camarti1

Thank You very much Ross Boyer, I do understand and it makes perfect sense to use member numbers rather than merely names. It is our numbers of our "goose eggs" which helps us stay unique. One of the things I have a question about is which holds precedent, the constitution or the bylaws? I am not trying to be obstinate, I am really trying to learn, not only for this instance but for the future as well. I am clear there will be some language changes coming forth after this experiment, but for now, I am not seeing the language that precludes or directs voter action when there are pending changes to the constitution. I also see the word "or" in the language meaning, to this reader, there are several groups which can make changes to this document. If it is the bylaws which hold sway over the constitution, then which part of the bylaws should I direct myself to in order to understand further how this system works? I have got to say, between reading the bylaws and the Member and Volunteer Handbook, it is terribly confusing as to what exact rights a voting member, like myself, really have. There appears to this reader a significant amount of duplicity with the number of people performing tasks which could easily be performed by a single group or person. But this would be a task to attack at another time. I do appreciate all of the assistance I am receiving while searching my way through the constitution and how it is written. As a former paralegal, I do kind of attach myself to certain words and meanings, a hazard of the background. I did not remain in the legal field for any true length of time, as I moved into a different career with the telephone industry. That is where my passion has truly lived, as I was an instructor to others needing to know how to do their respective jobs. Instilling knowledge of process and procedure is my life's work. Guess this is why tracking the current processes around this issue has piqued my interest. Again I appreciated the opportunity to learn and grow through this experience.

Spuds, I understand how belittling it is to be publicly humiliated by a peer group. I have sat on boards and other committees, and have felt the biting sting of embarrassment . Please do not let the one negative affect your decisions now. The onus is on the person who slammed you, not on you, as you are better than that. You stayed with FMCA didn't you? So you have the best revenge, you have your integrity in place and your honor is intact.

Thanks folks. As I read the articles and I got to Articles 10 it states 20 members, not specifying a specific level of membership. To recap, it states as follows: "Any 20 voting members, the Governing Board, The Executive Board, or the Constitution and Bylaws Committee may propose an amendment to the Constitution." The key word in the sentence is "or" so there is a choice of who may propose an amendment, which would also mean, in my very humble opinion, that 20 voting members also have the power to not amend the constitution. I have read and reread the posting and nowhere, anywhere in the document states a specific level of voting member can make changes or stop them. Is it mentioned somewhere else in the constitution. Please, I am really eager to learn how this constitution is interpreted, as I am a newbie, and truly am not aware of the nuances of the organization. Thank You.

Cynthia, I am trying to have the amendment cancelled and leave FMCA a motor coach only organization. For any others who may be reading this, a "yes" vote is needed to try and nullify the action of allowing towables into FMCA. Thank you to all who are reading this, your time is so appreciated.

Bill, Didn't you say in an earlier post you had allowed your membership to lapse? I think it is an error to besmirch anyone's name at this point, so please, let all of this stay above board and keep integrity in the forefront.

I need an explanation please. Why can't we all just vote "yes" to table the vote, and refer it back to committee? I read the rules on how to amend the constitution, and it clearly states it only needs 20 votes to initiate a change. We now have a second, so it would now be an active motion to vote on. The question is do you want to table this motion and refer it back to committee? If if can't be done as per the rules listed, then I really need a comprehensive explanation why, as I really do have a desire to know. I am not an expert on Robert's Rules of Order, so I am winging it here. According to the Constitution, it only needs 20 votes to amend.

Article X AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION A. Any 20 voting members, the Governing Board, The Executive Board, or the Constitution and Bylaws Committee may propose an amendment to the Constitution. B. Proposed amendment with rationale should be clearly set forth in writing. C. Proposals shall be sent to the Secretary and a duplicate to the President. Now, why did I write out this specific portion of the "Proposed Changes"? It only took 20 members to make this suggestion, and sent it on to way through to too many committees to write about. Is it possible a motion from the floor (us) could stop this process of this vote? I made a motion in a previous post "I would like to make a motion that this vote be tabled until such time other options can be explored by the FMCA committee for expanding its membership, using some of the suggestions brought forward contained here within." I made my request in writing, and it is clearly done with rationale, as I have explained my ideas for the FMCA quite clearly. Is it possible, with a "second" and 20 votes to table the motion, this issue goes back to committee for review? I jokingly stated it was too late for this to happen, but is it? Can someone much more knowledgeable please respond to this, please? I know I will be severely reprimanded for even suggesting such a thing, perhaps even thrown out of the FMCA, but if we can exercise our votes to put this out there to amend the constitution, then it may be possible to use our voting power to stop these changes and ask for the items suggested be considered. I am for positive changes, but not changes which appear to be changes just for the sake of change. I do not feel adding towables is the right direction for the FMCA, and I have voted "NO", just to help keep the thread back on subject. Thank You for your time and attention, it clearly is appreciated. Any and help is also gratefully acknowledged.

“RVs tap into Americans’ values and desires to get out there, experience nature and see their families in a way that doesn’t break the bank,” RVIA spokesman Kevin Broom said. Trailers, not motor homes, make up a large part of this growth, now accounting for 87% of the units sold, the association says. Buyers are likely to be Millennials, those in their 20s or early 30s, including a lot of young couples who don't have kids yet. Baby Boomers, by contrast, buy motor homes more as a life-altering decision, one that will occupy most if not all of their time after retirement. “The wave of new buyers … want to recreate without investing heavily,” said Sherman Goldenberg, publisher of the trade magazine RV Business. “They want to go camping on weekends, but not be so committed that it’s a lifestyle change.” That’s the reasoning Buckles and her husband employed in their decision to buy a trailer rather than a motor home. She said travel trailers were easier to use than motor homes and two or three times less expensive. But despite the lower commitment, she still wanted an RV that could withstand weekend trips as well as hold their three dogs – mini-schnauzers Millie and Georgie and Boston terrier Olive. “We really were focused on quality, first and foremost,” Buckles said. “We wanted something that would hold up well over the next few years.” Even when consumers do turn to motor homes, they’re looking at smaller models than before, said Sam Jefson, spokesman for RV manufacturer Winnebago. More Winnebago customers have shown interest in 21- to 24-foot models, Jefson said." https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2017/05/26/millennials-fueling-new-growth-recreational-vehicle-sales/102082492/

I do think the age thing is important to the health and longevity of the FMCA. If the FMCA doesn't take the time to recognize the aging of its members, then the whole group is in danger of being replaced or merged with other camping groups. I do feel expanding the membership of the FMCA to the younger members and families with children is how the base can grow. The outcome of the towables is still open for vote, but the fastest growing segment of the RV market is the towable market as it is easiest accessible for young families with a desire to camp. The motorized segment of the business is not growing as fast due to start up costs, which are significantly more expensive then, lets say, a travel trailer. Average age does play a role as well with the chartered divisions within the FMCA. I spent hours looking at the various clubs and pictures. There are some "clubs" that haven't reported any activity for almost 10 years. Are they being carried on the books for insurance purposes as well? Should some of these smaller groups be merged with another local group to save on cost? What I saw in the pictures were a lot of people having a great time, dancing and making crafts, eating well and celebrating various goals and achievements. What I didn't see were kids, any set up for kids, or the appearance of children based activities. Why does age have a bearing on the towable vote? Because this time, it is adding towables as a way to salvage the membership, grow its base, and reduce per member costs. Had someone suggested alternatives, besides adding a completely different demographic group, this whole discussion would be moot. Should the vote be to not add towable members, the base still needs to find a way to expand its membership rosters and include the family members in the word "Family" of the FMCA. I am not young, I do not have any children at home any longer, and my grandchildren are married and out of their own. I do have concerns though when I see the aging of a group and no real plans of succession for its members and families. Adding or denying towables is the question, but the bigger question is, whether or not towables are added, how does the FMCA grow its member base to stay relevant in today's and tomorrow's arena? If the motor coach base does not grow, it will become secondary to the towable arena. The FMCA needs to change how it views itself and how it wants its membership to expand, otherwise, you have yourself a non planned obsolescence coming at you faster then you realize.

Okay folks, I have a few suggestions which could help FMCA be a motor coach club in the fashion I would like it become. First, lets update the logo. It looks old and tired, which means others viewing will also feel it is for an older and tired group. The logo needs redesigned to meet the dynamic of today's rving family. Something in color and alive, something that screams to the "family" market come join us, it will be a good time. Second, start having family rallies which occur during a Friday evening, Saturday, and end on a Sunday. Do face painting, have a petting zoo, hire a local singer to sing songs which are conducive to a family get together, and rent one of those blow up movie screens and have a movie night with an ice cream social. Make it real family outing so every member of the family can enjoy the outing. Of course a few coaches available for a day so everyone can see what is new in the market. Third, go to rental locations which offer RV rentals and get the word out to them, big time. Many people rent coaches before buying, so get the bug in their ear of all of the benefits FMCA has to offer the coach owner. Look to independent RV sales locations and place flyers out or ask the finance people to include a brochure with the closing of the coach deal. They might not remember what was said right at the moment, but the owner can sit down later and read the benefits of FMCA. Fourth, stop doing pop-up ads on Facebook. They are not reaching the demographic you are hoping to reach. You want to strategically place ads on TV in the middle of RV shows, such as the ones on Great American Country, or GAC, on Dish Network. Make sure the ads are after a family purchases a class A coach, and have the ads stress how much more fun it would be to take your new coach to an event in your local area. Okay, I'll stop for now, as I have an appointment to get to. I would like to make a motion that this vote be tabled until such time other options can be explored by the FMCA committee for expanding its membership, using some of the suggestions brought forward contained here within. Okay, so I know its too late for this now, but the suggestions are worth at least considering Thanks for your time, it is greatly appreciated.

We are an elite member because we purchased a motorhome from CW. It shouldn't affect the Diesel Club directly. But, if the vote goes to allow towables and there are those which are a part of the Diesel Club also wishing to allow their membership to lapse, it could decrease the number of members in the TDC. I don't care who parks next to me, I do care about a bait and switch on the members. My attraction to the group was the motor coach aspect of the membership. If I would have known the club was seeking to become another version of CW, I suspect I wouldn't have joined.

I have another concern, which is the club affiliates such as the Thor Diesel Owners Club. I was all set to join the Thor club, except I must be a member in good standing with FMCA in order to do so. If this change occurs, I will have no desire to belong to the FMCA, as I signed up for a "motor coach" group. I did not sign up for a rv group, as we are already Elite in the GS club. So, not only is this decision affecting the body as a whole, but the affiliates as well. I wanted a group supportive of motorhomes. Otherwise, what will be left is another Good Sam Club. Thank You for allowing me to add my two cents worth.