President's Message

I hope everyone had a great holiday. I look forward to seeing everyone during our rallies this year.

The nominating committee is looking for members who would like to serve as officers. As per the minutes the nominating committee will present their nominees at our June Rally and voting will take place in July.  This will give us time to notify FMCA  with the names of our new officers before their August deadline. If you are interested in being an officer of Dogwood please let either myself, Berkeley Alexander or Paul Cummings know before June 1.

Buck Buchanan

President Dogwood Chapter FMCA

VP of Rallies Message

I want to start by saying my thoughts and prayers are with Barbara and Bobby Dyke and their family at this time.

We had a great camping year in 2015 and I look forward to 2016.

We have a great year lined up beginning with the bourbon trail in Lexington, Kentucky May 19-21 with our hosts being the Bonewitz's, Gilberts and Johnstons.

Then on to our 20th anniversary at Rockahock in Lenexa Va. with the Buelows, Hicks, Cummings and Sohles.  This Rally also marks Bill and my 5th anniversary with the Dogwood Chapter, What a wonderful group of people!! Thank you for the friendships we have formed in the last 5 years.

July 15-17 will be the Gordonville, PA featuring the Buchanans and Phillips as our hosts.

Aug. 3-7 FMCA National rally-Springfield Mass.

Sept.- No date at this time Myrtle Beach with the Schoolers

Oct. GEAR Lewisburg, WV the theme will be" Silver Mountain Magic". This rally is our 25th anniversary.

Nov 4-6 Urbanna Oyster Roast, host the Alexanders

Dec 2-4 We will be back at Americamps RV resort Ashland Va. with the Hills and Dodges.

As you can see, we have a busy year ahead. As soon as your plans are made for your rally let either Carolyn or me know so we can get the word out as soon as possible.

Remember to mark your calendars so you won't miss any of these events.

Happy camping!
Marion Cockrell
VP of Rallies Dogwood Chapter FMCA

Secretary's Report

12/5/2015 FMCA Dogwood Chapter Minutes

The meeting opened with thanks for the center pieces from the Oyster Festival rally in Urbanna, VA.  

It was announced that an audit committee will be appointed and will audit the books for the year.

The group was welcomed by Jerry Cohen, GEAR, who reviewed several items:

• GEAR will be held October 5 – 19, 2016.
• June of 2016, the Dogwood Chapter will be 20 years old.
• Recommended that we post on the rally boards to help in recruitment efforts.
• Reviewed the FMCA Assist Program, noting that it is free with membership.

Buck Buchannan asked that we be thinking about nominations for 2017. Volunteers accepted.

Reminded everyone that 2016 dues are now due.

An update on the Food Bank program included an announcement that we should be present at 4:00 for the presentation.

New members’ nametags can be ordered on the Dogwood website.

Communcations Report from Carolyn Duff suggested that we use the website for all kinds of information. Gave an overview of the types of info available.

There was then a discussion on “releasing member information on-line.” It was decided that the member list will be provided periodically and will include a link to access the information.

Marion Cockrell led a discussion of rallies for 2016 and a schedule with hosts, etc. will be distributed soon.

Submitted by Carol Warthan, Secretary Dogwood Chapter FMCA

Treasurer's Report

Click here to view Treasurer's report through October 31, 2015.

Submitted by Pat Allen, Treasurer Dogwood Chapter FMCA

National Director Report

The National Officer election results are as follows:

President: Charlie Adcock incumbent - unopposed
Vice President: Jon Walker incumbent - unopposed
Treasurer: Percey Bell- unopposed
Secretary: Gaye Young elected overJohn Ferrari

Membership as of May 31, 2015 stands at 72,754, and the rate of decrease is slowing. Problem is not recruiting new members, it is retaining them, even though the retention rate is a respectable 83%. In the period June 1,2014 to May 31,2015, 10,157 new members recruited, and 13,799 were lost. The Membership Corporation of America has been engaged to work on this problem, and results are encouraging.

Our Treasurer reports that it is not reasonable to get a fair representation of financial results this year by comparing this year to last, due to some accounting procedures that were changed to provide needed improvements. However, FMCA's financial position is strong, with cash balances of $546,000 and investment account balances of $8,987,000.

There were 2 bylaws revisions approved and 6 policy and procedure changes approved. Any member interested in reading these can see them in my records at the Fall Rally.

The FMCAssist program, which is a medical evacuation program, was reinstated by the Executive Board in Redmond last August as a member benefit. Monthly payments for this comes from earnings (no principal) of the investment account. I attended a meeting on FMCAssist, and I believe it is equal or better than any available outside FMCA. It is administered by Seven Corners Insurance company, phone 1-877-202-4176 in the U.S., and collect worldwide, 1-317-582-2619. It is of extreme importance that you phone them if you have a claim, or think you might have a claim before any costs are incurred. The company makes all arrangements, and pays all of the bills. They will not reimburse for costs that occur before calling them. To set up a file and begin the claim process, you must phone Seven Corners at the appropriate number above, tell them you expect to have or have a claim, and give them your FMCA member number. That's the whole procedure, and they will take it from there.

They will return the incapacitated family member or their mortal remains, their family members, pets, motor homes to their home, whether or not they are traveling in a motor home. And they will do this from anywhere in the world, with the exception of the motor home. Worldwide maximum benefits are:

Emergency medical evacuation/repatriation- up to $ 500,000
Emergency medical reunion - Up to $50,000
Return of mortal remains- Up to $50,000
Return of dependents- Up to $50,000
Vehicle return (North America only)- Up to $5,000
Pet return- Up to $1,000
Prescription med and glasses replacement- Up to $500
Assistance service- Included

There are many more services and exclusions related to this policy that are described in the company brochure. You may phone FMCA for a copy. Just don't make an expensive mistake and loose coverage by not having Seven Corners set up a file.

Ed Fisher
Dogwood National Director

20th Anniversary Rally in June

DOGWOOD 20^TH ANNIVERSARY RALLY

ROCKAHOCK CAMPGROUND

JUNE  3 -5, 2016

by Jim Buelow

Come one; come all to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Dogwood. The rally will be held at Rockahock Campground, 1428 Outpost Road, Lenexa, VA, 23089, 804-966-8367, reservations @ rockahock.com. Point of contact at Rockahock is Belinda. Dates of rally are June 3 – 5, 2016, however if you would like to come early or stay later, just let the campground know when you make your reservations.

We have reserved 30 sites at the campground and are planning on increasing that to 40. Please make your own reservations by email or phone. Special rate of $99.00 for 3 nights. If you stay longer, price is $43.00 per night for each additional night minus 10%. Let the campground know you are with Dogwood.

Rally will officially begin on Friday; however, we may do an informal get together on Thursday evening for early arrivals. We will do a full dinner on Friday and Saturday evening, along with a full breakfast on Saturday morning, and a light breakfast on Sunday morning.  We are planning some special activities to commemorate our 20^th anniversary, so if you have any thoughts or ideas, please let us know. We also plan on inviting former Dogwood members, along with FMCA and Eastern Area representatives to the rally.

The cost of the rally and specific details are yet to be determined. We estimate the cost to be about $40.00 per coach. Once we lock things in, we will send out a registration form to complete, and establish a deadline for responding.

Your hosts for the rally are Jim and Susan Buelow, Paul and Nancy Cummings, Max and Barbara Hicks, and Steve and Susan Sohles. Come out and join us for a weekend of FUN and CELEBRATION.

Contacts are Jim Buelow  757- 876-7399 or  Susan Buelow  757- 876-.8673

Highlights from Christmas Rally

The Annual Christmas Rally was held in Ashland VA at the Americamps Campground December 4-6.  We had a great turnout for our final rally of the year - 62 people attended at least one activity during the rally weekend. Click here for photos.

Friday afternoon members showed off their talents at a wreath making class at Colesville nursery.  Some members then kicked off the evening with a beer tasting at nearby Center of the Universe Brewing Company.  The group then got together for a bbq dinner.       

Saturday morning started with a full bacon, egg and waffle breakfast followed by a business meeting.  Our area VP for the Eastern Area of FMCA, Jerry Cohen, and his wife Millie joined us for the morning activities.  Saturday afternoon Katie Goodman from Patrick Henry High School accepted Dogwood's donation of a check and food items for the local food bank.  Saturday evening the group gathered for a delicious prime rib dinner from EAT Caterers.  Afterwards we enjoyed our traditional Yankee swap gift exchange where once again many a gift was "stolen".  

Sunday morning was a continental breakfast and the saying of goodbyes.

A special thanks to the campground staff who went out of their way to make our rally successful. 

Thanks to Wilt and Barbara Greenwood and Ed and Connie Tilman for hosting the rally.

Urbanna Oyster Festival Rally

Click here for photos from the Urbanna Oyster Festival Rally.

Highlights from the September rally

by Marion Cockrell

Those who met at Ed Fishers garage September 11-13 were Wilt and Barbara Greenwood, Bill and Marion Cockrell and Ed and Anke Fisher.

On Thursday evening the Fishers and Greenwoods went to dinner at the Willabys on the Rappahannock Restaurant in White Stone, They enjoyed listening to the Davis Bradley Bluegrass Act during dinner.

Our host took us for a boat ride around Urbanna and into the Rappahannock River On Friday. We discovered that Ed is not only a pilot, but also a really good Captain and tour guide.

Saturday did not go by uneventful, We rode to Urbanna for the farmers market, only to be cut short due to the tornado warning/watch in the area. We were safe and even stayed dry. At the end of the day, Eds famous BBQ was a winner.

The weekend came to an end on Sunday, but not before flying to Tangier Island for lunch. The weather was beautiful and visibility was awesome.

A huge thank you to the Fishers for a wonderful weekend.

Member updates

Welcome to our new members:  Doug & Maureen Dodge, Dave Harlow, Rob & Donna Hill, Jim & Mary Hunter, Ben & Pam Phillips, Reid & Jenny Saul.   

Dogwood currently has 46 members.

1/17 update on the Dykes:  Bobby is home from the hospital and doing well following a stroke.  He is receiving speech therapy.   Granddaughter Katie is still in a coma.  Daughter Brenda continues her chemo treatments.  Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.      

Donna Gruel wrote:  "Life here in Florida continues to be awesome......we love it here at TGO......our doors are open...be sure to visit when any of you come south."

Sue and Steve Sohles are wintering at their pad/port in The Great Outdoors in Titusville. They returned to VA to host family for Christmas, but flurries and a 20 degree morning chased them back to FL early in the New Year.  2016 Rally plans include Fleetwood Motor Home Association at Lazy Days in Seffner in January, International FMCA rally in Perry GA in March, and the TGO Ambassadors (a FMCA chapter) rolling rally to Grassy Key in Marathon FL in April - with stops at TY Park in Hollywood andJonathan Dickenson State Park in Jupiter, as well as co-hosts at our own Dogwood 20th Anniversary at Rockahock in June. A trip to New England is in planning.  Sending our New Years wishes for health and safe travels to all our Dogwood friends.

Jim and Susan Buelow spent Christmas and New Years in FL. and had a good time. Weather was awesome. Went to Lazydays in Tampa for 3 days where Susan and I took the motor home driving coarse. I was not part of the original plan, but they had space, so I took it to. We enjoyed the class and learned a lot. From there, we traveled to Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville. Campground is right on the water and we got some great beach time. Got home on the 3rd, and we are busily preparing for our trip to the west coach beginning on the 5th of Feb.  Happy and Healthy New Year to all, and safe travels.  Jim and Susan

Mann and Carolyn Duff wrote:  If you are in the area, come visit us in Redington Shores Florida!

Wilt and Barbara Greenwood are wintering at our Escapees lot in Benson, AZ until March – then on to the Monaco International Pre-Rally and the FMCA Convention in Georgia.  We hope to see many of you in Perry.