Message from the Dogwood President

Dave, Nanette, Pat, Butch, & Dell –

 

Another excellent newsletter! Kudos to our VP of Communications (i.e., Dave) for putting this together. Butch, I loved that safety article on tires. 

 

Ok Dogwood, Butch Jones is leaving us end of the year. So we really, really need a Safety person for the club. It is a volunteer position; I'm looking for someone well in tune with RV "Things" and willing to write an article for our bi-monthly newsletter - it could be about safety; or it could be about maintenance; or it could be about "how this (fill in the blank) works", etc. You get the picture… 

 

I have personally learned a lot of RV things over the past six years just talking to our club members- our club has experience and advice to spare. Nearly every RV-related issue I have encountered has already been handled by someone in our club. If you have a hankering to investigate and write about RV stuff, please consider signing on as our Safety Person.

 

Thanks again and see you at the Christmas Rally at Rockahock.

 

Ed Herbert

Dogwood 2024 Officer Election Results for the 2025-2026 Term

Hello Dogwood Family,

 

We hope that all is well with you and your families.

 

As you know, we were in the process of conducting an election of new officers and nominating committee members. The balloting concluded on October 10th, 2024, and the results are as follows.

 

Sixty-one (61) ballots were sent out to all Dogwood members.

 

Twenty-seven (27) ballots were returned for a participation rate of 44%.

 

This far exceeds our requirement for a quorum of 15 Families or 25% of members, therefore, our election meets requirements. Many thanks to VP of Comm, Dave Meyer, for putting together the mailing and compiling the results. 

 

With that said, I introduce to you our new Executive Board, Nominating Committee, and Appointed Positions.

 

Executive Board

President:                      Ed Herbert

VP of Membership:        Jim Buelow 

VP of Comm:                 Dave Meyer

VP of Rallies:                 Dell Tenney

Secretary:                      Mary Lou Dudziak

Treasurer:                      Sonia Kuppert

National Director:           Ed Herbert

Alt. National Director:     Rob Hill

 

Nominating Committee

Chairman:                     Jim Buelow

Member:                        Rob Hill

Member:                        Dave McFarlane

 

Appointed Positions

Safety Director:             TBD

Care Person:                 Nanette Meyer

 

Our sincere thanks to all members who stepped up to guide our chapter through the 2025-2026 term. We have a great team put together to take Dogwood to the next level.

 

Regards and Safe travels,

 

Jim Buelow

Nominating Committee Chairman

EAMA Message - Cenrtral Region VP

Hello Dogwood.  We received this message on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, 9:48 AM, from David Fowler.

Good day,

 

As you may or may not know, Lynn Nelson has resigned her position as the Regional VP for the Central Area. I would really like to get this position filled at the Annual Meeting on December 10.

 

If any of you would like to step up and submit your resume for this position or if you know someone in your chapter that would volunteer to submit their resume, I would really appreciate it. We don't want to let this position go unfilled. 

 

If anyone has any questions, please email me at: david.fowlereavp@gmail.com

or call me at:  (843) 833-3197.

 

Thank you,

Dave Fowler

EAMA

Sr. VP

 

Care Person Update – Karen Alexander

Karen & Berkley

Hello Dogwood – wanted to share news we received yesterday.  Karen Alexander suffered a mini stroke Thursday night, Oct 17th. They were at home at the time and she is currently in Henrico Doctor's hospital.  She has weakness on her left side and some speech problems.  She's hoping to go to rehab as soon as possible.
 

Please keep Karen and Berkley in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy and full recovery.   Thank you Connie, for sharing the news.
 
 
Sincerely,

Nanette Meyer, Care Person
FMCA Dogwood Chapter  
 

President’s Message – Sep/Oct 2024

Ed and Clint at Shore Hills in Boothbay, ME

Hello Dogwood! 

I trust all are well and enjoying the (finally) cool weather we are having. Hurricane Helene has come and gone, leaving a mess in the Carolinas and southwest Virginia. To all of you who have donated to the different rescue reliefs, I thank you. Dogwood is a “giving” club and your efforts are greatly appreciated out there. 

 

Of course, as I write this, Hurricane Milton is on its way headed straight for Florida. So all you Dogwooders in Florida, please hunker down, or pack up and head north. In any event, let’s stay in touch – I don’t want to lose anybody, and I’m keeping fingers crossed that you will be safe.

 

Jean and I just finished a week-long trip to the Shenandoah Valley for a big bluegrass festival. As usual, the music was great and our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter joined us for part of the week. Good times, good music. Speaking of music, Mr. B’s will have his annual Springtime Music Festival during the first week of May.  Jean and I will be hosting the rally there, and we will get that on the calendar at the Christmas Rally. 

 

Speaking of Christmas, registration is open for our Christmas Rally at Rockahock Campground in Lanexa Virginia. It’s a neat little campground right on the Chickahominy River/Lake – bring your fishing poles. We also cover a lot of club business required by FMCA at the Christmas Rally – financial audit, membership reconciliation, dues payments, and this year, election results. Some folks have already volunteered to help with these activities – thank you very much! I would also ask that you consider sending in your annual dues ($15) before the rally to Ms. Pat Allen. We will be changing Treasurers in December, and it would make things easier if we got the annual dues payments done prior to the rally.

 

Please plan on being there – but MOST IMPORTANTLY, bring your ideas for rallies! Yes indeed, if you know of a great campground or getaway – let’s get it on the books. Rallies can be three, four, five, etc… RV Families and we don’t have to go far. Lots of campgrounds and parks right here in Virginia to visit! 

 

That’s it for now – see you at the Christmas Rally in December. 

 

Travel safe, always,

Ed 

Ed Herbert, President

FMCA Dogwood Chapter

      

Treasurer’s Report – Sep/Oct 2024

Treasury balance is $3,677.40.

Please consider sending in your annual dues ($15) to Pat Allen, before the Christmas Rally. We will be changing Treasurers in December, and it would make things easier if we got the annual dues payments done prior to the rally.  Thank you!

Pat Allen, Treasurer

FMCA Dogwood Chapter

    

VP Rallies Update – Sep/Oct 2024

Just 1 Rally left for this year!  Upcoming 2024 Rally Planning:

 

October 23-27: Cancelled - FMCA Great Eastern Area Rally (“GEAR”) in Fletcher (Ashville) NC, Hosts for Dogwood gathering, Ed & Connie Tilman.  

November 1-3: Cancelled - Urbanna Oyster Festival

December 5-8: Dogwood Christmas Rally at Rockahock Campground (1428 Outpost Road, Lanexa, VA) Hosts:  Jean & Ed Herbert, Dell & Terry Tenney, Nanette & Dave Meyer 

 

      

RESERVATIONS ARE OPEN.  Be sure to mention the DOGWOOD GROUP when reserving.

 

Here is the link to the Blog Post.  It is sure to be a good time and we look forward to seeing you all there!

 

>>>  Dogwood Christmas Rally - 2024  <<<

 

 

Please see all the Rallies and updated information planned for this year.

Happy Camping, 

Dell Tenney, Rally Master

FMCA Dogwood Chapter

 

VP Membership Update – Sep/Oct 2024

WELCOME to our newest Dogwood Member:

 

– Bill & Carol Benedict from Sterling, VA

– Eric & Phyllis Britz from Wernersville, PA

– Jack & Mary Warren from Quinton, VA

 

Glad to have you and looking forward to seeing you at the upcoming Rallies!!

Pat Allen, VP Membership

FMCA Dogwood Chapter

  

VP Communications Update – Sep/Oct 2024

Hello All.  There were a couple updates and additions to our Membership Directory – the latest version was distributed on October 12^th.  Please let me know if you have any updates or corrections for me to make.

 

We completed the Officer elections for the next term, so be on the lookout for the email with our results.  I should have it sent out by the end of the month.

Set from the Cheers TV show in Boston

We had a great time in Maine at the Lobster Fest Rally!  Thanks to our Hosts.  We are already looking forward to next year!  On the way back we made a couple stops to sightsee Boston, West Point, and then the Hershey RV Show.  This was our first time at the show and spent a lot of time walking and checking out the new coaches.  

Dave & Nanette with Bob Tiffin

We met Bob Tiffin, and he signed one of our cabinet doors.😊  We even got to test drive a new, 2025 Phaeton 35CH!  Absolutely loved driving it, and I’m sure the salesman thought he had us hooked!  Quite sure he was disappointed to see us walk away, even though we told him we were not ready to buy.  Maybe next year!

As always, please share your travels and adventures – I’d love to share your stories with the chapter!

 

Looking forward to seeing you at the Christmas Rally! 

Dave Meyer, VP Communications

FMCA Dogwood Chapter

    

Safety Article – Sep/Oct 2024

Tires, Where the Rubber Meets the Road, Part 2

By Butch Jones

 

   In the last article we talked about the body of a Recreational Vehicle (RV) and now we will begin talking about the legs and feet. Wheels could be considered the legs of the RV and they come constructed from two different materials. The first is steel which is generally used as the base wheel for most trucks and trailers. Since they are not attractive and heavy, aluminum was introduced as a means of reducing the unsprung weight (not supported by the vehicle suspension) of the vehicle. Since most RVs are decorated with fancy stripping and graphics, polished aluminum wheels have become the norm. 

 

   Many years ago the tire industry …  Continue Reading

 

THINK

SAFETY

EVERYDAY!

 

Wishing everyone safe travels.

Butch Jones, Safety Chairman
FMCA Dogwood Chapter 

 

Care Person Update – Sep/Oct 2024

Hello Dogwood Friends!

 

I hope everyone enjoyed their summer and is looking forward to some cooler, Fall weather. 

 

At the end of August, after our newsletter was done, I sent some get-well cards to Barbara Greenwood, Jackie Gilbert & Jim Buelow. Barbara fell in June or July and broke her shoulder and then ended up in the hospital with fluid on her lung. She & Wilt missed the Maine rally unfortunately. Jackie & her husband were also to attend the Maine rally but she had open heart surgery, so they weren’t able to go. Jim Buelow was sick with something that didn’t want to let go. 

 

Nancy Cummings was still having issues with her knee - sent a ’thinking of you’ card to hopefully lift her spirits a bit. 

 

In Sept, Bonnie Spain had knee surgery - sent a get-well card. 

 

Then, Bruce Bingham had a heart attack while he & Renee were in Tennessee.  Sent him a get-well card and have heard that they are home in Virginia, and he is doing better but has some recovery to do.

 

And last, Ed Tilman’s mother passed away on Sept 24 - sent a sympathy card.

 

Thank you to all who reached out to keep me informed of these events. Please continue to let me know whenever you hear of our members being ill, having surgery, losing a loved one (even a pet) or just not doing well for whatever reason at ndmeyer3@icloud.com or text me at 757-813-0828.

 

Sincerely,
Nanette Meyer, Care Person
FMCA Dogwood Chapter 

  

Celebrating Dogwood Birthdays and Anniversaries – Oct/Nov 2024

 We would like to help you celebrate your annual milestones.  Please send your dates (just the month is fine) to FMCADogwood@gmail.com so we can include you on those special months.  🥳

Care Person Update - Carol Chuilli

Carol Ann Chuilli passed away peacefully on October 14, 2024.

We are sad to announce Carol's passing.  Bob and Carol were Charter Members of Dogwood.

Bob passed away in Dec 2018.

Here is a link: 

Carol Chuilli Obituary - Midlothian, VA

Thanks to Connie for letting us know. 

Sincerely,
Nanette Meyer, Care Person
FMCA Dogwood Chapter 

Happy Birthday to our US Navy

Happy 249th Birthday to our US Navy!  

THANK YOU to all our Navy Veterans!

Found on the Military.com Website >>   navy-birthday 

GEAR 2024 Cancelled

GEAR 2024 Cancelled

October 2, 2024 - - Due to the destructive nature of Hurricane Helene on Friday, September 27, which impacted many of our members who had registered to attend as well as the WNC Ag Center which has ...   Continue Reading

Dogwood Christmas Rally - 2024

Dogwood Christmas Rally 2024

12/05 through 12/08

 

Rockahock Campground

Lanexa VA 

 

Hosts - Jean & Ed Herbert / Terry & Dell Tenney / Nanette & Dave Meyer

 

Jean Herbert        540-760-4181       jeanandedherbert@aol.com

Terry Tenney        240-925-0023       terry@tenney1.com

 

The rally fee is $25 per person .... Read More, including the Itinerary

Important message from FMCA National President, Gary Milner

Here is the link to the:

President's Letter of Resignation

National President

Gary Milner

Gary & Glenda Milner (F409834)

We wish them all the best!   No One FIGHTS Alone!

Care Person Update - Bruce Bingham

Bruce & Renee Bingham

Prayers needed for the Binghams

 

Hello Dogwood Family,

We received this update from Lynda Bucklew and Sonia Kuppert.

Renee and Bruce Bingham need our prayers...  Thursday, 12 Sep, Bruce had a heart attack.   He is in a Nashville, TN hospital as they had picked up their new RV.  Fortunately, they were staying at the dealership to address any warranty issues.  

Please keep Bruce in your thoughts and prayers - for his doctor's wisdom and medical care, for Bruce to regain strength and begin to heal. 

Saturday, 14 Sep Update:  Lynda received a text from Renee and she asked to pass it along. 

 

"Bruce was released from the hospital a little while ago. He is happy to be out and back home in the RV. We will take it easy for a couple of days and start to plan our trip back home. Dr has told Bruce he can't drive - yet. But, that's OK because I can! 😁 Just wanted to let you know we are making good progress. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. We love and appreciate you all.❤️"

 

 

Sincerely,
Nanette Meyer, Care Person
FMCA Dogwood Chapter 

 

National Director Update – From Redmond, OR - Aug 2024

 

Governing Board Meeting Highlights

Redmond, Oregon

August 14, 2024

By Eric Britz (representing Dogwood)

 

·      2025 Budget was approved after some debate and revisions.  

o   FMCA has been in a financial downturn for years. 

o   The proposed budget was to eliminate the magazine.  It has been losing money and is projected to lose $600,000 in 2025

o   FMCAssist was not funded in the proposed budget as the cost was too great.  Chubb had more than doubled the cost for the renewed contract from $0.67 per F# to $1.91.  A new Insurance provider, ARCH, will provide a similar product for $1.10/F#

o   Flood damaged the basement of the FMCA Headquarters that insurance did not cover

o   FMCA’s largest source of revenue is membership.  There has been a drop in membership.

o   The proposed budget would eliminate both International Conventions, they have been losing large sums of money with Redmond expected to lose $400,000

o   6 FMCA staff were let go April and 4 have since resigned.

·      In order to pass the 2025 Budget, the Governing Board voted to:

o   Increase dues to $100/year.  The vote was 89 to 75 to raise the dues to $100/year.

o   Keep FMCAssist- to be given a new name reflecting what it is/does with new provider.

o   Keep the magazine for the time being every other month.

o   Keep the 2 International rallies for 2025 Perry, GA in March and Gillette, WY in July.

·      Constitution and BYLAWS 

o   Proposal to simplify the title of Area Vice President to Area President.  PASSED

o   Proposal to simplify the title of National SR. VP to Vice President.  PASSED

o   Proposal to change the date for receiving proposed Bylaws amendments from January 1 to March 1.  PASSED 

o   Proposal to include the requirements for electing the Area Sr, VP, That position to be filled by a person that is qualified to fill a vacancy of the Area President.  PASSED

·      Policies and Procedures

o   Proposal to allow dues to be paid for 5 years out.  DID NOT PASS

o   Proposal to Dissolve an Area that is unable to get a candidate for Area President.  This was rejected and sent back to committee

·       Approval of a DBA (Doing Business As) “The Family RV Association”.

Click here for a copy of the PDF.