Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Some thoughts on FMCI membership
| Some thoughts on FMCI membership [message #182141] |
Tue, 28 August 2012 14:24  |
zhagrieb
Messages: 676
Registered: August 2009
Location: Portland Oregon
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I belong to FMCI because I must. No FMCI, no GMCMI. FMCI membership is a requirement, I am told, in order for GMCMI to enjoy FMCI liability insurance at GMCMI conventions. Other than that FMCI offers nothing of interest to me. I barely even thumb through the magazine. I have no interest in the latest 65 foot coach with 11 slide outs, 2 1/2 baths and a 400 gallon fuel tank.
And, as I am able to attend few GMCMI conventions, the insurance is something I support (ie: pay for) but receive no benefit from.
So, here's a thought. If others feel as I do how about a negotiated FMCI fee for liability coverage at each convention to be paid by GMCMI and included in the attendance fee. Or insurance from an insurance company specializing in event coverage, again, per event.
GMCMI is a wonderful group but $70 per year membership is a stretch.
Glenn
Glenn Giere, Portland OR, K7GAG
'73 "Moby the Motorhome" 26'
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| Re: Some thoughts on FMCI membership [message #182146 is a reply to message #182141] |
Tue, 28 August 2012 15:21  |
crash24
Messages: 79
Registered: February 2012
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
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I agree completely but IIRC this is not an original thought. It has been explored and thrashed at great length in the past. Do some legwork and see what the numbers look like. Call YOUR insurance company.
FMCI has the leverage to make insurance work. We do not. I was discussing medical insurance with my doctor yesterday and he told me he currently had 3 patients who's claims have been denied. All of them were denied on the basis of a past medical event that had been recorded in their file. In 2 cases the medical event had NOTHING to do with the claim. One had previously tripped on a cord and fallen needing stitches. Trip Insurance company refused to pay for heart stints 6 months later because the patient had not noted the fall on the application. 2nd person was hit by a car on the sidewalk, breaking his leg. Patient had had a dizzy spell in the last 12 months, but did not note it on the application for travel insurance.
I have seen FMCI insurance in action this year at Casa de Fruita. That was enough for me to accept the value of the membership.
| Glenn Giere wrote on Tue, 28 August 2012 12:24 |
I belong to FMCI because I must. No FMCI, no GMCMI. FMCI membership is a requirement, I am told, in order for GMCMI to enjoy FMCI liability insurance at GMCMI conventions. Other than that FMCI offers nothing of interest to me. I barely even thumb through the magazine. I have no interest in the latest 65 foot coach with 11 slide outs, 2 1/2 baths and a 400 gallon fuel tank.
And, as I am able to attend few GMCMI conventions, the insurance is something I support (ie: pay for) but receive no benefit from.
So, here's a thought. If others feel as I do how about a negotiated FMCI fee for liability coverage at each convention to be paid by GMCMI and included in the attendance fee. Or insurance from an insurance company specializing in event coverage, again, per event.
GMCMI is a wonderful group but $70 per year membership is a stretch.
Glenn
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[Updated on: Tue, 28 August 2012 15:27] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Some thoughts on FMCI membership [message #182153 is a reply to message #182141] |
Tue, 28 August 2012 16:04 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
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| Glenn Giere wrote on Tue, 28 August 2012 12:24 |
I belong to FMCI because I must. No FMCI, no GMCMI. FMCI membership is a requirement, ...
...
GMCMI is a wonderful group but $70 per year membership is a stretch.
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Glenn,
You and I are some of the few who are members of GMCMI and are not members of any other club. Pretty much ALL GMC clubs, including the local ones, require membership in FMCI. So if that cost is spread over several club memberships... it'll seem like less cost.
Most local clubs do allow non-members to attend rallies, but they would be smart not to allow anyone to attend a rally without the insurance provided by FMCI membership.
Someday I'll be on a work schedule that will allow me to attend local events. I'll join a local club then.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: Some thoughts on FMCI membership [message #182154 is a reply to message #182141] |
Tue, 28 August 2012 16:24 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
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Well, I have posted my thoughts before...
We belong to FMCA and GMCMI --
FMCA, I enjoy thumbing through the magazine -- they fairly regularly have articles on older coaches. In the last few years, they have had two GMC coach owners highlighted and other articles on restored models. We have attended on FMCA rally -- they offered us a special parking spot and were overall very accomodating; we met some very nice folks, including a number of previous GMC owners. We have never attended a GMC rally. Should we travel over 100 miles from home, I like the medical evacuation insurance.
As for GMCMI -- without some form of club organization I don't think our GMC motorhomes would enjoy as much vendor support. In fact, there would likely be far fewer vendors -- so parts and service would be less available.
Having organized club meetings and information also justifies my "antique vehicle" tag -- which cost me $30 for a lifetime, versus $90 per year for a regular tag.
So, again, to me, a modest cost for club membership and to support our hobby.
Dennis
| Glenn Giere wrote on Tue, 28 August 2012 14:24 |
I belong to FMCI because I must. No FMCI, no GMCMI. FMCI membership is a requirement, I am told, in order for GMCMI to enjoy FMCI liability insurance at GMCMI conventions. Other than that FMCI offers nothing of interest to me. I barely even thumb through the magazine. I have no interest in the latest 65 foot coach with 11 slide outs, 2 1/2 baths and a 400 gallon fuel tank.
And, as I am able to attend few GMCMI conventions, the insurance is something I support (ie: pay for) but receive no benefit from.
So, here's a thought. If others feel as I do how about a negotiated FMCI fee for liability coverage at each convention to be paid by GMCMI and included in the attendance fee. Or insurance from an insurance company specializing in event coverage, again, per event.
GMCMI is a wonderful group but $70 per year membership is a stretch.
Glenn
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Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: Some thoughts on FMCI membership [message #182160 is a reply to message #182154] |
Tue, 28 August 2012 16:56 |
SThornbg
Messages: 127
Registered: September 2011
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I agree with Dennis regarding the benefits of membership in FMCA. In addition to the liability insurance, it appears that they offer about the best value for money with their CoachNet roadside assistance program. Although I have no experience with them as yet (touch wood, as they say)all I can find about their service is awesome.
We are at the moment at our second FMCA event - the annual birthday rally in Indianapolis, and we attended the GLASS rally this year. We are very impressed by the friendliness of all the folks and we are having a terrific time.
There are almost 1900 family coaches here, and among those are 5 GMCs. We all get a lot of attention as a lot of the SOB owners have been, or perhaps still are, GMC enthusiasts.
We have been invited to join 2 clubs and to join 2 or 3 fall rallies.
This is really Great Fun!
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
77 exPB 455 "Tinker Toy"
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
77 exPB 455 "Tinker Toy"
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| Re: Some thoughts on FMCI membership [message #182168 is a reply to message #182141] |
Tue, 28 August 2012 17:59 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
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Has anyone solicited FMCA to offer an associate membership without the magazine and other related benefits in exchange for a discount? Perhaps they could offer this to clubs to bundle with their membership fees.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Some thoughts on FMCI membership [message #182169 is a reply to message #182154] |
Tue, 28 August 2012 18:11 |
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It is glaringly obvious that there is a lot of ignorance with regard to FMCA
among GMC owners.
It is more than about GMCMI, or any GMC motorhome club that is affiliated
with FMCA, having liability insurance of a rally/convention. That, folks, is
just the tip of the iceberg. Read on and I'll explain a bit more.
When I say "ignorance" I'll have to admit that I was just as ignorant at one
point in time. FMCA is more than a slick magazine with photos of brand,
spanking new motorhomes. There are some practical articles and tips in every
issue. You don't have to have 22.5 tires to read an article about tire
safety (pressures and temperatures) to benefit. 16-inch tires can suffer the
same consequence as 22.5-inch tires. I've also read articles about other
vintage motorhomes so it isn't always about new coaches.
For me, the biggest benefit (other than great trip planning) is having the
FMCAssist program. It is an enhanced emergency medical evacuation program
for motor home owners. This FMCA member benefit provides emergency medical
evacuations and a full range of benefits for motor home travelers in the
United States, Canada, and Mexico. That coverage is effective for members
24/7. If you're out on the road, have a medical emergency, and wind up
spending time in a hospital only to be released to a rehab facility, guess
what, you have a problem. FMCA will arrange to get your motor home to
wherever you call "home" even if that is the next exit.
Last year I heard the story of a couple where the husband had a severe heart
attack. He was taken to the local hospital who arranged for him to be taken
by helicopter to the nearest and best facility 120 miles away. The wife was
terrified to drive so she contacted FMCA who arranged to get a driver to the
coach and drive it the 120 miles to "home", which was the hospital where she
and her husband were taken. You see, she got to ride along with him.
Now, granted, this is "insurance" and we all hope we don't need it but for
the cost of annual membership it is a bargain.
If you don't like the magazine, don't look at it. It's a free country and I
assume we're all 18 and old enough make mistakes. Personally, I've gotten
some good info from the magazine such as the time they had an excellent
article on electrical circuitry in a coach. It was just as appropriate for a
GMC coach as a converted Prevost because they all have DC and AC systems.
FMCA is worth something only if you let it be. But, for those of us that
have been officers of clubs, it's great that FMCA has our backs.
Byron Songer
Louisville, KY
http://www.gmceast.com
http://www.gmcgreatlakers.org
Quoted some email back:
> So, here's a thought. If others feel as I do how about a negotiated FMCI fee
> for liability coverage at each convention to be paid by GMCMI and included in
> the attendance fee. Or insurance from an insurance company specializing in
> event coverage, again, per event.
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Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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| Re: Some thoughts on FMCI membership [message #182172 is a reply to message #182141] |
Tue, 28 August 2012 18:27 |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
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I also cringe when I write out the Membership check, but the realities of liability insurance these days does necessitate such measures.
The magazine is OK and I usually find some tech article that is informative. I also like to look at the interiors of new coaches to get ideas for upgrading my coach.
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Some thoughts on FMCI membership [message #182174 is a reply to message #182169] |
Tue, 28 August 2012 18:43 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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FMCA not only provides liability insurance to the Chapters for rallies but also for officer's liability and also for newsletter and website liability. Without it clubs would have a hard time getting anyone to be an officer and if they published anything in a newsletter such as a modification to a part or coach and that resulted in someone being injured after following the instructions I am sure there would be lawsuits against the club, the officers, and the newsletter editor.
Emery Stora
On Aug 28, 2012, at 5:11 PM, Byron Songer <bsonger@songerconsulting.net> wrote:
> It is glaringly obvious that there is a lot of ignorance with regard to FMCA
> among GMC owners.
>
> It is more than about GMCMI, or any GMC motorhome club that is affiliated
> with FMCA, having liability insurance of a rally/convention. That, folks, is
> just the tip of the iceberg. Read on and I'll explain a bit more.
>
> When I say "ignorance" I'll have to admit that I was just as ignorant at one
> point in time. FMCA is more than a slick magazine with photos of brand,
> spanking new motorhomes. There are some practical articles and tips in every
> issue. You don't have to have 22.5 tires to read an article about tire
> safety (pressures and temperatures) to benefit. 16-inch tires can suffer the
> same consequence as 22.5-inch tires. I've also read articles about other
> vintage motorhomes so it isn't always about new coaches.
>
> For me, the biggest benefit (other than great trip planning) is having the
> FMCAssist program. It is an enhanced emergency medical evacuation program
> for motor home owners. This FMCA member benefit provides emergency medical
> evacuations and a full range of benefits for motor home travelers in the
> United States, Canada, and Mexico. That coverage is effective for members
> 24/7. If you're out on the road, have a medical emergency, and wind up
> spending time in a hospital only to be released to a rehab facility, guess
> what, you have a problem. FMCA will arrange to get your motor home to
> wherever you call "home" even if that is the next exit.
>
> Last year I heard the story of a couple where the husband had a severe heart
> attack. He was taken to the local hospital who arranged for him to be taken
> by helicopter to the nearest and best facility 120 miles away. The wife was
> terrified to drive so she contacted FMCA who arranged to get a driver to the
> coach and drive it the 120 miles to "home", which was the hospital where she
> and her husband were taken. You see, she got to ride along with him.
>
> Now, granted, this is "insurance" and we all hope we don't need it but for
> the cost of annual membership it is a bargain.
>
> If you don't like the magazine, don't look at it. It's a free country and I
> assume we're all 18 and old enough make mistakes. Personally, I've gotten
> some good info from the magazine such as the time they had an excellent
> article on electrical circuitry in a coach. It was just as appropriate for a
> GMC coach as a converted Prevost because they all have DC and AC systems.
>
> FMCA is worth something only if you let it be. But, for those of us that
> have been officers of clubs, it's great that FMCA has our backs.
>
> Byron Songer
> Louisville, KY
> http://www.gmceast.com
> http://www.gmcgreatlakers.org
>
>
> Quoted some email back:
>
>> So, here's a thought. If others feel as I do how about a negotiated FMCI fee
>> for liability coverage at each convention to be paid by GMCMI and included in
>> the attendance fee. Or insurance from an insurance company specializing in
>> event coverage, again, per event.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Some thoughts on FMCI membership [message #182177 is a reply to message #182174] |
Tue, 28 August 2012 18:58 |
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Makes you want to not edit a newsletter. Disclaimers don't stand up in a
court of law so it would be wasted print to put "don't hold the idiot
responsible that wrote this gibberish" (or something more eloquent that an
attorney would enjoy reading for a good laugh).
Byron
Emery Stora wrote:
> FMCA not only provides liability insurance to the Chapters for rallies but
> also for officer's liability and also for newsletter and website liability.
> Without it clubs would have a hard time getting anyone to be an officer and if
> they published anything in a newsletter such as a modification to a part or
> coach and that resulted in someone being injured after following the
> instructions I am sure there would be lawsuits against the club, the officers,
> and the newsletter editor.
>
> Emery Stora
>
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Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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| Re: [GMCnet] Some thoughts on FMCI membership [message #182184 is a reply to message #182169] |
Tue, 28 August 2012 19:27 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Thanks, Byron.
I've stayed away from this debate, as I viewed it as bit of sour grapes. If you want to join "A" you must also be a member of "B" makes sense to me probably because of the computer logic I live with day by day. I don't set the rules, but I want to play, so I play by those rules.
Frankly I enjoy the magazine quite a lot. I, too, enjoy reading about the recalls and the troubles SOB owners have with their coaches as they depreciate more than I'll ever spend on my Palm Beach. That's rather perverted, but it's true.
The article I read regarding the proper way to wire batteries for a 12 volt circuit was probably worth my membership this year. Though I only have two 6v golf cart batteries for the house I am interested in adding more once I get around to adding a solar panel. Other tech tips are just as enjoyable.
The travel articles I read are interesting, though I don't imagine I'll be going east for a few years. Limited vacation time keeps me in the west, but still I can ride along with the author.
All of those other benefits I just don't think of. I suppose if I came upon a need for it I would be happy to have it, but it's just not on my mind.
The extra bit of money to belong to these groups is just another cost of my fun hobby. And it's not a lot of money.
Larry Davick
Fremont, California
A Mystery Machine
'76 (ish) Palm Beach
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: Some thoughts on FMCI membership [message #182333 is a reply to message #182141] |
Wed, 29 August 2012 23:06 |
GMCNUSA
Messages: 283
Registered: August 2006
Location: Indianapolis, IN
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One of the best moments I have every year is paying the FMCA dues and the GMCMI dues. It always reminds of the great times the wife and I have every year with our coach and our new friends. The fun, good times and being with friends far exceeds the two medium priced dinners the dues would buy. JM2CW
Larry Dilk
Indianapolis, IN
76 Eleganza II
Patterson 455,Turbo City TBI,
Just LOVE It!
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| Re: [GMCnet] Some thoughts on FMCI membership [message #182400 is a reply to message #182336] |
Thu, 30 August 2012 11:00 |
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Totally agree with Rob and Larry on this.
I've paid more to go to a disappointing event. Rock concerts are even more
and you have to stand through the whole stupid thing with you ears plugged
just you can hear your brain think "why am I here?"
Byron
Rob Mueller wrote:
> Larry,
>
> Good on yah, Mate!
>
> The glass is half full, eh? ;-)
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Larry and Cheryl Dilk
>
> One of the best moments I have every year is paying the FMCA dues and the
> GMCMI dues. It always reminds of the great times the wife
> and I have every year with our coach and our new friends. The fun, good times
> and being with friends far exceeds the two medium
> priced dinners the dues would buy. JM2CW
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Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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| Re: [GMCnet] Some thoughts on FMCI membership [message #182530 is a reply to message #182410] |
Fri, 31 August 2012 00:45 |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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If i may i would like to say the reason this music hurts now a days. It is the ignorance of the new generation in mixing sound.
the high tweeters and horns are 10 times more efficient than the woofers and base speakers.
So if a person running the sound increases the volume or the amount of watts with the amplifiers the efficiency of the
equipment of the high end horns and tweeters are 10 times more than the low end woofers made of paper etc. and therefore
the highs are now 10 times louder than the lows unless you turn the highs lower in response when you raise the volume.
In short the main and only mistake that a sound man can do is not remember this rule.
lower the highs and raise the volume.
any time you raise the volume you must lower the highs to keep them even and the higher the volume the high end must be turned lower
like 10 to 1. Most people do not know this and the highs get so high they hurt your ears. If your ears hurt and it is to loud go to the sound man
and yell at him lower the highs and raise the volume. He will only hear raise the volume and he will think i am to loud already how could i
raise the volume, it is because he is ignorant of the fact that he has to lower the highs like more than half not a little bit, and then he can raise the
volume. It is amazing how little big bands do not know this. The Whalers are the ones that thought me this when i ran the roxy theatre on sunset strip for
10 years. the bob marley band. They really know their stuff.
I was going to write a book on sound engineering. it would have one page and it would have one sentence.
Lower the Highs and raise the volume.
Most important info in rock and roll.
mickey
77 palm beach
anaheim ca.
ps. a watt is equal to the energy of one of your grand parents wooden kitchen matchs.
100 watts is about a box of them burning.
On Aug 30, 2012, at 10:01 AM, Rob Mueller wrote:
> Byron,
>
> Funny you should mention rock concerts, I used to attend quite a few back in the 1970's but quit when the guys that ran the sound
> boards got masochistic, the volume was so LOUD the sound would distort.
>
> I got sick to my stomach at one concert and had to leave!
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Byron Songer
>
> Totally agree with Rob and Larry on this.
>
> I've paid more to go to a disappointing event. Rock concerts are even more
> and you have to stand through the whole stupid thing with you ears plugged
> just you can hear your brain think "why am I here?"
>
> Byron
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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