The Future of FMCA

[whiteeagle]

Few thoughts that I hear from many long time members  and agree with about current situation that FMCA leaders have created and put the organization into.

The adage "Be careful what you wish for, you may get it" certainly applies with changing FMCA from the worlds premium motor coach association with the motor coach member focused issues and interests to a general RVing club.  Also "the first step in correction of illness is not to deny and accept reality" - maybe applies to the current disfunctionial situation?

Three years ago during that organized campaign to change FMCA, the info and process used to sway members was personal - The fact that 50+ years of FMCA success due to it's purpose, mission, and reason for existence were minimized. A lot of knowledge and long time experience in membership was ignored. Options were not considered and vote was premature. Facts provided on membership and financial status during the campaign were later corrected - after the vote. I suspect this will be fact checked and I apologize if any are incorrect. It's my recollection that shortly after the vote, it was discovered that FMCA had unknown membership growth in 26 of the 28 months just prior to that vote. I believe I recently heard that FMCA membership has now declined in every month except 2 since that vote.  I understand now after 3 years of focusing on towables, Ross mentioned there are now 7000 towable members..good, but apparently more than offset by folks leaving?  Rallies seem to be 35+% first timers... good news / bad news... overall attendance trend down so that also means 50% of attendees don't attend again. Is this 60-65% the primary focus of rally attendance or is it first-timers? Cost of acquistion is higher that retaining existing members. 

I keep hearing that many feel the membership decline is primarily because of the raise in dues... I believe this is incorrect...I believe the problem started well before the reactionary dues increase action - the root cause of the problem was the change in FMCA's reason for existence. I believe actual motor coach folks would understood the dues increase for the program - but they are no longer the focus of the organization - and your new target membership market doesn't have nearly the need for the program.   It wasn't the dues increase, it wasn't the new challenge of CoVid, gas prices, $700,000 discovery of found money one year and then a surprise huge program cost increase two years later. It was changing FMCA forever without truely understanding what that meant to members and the organization's path forward. . Those in denial of this fact likely won't find solutions for long term resolutions. (I am  in Sky Med also and have no need for FMCA assist so would prefer the program be made an add-on_ - but many folks need that program.... Some folks may not understand or like the comparison but there is a very good reason why snowmobile clubs don't recruit motor cyclists for their club membership. They work together on common issues but they focus on their own purpose for existence. Many, many are members of both clubs...with different purposes and cause for existence. 

So Be It.. We are where we are. The organization has changed... accepting that and understanding how the organization has been changed to all elements.is step one.

I understand only 20% of members belong to a chapter. ( That would be around 15,000 members ?) My suggestion has been for years that more FMCA chapter support should be shown - not just discussed. In our case, our chapter members recruit many times the members into joining FMCA than is experienced top down- including several new towable members. Is FMCA designating at least 20% of it's total advertising efforts in chapter development ? As an example, maybe 20% of the actual PREMIUM rally time needs to be dedicated to member chapter support? It also seems to me that FMCA benefits form active chapter members likely retained longer than just discount program seekers.

.

[manholt]

White Eagle, I do believe you hit the nail on the head.

After 53 years and now 77. I'm still going to be here!  So many memories, so many Chapters that are no more, now we are members of two Chapters and Six State rally for South Central Area!

 

[aztec7fan]

7 hours ago, rossboyer said:

 

Ross, I know most of my suggestions might appeal to a small portion of the membership (or none at all), but the idea is, if you (fmca), keep doing the same thing, you will keep getting the same results.   These ideas are just examples how fmca needs to think outside the box.

You said the gaming room wouldn't work since there are very few kids at the events, but how many 20 and 30 year olds play video games after work?  

If you have a sporting event at a convention, and only 20 people participate,all you need is half those people to post on social media how much fun they had at an fmca event and it's amazing free advertising.  

Thanks for listening,

Chris g

 

[wildebill308]

Look, D Ball, smithy, the fire has flared up again. Or have you fixed the problem of continuously losing membership? 

4 hours ago, WhiteEagle said:

Rallies seem to be 35+% first timers... good news / bad news... overall attendance trend down so that also means 50% of attendees don't attend again. Is this 60-65% the primary focus of rally attendance or is it first-timers? Cost of acquisition is higher that retaining existing members. 

Yes, I agree with what you are saying. The biggest thing FMCA can do is build and promote local chapters. I think the focus should be more like 50% on rally development.  If you don't build friendships and comradery at the lowest level you will not grow and you will not retain members. For example I would have been very unlikely to go to Minot last summer if friends from our local chapter weren't going. 

We are in a period of amazing growth in the RV world. Record sales to first timers. There is no reason not to be growing. 

Bill  

 

[manholt]

We have a 18 year old and a 19 year old, that pulled in front of us yesterday.  Got to talking to them after set up & gave them a FMCA flyer and last months magazine...they filled out the form, wrote a check & it goes out in today's mail.  42' Fifth wheel...they both work for Goggle and been married for 6 months!!!  They are full time.

[rossboyer]

More members need to do as you did to recruit members. If every member did, we might not know what to do for all of them; but wouldn’t it be fun to try. 

[wildebill308]

4 hours ago, manholt said:

they both work for Goggle and been married for 6 months!!!  They are full time.

Carl, it looks like they have been married longer than you.

New, younger full timers seems to be a excellent place for FMCA to apply more recruiting  effort. With over 1.5 Million. full timers out there and more going full time every day. 

Bill

[urbanhermit]

On ‎4‎/‎20‎/‎2020 at 8:52 AM, elkhartjim said:

Bill, looking at it from a business standpoint, reduce staff, go strictly to electronic magazine and lower the annual dues to bring in more members. I like your idea of giving away a one year membership with new coaches sold. Make the FMCA Assist an optional program with a separate charge. Not to turn this into a political scene but you can't tax your way out of a financial crisis and by continuing to raise the dues thats exactly what they are doing.  We always had a saying in sales that its much easier and less expensive to retain a customer than to get a new customer. If they are truly losing 1000+ members a month, they need to do something quickly or they won't exist in a matter of a few years. Escapees has kept their dues at less than $40 for some time and their membership growth has been descent.  

Sorry Herman, but I would never walk up to a complete stranger and have a conversation on the merits of FMCA. Why?  Other than med assist and a tire program that I question the value of, what does FMCA have to offer? I know, rallys!  Like DocJ, I have no interest driving halfway across the  country to park shoulder to shoulder with 2000 RV's and go to a seminar. The majority of younger folks don't have the time or interest. 

Med Assist is why I joined.  I already had a superior roadside assistance program.  I have no knowledge about the tire program.  I have benefitted from the forum, but I doubt it's much of a draw for people who haven't experienced it.  I have absolutely no interest in rallies or conventions, but then I'm unusually solitary -- the nickname fits.  Noting that print newspapers are folding, abandoning their presses and buying into the printing facilities of larger newspapers to be printed, and turning more and more to on-line publication (some of that driven by a factor irrelevant here, being unable to compete in print with on-line news sources for timeliness), it seems to me that dropping the printed magazine, however pleasant is see it, feel it, smell it, turn pages, and read anywhere in the house including the "library," makes sense.  So does membership through dealers.  Maybe so does reducing membership costs.  There's a toll bridge down here that's relatively recently built.  It's been struggling to make its bond payments.  Low use.  So they have twice raised the toll to raise revenue.  Twice use dropped even more and decreased revenue.  Maybe there's a lesson there.  My rice bowl's never been big enough for me to brush personally with high finance, so what do I know?

Edited August 10, 2020 by UrbanHermit

[akadeadeye]

All good comments and many good suggestions.  As a businessman and past president of several trade organizations I have learned that a Board of Directors basically knows very little about what the membership wants, especially in a large membership organization like FMCA.  70,000 members is HUGE.  Listen to the percentages.  If only 20% belong to a chapter, don't spend any money supporting chapters.  Let the chapters support themselves.  If a significant percentage don't go to rallies or conventions, don't support them beyond the support of the attendees.  I resent paying my dues when I know a significant portion of them goes toward programs I will never use.  A far better system, it would seem to me, is to price basic membership dues with options to add other subscriptions.  Even if the $25 for FMCAssist goes to $35 on a choice basis I am sure those that want it will still subscribe at the higher figure.

Thought should be given to adding even more "discount" programs.  With 70,000 members FMCA HAS to be enticing to partner with to numerous RV and Travel related companies.  The more the merrier.  This is what will grow membership IMHO.  "You want that lithium battery/solar panel combo package for $4,900?  How about joining FMCA for $45/year and get it from our lithium/solar panel partner for $4,120?"  This kind of incentive driven membership program is what will halt the bleeding and will grow the organization membership to 100,000.

For heaven's sake folks, there are more RVs being manufactured per day than ever before.  Think outside the box and sign them up with give away memberships on ANY new coach or trailer for a year and beat the bushes for discount partners such as mentioned above.  There are potentially dozens.  After a short while RV owners will figure out they can't afford NOT to be a member of FMCA.  As they say, "re-imagine the organization".  The old ways are gone!! 

Give them choices they WANT.  Don't make them pay for benefits they DON'T WANT.  It is insanity to continue doing the same thing month in and month out and expecting different results.  On the contrary, they will be the same results as you are experiencing now.  Loss in members.  THIS CAN BE TURNED AROUND!!  But not by faith alone or cheering on the sidelines.  Radical changes need to be made. NOW.

Just my 2 cents.

Don

[docj]

57 minutes ago, akadeadeye said:

I have learned that a Board of Directors basically knows very little about what the membership wants, especially in a large membership organization like FMCA. 

IMHO the Board often has a vested interest in perpetuating its view of how the organization should operate.  Many Boards get caught up in the "we've always done it this way" point of view.  "We can't possibly do that" becomes one of the key mantras.  

[f442485]

I agree with akadeadeye and docj. national needs to listen to the membership and climb out of the snafu box.

[manholt]

RayIN.  Having been a Past National Director (delegate), it goes like this...I represented a Chapter at National Level.  There is no regional level, unless you'r the Area SR, VP!  ND's represent the wishes of the Chapter membership, we are also Governance...you can get  a PDF file from FMCA on Policy & Procedure, Constitution and By Laws!

deadeye (you'll have to explain that AKA to me).  You hit the head of the nail.  

[rossboyer]

On 8/13/2020 at 4:11 PM, f442485 said:

I agree with akadeadeye and docj. national needs to listen to the membership and climb out of the snafu box.

It isn’t National, it all needs to start with restructuring the Governance which was tried a few years ago. But the Governing Board rejected the restructure. We now have an Executive Board that is controlled by the Area VPs that vote to change budgets to support their travel and Area business. The auditing firm that reviews FMCA records does a large number of not for profit organizations, and FMCA is the only one that the money flows down to the Areas. I am not suggesting that money needs to come from the Areas to support National, but the Areas should support themselves. 
 

Twenty years ago the above worked, but the RV industry has changed and so does our Governance and financial methods need to change. 

[manholt]

The Governance is the ND's!  Other than a small percentage of members, that wanted to abolish it, because they did not want to be a part of a chapter and therefor wanted to form their own representative structure for all, that made no sense!  Back then, we had over 400 chapters...it was posted on this Forum, around 2016 or about the same time "The open to trailers" came about.  Don't remember the persons name who started it, but he was in charge of the less than 60 year old group!

It was rejected, because it was not an improvement on the system we have.  

As for the future of FMCA ?  As "deadeye" said, you can't grow if your out of touch of what the current membership want and the needs of future generations!  IMHO you also need leaders, who care more for the wish of the members, than their own "Legacy!"

[dons2346]

9 hours ago, rossboyer said:

It isn’t National, it all needs to start with restructuring the Governance which was tried a few years ago. But the Governing Board rejected the restructure. We now have an Executive Board that is controlled by the Area VPs that vote to change budgets to support their travel and Area business. The auditing firm that reviews FMCA records does a large number of not for profit organizations, and FMCA is the only one that the money flows down to the Areas. I am not suggesting that money needs to come from the Areas to support National, but the Areas should support themselves. 
 

Twenty years ago the above worked, but the RV industry has changed and so does our Governance and financial methods need to change. 

Oh, come on Ross, you know that is a bunch of BS. The treasurer suggested to drop AVP travel to actual fuel plus 7 cents a mile! Can you run your coach on 7 cents a mile? I seriously doubt it. We didn't just "vote" to change the budget to put money in our pockets. I really don't know where you get the idea that money flows down to the areas. The area gets a whopping  $2000 for education related expenses. The areas used to get some "free" stuff but that has changed and now the area gets charged for pretty much everything done in the Cincinnati office. The areas now have to pay for the liability insurance for area rally's. You might not be suggesting that areas support national but they already do by their members paying dues. Lots of grumbling about the Assist program costing to much but the cost isn't known yet for the upcoming policy term so why pass a budget without knowing all the facts.

In a time like this, how many companies are giving raises? The treasurer proposed a 3% cost of living plus a 5% 401K match. Should we have gone for that?

The treasurer proposed setting aside $161,000 for education? Do we need to do that?

So, we drop dues to $50 and have nothing to separate us from Good Sam. Maybe we can get the red guy with the halo

To the poster who says he has SkyMed and doesn't need Assist. I was in Mexico this winter when a gentleman appeared to have a stroke. He has SkyMed so the wife thought all was well however SkyMed would not transport him out of Mexico and after he was back in the US, they would not arrange transportation to a medical facility. They would however reimburse the family for out of pocket expenses after the fact. SkyMed told the family that it would be 6-8 weeks before they could arrange to get his motorhome back to the states.

I asked the president that assuming we drop dues back to $50 and drop Assist, what would I get for my money. He told me that I would be getting a magazine and the tire program! I can actually get a better deal for tires on my own.

Rolling the dues back to $50 from $75 will result in a loss of $100,000 for every $5 drop according to the CEO

FMCA must have something going for it judging by the number of people joining. Loosing members sure but why dwell on those, lets look at the new members.

Edited August 16, 2020 by dons2346
spelling

[f442485]

don2346, very well said

[rossboyer]

FMCA in order to maintain their not for profit status is listed as providing education. That is the reason funds are in the budget for education. 

[dluchini]

Whiteeagle:  Did Dons2346 ever respond to you with details of the case where he says SkyMed did not perform? Or was he just spreading gossip? Please PM or post.

[manholt]

We have SkyMed.  Just signed up and paid for another 3 year member ship!  The way it works. If you need them, then you make all payments by credit card (CC providers know that 100% of charges will be paid back by SkyMed within 8 weeks)!  Our CC is a Visa, that can only be used for SkyMed.  Unfortunately, some folks don't bother to read or ask questions about a policy, before they need to use it and that's when you have problems!!!

[richard5933]

On the topic of the future of FMCA...

I see a few YouTubers like Matt's RV reviews and Andrew Steele who make LOTS of videos and have a wide audience. They both do a lot of RV reviews and both of them do the reviews in remote locations all the time. Seems like it would be interesting to get them psyched up about FMCA and have them do something in conjunction with FMCA. Perhaps they could be invited to a rally where there are lots of manufacturers present and do a few on-site videos? Or perhaps do a remote from the FMCA HQ/campground.

Just thinking of ways to get the word out, and since they are aiming at the RV buyers out there it seems like a good target audience.

[wildebill308]

If you read back in the last 6 pages of post I have suggested that same thing and got a BS answer.  Why not encourage some of the people who have big followings to create "international chapters" and monetize recruiting new members. Just like you get something for recruiting new members. 

Bill 

[richard5933]

I wasn't so much talking about directly recruiting members, more so just promoting FMCA and getting the word out to people in the RV world who have no idea about FMCA and would not inquire on their own. However, if they can recruit members all the better.

[wildebill308]

What better way to promote FMCA than get people like Keep Your Daydream who have 355K subscribers or as you noted RVing with Andrew Steele 57.9K subscribers, Matt's RV Reviews
87.9K subscribers. There are maney more. Yes there may be some overlap but getting the word out and explaining FMCA to people new to RVing or just geting the word out to people who have never heard of FMCA.  

Bill

[whiteeagle]

I do not believe I ever got the details on that alleged incident ... spoke to SkyMed Rep that would love to check it out further but couldn't give him any thing to check out.

[wayne77590]

I'm retired military and all my medical is $0 deductible. Two MC accidents and ambulances were covered, so I only need a portion of FMCA Assist. That being the return of my motorhome, etc. To me that is worth $25 extra a YEAR. The other $50 is for the camaraderie of the members, this forum, and a few discounts.  The $75 a year is about a case of beer now-a-days.  I'll drink water. Thanks FMCA - for now.