Winding Down a Busy Year
A look at current projects, milestones, and future events.
National President
Paul Mitchell, F165576
pmitchell@frva.com
Lisa and Paul Mitchell
By the time you read this article, the holiday season will be upon us. The year has flown by and has included significant changes at Family RV Association.
The 2025 fiscal year, which ended September 30, was noteworthy. I say that because both of our international conventions — Perry, Georgia, in March and Gillette, Wyoming, in July — ended up in the black. That means our revenue exceeded our expenses for each event. These results can be directly attributed to our dedicated staff, who counted every penny and effectively utilized FRVA member volunteers to provide assistance in many areas. In Gillette, we used setup services available to us from the grounds, enlisted the help of volunteers to distribute signs and set rooms, and cut printing and postal expenses.
Our first major event of the new year, FRVA’s 112th International Convention & RV Expo, will take place March 18-21, 2026. We return to Perry, Georgia, home of the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. This facility is among the best, if not the top, for our events. Its buildings, activity areas, parking, and easy access off Interstate 75 are big draws. Registrations for the “Changes In Latitudes — RV Beach Party” convention have already surpassed 500 RVs and are growing steadily. Our vendor area is filling fast as well. The convention’s tropical, Jimmy Buffett-inspired theme is helping us plan fun activities and events. And once again, Patrice and Kevin McCabe, who host the “RV There Yet?” travel program on Discovery Channel, will set up camp in the “Discovery Zone” to present seminars along with their commercial partners. They will also host activities during the event.
It’s going to be a fantastic rally, and I can’t wait to see everyone there. Rumor has it that there will be a dunk tank for those key Executive Board members.
We are near completion of our new and improved association management system. This platform will replace our current system, which has hindered our staff’s ability to assist members and their ability to register for events. A passionate team of volunteers is working with our exceptional IT staff on the project; everyone has been instrumental in keeping things running smoothly while developing this significantly improved system that will serve FRVA for years to come. The great thing is that, because we are designing it in-house, our IT department will be able to maintain, upgrade, and make changes as needed without waiting weeks or months for an outside source to complete these tasks. One example: It took over 2 months to update the dues change on our website after the 2024 Governing Board vote in Redmond, Oregon. In the future, we will be able to do this in a day. Our new system is also being built “mobile first,” which means all the frustrations our members have had trying to use their cell phone to access our website will be eliminated.
In Gillette, the Governing Board authorized the Executive Board to proceed with the consolidation of FRVA’s properties on Clough Pike and Round Bottom Road in Cincinnati, if it is determined to be feasible. We have completed a preliminary assessment that indicates it is possible; the next step is to develop a detailed plan to confirm our initial findings. We have sought assistance from members who have experience designing offices, including specialists in electrical and communication design. Using the expertise of our members will avoid significant costs associated with commercial design firms. Our real estate professional has advised that we should sell the four parcels at Clough Pike, including the building, as a single unit. This is not a short-term plan, and the income we would receive from this sale will be placed in our long-term investments after we pay our expenses.
Family and commercial membership numbers are trending in the right direction. During the month of August, we reported nine days with more family member joins and renewals than non-renewals. On the commercial side, we recorded 11 days of positive results. Our membership department is mailing renewal notices and sending emails to members. They are also contacting members by phone and encouraging them to stay in our family, answering questions and providing benefit information. This personal touch is working. The membership team is also reaching out to welcome new members, but we are taking that a step further.
Several members of the Past National Officer chapter have taken the lead in calling new members within the first 30 days. The purpose of each call is to establish a relationship, answer questions, explain our benefits, and provide personal contact information. This gives each new member an experienced FRVA member/mentor to contact as they begin their journey with Family RV Association. We plan to expand this program beyond just the PNO chapter, so if you are interested in helping, please send me a message.
FRVA’s financial health is also trending in the right direction. We have minimized the amount of funds taken out of our investments/deferred dues this fiscal year. Last fiscal year, we withdrew $2.1 million from our deferred dues; this year, we have withdrawn $680,000. That’s still not where we want to be, but we are making significant progress in reducing expenses while increasing revenue to the level we need.
In September, I presented several seminars at the South Central Area Rally. I am always amazed by the number of benefits our members don’t realize that they have. For example, our Medical and Travel Assist program, or “Worldwide Medical Evacuation Program,” as I prefer to call it, is second to none. It is included with your annual dues and covers you if you have a medical emergency when you’re on the road. I have heard people say many times that it doesn’t cover transportation from the injury or accident scene. The type of transportation you receive from a first responder is covered. The slide in our presentation reads, “Pays to transport you from the location where you are injured or become sick to the nearest appropriate facility for treatment.” When I am asked what makes our program different, I have a simple response: As a member, you do not have to pay anything for this worldwide coverage.
Lisa and I look forward to seeing everyone at our international conventions in Perry, Georgia, and Sedalia, Missouri, next year. We also plan to attend as many area rallies as we can fit into our schedule.
Thank you for supporting our association. Don’t hesitate to email or phone me with your ideas on how we can continue to move FRVA forward. We are the premier nonprofit RV association. Our future is bright. And don’t forget: “Just Keep on Havin’ Fun.”
FRVA Medical & Travel Assist in Action:
Our Medical & Travel Assist Story
Emergency Cash For A Mechanical Breakdown
I have been a member of FMCA [FRVA] for some time now and have enjoyed the educational value and camaraderie of the rallies. Recently, while on a cruise in Mexico I was injured in the small town of Loreto, Mexico. I was taken to a very small hospital in Loreto and X-rays show that I had shattered my kneecap. The insurance that comes with our membership covered everything and got me home. Even at $99 a year, FRVA is a bargain.
— Carol Popyack, F407320 • Apple Valley, California
Have a Medical & Travel Assist story to share? Send it to us at magazine@frva.com.
Since October 1, 2020, the Medical & Travel Assist benefit has helped at least 500 Family RV Association members, with claims totaling more than $2 million.
To learn more about the coverages provided by this plan, visit FRVA.com/medical-and-travel-assist.