Changes @ Headquarters

[elkhartjim]

Chris Smith leaving or has left FMCA.

[rossboyer]

Yes, he has.  An announcement email was sent by the President to all Governing Board members, I think.  At least, our National Director received it. 

[elkhartjim]

Typical of Fmca. Let we underlings hear it from outside.

[aztec7fan]

Any reason why given?

[elkhartjim]

https://www.rvtravel.com/fmca-trouble/

 

[rossboyer]

Several years ago, a past Executive Board member that was a professor in economics stated when your investments are less than twice the annual budget the organization is bankrupt because prepaid dues have to be returned, severance pay has to be made and property has to be maintained until sold. There is a lot of commercial property empty and for sale all around the country.

FMCA has ceased to be a chapter driven organization which is what the current Executive Board keeps perpetuating. The Governing Board needs to dramatically change.  Last I heard the cost for a Governing Board meeting was $80,000.  Bet it is more now.  

The president indicated a possible cancellation of Gillette convention. The GovernIng Board must meet in the central US by order of the Governing Board.  Also, the next summer election is to be held at Gillette.  Hopefully, the Governing Board will meet and oust all of the Executive Board except for Smith, Treasurer, that has been telling us the real story.

Edited July 23, 2024 by rossboyer

[elkhartjim]

The governing board is like any other politician, they are in it for the financial reward. I would love to travel around the country with expenses paid. You can tell by reading the message from the president articles, he is clueless. 

The following written by a forum member I frequent and about sums it up.

"As FMCA members, we have seen them struggle to determine who they are and their value. Historically they functioned as a way to create community - but with the rise of social media that doesn’t have an out of pocket cost to participate in RV social circles (well, no cost besides giving your personally identifiable information to a company who repeatedly sells your information to highest bidder) FMCA has been trying to figure out how to be relevant.
They don’t seem to have figured out who they are. As mentioned, the business world is littered with the corpses of once prominent and iconic companies, who lost their way and lost their sense of who they are when a disruptive technology came along.
Hopefully FMCA can find their identity in this new digital world and bring value to RVers and the RV industry."

[rossboyer]

15 hours ago, elkhartjim said:

The governing board is like any other politician, they are in it for the financial reward. I would love to travel around the country with expenses paid. You can tell by reading the message from the president articles, he is clueless. 

The following written by a forum member I frequent and about sums it up.

"As FMCA members, we have seen them struggle to determine who they are and their value. Historically they functioned as a way to create community - but with the rise of social media that doesn’t have an out of pocket cost to participate in RV social circles (well, no cost besides giving your personally identifiable information to a company who repeatedly sells your information to highest bidder) FMCA has been trying to figure out how to be relevant.
They don’t seem to have figured out who they are. As mentioned, the business world is littered with the corpses of once prominent and iconic companies, who lost their way and lost their sense of who they are when a disruptive technology came along.
Hopefully FMCA can find their identity in this new digital world and bring value to RVers and the RV industry."

In your first sentence, I think you mean Executive Board; because only Executive Board members are compensated for travel, lodging, etc.  Governing board members which are predominantly National or Alternate Directors are not compensated. 

[elkhartjim]

Thanks for the correction. 

[erniee]

Good article, Jim. 

[aztec7fan]

I'm sorry to see FMCA struggling, but what was the reason for Chris leaving?  was he expected to turn the organization around and failed, or what?

[elkhartjim]

Maybe he decided he didn't want to go down with a sinking ship. 

[elkhartjim]

Chris Smith has joined Harvest Host/Escapees organization. 

[erniee]

Most of my friends have motor homes. The majority have told me they didn’t renew their membership here because of the way the association is heading. They couldn’t care less about 5th wheel advertising. My dues are paid up through this year and will likely say adious, then.

[wildebill308]

I will probably stick around as I think the benefits are still pretty good especially the medical assist. I agree they need to go back to focusing on benefits and taking care of the membership. 

I realey think they should look at what some of the successful  non profit orgs are doing and copy it. 

By the way Ernie did you send me a friends request?

Bill

 

[erniee]

I think I was hacked. I never send out friend requests. I don’t like anyone- LOL

[wildebill308]

5 hours ago, erniee said:

I think I was hacked. I never send out friend requests. I don’t like anyone- LOL

WOW does this mean the friend requests from Elon Musk might be a hacker? 😂😂😂 

Bill

[elkhartjim]

12 hours ago, rayin said:

About now he might need a few.

I don't think thats a  problem since the majority of the country voted for this kind of change. Interesting that the ones with the most to lose are the ones screaming the loudest. Drain the swamp. 

[bm02tj]

What they voted for and what they are getting  not the same 

[chindog]

4 hours ago, bm02tj said:

What they voted for and what they are getting  not the same 

Nope.

[wildebill308]

7 hours ago, elkhartjim said:

I don't think thats a  problem since the majority of the country voted for this kind of change. Interesting that the ones with the most to lose are the ones screaming the loudest. Drain the swamp. 

I think they are doing exactly what they said they would do.

Who can tell me it is ok for FEMA to  give 70 million+ to luxury hotels in NYC to house illegal people while American citizens victims of the hurricane in the east and of the Cal wild fires are being kicked out of temporary places to stay because FEMA is out of money.    

Bill

[erniee]

11 hours ago, wildebill308 said:

I think they are doing exactly what they said they would do.

Who can tell me it is ok for FEMA to  give 70 million+ to luxury hotels in NYC to house illegal people while American citizens victims of the hurricane in the east and of the Cal wild fires are being kicked out of temporary places to stay because FEMA is out of money.    

Bill

Exactly. Or sex change in Venezuela

[aztec7fan]

Although I understand where both sides are coming from, these last few posts have nothing to do with FMCA, or its current problems.  Will the price change stop the bleeding of the finances?  Is the organization too top heavy?  What is their plan to increase membership?

Does anyone really care?

[erniee]

“Does anyone really care?”

probably not

[BLWasser]

Sticker shock.  Went to renew my dues today - big ole "STOP SIGN" when I saw the double in price.  I could care less about the magazine.  I could care less about including trailers as we have a Class A.  I could care less about KOA pittley discount.  I am bummed that we won't be doing the tire discount in a couple of years.  I am bummed about not joining the Florida FMCA (yes that's right) group.  I am bummed about having to hunt for better RV insurance, but that price hike was just a wee bit too much.  A small hike we could have swallowed, but not that one.  Goodbye FMCA (FRVA or whatever you want to call yourselves).