FMCA

R

richard waters

New member
Feb 8, 1999
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I just got my new issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine. As I went
through its pages I couldn't help but wonder why I'm in FMCA. There
doesn't seem to be anything that applies to what I don with my GMC. All
I see in the magazine are pictures of coaches that I would never want or
could afford to own. The rallies they have seem to be far too crowded
for my taste. So am I the only one that wonders about being a member of
FMCA. I joined only because that was the prerequisite of being in the
GMCMI and the GMC Great Lakers.

I get a lot of magazines on lots of different things. The FMCA magazine
is one of the first ones that I toss into the recycling bin. I do keep
the annual membership directory because my name is in it. Also, I've
looked up some people that I've seen on the road after seeing their FMCA
number on their coach. That probably qualifies me as a voyeur among
other things.

They keep writing about the great member benefits. So far I've not seen
one of their benefits that benefits me. Is this sour grapes on my
part? Am I the only one that feels this way? Or am I missing something
here?

Maybe I'm in a bad mood tonight because I have to work on my exhaust
manifolds this week :^(

Also it appears that Patrick will be taking away our ability to send
HTML over the GMCnet. I thought that was going to be a neat thing. I
do understand why we won't be able to that.

I'm also bummed out that Ron and Julie are having major transmission
problems on what I think is their first major trip. At least they are
getting good support from the GMCnet and GMCMI.

Richard Waters
1976 PB, Troy, MI
 
For myself. I like to see whats new in "Big RV Land" and once in a while
I pick up a good tip. Lots of good web sites. I am a bit of an RV junkie
and it gives me a good opportunity to see whats new and up and coming.
Lots of ads makes it interesting for me also. New gimmicks and, maybe
one day, I will find myself listed there as an advertiser. For
$25.00 a year it is a cheap monthly fix for me. Darren

--
Darren Paget
76 Experimental
Another Fab Day
http://www.TZEplus.com
 
I too toss out the magazine in the recycling box. Don't ever follow
the stuff except for the one or two pages that offer suggestions. I
think the only thing belonging to FMCA is that when I hosted a rally,
they covered the insurance bond that was needed. Other than that, I
have no contact, desire, or interest in their coaches, their products
etc. But, I understand that in order to belong to the GMC we have to
belong to the FMCA.
I used to use their 800 mail when I traveled but then they changed
the rules and started charging $5.00 per month and I said that sucks
and dropped out from any FMCA activity.
al
 
Well, they've got a pretty magazine. Sometimes I even find time to read
it.

Patrick

> In a message dated 8/7/2000 12:35:12 AM Central Daylight Time,

>
> FMCA. I joined only because that was the prerequisite of
> being in the GMCMI and the GMC Great Lakers.
>
> They keep writing about the great member benefits. So far
> I've not seen one of their benefits that benefits me. Is
> this sour grapes on my part? Am I the only one that feels
> this way? Or am I missing something here?
> >>
 
> FMCA. I joined only because that was the prerequisite of being in the
> GMCMI and the GMC Great Lakers.
>
> They keep writing about the great member benefits. So far I've not seen
> one of their benefits that benefits me. Is this sour grapes on my
> part? Am I the only one that feels this way? Or am I missing something
> here?
> >>
> This has been discussed at one of the rally's .It has something to do
with insurance for
groups. Maybe someone else can enlighten us.

Gene C
 
As I understand it since GMCI is a supchapter of FMCA and the locals are
subs of GMCI it is a pyramid. The FMCA provides legal, insurance, admin
and so on as a cover for GMCI. I figure it as one bill to belong to GMCI.
There is an old saying about understanding what you can change, what you
can't and living with it. Don't sweat the small S**T.

Marcus

> In a message dated 08/07/2000 1:05:01 AM Central Daylight Time,

>
> > I used to use their 800 mail when I traveled but then they changed
> > the rules and started charging $5.00 per month and I said that sucks
> > and dropped out from any FMCA activity.
> >
> Al
>
> Glad to see some of you talking about this subject. I thought there
> must be something wrong with me. I really have very little interest in
> the rolling whore houses I see in the magazine. Many of mine get
> tossed with ever being looked at. I am glad to hear I am not alone.
>
> Take Care
> Arch
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: gmcmotorhome-unsubscribe
> For additional commands, e-mail: gmcmotorhome-help
 
I sort of enjoy looking at what the big guys are doing with floors,
lighting, sound systems, system monitors, etc. I often go to RV shows just
to see what ideas I can steal from the new technology.

gene

>In a message dated 08/07/2000 1:05:01 AM Central Daylight Time,

>
> > I used to use their 800 mail when I traveled but then they changed
> > the rules and started charging $5.00 per month and I said that sucks
> > and dropped out from any FMCA activity.
> >
>Al
>
>Glad to see some of you talking about this subject. I thought there
>must be something wrong with me. I really have very little interest in
>the rolling whore houses I see in the magazine. Many of mine get
>tossed with ever being looked at. I am glad to hear I am not alone.
>
>Take Care
>Arch
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>To unsubscribe, e-mail: gmcmotorhome-unsubscribe
>For additional commands, e-mail: gmcmotorhome-help

Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/ http://www.california.com/~eagle/
 
> Well, they've got a pretty magazine. Sometimes I
> even find time to read
> it.
>
> Patrick
>

Agreed. Ususally I take the evening any magazine
comes and go through it. I always learn something,
even if it is that there is nothing of interest in the
current issue.

Jim
75PB in MN

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Kick off your party with Yahoo! Invites.
http://invites.yahoo.com/
 
Marcus:

The "locals" are not subs of GMCMI. They have co-equal FMCA chapter status.

Paul Bartz

From: Marcus McGee [mailto:crsalert]
Sent: Monday, August 07, 2000 9:59 AM

As I understand it since GMCI is a supchapter of FMCA and the locals are
subs of GMCI it is a pyramid. The FMCA provides legal, insurance, admin
and so on as a cover for GMCI. I figure it as one bill to belong to GMCI.
There is an old saying about understanding what you can change, what you
can't and living with it. Don't sweat the small S**T.

Marcus

> In a message dated 08/07/2000 1:05:01 AM Central Daylight Time,

>
> > I used to use their 800 mail when I traveled but then they changed
> > the rules and started charging $5.00 per month and I said that sucks
> > and dropped out from any FMCA activity.
> >
> Al
>
> Glad to see some of you talking about this subject. I thought there
> must be something wrong with me. I really have very little interest in
> the rolling whore houses I see in the magazine. Many of mine get
> tossed with ever being looked at. I am glad to hear I am not alone.
>
> Arch
 
>
> Richard
>
> I know this feeling well. Look at it this way. You will learn something
> while you are doing this. You can then share that with us. We will all
> be thankful that it was you that learned what you did and we did not
> have to do it. It rained 2 inches here last night----out of the South too.
> I have still not gone out and looked to see if the lady leaked or not.
> Cheer up my friend. Look at it this way you are being a good steward
> to your GMC somebody will love you for that someday. Yeah right when
> was the last time you heard of a good PO. Well, last resort-----grab a
> beer and remember what a good time we had at Tim's.
> Thats what I do.
>

Arch,
Thanks for the words of encouragement. We sure need all the help that we can
get to keep up with these things. I hope your water leaks have vanished as I
hope my manifolds stop leaking by the weekend.

Yes it was a good time at Tim's. Short and sweet.
Richard
 
On Mon, 07 Aug 2000 09:59:07 -0400 Marcus McGee

> As I understand it since GMCI is a supchapter of FMCA and the locals
> are
> subs of GMCI it is a pyramid. The FMCA provides legal, insurance,
> admin
> and so on as a cover for GMCI.

This is not quite accurate. GMCI is a chapter of FMCA as are the other 17
or 18 chapters. None of the chapters are sub to GMCI. I don't know where
this impression got started but I hear it often enough that I thought
this area should be clarified. The same applies to GMC/WS.

David Lee Greenberg
The GMC Motorhome Registry
Dedicated To The Preservation of the Classic GMC Motorhome
http://www.GMCss.com/Registry.htm
http://www.Buskirk-RushRV.com/GMC-Registry/online-registry.htm
 
> It was a few years ago while we were on our way to Ft.Myers, Fla,
> that we went to a FMCA rally in Titsville, Fla. When they parked us,
we
> were put between to monsters and the only time we seen sun was at High
Noon.
>
> It was the next day, that the owner of the coach parked in front of
> us said, "Did you see all of the GMC's parked across the creek. We
looked an
> there those beautiful coaches were all lined up. We took a walk over
and
> were greeted handsomely, and was told to bring the coach over and join

> the group. We said we had to go shopping first, with that, out comes
a bunch of
> car keys and the remark, "here is the keys to my car, you don't have
to take
> the coach to go shopping.". This was the 1st time I ever met this
group, it
> was the "Sunshine Statesmen", what a fine group of indivuals.

Yup, the Sunshine Statesmen are that way! Thanks, Ed.

David Lee Greenberg
The GMC Motorhome Registry
Dedicated To The Preservation of the Classic GMC Motorhome
http://www.GMCss.com/Registry.htm
http://www.Buskirk-RushRV.com/GMC-Registry/online-registry.htm
 
> I just got my new issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine. As I went
> through its pages I couldn't help but wonder why I'm in FMCA. There
> doesn't seem to be anything that applies to what I don with my GMC.

If one doesn't receive any benefit then there is no point in belonging to
any organization. I can heartily agree that the conventions are too big
and the magazine doesn't carry a lot of info about a motorhome that
hasn't been built in 22 years however there are benefits that owners may
not be aware of, or care about.

Phone Mail Box. Even at $5 per month is still a deal. Seems to me this
benefit cost FMCA nearly $550k per year.
Mail Forwarding. Full timers and frequent travelers use this service
Discounts: Flying J, Irving Oil, camping
Insurance: Free Accidental Death, Free Travel Accident/Medical Insurance
reimbursement
Coverage for chapter officers and members while attending rallys.
(helpful if you should damage something that belongs to the campground!)
Anti-Theft Program: $2,500 reward for info.
Classified Ad: One free per year
Lost Keys: Free return if found
National & Regional Rallys: I like the vendor displays
Magazine: I left this til last 'cause in my opinion this is worth the $25
per year membership fee. Even though I am not looking to buy a giant
sized SOB, there are some very well written travel articles and I have an
opportunity see new products and ideas that may be adapted to my GMC.

Ralph Luby told me a few years ago that he loses about 100 members a year
because they don't want to spend the $25 for FMCA membership. It can't be
about money because if you own a GMC $25 is a pittance so the real reason
eludes me. I know of people who don't like to be told they have to do
something and as I get older I am so inclined but if I can see the
benefits of FMCA membership I would be silly not to set my stubbornness
aside.

This is just my opinion. I am our club's National Director to FMCA and
thus am on the Governing Board but I am not a pimp for FMCA (in fact I
hate to attend their big conventions!) But I do get something out of
being a member and apparently others do since they have about 100,000 at
last count.

I am also a lifetime member of Good Sam which doesn't cost me anything
(any more) and that is about what membership in Good Sam is worth, in my
opinion!

My $0.02 worth!

David Lee Greenberg
The GMC Motorhome Registry
Dedicated To The Preservation of the Classic GMC Motorhome
http://www.GMCss.com/Registry.htm
http://www.Buskirk-RushRV.com/GMC-Registry/online-registry.htm
 
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