves to stream every day).
The new T-Mobile cellphone plan is another great discount program for FMCA members. It’s a “bring your own device” program, so you use your current phone, and a new SIM card is mailed to you. Check with FMCA to see whether your current plan can be moved to the FMCA program. It’s an easy process, with FMCA’s Tech Connect+ employees available by phone and email, ready to answer any questions and to lend assistance. Visit FMCA.com/techconnect for pricing information and details on how to get signed up.
DEF Issue Strikes
Near the end of February, we experienced the dreaded DEF head issue on our London Aire motorhome. We had stopped to fuel up in El Paso, Texas, and when Glenda started the engine to leave, the dash lit up. We called a retired diesel mechanic who is a member of FMCA, and he informed us that based on the codes, it was the DEF head failure! He advised us that the RV engine would start derating, so we would not make it to Tucson. Glenda and I had overnighted before in a campground at the next exit, so that is where we headed to work out the issue.
Thank you, fellow RV owners, for giving me a lot of advice on where to find the needed parts. We were fortunate to find a quick fix, but it was a three-day wait for shipping. When we’d stayed in this campground in the past, it was during the rainy season. Not so this time, and the campground was very dusty. Glenda did not enjoy cleaning the RV several times a day, and since she had advised me how we could avoid the wait, I realized from her body language that there was going to be more to this story in the future. That is my side of the story, though, and I am sticking to it!
Remember, it’s all about having fun (even during a mechanical breakdown)!
Now For The Rest Of The Story By Glenda Milner
Okay, I’m glad that my husband identified the shortfalls of the three-day stay in the dust bowl. Now the rest of the story. The reality is that the fix should have been completed in about 30 minutes sitting at the back of the fuel station. I am always reading forums and Facebook pages that talk about the DEF head issues. I learned SEVERAL months ago that there was a quick fix that could be purchased to get you to a location for a permanent fix. I informed Gary SEVERAL times that I needed to order, and he said, “I don’t think our 2019 will need it.” Even though I told him the issue goes all the way back to 2016 model-year RVs! Well, you can imagine the thoughts that were running through my mind when we learned it was the DEF head. And you guys can probably also imagine the thoughts I had while constantly cleaning the RV at the campground. Of course, I learned 50 years ago how to take advantage of him “feeling bad” about his lack of saying “Yes, dear.” I loved shopping as my reward for using the mop to clean the RV for three days! I am still holding the words “I told you so” for a rainy day!
You Play, They Pay!
FMCA members who are 65-plus may be eligible to have their FMCA membership dues covered by their U.S. Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan.
Chief Executive Officer
Chris Smith
csmith@fmca.com
FMCA has a new member benefit partner that may reimburse you for the cost of your FMCA membership dues. If you qualify, just let them know about the great times you are having as an FMCA member and you’ll get your dues paid through the plan. True story! That new partner is Grouper.
Research has shown that social connections are important for our overall physical and mental health and wellness. Grouper works with the providers of U.S. Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement insurance plans to encourage people to join clubs and groups and to participate in social activities. What’s in it for the insurance companies? Since avoiding social isolation is known to improve our health and quality of life, it lowers the cost of care.
Here’s how the program works. FMCA members first need to verify that their current insurance provider participates in the Grouper social benefit. If it does, you’re eligible to receive a yearly check to cover your FMCA membership dues. What if your plan isn’t currently a participant? Grouper continues to work to expand its network and will contact you if your plan is added to the program.
What will you need to do after you sign up? Members must keep Grouper posted regarding their “social fitness” so the company has data to provide to the insurance companies. Grouper will send participants an email each month reminding them to log their involvement in qualifying activities. Monthly reporting needs to occur to ensure that you’ll receive an annual reimbursement for your FMCA dues. This isn’t a one-time offer, either. If you stay active in FMCA and continue to submit reports, your dues will be covered every year.
What types of activities qualify? Anything to do with RV life! This would include attending FMCA rallies, participating in a group activity at a campground, playing pickleball, line dancing, volunteering as a campground host, going on an RV tour, spending time with friends around the campfire, and more. The list goes on and on.
Grouper and its insurance company partners encourage healthy living through activities that build meaningful social connections and shared experiences. Since FMCA’s formation in 1963, the social side of RV life has been foundational to the organization. So, this new partnership is a win-win.
Visit www.fmca.com/grouper to learn more. Sign in to your FMCA account for complete details and to view a list of frequently asked questions. The process to determine your eligibility should take only five minutes. You’ll need to have your FMCA member number and health plan ID handy.
Who would have thought that you could have your FMCA annual dues paid just for having fun and creating new memories? The bonus of doing what RVers do, of course, is a happier, healthier life. Cheers to social fitness!