The Year In Review
FMCA has updated professional service providers, facilities, benefits, and more in the past 12 months.
By Rett Porter, F369084
National President
rporter@fmca.com
A year has passed since I became the national president of FMCA, and many changes have occurred, with FMCA moving forward in several great ways.
Changes: One of my immediate changes was to hire a new attorney for FMCA. Joseph Zoimen of Ritter & Randolph LLC in Cincinnati, Ohio, was my selection. Mr. Zoimen is doing a great job reviewing our contracts and providing sound legal advice.
In August 2021, FMCA CEO Chris Smith and I were hearing questions and concerns regarding COVID-19 guidelines both in the FMCA office for our employees and at rallies and conventions for our members. Mr. Zoimen advised us that we needed to get a medical advisor. I sought the advice of Joanne Fadale, RN, a longtime FMCA member and a retired emergency room nurse. Through her contacts, we found a terrific medical advisor in Lee Ann Ernst, RN, who is the team leader of the St. Elizabeth Infectious Disease Response Team (IDRT) covering the tri-state area of Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Ms. Ernst coordinates a multidisciplinary team of around 160 physicians and associates who have been training for years to assemble quickly when the area experiences a viral disease outbreak, such as COVID-19.
Both Mr. Zoimen and Ms. Ernst have given us great advice on matters concerning the operations of FMCA. Ms. Ernst even brought by equipment to sanitize our facilities whenever our employees in the office had COVID. FMCA can be proud that over the past three international conventions we had over 7,000 attendees and only 15 reported COVID-19 cases. We are pleased with our safe procedures and protocols for our members and employees.
When the Executive Board met in October 2021 in Cincinnati, we were at the FMCA campground when the rain came and the roof on our Round Bottom Road facility, a metal building, was leaking. This roof had been patched over the course of several years. This time the Executive Board made the decision to replace the entire roof and three of the five roof air conditioners. Two of the air conditioners had been replaced less than 5 years ago, but the three we replaced with this current project were over 20 years old. The new roof and new air conditioners add value to the property, which is owned free and clear.
The campground was closed beginning March 28 for safety during this project, but it reopened May 24 after installation of the roof and the air conditioners. We also had those employees who work at the Round Bottom office move to the Clough Pike building during that period. We are pleased with the decisions made to protect our employees and investments.
The Executive Board met in Tucson, Arizona, at the FMCA International Convention and RV Expo, where we approved the new partnership with Battle Born Batteries. This will be a great benefit for our members who want lithium batteries.
In May 2022 the Executive Board met again in Cincinnati. We worked on the FMCA budget for fiscal year 2023. In addition, we were in discussions with T-Mobile about the optional mobile internet plan that is part of our Tech Connect+ benefit package. We were unable to reach an agreement with T-Mobile, and AT&T had offered a great program for our members. So, in early June, FMCA replaced the T-Mobile program with the AT&T program. As of the end of June, 88 percent of the existing Tech Connect+ mobile internet participants who have responded thus far have converted to AT&T. This new program still offers unlimited data with no contract and is subject to network management only if you have exceeded 75 GB for the month and are on a high-usage tower. Your high speed will be restored as soon as the tower usage drops, or you move off that tower. We are very pleased to have such an amazing program to offer our members.
The Executive Board also approved a Goodyear tire program to give FMCA members who own a towable RV a discount on trailer tires. Some consider Goodyear to have the best trailer tire on the market. We are really glad to offer this program for the 11 percent of our members who own towable RVs. Goodyear also will offer FMCA members discounts on tires for motorhomes, passenger vehicles, and light trucks.
FMCA is doing great! We need to keep growing, and you can help us get there by talking about FMCA to everyone you meet who is an RVer. Recruiting additional members will make us more attractive to corporate partners so we can add even more benefits.
FMCA remains the best-kept secret in the RV world. We need to let other RVers know that FMCA puts our members first.
In conclusion, FMCA had a great year, and this next year will be even better. The member benefits and discounts continue to grow.
Reminder: We hope to see you at FMCA’s 105th International Convention and RV Expo Presented By Blue Ox in Lincoln, Nebraska, August 24 through 27, 2022. Registrations will be accepted online, by phone, and by mail until August 16. If you have some last-minute inspiration and decide after that date that you want to join us, that’s fine. You can simply register on site. We’d love to have you attend our “Golden Getaway” in Lincoln.
New Benefit Partner
FMCA members can save on their next battery purchase from Battle Born Batteries.
By Chris Smith
Chief Executive Officer
csmith@fmca.com
On July 5, 2022, FMCA launched a new partnership with Battle Born Batteries. They will now be the exclusive lithium-ion battery partner for FMCA members.
Battle Born Batteries is a key player in the RV battery market. Their cutting-edge lithium-ion batteries are designed and assembled in the United States. They are also backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty. The partnership will allow FMCA members to take advantage of member-exclusive pricing and an easy ordering process. The company will have a strong presence at FMCA’s international conventions as well. Attendees will be able to visit their exhibit booth to inspect the line of Battle Born Batteries and related products and to ask questions. Company representatives also will present seminars about lithium-ion batteries and related technology.
FMCA members will receive $25 off one battery. If three or more are purchased, the discount is $50 per battery. To take advantage of this benefit, members have two options:
- Call Battle Born Batteries directly at (855) 292-2831. Their call center has a team of technical sales specialists who can provide information and work with you to determine what system best fits your needs. Just mention you are an FMCA member to receive the discount.
- Purchase online at www.battlebornbatteries.com. Use the special FMCA promo codes to receive $25 off one battery or $50 off each battery when you purchase three or more.
For more information about this exciting new benefit, please visit www.fmca.com/battlebornbatteries.