Saturday, May 4, 2019

North East Area President's Newsletter

May 2019

To National Directors and Presidents and Area members:
Fresh Start – Celebration in Syracuse, NY

July 25-28, 2019

This newsletter is a little different from the format of other areas. We are answering the question
“What do we do now?” by welcoming new board members, reporting on announcements from
the Perry Area Gathering, reporting some membership data about the area; reporting status on
Operation Fresh Start; providing a working financial statement and copy of the rally registration
form. All of these topics are being reported on to correct some misinformation about the
Northeast Area activities.

Welcome New Board Members
I am excited to welcome new and returning board members whose term begins immediately.
Louis Snow, F201098, Sr. VP; Maureen Pelletier, F327595, Treasurer; Anne Archambault,
F198477, Secretary; Charlotte Burrell, F317500, VP; Charles Lawrence, F133625, VP; Patricia
Pritchard, F442426, VP; and John Poppe, F379734, VP. Thank you for stepping forward so we
can complete Operation Fresh Start. Adding new board members is a great way to move forward
with our objective of having an area where all members are respected and included, to contribute
to the charities that we support, and continue the FMCA mission of education about the RV
lifestyle.

The first meeting was the week of April 22nd.
Agenda:
1. Ethics Statement Review
2. Swearing in of the NEA Executive Board members
3. Expectations and Newsletter and Communication
4. Roles and Responsibilities
5. Bylaws Highlights
6. Northeast Area Documents/Knowledge Base
7. Area Rally Planning Meeting
8. Financials

Two important purposes of the Northeast Area are to have a rally and to assist FMCA with the
production of the International Convention when it falls within our area. My vision is to ensure
that each chapter has the opportunity to participate in our activities and has the information
necessary to make that participation successful. We strive to maintain the model that our
association is member driven.

Announcements from the Perry Area Gathering
A 30-Year Anniversary Certificate was presented to the Maine Wheels chapter. They also
participated in the Perry Block Party to assist with chapter membership in a relaxed social
setting.

Updates for the Syracuse Rally
A committee has assisted with critical decisions on the timeline for a successful event. The rally
artwork was completed and approved by several chapter presidents who live in the immediate
area to Syracuse. Contract negotiations have begun, several key area chiefs have volunteered, the
Syracuse Rally Registration Form will be in the June and July magazines. Registration opened in
April. The sound person and one night of entertainment is booked with discussions underway for
other entertainers. A caterer is contacted for a supplementary food event. Many vendors and
dealers have been contacted followed by countless phone calls and coordination efforts.

Operation Fresh Start Status
First, Operation Fresh Start was announced, and now we have to report the following status in
bold:
1. Elect a new board; expect a mail ballot; the process begins within 2 weeks, look for your
nomination forms and ballots. Completed and election results announced.
2. Fix the bylaws and standing rules according to the national bylaws committee and
Sheldon Reder audit suggestions; due Summer 2019. Weaknesses identified and
responses begun.
3. Provide updates to the website nmafmca.org. Updates being compiled, in person
meeting held with the webmaster, and “under construction” banner on website as
revisions are made.
4. Have a successful rally in Syracuse, NY, 2019, registration opens in April. Registration
opened in April on FMCA website and by telephone to FMCA national office. See
the attached rally registration form.
5. Annual meeting to be held Saturday at the rally in Syracuse 2019.

Northeast Area Member Data
While the number of members in the area is increasing (Northeast Area members are 5,000 +)
the number in chapters is decreasing. The Chapter Certification report (with some double
counting) listed over 1,077 members in chapters. The number of chapters is decreasing, but
several have reported that they worked very hard to get the certification in. Some of the inactive
chapters are invited to join other active chapters in the Northeast. We have at least two ongoing
efforts to start new chapters, one for state troopers (See Walter Linden) and one group applicant
that attended our chapter fair asked about a chapter of RVers with motorcycles. If you know of
someone interested in forming these chapters or belonging, please contact me.

Financial Statement
The Association funds are secured and accounted for. Please understand we are transitioning to
our new Treasurer who is coming up to speed with our financials. A complete up-to-date
financial statement will be presented at the Board of Directors Meeting in July.

It’s your area; what can you do to help?
Send in your ideas, and recommend local entertainment for the rally.
Volunteer on teams or consider being a “team captain,” and share contacts.
Chapters: please take an advertisement in the program book, offer a door prize and prepare a
great table for the chapter fair. Send your chapter ads to Tom Roule, troule@aol.com 585-739-
9074.

Find a vendor who might be interested in participating and send the information to the Vendor
Captain, Patty Pritchard, patymac46@yahoo.com 315-593-9848.

Start a chapter; chapter formation starter kits are available--call me.

Ed and I look forward to seeing you. We attended the NH Camping and RV Show in March. We
leave late April to celebrate the anniversaries for Jersey Gems and Knot for Buses Only, and then
we’re off to National Executive Board Meetings in Cincinnati, OH.
Safe travels; we wish you health and happiness.

Barbara Smith
National Vice President, Northeast Area
bsmith@fmca.com
978-764-7484

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