Secretary’s Report – Nov/Dec 2022

Family Motor Coach Association 

Dogwood Chapter Business Meeting Minutes 

December 3, 2022 

Members present:  Alexander, Allen, Buelow, Brinkley, Cummings (via Zoom), Dudziak, Fisher, Greene, Greenwood (via Zoom), Herbert, Kuiken, McFarlane, Meyer, Mimm, Nelson, Robison, Schoolar, Spiezio, Tenney, Thorpe, Tilman, Tyler, and Vreeland 

Guests:  Andy and Lee Deal, FMCA EAMA VP 

1.      Call to Order:   President, Ed Herbert ("Ed") called the meeting to order at 11:45 a.m. with a welcome and thanks for the good food and fellowship.  Ed introduced rally guests, Andy Deal, FMCA EAMA VP, and his wife, Lee.  

2.      Minutes:  On a motion by Jim Buelow, seconded by Robi Robison, the minutes from the October 15, 2022 FMCA Dogwood Chapter Business Meeting were unanimously approved. 

3.      Treasurers Report: 

A.  Treasurer, Pat Allen, reported that the current balance in Dogwood treasury is $3,138.  There are still members who have not paid dues for 2022. 

B.    Pat will be taking dues payments for 2023 any time this weekend.   

4.      Communications: 

A.  Dave Meyer ("Dave"), Communications Vice President, reviewed updates he made to the Dogwood blogsite. 

B.  An updated membership directory has recently been distributed. 

5.      Membership:  Pat Allen, Membership Vice President, reported that we now have 55 member RV’s. 

6.      Financial Audit: 

A.  Jim Buelow reported on the annual financial audit meeting held December 2, 2022.  The committee consisted of Jim Buelow, Berkley Alexander, Robi Robison, and Treasurer, Pat Allen.  Jim commended Pat on doing a great job and the committee found everything to be in excellent order. 

B.  It was noted that Pat is currently keeping Dogwood financials manually as well as using a Quicken record keeping program.   

C.  On a motion by Jim Buelow, seconded by Patty Kuiken, the Dogwood club members unanimously voted to change the Standing Rules to discontinue the use of Quicken for financial record keeping. 

7.    Chapter Certification:  Ed Herbert, Pat Allen, and Dave Meyer were the committee members to conduct the annual Chapter Certification that compares our membership records with those that FMCA has in their files for the Dogwood Chapter.  Pat Allen reported that she has 12 members to contact about whether or not they are going to remain active.  We lost 7 members and gained 12 new members. 

8.    National Director Report:  Dogwood’s National Director, Ed Fisher, said there were 650 family units at the Lincoln, Nebraska International Rally.  He reviewed his National Director’s report from that rally.  He emphasized that Tech Connect issues are being resolved. 

9.    Nominating Committee:   Jim Buelow reported for the Nominating Committee that consists of Jim Buelow, Chairman; Buck Buchanan, and Rich Bonewitz. 

Officer elections were held, via email, from October 1, 2022 through October 10, 2022. 

23 ballots were completed and returned.  The new Board is as follows: 

President:  Ed Herbert 

VP Communications:  Dave Meyer 

Treasurer and VP Membership:  Pat Allen 

Secretary:  Jean Herbert 

VP Rallies:  Pace Mimms 

Careperson:  Nanette Meyer 

National Director:  Ed Fisher 

Alternate National Director:  Jim Buelow 

Nominating Committee:  Jim Buelow, Nancy Greene, and Buck Buchanan 

Safety Officer:  Butch Jones 

Jim thanked all the new, returning, and retiring officers.  He also asked all members to consider learning about officer duties and think about becoming an officer in the future. 

10.  Gourmands Report:  Gourmands President, Wilt Greenwood, reported that there was a smaller than usual group dinner at the Lincoln Nebraska International Rally.  A dinner is being planned for the Perry Georgia International Rally. 

11.  Careperson Report:   Patty Kuiken offered a “thank you” to everyone who has given her a “heads Up” regarding Dogwood members who are sick or grieving the loss of a loved one. 

12.   Rally Hosting Awards:  Current Rally Master, Henry Kuiken, distributed host pins, with thanks, to all who stepped up to host rallies in 2022. 

13.  2023 Rally Planning:  Newly elected Rally Master, Pace Mimms, asked for rally suggestions and rally hosts for 2023.   

A.   Current 2023 rally plans are as follows: 

February 16-19 – KOA in Virginia Beach; Host Lynn Nelson 

March 15-18 – 106th FMCA International Rally; Perry Georgia 

May 4-6 – Mr. B’s Bluegrass Festival in Woodford VA; Hosts: Ed and Jean Herbert 

June 2-4 – Lancaster PA; Hosts: Jim & Susan Buelow and Dave & Marla McFarlane 

August 23-26 – 107th FMCA International Rally; Gillette Wyoming 

October 4-8 – FMCA Greater Eastern Area Rally (“GEAR”) in Lewisburg WV,          Hosts for Dogwood gathering, Ed and Connie Tilman

November 3-5 – Urbanna Oyster Festival; Hosts:  Berkley and Karen Alexander 

December 1-3 - Dogwood Christmas Rally Host: Lynn Nelson (More hosts needed) 

B.      Lynn Nelson will call Carolina Crossroads Campground about reserving it for our 2023 Christmas Rally. 

14.   Paul Cummings told the group that the FMCA Fuel Discount Card is being discontinued on December 15, 2022.  FMCA is shifting to Open Roads TSD Logistics (diesel only) and will waive the $20 fee for those transitioning from the former fuel card. 

15.     Dave McFarlane suggested that Dogwood meetings could benefit from some kind of microphone and speaker so folks can hear information more clearly.  On a motion by Jean Herbert, seconded by Lynn Nelson, the group voted unanimously to have Wayne Dancause look into what would best suit our needs.  He will present his recommendation to the Dogwood Board for a final decision. 

16.     The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m. 

 

Respectfully submitted, 
 
Jean Herbert, Secretary 
FMCA Dogwood Chapter