Bright Future For FRVA
A look back at events from the 111th International Convention in Gillette, Wyoming, and a look forward to new horizons for the association.
I would like to thank the Family RV Association members who elected me to serve as your president for the next two years. I am humbled by the opportunity, and the members’ trust, to lead FRVA into its next chapter. During their meeting in July, the Governing Board elected a great team to guide FRVA for the next two years with me: Bob Weithofer, vice president; Glenda Milner, secretary; and Ken Lewis, treasurer.
Lisa and I have just returned from FRVA’s “Rock & Roll High School” convention in Gillette, Wyoming. Although it was a little smaller than some previous conventions, it was loaded with exciting activities and some of the best entertainment we have had in years. The Colorado Keys dueling pianos show made for a great opening night and kept the entire audience involved and moving to the very end.
The Discovery Zone with Kevin and Patrice McCabe of “RV There Yet?” TV was a big hit, with multiple daily seminars and more giveaways than you could count. Plans for the Discovery Zone at the March 18 through 21, 2026, convention in Perry, Georgia, are well underway, including some surprises for everyone. Don’t miss the Family RV Association ads that are airing in “RV There Yet?” TV episodes on the Discovery Channel. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the episode that was filmed during the March 2025 convention in Perry, Georgia. It can be viewed at RVThereYetTV.com or downloaded on FRVA’s YouTube channel (search Family RV Association at YouTube.com).
We had over 100 vendors in Gillette, offering myriad items RVers can’t do without, plus items you never knew you needed. We can’t wait to see what our Events Department, along with our commercial partners, will come up with for us in Perry, Georgia, at our March 2026 convention.
During the rally, we learned that the total number of FRVA members increased, and for the month of July, we had three days with positive numbers. With the rejuvenation and new leadership in our Membership and Marketing teams, I expect to see a lot more days of increasing membership in our future.
I would also like to spotlight FRVA’s Pathfinder program. For those not familiar with this new membership category, it enables people who are looking to purchase an RV in the future to become FRVA members while they are researching. The membership cost is the same, and except for voting rights, Pathfinders are entitled to all our benefits, including our FRVA University, where they can find answers to technical questions.
The Pathfinder program started slowly but is providing future RV owners access to FRVA University and its 5,000-plus RV-related technical articles. I think the most important aspect of this program is having access to our full Family members to ask questions, so the more experienced among us can relate some of the less-than-intelligent things we have done as we learned about RVing. The exciting part is that to date, 20 Pathfinders have bought an RV and have transitioned to become full members. Starting in the next issue of our magazine, we will be featuring some of our Pathfinders and their journey to find that perfect RV.
Our Governing Board was hard at work during the meeting in Gillette this year, and I believe someone in the Northwest Area won the pool projecting the time we would adjourn. It was after 5:00 p.m., but one of these days, we are going to accomplish everything before our scheduled 5:00 p.m. end time.
During the meeting, the fiscal year 2026 budget was approved. This is a realistic, conservative budget, and I fully expect to exceed the revenue projections during the year. Most of the Bylaws and Policy and Procedure items discussed were just housekeeping to catch up with things passed in our previous sessions.
Our dues will remain at $99 for the next year. The Governing Board removed the $10 initiation fee paid by new members.
For 2026, our conventions were approved for March 18 through 21 in Perry, Georgia, and for July 1 through 4 in Sedalia, Missouri. Both locations have great facilities, and we encourage everyone to put both on your calendar. The Georgia National Fairgrounds is the RVing place to be in March. And along with all the other fun we have planned for the Sedalia event, the fireworks on July Fourth are going to be fantastic.
In another action, the Governing Board directed the Constitution and Bylaws Committee to change the quorum requirements for the annual Governing Board meeting to 25 percent of the voting chapters, or 75 members from the voting chapters, whichever is less. This motion will take effect following the presentation of the Bylaws amendments during the Governing Board meeting in 2026.
The most significant motions authorized the Executive Board to sell the two vacant pieces of land adjacent to the national office on Clough Pike in Cincinnati, and to study the ramifications of consolidating FRVA operations into one facility at the Round Bottom Road location. The Executive Board now has the authority to move ahead with the consolidation if it is economically feasible. This could save the association $100,000-plus in maintenance and real estate taxes on an annual basis. This is one of the first steps in right-sizing our association. Right now, the office space translates to over 1,000 square feet per staff member, and we heat and air-condition both buildings.
I would like to thank the Governing Board for making the trip to Gillette to help FRVA continue as one of the only member-owned and member- governed RV organizations. The discussions are long and the opinions many, but the Governing Board manages to come up with what is best for our association.
I believe our future is bright, that we have turned the corner, and that a light shines at the end of the tunnel.
Safe travels — hope to see everyone on the road. Just keep on having fun!
FRVA Medical & Travel Assist in Action
Our Medical & Travel Assist Story
Remarkable Recovery
A life-changing event happened to my wife, Lane, while we were traveling and attending our FMCA local rally in Red River, New Mexico. On the second night there, my wife went to bed early, stating that she was extremely tired. Well, I couldn’t wake her up the next morning.
We called for an ambulance to take her to the nearest hospital, which was in Taos, New Mexico, about 50 miles away. She then had an emergency operation and had to be flown to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for full life support. Three weeks later, she was considered to have severe brain damage and not likely to survive, and the hospital suggested we pull her off life support or take her to a long-term care facility. We chose to bring her back home to Lubbock, Texas, which involved another medical transport, this time by ambulance.
Two great things came from this experience. One was that FMCAssist benefits [now Medical & Travel Assist] paid for all the medical transportation costs, which were not cheap, I can assure you. Second, my wife made a full recovery. So, yes, I am very happy to recommend FMCA (now FRVA) to anyone with an RV or even thinking about buying one.
Thank you so much for helping to save my wife. It’s been five years now, and she is still with me and looking forward to our 50th anniversary.
— Bob & Lane Teaff, F356029 • Lubbock, Texas
Have a Medical & Travel Assist story to share? Send it to us at magazine@frva.com.
To learn more about the coverages provided by this plan, visit FRVA.com/medical-and-travel-assist.