National Director's Report August 2020

Ed Fisher, National Director Report August 2020

Ed Fisher, National Director FMCA

At the FMCA 2019 Governing Board  meeting, after much discussion and consideration, the 2020 budget was passed with a dues increase from $50.00 to $75.00 which was the only way to maintain a balanced budget and keep FMCAssist as a member benefit. The general feeling was that the cost of 7 gallons of diesel fuel added to the dues would have a lesser negative effect on membership than dropping our flagship benefit. That proved to be wrong. The dues increase was put into effect as soon as possible, long before the Covid 19 pandemic, but a loss of membership of 400 per month, which had been on the rise before the began immediately. The 400 member per month has persisted since. 

In accordance with FMCA Bylaws, the FMCA Executive board is to act on behalf of the Governing Board when it is impossible for the Governing Board to meet, as has happened due to Covid 19. Covid 19 caused a double whammy to the budget by causing the cancellation of two International conventions. This is due to lost profit and to expenses to date on the conventions.

Because of the current situation, the Executive Board directed the Finance Committee to come up with a balanced budget, eliminating FMCAssist and returning the dues to $50.00 per year. This would mean that those who had already paid $75.00 would have their dues covered for an additional 6 months. On August 6, 2020, the Executive Board met, to presumably, approve that budget, but incredibly, that budget was rejected, and was sent back to the Finance committee to study ways to develop a budget, keeping FMCAssist with dues of $50.00 per year. 

Stay Tuned
Ed Fisher