Vote To Allow Towables Into FMCA

[hyco2000]

Generally, when I see the words "remodel" and "New Direction" boldly displayed on a website's home page, I assume that it means there is a "Website Redesign" in the making. I NEVER Figured that those BOLDLY placed words referred to a COMPLETE Redesign of the Organization !!!!!!!!!!

Placing this on the main web page for FMCA really should NOT HAVE BEEN DONE!!!

The change to allow Towables is NOT a DONE DEAL !!

AND, the change should have never been "Advertised" to the Public in Such a Conspicuous Manner !!!

I have to agree with other posters who have commented that the change seems to be a "Fait Accompli" based on the way the information is presented, and so prominently, on the Main Web Page !!!!!!!!!!!!!

There have been some very valuable and insightful comments made on these two Forum Threads and I just hope that EVERY Director has read EVERY Comment and given each comment Careful Consideration BEFORE casting their Ballot.

 

[mweiner]

Who exactly thinks this is a done deal?  How's that?

[BillAdams]

  On 7/10/2017 at 7:34 PM, MWeiner said:

Who exactly thinks this is a done deal?  How's that?

Me, for one.  Based upon the FAQ link listed below and the website showing a complete remodel is in the works.

 

Frequently_Asked_Questions.pdf

[rpelatt]

  On 7/10/2017 at 8:39 PM, BillAdams said:

Me, for one.  Based upon the FAQ link listed below and the website showing a complete remodel is in the works.

 

Frequently_Asked_Questions.pdfFetching info...

Bill, After reading the FAQ you attached I completely agree...it is a done deal 

Bob

 

 

[tbutler]

I love the term remodel.  Like new carpet and maybe a different color paint.  What is actually proposed is a restructuring of the organization.  Like tearing out walls and moving doors and windows around.  The comparison to AARP says it all.  We will no longer belong to the Family Motor Coach Association it will just be FMCA.  What will FMCA stand for?  Fix My Car Albert - or something like that. 

After the Board meets here in Indianapolis, if the change is approved, it will be voted on by the membership.  Nothing is a done deal until the membership approves it.  It will be difficult to make our voices heard given that the organization controls the major means of communication.  Press the organization to allow an equal voice to the opposition and then tailor the message carefully to reach all of our members.

[rpelatt]

  On 7/11/2017 at 5:26 PM, TBUTLER said:

I love the term remodel.  Like new carpet and maybe a different color paint.  What is actually proposed is a restructuring of the organization.  Like tearing out walls and moving doors and windows around.  The comparison to AARP says it all.  We will no longer belong to the Family Motor Coach Association it will just be FMCA.  What will FMCA stand for?  Fix My Car Albert - or something like that. 

After the Board meets here in Indianapolis, if the change is approved, it will be voted on by the membership.  Nothing is a done deal until the membership approves it.  It will be difficult to make our voices heard given that the organization controls the major means of communication.  Press the organization to allow an equal voice to the opposition and then tailor the message carefully to reach all of our members.

Well said...Thank-you

[mweiner]

Another thought...and I'm not trying to be insular or demeaning to people with travel trailers.... heck, I still own a teardrop trailer and associate with those groups... BUT, what purpose will it serve to allow all of these folks to join the FMCA...that really focuses on Motor Home issues? 

Is it because the membership of the FMCA is in so much jeopardy and they need the money??  If that's the case, then why not raise the dues to $100 per year and have the existing members pay their fare share for the benefits the club offers...  

After all, there's no free lunch or "parking" LOL.... We all have to pay for the services we think are valuable to us.  

The extra money we would have to pay is peanuts....for the purpose of keeping the club exclusive to actual Motor Home owners.... those of us who believe in the club will stay in regardless of a price increase.... I know I would. 

Already, in the first month I've been a member, I've gotten some good ideas and feedback from some other members on the forum.. that's valuable time and information for me.   

[BillAdams]

  On 7/11/2017 at 6:48 PM, MWeiner said:

Another thought...and I'm not trying to be insular or demeaning to people with travel trailers.... heck, I still own a teardrop trailer and associate with those groups... BUT, what purpose will it serve to allow all of these folks to join the FMCA...that really focuses on Motor Home issues?

THEY WILL GET MORE MEMBERS AND THAT MEANS MORE MONEY.

Is it because the membership of the FMCA is in so much jeopardy and they need the money??  YES.  If that's the case, then why not raise the dues to $100 per year and have the existing members pay their fare share for the benefits the club offers...  BECAUSE I, AND THE MAJORITY OF CURRENT MEMBERS, WOULD CANCEL THEIR MEMBERSHIPS.

After all, there's no free lunch or "parking" LOL.... We all have to pay for the services we think are valuable to us.  EACH OF US MUST SET THAT VAULE.

The extra money we would have to pay is peanuts....for the purpose of keeping the club exclusive to actual Motor Home owners.... those of us who believe in the club will stay in regardless of a price increase.... I know I would.   I ABSOLUTELY WOULD NOT.

Already, in the first month I've been a member, I've gotten some good ideas and feedback from some other members on the forum.. that's valuable time and information for me.   YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE AN FMCA MEMBER TO USE THIS FORUM.  IN THAT SAME FIRST MONTH, HOW MUCH VALUABLE INFORMATION HAVE YOU GOTTEN FROM THE FMCA MAGAZINE, THEIR WEBSITE OR ANY OF THE FMCA "BENEFITS"?

 

[mweiner]

  On 7/11/2017 at 11:21 PM, BillAdams said:

  On 7/11/2017 at 6:48 PM, MWeiner said:

Another thought...and I'm not trying to be insular or demeaning to people with travel trailers.... heck, I still own a teardrop trailer and associate with those groups... BUT, what purpose will it serve to allow all of these folks to join the FMCA...that really focuses on Motor Home issues?

THEY WILL GET MORE MEMBERS AND THAT MEANS MORE MONEY.

We clearly disagree on the concept of the Family Motor Coach Association....

It's not called the" Travel Trailers Coach Association"  for a reason.  

Again,  my point is that it will dilute the focus of motor homes with a bunch of other issues thrown into the mix.  I don't think that it's quantity over quality here.    More members, but,  they're not interested in motor homes,  their focus is on travel trailers..... you might as well include their eventual discussion of pickup trucks and the vehicles they use to tow their campers with.   Where does it stop? 

Is it because the membership of the FMCA is in so much jeopardy and they need the money??  YES.  If that's the case, then why not raise the dues to $100 per year and have the existing members pay their fare share for the benefits the club offers...  BECAUSE I, AND THE MAJORITY OF CURRENT MEMBERS, WOULD CANCEL THEIR MEMBERSHIPS.

Really,  that's too bad....   How do you really know that a majority of members would cancel?  What evidence do you have to support that?  Has a survey been done?

After all, there's no free lunch or "parking" LOL.... We all have to pay for the services we think are valuable to us.  EACH OF US MUST SET THAT VAULE.

Agreed,  and understood.   There's a value to having a shared common interest.  I'm not saying that it's wrong for the "tear drop group" to want to have their own sets of rules regarding membership or participation,  that's OK with me.   I'm just saying that the FMCA is a private group and has just as much rights to keep the members confined to Class A, B,  or C motor homes. 

The extra money we would have to pay is peanuts....for the purpose of keeping the club exclusive to actual Motor Home owners.... those of us who believe in the club will stay in regardless of a price increase.... I know I would.   I ABSOLUTELY WOULD NOT.

Question,  when was the last time dues went up??  i see that you've been a member since 1994?  How long have you been full timing? 

Already, in the first month I've been a member, I've gotten some good ideas and feedback from some other members on the forum.. that's valuable time and information for me.   YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE AN FMCA MEMBER TO USE THIS FORUM.  IN THAT SAME FIRST MONTH, HOW MUCH VALUABLE INFORMATION HAVE YOU GOTTEN FROM THE FMCA MAGAZINE, THEIR WEBSITE OR ANY OF THE FMCA "BENEFITS"?

Actually, to be perfectly honest,  I have not read the magazine,  but,  I will look at it.  Most of the information received as been from people on the forum sharing information.   I don't have any reason to doubt that many people using the forum are not necessarily members...   No,  I didn't know that it was open to everyone, BUT,   I would think that most of the people interested in discussing motor home issues would probably look here to have a dialog on various issues.    I'm rather new to this,  I've had the teardrop trailer since January 2014...   I like it just fine,  but, my motor home, even though it is small,  is much more comfortable.  It's easy to drive like a large SUV... only with more amenities.  

My understanding is that it will take a vote by the members to allow or disallow travel trailers?   

Until this occurs, all of this is just wild speculation.... When is the vote scheduled??  

 

 

[rossboyer]

Today, the FMCA Governing Board will vote to decide whether or not to send the issue on to the membership. If they do, the ballot will be in the September, October & November issues of Family Motor Coaching. Your ballot must be returned by the end of November.

 

If the Governing Board does not recommend to send the issue on, it is dead for at least another year. 

[jleamont]

Mweiner, the dues went up a year or so ago, a few dollars (I don't remember how much exactly, I believe it was $10.00), people were up in arms over that back then, for it to double....I cant imagine how that would turn out

[hyco2000]

Board Voted Today !!!

Anybody know how the vote went ?????

[rossboyer]

The Governing Board approved sending ballots to all the membership to vote. The ballots will go out in the September, October, & November issues of Family Motor Coaching. 

[BillAdams]

Surprise!  Since only the board that recommended the change will count the ballots, anyone want to guess what the outcome will be?

[rpelatt]

I'm wondering if hanging chads, or Russian interference will be the cause given?  

[mweiner]

I hope that the opportunity to vote will be done over the Internet. 

[jleamont]

  On 7/12/2017 at 10:50 PM, BillAdams said:

Surprise!  Since only the board that recommended the change will count the ballots, anyone want to guess what the outcome will be?

I was thinking the same thing 

[aztec7fan]

  On 7/12/2017 at 7:00 PM, rossboyer said:

The Governing Board approved sending ballots to all the membership to vote. The ballots will go out in the September, October, & November issues of Family Motor Coaching. 

What was the vote count of the governing board?  Was it close, unanimous?

[desertdeals69]

Not close.

[BillAdams]

No voting on the internet either.  They will depend upon the low readership of the magazine and the lack of motivation of most "members" to do anything with that piece of paper.  Way too much trouble to tear out, put an x in a box and then put it in the mail if they can find a stamp.

(Sarcasm, but likely true).

[mweiner]

No self addressed stamped envelope??  LOL...

It's 2017... not 1988... 

When will people wake up that it's easier to vote online..... after all, as members, we all have a username and password for our FMCA account. 

Besides, Internet voting is easier, faster results and verifiable.  

PLUS, for all you "full timers"... How long does it take to get your forwarded mail??

[spuds]

If it's done like an annual corporate shareholder voting, it will be accompanied by a statement to the effect "The Board recommends approval of the measure" to bias the voting...  

[duanelin]

The vote was approximately 84% of the Directors in favor

[mweiner]

YES. that's fine....you mean 84 percent in favor of sending this out to the membership for a vote.  What's wrong with that? 

Now, those of us who want to vote can do so.

[BillAdams]

I suspect we will be able to vote online just as soon as we can vote for the President online...........

if you are asking me about getting mail, I can request my mail be forwarded to me overnight or by snail mail but I get so little mail these days that I usually forget to even call to ask about mail unless I am waiting for something specific.  Even then I can call the mail forwarding service, ask them if a specific piece of mail has arrived and only have them sent it once something of value is there.

99.9% of everything I do or need is done online including depositing checks and paying bills.  My payroll checks are all direct deposit.