Executive Director’s Commentary
By Don Eversmann, F240000
September 2002
Family Motor Coach Association will reach a significant milestone next year. The association will be 40 years old on July 20, 2003. What is even more exciting is that this “birthday” will occur during FMCA’s 70th premier international motorhome extravaganza, July 18, 19, and 20, in Buffalo, New York. We are hoping to make this extravaganza even more memorable than usual for the 12,000 family members who are expected to attend.
In keeping with the spirit of this special occasion, all family members are invited to help celebrate by recruiting new motorhome owners to the association. To encourage everyone to join in this effort and experience the excitement of the event, FMCA will hold membership recruitment contests that will reward recruiting families and also new member families.
The first contest is intended to reward those who recruit new members. In addition to the usual reward of a $5 coupon good for FMCA logo merchandise at the FMCA Store or Camping World merchandise, each FMCA member who recruits a new member between August 15, 2002, and July 1, 2003, will have his or her name entered in a drawing for a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. In addition, three $1,000 cash prizes and six 14-karat gold motorhome charms will be awarded to recruiting members. The drawing will be held on July 20, 2003, prior to evening entertainment at the Buffalo extravaganza.
The second contest is intended to assist you in your recruiting efforts by providing an additional incentive to motorhome owners who join FMCA during the same period. New members who pay their first-year membership fee of $35 between August 15, 2002, and July 1, 2003, also will have the opportunity to win one of two great prizes. Creative World Rallies & Caravans, C1350, is donating a 41-day Alaska caravan trip for two in 2004 and a post-Mardi Gras 2004 Caribbean cruise for two. New members will automatically be entered. The first entry drawn will have the choice of the Alaska caravan or the cruise, and the second will receive the remaining prize.
I hope that many of you will join us and become part of the celebration of FMCA’s 40th anniversary during the Buffalo motorhome extravaganza in July of 2003. However, if you can’t join us, you can still be part of the contest by recruiting new members and having an opportunity to win one of these prizes. You need not be present at the drawing to win, but you must recruit a new member (or be one) to have your name in the hopper.
The Family Motor Coach Association is frequently referred to as the motorhome world’s “best-kept secret.” Let’s stop keeping it a secret. Encourage others to join FMCA and provide them with the opportunity to experience the fun and fellowship that FMCA provides.
The national office would be happy to assist you in this endeavor. If you would like for us to send an informational packet to a fellow motorhome owner, simply call the Member Services Department and give them the prospective member’s name and address — and they’ll do the rest. The packet includes a copy of Family Motor Coaching magazine — the best recruitment tool available. If your prospect joins FMCA as a result of your referral, you will receive credit for recruiting them.
If we can assist you in your efforts to bring more motorhome owners into FMCA, please do not hesitate to call; we enjoy hearing from you. So, go ahead — tell a friend about all that membership in FMCA has to offer. Please refer to page 20 of this issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine for the announcement and to page 219 for contest rules and eligibility information.
Passport America
Family Motor Coach Association has just entered into a partnership agreement with Passport America on behalf of its members. In case you are not familiar with Passport America, this company invented the 50 percent discount camping club in 1992 and has continued to improve on that great concept. As a Passport America cardholder, you can stay at nearly 1,000 campgrounds across the United States, Canada, and Mexico at 50 percent off the regular rate.
Passport America members receive an International Camping Directory in a printed version or on a CD; a personalized travel card; and a newsletter during the year. Present your Passport America card to receive half off the regular rate on campsites in participating campgrounds; these facilities are listed in the International Camping Directory.
Passport America prints a new directory each January. Updates or changes to the campground list are provided throughout the year in the newsletter. Updated information also is available via e-mail, and 24-hour access to updates is available online at the Passport America Web site — www.passportamerica.com.
The directory also indicates each campground’s individual guidelines. These vary, because Passport America member RV parks are individually owned and operated. For example, the majority don’t require reservations, but some suggest them, and others require them. The number of nights certain RV parks extend the discount also varies — one night, two nights, a week, a month, etc. Access to Passport America campgrounds is on a space-available basis.
You may use your Passport America card as often as you like, for the term of your membership.
The Passport America discount RV travel card costs only $44 for 12 months. Our agreement with Passport America enables FMCA members to receive an additional three months (an $11 value) when they purchase the one-year program, or an additional six months (a $22 value) if they join for two or three years. The two-year program costs $79, and the three-year program is $109.
For more information, look for the Passport America order form on page 53 in this issue of Family Motor Coaching. Join those who already are enjoying discount camping.