 Jean and I (and a visitor) at the Chapter Fair - FMCA Wyoming |
My notes from the FMCA Governing Board Meeting, July 5-7, in Gillette Wyoming.
Jean and I arrived on Monday, July 5th, and my work on the session began that evening with a meeting of the Eastern Area representatives for a general caucus. We met one candidate for president, John Reynolds, and did a round table of introductions as to who was representing what chapters. Wilt and Barbara Greenwood joined us, representing the Eastern Gourmands Chapter.
On Tuesday morning (July 6th), I attended the first session for newly appointed Directors; this session, led by Bob Rosell the FMCA Parliamentarian, covered the Proposed Standing Rules to be used in the Director’s Meeting on Wednesday. The next meeting then was a complete review of the Proposed Governing Board Meeting Agenda and all topics therein, similar to the “walk-throughs” that we used to do with the Navy Staff prior to the Technical Reviews. All topics in the agenda were discussed, and many questions asked/answered in order to make the actual review on Wednesday (July 7th) run smoothly.
That afternoon, Jean and I set up our Dogwood Table at the Chapter Fair. There were a lot of first-time attendees! We gave out approximately 40 Dogwood Flyers (the trifolds) and talked with folks from all over the USA. I had my laptop set on the table showing the latest Dogwood Newsletter. We also got a visit from one of our newest Dogwood members, Ms. Mary Lou Dudziak – she is a solo RVer, and this was her first big trip – from Virginia to Wyoming! Congratulations, Mary Lou!
On Wednesday, July 7th, I spent the day (in its entirety) in the Governing Board Meeting. What an experience! The session began at 7:30 am and ended at 5:30 pm. All delegates were assembled by areas, and I joined Barbara and Wilt Greenwood in the front rows in the Eastern Area section. (ps. - a very big thanks to Wilt and Barbara for helping me understand the overall process and procedures!) Items of note are as follows:
- Dues will remain at $50 for members. They are $60 for first year, then $50, for renewals.
- Corporate/commercial partner dues were reduced to $50/ year – same as member fees.
- There will be no change in FMCA Assist – it is still our biggest benefit and draw for members. The price is expected to remain the same (to FMCA, and us) for several years to come because it is based on claims filed. Chubb has a higher threshold for this than our previous insurer, Four Corners.
- The financial data were presented covering 2020 and 2021 up to May31, 2021; FMCA is in the black (e.g., showing profit). The 2022 budget was provided and approved.
- Membership (increases) and retention are the biggest concerns for all of the candidates for national office. More on that later.
- The proposal reducing the number of Executive Board Members for a quorum was NOT approved.
- The proposal for allowing electronic meetings was approved. Note this proposal allows for e-meetings if and only if the Governing Board could not conduct an in-person meeting.
- Elections were held for all four National offices: the quorum was approximately 246 delegate voters. The results are as follows:
- For President
- Rhett Porter, 159 votes
- John Reynolds, 79 votes
- For Vice President
- Gary Milner, 192 votes
- Joe Wright, 46 votes
- For Secretary
- Nancy Balogh (unopposed), unanimous consent
- For Treasurer
- Barbara Smith, 173 votes
- Jack Mayberry, 63 votes
The Member Engagement Committee Report was discussed at length; the two recommendations were revised down to one, with action to the Executive Board and the Governing Board.
The majority of discussions and candidate speeches were centered on three items:
1) Focus on membership, and how to increase.
2) Maintaining FMCA Assist no matter what happens to FMCA in the future.
3) Keeping the FMCA fiscally responsible, e.g., “in the black”, for the years ahead.
Submitted,
Ed Herbert
President and Substitute National Director for Dogwood Chapter
2 comments:
Well done, Thanks for your concise SITREP...
Walt C.
Super job and info Ed, thank you very much. Sounds like you really enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the process. I am somewhat surprised at the outcome of the election. Have fun and SAFE travels to you and Jean.
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