The FMCA Family
Stories of a few of the people who help to make FMCA the fantastic RV association that it is.
National President
Jon Walker, F268778
jwalker@fmca.com
FMCA is an amazing organization. Sondra and I have traveled the country for years, starting in our old bus and now in our current motorhome. It seems that everywhere we go, we run into old friends; we meet new friends; and we witness wonderful changes in our association.
This month’s column is about several stories that make me proud to be a member of FMCA.
At this year’s Western Area Rally in Indio, California, we attended the Coaches For Christ chapter’s Saturday evening “end of the week devotions dinner.” This is about the fifth or sixth year Sondra and I have attended this gathering. We are members of the Great Lakes Area’s Coaches For Christ chapter, and we have attended devotions hosted by Coaches For Christ chapters all over the continent, but this story is worthy of special mention.
In the late 1990s, FMCA members Leonard and June Davis, F158928, were instrumental in organizing a morning devotions hour at the Western Area Rally in Indio. June, by the way, served as FMCA national secretary from 2000 to 2003. She formerly worked as the manager of the capitol office of the California state senate majority leader. Leonard served as a helicopter pilot for the California Highway Patrol. Neither June nor Leonard had ever organized or led daily devotions at an area rally. So, they started asking around for help and looking for someone to come in and provide music and a daily message for the upcoming rally.
FMCA president Jon Walker (center) joined June and Leonard Davis (left) in welcoming Don and LaBerta Bibler to the FMCA family.
Someone referred them to Don and LaBerta Bibler. The Biblers were known in the area for their knee-slapping, hand-clapping, toe-tapping music. Don would sing and play the trombone while LaBerta played the keyboard. Don also had a brother who would join them occasionally and play the trumpet. The Biblers have been coming to the Western Area Rally to participate in the morning devotions for more than 20 years.
Now here is where the story gets exciting. The Biblers were not members of FMCA. They had a travel trailer and could not join FMCA back when they became involved at the Western Area Rally; at the time, FMCA membership was limited to motorhome owners. Each year Don and LaBerta would park their travel trailer off the grounds somewhere and pay the day pass fee to come to the rally and provide the devotions for the now Coaches For Christ chapter. They never complained about not being able to join us on the grounds.
Well, this year they were able to park their Holiday Rambler Presidential fifth-wheel on grounds and within 10 feet of the door to the devotions room at Indio!
On Saturday night Don and LaBerta were presented their very own FMCA membership — F492212 — and a membership in the Western Area Coaches For Christ chapter. What a privilege it was for me to help with this presentation.
What is more amazing is the faithfulness the Biblers have had to the members of this chapter and their continued enthusiasm for song and praise. They are each 90 years old and have been married for 70 of these 90 years! And they are still going strong like teenagers. If you have any knowledge of musical instruments, you will understand how hard it could be to still be playing a trombone at age 90.
Don and LaBerta, we are so glad that you are now officially members of FMCA.
I had the distinct pleasure of writing my first “President’s Message” about my very good friend Genny Jennings, L26, back in the September 2017 issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine. Some of you may remember that article or may know Genny. She has been very active in FMCA for most of her life. This past December, Genny suffered a fall and has not been able to live independently. Genny usually keeps me informed of all that goes on in her world; so, Sondra and I missed her annual Christmas letter last year. We later found out that she sent it to our old address (we moved and downsized from our big house in Elkhart, Indiana, where we lived for 35-plus years). The mail did not get forwarded.
Genny did not forget us, though. The letter finally was returned to her, marked “address not known.” So, she called me up, got my new address, and proceeded to send Sondra and me a very nice letter updating us on her status and activities.
I told Genny that, with her permission, I would publish her new address so all of her friends would know how to write her. Genny would love to hear from you. Please, if you have a minute to write a real, old-fashioned U.S. Postal Service letter, send it to: Genny Jennings, 245 Caledonia Drive, #110, Owosso, MI 48867.
FMCA executive director Chris Smith recently received recognition from RV Industry Association in this year’s “40 Under 40” Awards.
Another happening that I am proud of is the fact that FMCA’s executive director, Chris Smith, has received an honor from RV Industry Association (RVIA). RVIA has a program that identifies current and future leaders in the industry. The program is called “40 under 40.” According to RVIA, the goal is “to engage the next generation of innovators in the RV industry and to build on the initiative each year.” Men and women under the age of 40 are nominated by their peers for this honor. A special committee of RVIA industry leaders selects the finalists from all nominations submitted.
This is the second year they have presented these awards. And this year Chris Smith won the award as one of the best and brightest leaders under the age of 40 in our industry. Congratulations, Chris. All FMCA members can be proud of you and the leadership you bring to our association!
I’m happy to be associated with all of these fine people. Until next month, remember, it still is all about having fun.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
The FMCA annual membership meeting will take place on Saturday, August 17, 2019, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot, North Dakota.
Let’s Make Some Magic
FMCA has wrapped up its 99th convention and now looks forward to celebrating convention 100!
Chris Smith
Executive Director
Chris Smith
csmith@fmca.com
As always, things have been very busy at the FMCA national office in Cincinnati. By the time you read this, we will have just finished our convention in Perry, Georgia. As I write this, the staff is making last-minute preparations and packing up material we need to take with us for the event. We refer to Perry as FMCA’s home away from home. If you were able to join us, thank you for your attendance. If not, you’ll have more opportunities to participate in a Perry convention in the future. The Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter is one of the most beautiful and accommodating facilities we’ve found for our events.
Education For RVers
FMCA University now includes a Curriculum section where members can take quizzes and earn badges.
My March column briefly touched on the expansion of the online FMCA University, but I wanted to remind members to head on over to FMCA.com and check it out. Back in July 2018, we released the Library section of FMCA University. Since then, we have been working steadily on adding quizzes to every section, and developing achievement levels and badges. The result is a wonderful member benefit that is included with your dues.
The FMCA Library serves as a great reference guide for our members. Subject matter is organized by category. Categories range from travel destinations to trip planning to technical subjects. The majority of content comes from the top-notch articles that have been featured in Family RVing magazine. The Library currently holds more than 700 articles, and that number will continue to grow as the University does.
If you want to put your knowledge to the test, you can click on the Curriculum section of FMCA University. Pick a section, read the articles, and take quizzes. When you pass all of the quizzes in a particular section, you will receive a badge. Those badges are saved on your University profile. Currently, more than 40 badges can be earned, and more than 250 quizzes await completion. The number of quizzes will continue to grow as well.
As members take quizzes in the FMCA University Curriculum section at FMCA.com, they can earn badges and move up in achievement level, ultimately leading to a one-time discounted membership renewal.
FMCA wants members to take advantage of this educational opportunity, so we have added rewards based on the number of quizzes completed. You can earn new titles — from “RV Beginner” to “RVer Extraordinaire”; certificates you can print out; and, at the top level, a discount on a membership renewal. How often do you get paid to learn? And, just think, the badges and titles might help you settle the debate amongst your RVing friends as to which one of you is the “smartest RVer.”
As the world’s largest not-for-profit RV association, we are proud to launch this benefit. There are many places to find information online; however, you will not find a more organized and credible source for RV information than the FMCA University. The best part is that, as noted, complete access is included with your dues, so no additional fees are involved.
This new benefit fits in beautifully with FMCA’s other educational resources, which include our magazine, Family RVing; conventions; area rallies; RV Basics; and more. I’d like to extend a special thank-you to our wonderful Family RVing writers, the FMCA staff, the FMCA Education Committee, and RV Doctor Gary Bunzer for making this project possible.
We have many more educational benefits in the works. Stay tuned!
A Magical Time Awaits
Also last month, I issued a call to action. Please continue to send in your photos and memories for the commemorative program we’re putting together as we celebrate FMCA’s 100th convention. We’ll gather at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot, North Dakota, August 14 through 17, 2019. The theme for the event is “Minot Magic — 100 Times the Fun.” We know many memories have been captured in photos from events past. If you are interested in sharing those for possible use in the program, please email them to 100@fmca.com or mail them to FMCA, c/o Convention 100, 8291 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45244. Original items will be returned.
If you don’t have any photos or memories to share because you have yet to attend an FMCA event, then join us in Minot! We will have quite the celebration to mark this special occasion. Then, you can share the photos you take when it comes time for our next commemorative program!
True American Hero Adds Some Miracle To The Magic In Minot
On the subject of the Minot convention, we have exciting news about our first booked keynote speaker. FMCA is thrilled to announce that Captain “Sully” Sullenberger, renowned captain of the “Miracle on the Hudson,” will be the featured speaker at the association’s 100th International Convention and RV Expo, August 14 through 17, 2019, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot.
Captain “Sully” Sullenberger will speak during FMCA’s 100th International Convention and RV Expo in August.
Captain “Sully” Sullenberger gained worldwide acclaim on January 15, 2009, when he and his crew safely guided US Airways Flight 1549 to an emergency water landing in New York’s frigid Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 people onboard. The Airbus 320’s two engines lost thrust following a bird strike, requiring quick and decisive action from Captain “Sully” Sullenberger and his crew to bring the plane to a successful landing just off the Manhattan shoreline.
During his presentation, “208 Seconds: A Lifetime of Lessons,” Captain “Sully” Sullenberger will reveal the important lessons he learned throughout his life, in the military, and as a commercial pilot that made it possible for him to take immediate and heroic action when called upon. During his riveting speech, he will remind the audience that even in these days of conflict, tragedy, and uncertainty, there are values worth fighting for, and life’s challenges can be met if we’re ready for them.
You won’t want to miss Captain “Sully” Sullenberger’s dynamic story of dedication, hope, and preparedness. So, make sure to reserve your spot now for the “Minot Magic — 100 Times The Fun” convention.
There are three easy ways to register:
*Visit FMCA.com
*Mail in the registration form, located in this issue of Family RVing.
*Call the FMCA Events Team at (513) 474-3622 or (800) 543-3622.
Besides hearing Captain “Sully” Sullenberger’s inspirational message, attendees who travel to Minot will be treated to more fun and exciting activities during the four-day event, including many to celebrate FMCA’s 100th convention. I look forward to seeing you there. Until then, enjoy the journey!