Call to Order Jim KanomataPledge of AllegianceMinutes of Meeting of April 5, 2024 Grace KanomataPresident’ Report Jim KanomataVice President’s Report/Crafts Jodell BanovichVice President’s Report/Rallies Scott CartwrightTreasurer’s Report Dave De GraffenreidWebmaster’s Report Armand MinnieNational Director’s Report/FMCA(See post from Sharon Work) Sharon Work/Manny TrovaoNewsletter Editor’s Report – [read more]
Oct 072024
August 15, 2024
We just concluded a most important and consequential FMCA Board of Directors
meeting and I will try here to bring you all up to date on the things that should be of
interest to all Western States members.
First, the Board passed a loooong overdue increase in the annual dues from $50 to
$100. We all know how much costs across the board have increased, especially in the
last few years. Going back a couple of decades ago the advertising revenues earned
by the magazine and by the really large international rallies provided some $20 million
in surpluses for the organization. In the intervening years most every time there was a
significant increase in costs the Board simply dipped into those reserves to cover the
shortfall or offered discounted multi-year dues payments to generate cash rather than
increasing dues to match actual costs incurred. We all know one can only do things like
that for a finite period of time before such practices catch up with you! And, catch up
they have. The actual accessible reserves are now 1/10th what they once were. Total
reserves still look larger, but much of that is prepaid dues that, while a cash amount on
which we can earn interest, are untouchable in terms of paying today’s bills.
FMCA membership has historically followed the pattern of RV industry deliveries going
up when more RVs are reported sold and down when the industry takes a turn the other
way. The last year or two and the forward year or two are estimated to be big time
down years and FMCA membership is likewise estimated to follow suit which means far
less member dues income to cover ever increasing costs. The cost for club event
liability insurance has increased substantially. The carrier covering the FMCA Assist
program just tripled the annual per member cost for that offering. Print magazines in
the RV industry are net negative big time with advertising revenues for the FMCA print
magazine now down to 1/10th what they were in the hay day.
The recent Board actions have been very responsive in terms of cutting costs - maybe
even too aggressive. But the staff is now down to about 20 people with no one
occupying the top spot. I applaud many of these moves as being absolutely necessary:
the dues going up to where they really need to be, the staff being “right sized” for the
times, the magazine now going to six issues a year (I wanted it to go entirely to a digital
edition with no printed copies), consideration (but not yet action) on-going to one
instead of two international rallies a year, negotiating a new, lower cost FMCA Assist
program and a Board and staff focused on responsible cost control and living within our
means. In some areas I would have cut more aggressively (ie: eliminating the FMCA
Assist program instead of renegotiating it, etc.) but I am pleased that the can was not
simply kicked down the road further by pulling yet more money out of the dwindling
reserves.
So, where does that leave GMCWS relative to continued FMCA involvement? It is
“easy” for our chapter to pull out of FMCA so long as someone reliably secures the all
important event liability insurance for every event without fail. And, so long as that
coverage can be obtained at a cost lower than the sum of the GMCWS member’s
FMCA dues. The insurance industry appears to be moving in the direction of being
even more cautious covering events that involve alcohol and moving vehicles so
securing good coverage for smaller events like GMCWS rallies might now be harder
than we imagine. My recommendation to the GMCWS leadership is to be really sure
we can get the proper coverage before we seriously consider dropping our FMCA
affiliation.
For individual GMCWS members, keeping or dropping FMCA membership is all about
how we each value the FMCA member benefits. Jerry and I still see good value and will
continue our FMCA membership independent of what the Western States decide to do.
I will be happy to continue to serve as your FMCA National Director as long as you want
me to do so and as long as you choose to retain our FMCA affiliation. Let me know if
there is any additional information or insight I can provide on this evolving situation.
Sharon Work
Kerby, OR
glwork@mac.com
541-592-5360