Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Notes from FMCA national convention in Redmond, OR
| [GMCnet] Notes from FMCA national convention in Redmond, OR [message #259250] |
Mon, 18 August 2014 14:26  |
glwgmc
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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We just returned from the FMCA national convention in Redmond, OR, where I represented the GMC
Cascaders at the National Board meeting. Attendance was about 1500 coaches so smaller than the peak attendance rallies of several years ago when as many as 5000 coaches attended, but larger than some forecast for a west coast national convention this day and age. Three other GMC club National Directors were also in attendance representing GMC Pacific Cruisers, GMC Saguaro Jet Setters, GMC Western States.
Many in the GMC community question why they have to belong to FMCA to also belong to a GMC club feeling that the FMCA only caters to large diesel pushers and not our smaller, older models. The simple answer is economics. FMCA provides event liability insurance for all of our GMC club events as part of your member dues. If each club had to purchase their own event insurance it would run around $100 to $150 per club event. Since GMC clubs average around 6 events per year that would put event liability insurance cost to the club at around $600 to $900 depending on the number of attendees, the type of event, the liability coverage amount and the number of days each event lasts. For the typical GMC club that would be around $15 to $20 or more per member which would roughly double the current dues for most GMC clubs.
In addition, FMCA now (just reinstated at this meeting) provides medical evacuation services for all members anywhere in North
America from any kind of travel (RV, bus, train, plane, etc.). For the last few years that coverage has been optional and the premium cost was more than $100 per year. Now it is built into the FMCA dues (no increase) as we voted to have this paid for by withdrawing funds from the now over $9,000,000 investment account. I am one of the directors who feels FMCA is keeping too much of the members money so enthusiastically endorsed the idea of spending this money for a direct member benefit. I would prefer to also return a large amount of this money directly to the members, but am in a distinct minority with respect to such an idea.
FMCA has also enhanced the Michelin tire purchase program to include the 225 75r16 load range E tires many use on their GMC coaches. This is the newest of the Michelin tires in that size and the program price is lower than any of the internet or local prices I have been able to find. So, if you are in the market for tires this member benefit could be worth as much as $400 to $600. One can question the value of the FMCA magazine which is offered as a free subscription with your membership, but a number of people with whom I have spoken seem to enjoy it as one way of keeping up with all the new accessories and appliances that are coming to market with the rather sharp return of new coach sales. Most other member benefits are outsourced programs for which the member pays directly, usually at a reasonable or even deeply discounted rate.
Bottom line is your FMCA dues fund $15 to $20 per year in GMC club event liability insurance, $100 or more per year in medical evacuation insurance coverage, $400 to $600 in Michelin tire purchase discounts (if you need tires), a magazine subscription, regional and national rallies across the US and a variety of other purchasable member benefits. I think it is money well spent for our GMC club members.
FMCA is finally running in the black again with a properly balanced (barely) budget, dedicated volunteer officers and board members who are far more realistic than some of their predecessors and a staff properly sized to fit the needs of the now 77,000 FMCA members, a number which at present is shrinking by about a net 2,500 to 5,000 or so members per year. That may well turn around with the sharp increase in new coach sales. It was obvious at this event that buyers were very much in attendance and all the manufacturers appeared to have made a number of sale at this event.
I also saw a number of things that looked quite interesting for our GMCs and will be detailing those as I get or confirm the information and applicability for coaches of our size.
Jerry
Jerry Work
The Dovetail Joint
Fine furniture designed and hand crafted in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building in historic Kerby, OR
Visitors always welcome!
glwork@mac.com
http://jerrywork.com
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Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
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