FMCA chapters are where the fun is! If you haven’t been able to find one that suits your needs, we’re here to help. Learn more about launching a group based on your interests.
December 2022
One of the best parts of being a member of FMCA is meeting other members along the way. And one of the best ways to connect with other members is to join an FMCA chapter. These fun-loving groups pave the way for members to find like-minded RV owners — people who share not only their love for RVing but perhaps the same interests, hobbies, or RV brand, or RV owners who live in the same geographic area. Countless stories exist of members who have discovered lifelong friends through their membership in an FMCA chapter.
In addition to meeting interesting new people, chapter membership can be a great way to learn more about RVing and to exchange travel and tech tips and maintenance information. Plus, belonging to a chapter and attending rallies gives members more reasons to travel in their RV and may lead to visiting places they might not have known about otherwise.
Each chapter has its own personality and develops its own way of getting together, having meetings, etc. Many times, rallies/meetings are timed to take advantage of a specific function, attraction, or event that most chapter members will enjoy; these may include FMCA international conventions and area rallies, balloon festivals, auto races, and more. Chapters with a geographic focus try to host rallies within a reasonable driving distance for members. Some chapters meet during the week and others on weekends.
With approximately 300 FMCA chapters, there’s a good chance you can find one that would be a good fit for you. But if you have an idea for a chapter that doesn’t exist, or if you’ve tried to find a chapter in your area but haven’t been successful, maybe it’s time for you to start one yourself. FMCA welcomes new chapters, and FMCA staff can help you to find other interested members for your group. FMCA’s national area vice presidents often help new chapters to form as well.
One way to launch a chapter that has proven successful is to plan and arrange a series of meetings of RV owners — perhaps two or three. A good time to host the first of these meetings is in conjunction with an FMCA event — an international convention or an area rally — since other RV owners already will be gathered there. Although FMCA membership is not a prerequisite during the initial formation meetings, membership in the national FMCA organization is a requirement for anyone to be a member of the chapter once it becomes official.
Forming a chapter doesn’t even have to be at the top of the agenda for the first meeting. It can be an informal gathering for participants to get to know each other. If the get-together comes to a close and those who attended agree that they had fun, they more than likely will be in favor of a second meeting. If the planners of the first gathering also established a place and time for a second meeting, it can be announced to the group. If not, contact information can be collected and particulars can be shared later.
At the second meeting, those who were at the first will return to visit with their newfound friends. In the interim, they also may have told other RV owners about the gatherings. Word of mouth is a great way to find additional participants. And so, at the second meeting, the idea of forming a chapter likely will enter the discussion, and those who have spearheaded the initial meeting can share the process and requirements involved in doing so.
During the formation stage, and up until a charter is issued, participants are referred to as a “group” or “proposed chapter.” The group becomes an official chapter when the FMCA Executive Board issues them a charter. The basic requirements for this are outlined in the FMCA Bylaws. FMCA assigns an area of representation to each chapter — one of FMCA’s nine geographic areas or the International Area. The latter is for chapters that have members from all over the United States and/or Canada — the non-geography-based chapters.
As noted, chapters are formed based on special interests, a geographic location, or an RV type or brand. Examples of existing special-interest chapters are Bus ’N’ Bikers, Diesel RV Club, Racecar Fans, RVQue, and Sooner Coaches. Geography-based chapters include Ohio Nomads, Southern Arizona, and Tennessee Travelers. Among the chapters focused on RV brand or type are Foretravel International, Grand Design, Roadtrek International, and Tiffin Travelers. The possibilities are endless!
FMCA requires a group of seven membership numbers to form an associate chapter; 15 membership numbers are needed to form a regular, voting chapter. An associate chapter does not elect a voting delegate to send to the national Governing Board meeting, where the business of the association is carried out. Except for voting, though, associate chapters have the same benefits as a regular chapter. Fewer chapter officers are needed for an associate chapter. They elect a president, a vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer. A regular, voting chapter will elect those same officers plus a national director — the voting delegate. Voting chapters also have the option of electing an alternate national director to serve if the national director is not able. Some chapters choose to combine the office of secretary and treasurer via their bylaws and elect one person to handle both.
Upon approval by the Executive Board, each chapter receives an official chapter charter, a banner with their chapter name, and either a U.S. or a Canadian flag. In the case of a voting chapter, they also receive an attachment plate for their national director to display with his or her membership plate.
FMCA assists each chapter by supplying guidance materials to help them organize chapter meetings and rallies. FMCA also provides liability insurance for chapter rallies. Chapters can advertise their rallies in the “FMCA Events” section within Family RVing magazine and online at FMCA.com. FMCA also publishes a Chapter Directory online and annually in the January issue of the magazine. Each chapter’s contact information is listed in this directory so that prospective members have a way of reaching out for more information or to join the chapter.
FMCA assists chapters with ongoing membership recruitment efforts, and several options are available. FMCA also recognizes chapters for their longevity and support of FMCA via a chapter anniversary program. Each chapter receives a letter and certificate for its 5-year, 10-year, 15-year, and 20-year anniversary. Every five years following the 20th anniversary, chapters also receive a check from FMCA. For a chapter’s 25th anniversary, the amount is $100, and it goes up $50 every five years after that.
If you haven’t already joined a chapter — or two or three — please visit www.fmca.com/fmca-join-a-chapter. To request a chapter formation kit, which includes everything needed to successfully launch a new chapter, or to learn more about forming a chapter or finding a chapter, please contact the Chapter Services team at (513) 474-3622 or (800) 543-3622; chapters@fmca.com.