FMCA Update

Even in the face of crisis, hope can be found. Chief Executive Officer Chris Smith csmith@fmca.com July 2020 The current pandemic has brought a great deal of hardship upon many…

Thoughts and expressions of hope from FMCA members as we navigate the uncharted waters of a global pandemic. National President Jon Walker, F268778 jwalker@fmca.com (574) 536-4554 With a monthly magazine…

Notes about cancellation of FMCA events; information about new member benefits Chief Executive Officer Chris Smith csmith@fmca.com May 2020 As I write this, unprecedented things are happening in our world.…

April Fool’s Day Joke? Nope! Advice for when you run afoul of the law, plus a challenge and an invitation to dine with the FMCA president in Nebraska. National President…

All In The Family Ways to connect with fellow FMCA members; an example of how the FMCA family comes through for others; and a look ahead at upcoming events. Chief…

Won’t You Be My Valentine? Why the spirit of Valentine’s Day should spill over into our everyday lives. National President Jon Walker, F268778 jwalker@fmca.com February always reminds me of the…

“On The Worst Day Of My Life . . .” A member’s experience illustrates the value of the FMCAssist Medical Emergency and Travel Assistance Program, and the need to know…

Conventional Wisdom Learn the ins and outs of attending an FMCA convention with this rally prep primer. Chief Executive Officer Chris Smith FMCA’s “Minot Magic” convention is in the rearview…

From “Minot Magic” To Tucson “Sunsets And Saguaros” FMCA’s 100th convention was a fun-filled, educational event, and we now look forward to the 101st, set for March 26 through 29,…

Am I A Past Or A Present? FMCA national president Jon Walker reflects on his time in office: the accomplishments and the people he and his wife, Sondra, have met…

It’s All About Money … Not! An explanation regarding FMCA’s volunteer structure, and an invitation to become involved. National President Jon & Sondra Walker, F2678778 jwalker@fmca.com I hope all of…

Sacrifices Made For Our Freedom Patriotism flies high each year as a small Texas town provides a hero’s welcome to U.S. Medal of Honor recipients. National President Jon Walker, F268778…

Celebrating Chapters Reflections on these valuable subgroups of FMCA, including the successful Chapter Block Party in Perry. National President Jon Walker, F268778 jwalker@fmca.com You may have heard it said before:…

International Space Station And FMCA How cutting-edge technology connects the two. National President Jon Walker, F268778 jwalker@fmca.com I am having a very strange experience sitting here today writing my May…

The FMCA Family Stories of a few of the people who help to make FMCA the fantastic RV association that it is. National President Jon Walker, F268778 jwalker@fmca.com FMCA is…

Shaping FMCA’s Future Work continues to ensure that FMCA remains a fun, successful organization that is driven by, and meets the needs of, its membership. National President Jon Walker, F268778…

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…

First Month . . . First RV Trip The start of a new year prompts a trip down memory lane and thoughts regarding new beginnings. National President Jon Walker, F268778…

Gifts Reflections of the season, including gratitude for FMCA. National President Jon Walker jwalker@fmca.com In our family, December is the time of year when everyone seems to start thinking about…

Look What We Accomplished Last Year! National President By Jon Walker, F268778 jwalker@fmca.com Last month in this column I shared my vision for FMCA initiatives going into fiscal year 2019…

FMCA Has Talent And we want to tap into it! Read on to learn more. FMCA National President Jon Walker, F268778 jwalker@fmca.com October marks the time of the year when…

Excitement In Wyoming! A fun-filled event; some unwind time; new FMCA members recruited; and friends old and new who came to the rescue. National President Jon & Sondra Walker, F268778…

Just Another Non-Relevant Discount Club? Absolutely not. Here’s what sets our member-owned organization apart. National President Jon Walker, F268778 jwalker@fmca.com   Recently I met with a longtime FMCA member who…

Get Set For Summer Fun! Plans are under way at the Walker residence for great times this summer, and at FMCA headquarters for a rip-roaring RV roundup in Wyoming in…

New Beginnings One benefit of FMCA is help from fellow members while traveling and the friendships that can develop. National President Jon & Sondra Walker, F268778 jwalker@fmca.com June in southern…

Family RVing This month we unveil a new name and new design for FMCA’s official publication. By Jon Walker, F268778 National President jwalker@fmca.com If you change the way you look…

April is a month of renewal and change. Here in the Midwest, spring bursts forth, and we — and the landscape around us — shake off the winter doldrums. April is one of the months of the year that holds special meaning for me. My first child, Lyla, was born in April five years ago. When I started working at FMCA, she was only 4 months old. One of my favorite pictures of her is the one we took of her sitting in my office chair shortly after I was hired. Another is of the two of us braving the snow, the photo I’ve shared in this column. She sure was tiny. The adage “Time flies when you are having fun” has never rung more true.

Greetings from Cincinnati! As you read this, the national office staff will be wrapping up registrations for FMCA’s 97th International Convention and RV Expo, set to take place March 15 through 18 in Perry, Georgia. Registration figures for “Southern Charm” have us trending toward the biggest event in a number of years. If you want to join the party, it is not too late. You can go to https://site.fmca.com/fmca-perry-learn-more, or call us at (513) 474-3622 or (800) 543-3622 to sign up or learn more about the event.

The FMCA staff certainly has been busy over the past couple of months. As you probably have read or heard by now, FMCA has announced three new or revised member benefits since November 1, 2017.

As I sit down to write my January column, it is late November, and all I can think is, “Wow, what a wild month it’s been” — in a good way!

Where did the year go? It seems like just yesterday I was writing about how the weather was warming up and the FMCA family would be out there enjoying it. Now the chill is in the air here in Cincinnati! And by the time you read this column, winter will be on its way, and some of you will be lucky enough to be making your way down South to continue enjoying the nice weather. And the holidays will be upon us. Whatever you celebrate during the month of December, enjoy the season.

Like all of you, I’m sure, I have many things to be thankful for. I have a wonderful, healthy family, with a new addition, a son, on the way in December. My wife and I recently found our forever home here in Cincinnati, and by the time you read this, we should be settled in there.

It’s looking like October will be a very busy month in the Smith household. By the time this magazine reaches you, we either will be searching for our forever home or settling into it. We have an exciting reason for this new home search: my wife, Jill, and I are expecting the third, and likely last, addition to our family. Our new son is due to arrive on or around December 6…

You might have already figured out that I am a big sports fan. I shared in the March issue that the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is my favorite sporting event. My favorite season is football season, and my favorite team is the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. As the weather turns a bit cooler, in my mind there is nothing better than relaxing in front of the TV on a Sunday afternoon with friends and family while cheering on the Bengals.

The July issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine included an announcement regarding a wireless internet plan that FMCA had intended to make available to all members. Unfortunately, Verizon officials have informed FMCA that this plan cannot be made available to members after all.

FMCA did its due diligence in working with Verizon regarding details for this offering, with several months of communication, including approval from Verizon officials of the July 2017 article and ad. We had every reason to believe that Verizon understood what FMCA’s plans were in launching this program.