This long-lived chapter gained 25 new member families in 2017.
By Phyllis Britz, F423634, Chapter President
March 2018
What is the “special sauce” that keeps Penn Coachmen going and growing? The chapter’s senior vice president, Sue Cipa, addressed that question during the chapter’s last rally of the season in November. The question was raised because of the chapter’s friendliness and welcoming attitude, as well as its recruitment success.
The sauce’s recipe is easy. We are a fun, active group. Plus, our members seek out (and rarely miss) an opportunity to recruit for FMCA and our chapter. As a result, 25 new families joined Penn Coachmen in 2017.
Our rally season ended in November on a high note with 38 coaches gathering during a packed weekend with “A taste of Italy” as our theme. We met at Camp Swatara in Bethel, Pennsylvania. It was our largest turnout of 2017, with coaches coming from New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. (You don’t have to live in the Keystone State to join us, but we hold most of our rallies there.) There were eight first-time rally attendees. The Italy theme was carried out in the food, decorations, music, and games. Entertainment was top-notch.
At GEAR (Great Eastern Area Rally) this past October, 27 Penn Coachmen motorhomes converged. The majority of us volunteered in various capacities. Plus, our chapter came in second place in a beanbag baseball tournament, and first place after judging at the Chapter Fair. But our best and greatest reward was making new friends, and adding 12 new Penn Coachmen families while there.
Penn Coachmen members usually attend FMCA’s international conventions, too. We had five coaches at the Indianapolis, Indiana, event in July 2017, and six coaches made it to Chandler, Arizona, in March 2017. (For some of us, it was a good excuse to escape the cold!)
Every rally we put on is unique, as each has different ingredients: locale, theme, and the blend of Penn Coachmen and their guests. Our rally masters and hosts do a wonderful job while coordinating around a variety of individual themes. It’s all part of the Penn Coachmen “special sauce.” Join us, and the sauce will be even better!
Our rally season runs from April through November. This year’s schedule of dates and rally sites is posted on our website, www.penncoachmen.org. You’re invited to join us. Plus, we are excited to announce that our chapter’s 50th anniversary is coming up in 2019. We look forward to more folks joining us and continuing the fun!
For more information, visit us at www.penncoachmen.org, or contact membership chairperson Nancy Breisch, (610) 698-4552, jlbreisch@gmail.com.
For general information about FMCA chapters, contact the Chapter Services Department at (513) 474-3622 or (800) 543-3622; chapters@fmca.com.
If you would like your chapter to be featured in Chapter Spotlight, contact FMC associate editor Peggy Jordan, (800) 543-3622, ext. 212; pjordan@fmca.com.