New Beginnings
Welcome to FMCA’s 2023-2024 Executive Board, and to Pathfinders, a new class of members being invited to join the association.
Chief Executive Officer
Chris Smith
csmith@fmca.com
I am writing this month’s column in the thick of FMCA’s 107th International Convention & RV Expo in Gillette, Wyoming, August 23 through 26. During the event, FMCA’s Governing Board met to make policy changes, approve the 2024 fiscal year budget, and elect national officers.
My first update is to congratulate the winners of the elections. On behalf of the association, I would like to thank these individuals for sacrificing their time to serve FMCA in these important roles. Those elected to serve as national officers for the 2023-2024 term are as follows:
National President: Gary Milner, F409834
National Senior Vice President: Paul Mitchell, F165576
National Secretary: Pamela Richard, F455687
National Treasurer: Barbara Smith, F329936
Earlier in the year, elections took place on the area level for national area vice presidents. Here are the 10 current area vice presidents:
Eastern Area: Phyllis Britz, F423634
Great Lakes Area: Ken Lewis, F428158
International Area: (vacancy – awaiting special election)
Midwest Area: John Jacobs, F413028
Northeast Area: Bill Newton, F448330
Northwest Area: Dennis Martin, F158411
Rocky Mountain Area: Connie Jones, F327809
South Central Area: Dianna Huff, F363612
Southeast Area: Bill Dees, F354115
Western Area: Bob Golk, F316752
The final member of the FMCA Executive Board for 2023-2024 is Rett Porter, L369084. As immediate past president, he will serve as a non-voting advisor to the board.
Expanding The Family
FMCA prides itself on family . . . the first letter in FMCA stands for Family! Back in 2021, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) released a demographic study about RVers that included a lot of useful information. At that time, there were 10.5 million RV-owning households in the United States. Even more impressive, the study said that in the next five years, 20.5 million households intended to purchase an RV.
When we looked around the RV industry, it became evident that there was a void in serving these 20.5 million households. While you can find information in many places, what seemed to be needed was a reliable source with all the necessary information in one place. FMCA has positioned itself as one of the leaders in RV education throughout its 60-year history. Education is accomplished through magazine content, e-newsletters, RV Basics, RV Driving School, FMCA University, how-to videos, and seminars at FMCA events.
To help fill this void, FMCA has added a new membership category called Pathfinder. We are defining Pathfinders as prospective RV owners who are in the research phase of RV ownership and plan to purchase an RV within the next five years. Pathfinders will have the same benefits as a family member. The only differences will be as follows: They will not be sent membership emblems since they don’t own an RV on which to display them; they will receive Family RVing magazine and their membership welcome kit in digital form rather than print; and they cannot hold office within FMCA. Once Pathfinders purchase a qualifying RV, they can contact FMCA and ask to have their membership converted to a full family membership.
FMCA is excited to “expand the family” by educating these members who are considering joining the RV lifestyle.
Next month’s issue of the magazine will include photos and more information about the Gillette convention. Until then, enjoy the journey!