New Metropolitan Chapter President

Hi Metro Members and Friends:

This is Mal Ford and I am the new President of the Metropolitan Chapter of FMCA.

Firstly, I would like to give a very deep and profound thank you to our outgoing President, Roger Whitford.  Rog has been our President for a very long time.  He has seen us through good times and bad and has been a great example of volunteerism and leadership for us all.  I only hope to be able to do as much as him.  Thank you Roger!

The Metropolitan Chapter of FMCA has been an active Chapter for many, many years.  It has brought together people of like interests and has been the medium for the cultivation of many friendships.  As with many clubs, the members get older, move away, or get out of the one thing that brought them together in the first place.  So it has been with Metropolitan.

There have been many discussions as to what is the future of the Club?  Should it fold, merge with another Chapter, or just fade away.  I am suggesting another possible outcome; I am suggesting that we formally become what we actually do.  We Camp!  But, we don't necessarily camp in the Metro area, nor are our members just from the Metro area anymore.  I am suggesting that we make our extended area get-togethers our official Metro campouts each year.  We generally go each year to the Northeast Area Rally (wherever that is held), go to Delaware, go to Amish Country, go to Cape Cod, and go to Lake George.  Some of these get-togethers are officiated by other Chapters, some by us, some are very informal.  All, are campouts none the less.

This year, I would like to propose Metropolitan get-togethers requiring perhaps a membership in another Chapter or maybe attendance at an FMCA Area Rally.

July 2019  Cape Cod, MA, Scussett Beach
with the tri-chapter rally held by the Cape Codders, Northeastern, and The Yankee Travelers.  (Membership in one of these Chapters is required to attend this rally)

July 2019  FMCA NEAR , Syracuse NY Fairgrounds

July-Aug  Lake George RV,  a few days after the NEAR on our way back home.

Aug 2019 Lewes Delaware.a campout at Mo's and Rogers' estates

Sept 2019 Amish Country

Feb 2020 The Lakeland Florida Southeast Area Rally


Let me know what you think and if you can participate.
       

Hello from MO

Hello from Mo

May 2019

Hope this message finds all of you well and enjoying yourselves to the fullest.  
Our new president, Mal Ford, has taken office and is starting to get things rolling.  
Thanks again Mal for making this effort to keep our club alive and well.

Pat and I joined Metropolitan in 1998, so we are relatively new to the club.
We immediately realized that this was a great group of individuals that shared our interests
and were fun to be with (for the most part).

We have since made lifetime friends with most of the members that have since come and
gone in Metropolitan.  Realizing that FMCA chapters provided great opportunities to meet new
people and explore different parts of our great country, we soon joined the Cape Codders,
Twentieth Century Wagoneers, and the Northeast chapters.  Here we met many more
interesting people with New England and New Jersey accents and offering many different
venues to further allow us to meet more wonderful people and enjoy more real estate.
Communication was difficult at first since we have NY accents, but we got over the language
barriers and now enjoy a long list of new friends that are very dear to us.

Enough about us, let us know how you are doing, where you are so we can all catch up and
keep our wonderful group together.  I know Mal will publish whatever you have to offer
(minus and four-letter words).

If any of you are ever in our area in Lewes, Delaware, we have an acre of property and
three full hookups for your rig and 2 dump stations. Campsites are like hens' teeth in the
summer here so you always have a stopping place or spend a few days.
(We will tell you when it’s time to leave).  Would love to spend some time with you.
We may also plan a small rally this summer or fall since we can park at least a dozen
dry camping spots.

Peace be with you all.  God bless America where all of this is possible.

                                                                                        Mo and Pat Magliocchino

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

JACK DONNELLY PASSES AWAY

JACK DONNELLY FMCA FORMER METROPOLITAN MEMBER HAS PASSED AWAY ON JULY 31, 2018.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO EDNA AND THEIR FAMILY AT THIS TIME.

2018 Northeast Area Rally Info

Dear Northeast Area Chapter Presidents and National Directors,

Please share this letter with your chapter members.
I am writing to update you on the latest FMCA Northeast Area happenings since the annual meeting in Syracuse.  First, I would like to thank each and everyone who attended and volunteered for “We love N.Y. 2017”.  I particularly want to thank the board members and volunteers who put in countless hours to make the rally a success.  We had 344 camping units including FMCA members and guests. Over 100 volunteers helped with all facets of the rally. We had a couple of bad weather evenings but made the best of it. Participating RV dealers sold at least 1 motor coach and 4 other RVs.

It is with a heavy heart that we make this announcement that the Northeast Area Rally (NEAR) has been cancelled for 2018.  We understand many are disappointed and it's contradictory to the Northeast Area's mission, but we will make 2019 a great rally.  We heard that water and electric (sometimes sewer connection) is preferred. We heard that you want to wait before going back to Essex Junction, VT.  We are evaluating several possible locations, but rally venues that are large enough to handle our numbers fill up fast for the summer season and many desirable ones are already taken. If we had chosen Syracuse again, a large building construction project was scheduled to begin next to the campground.  We did have front door access issues to our major building due to construction beside and in front of the building and dates for 2018 did not work out despite our research and investigation. They also conflicted with the national convention calendar.
For 2019 several locations and rally types are possible. We could do another rally in the Syracuse location, or we could do a destination rally with more adventures but fewer seminars.  We could move the rally to June or September. However, that might preclude members with school age children from coming.  We would like to have the new rally location decided on by spring, so we can begin putting our chapter volunteer teams together. The board tells me that it takes over 1.5 years to plan a rally of this size. 

However, we will have a 2018 annual meeting. Dates and the location will follow. Northeast Area Executive Board members are discussing our options.
If you have questions please contact me.
Sincerely,

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

FMCA INCORPORATION AMENDMENT BALLOT

In the October Issue of Family Motorhoming Magazine a Ballot was enclosed to ask members to vote on a change to the Organization.  The FMCA Website has offered the enclosed comments on exactly what they would do for the membership.  Specifically, it gives FMCA the ability to create another organization to attract towables and younger RV'ers.
If this is something you would like to see, we urge you to send in the Ballot indicating yes!

Questions about Articles of Incorporation Amendment?

---

Several members have asked for details regarding the current ballot related to amending FMCA’s Articles of Incorporation. Following are several questions and responses intended to clarify.

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION — BALLOT (PDF)

What does the association want to do that it cannot do within the current Articles of Incorporation? In other words, what prompted the decision to place this issue before the membership for a vote?

Discussions have surfaced for a number of years now regarding how FMCA can attract young families. The reality is that many young families do not travel by motorhome. This is true in large part because they are still employed full-time and thus have limited time to use a recreation vehicle, and they may also have limited discretionary income. So, for many younger families, a towable RV that can be pulled by a pickup truck or an SUV that can be used on a daily basis is their choice.

Recent studies indicate that millennials are joining the RV lifestyle. Sales statistics show that since the economic recovery, towable RVs are far outselling motorhomes.

In order to accommodate younger RVers and possibly to serve as a feeder organization for FMCA, the idea has been floated of starting a sister organization that would welcome owners of towable RVs. Many members have offered this suggestion — some because they have children and grandchildren, or close friends, with towable RVs — and FMCA’s marketing consultants have asked about this concept as well.

What will happen to FMCA? I like being part of an organization that focuses on my interests as a motorhome owner.

FMCA is the world’s largest motorhome owners organization, and the plan is to maintain that niche. FMCA would remain as it is, an association for motorhome owners. The new organization would be a separate entity.

Who will make the ultimate decision about starting another corporation

Nothing would be done without the advice and consent of FMCA’s Governing Board, and no business plan has been created to date. However, we learned from FMCA’s attorney that in order to fully explore this idea, FMCA’s Articles of Incorporation should be amended. He noted that organizations ordinarily state their primary business purpose in their Articles of Incorporation but also include a general purpose clause that allows the corporation the flexibility to engage in any lawful activity. For whatever reason, FMCA’s Articles of Incorporation, drafted in 1971, have no such general purpose clause, which limits FMCA in terms of its activities.

So, during its meeting in Massachusetts, FMCA’s Governing Board voted to move forward with the process of amending FMCA’s Articles of Incorporation to make them as broad as possible. The amendment language on the ballot is that suggested by FMCA’s attorney.

What are the next steps if this change to the Articles of Incorporation passes?

If the change to the Articles of Incorporation is approved by the membership, the next step would be to make a change to the purpose statement in FMCA’s Bylaws. FMCA’s Bylaws Committee would draft this suggested amendment, and it would be voted on by FMCA’s Governing Board during its meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, next July. FMCA’s Long-Range Planning Committee also would begin working on considerations related to a sister organization for FMCA. And the hope is that a basic plan could be shared with the Governing Board in Indianapolis as well.

Even if the Governing Board decides not to move forward with forming a sister corporation, this change to the Articles of Incorporation would allow FMCA more flexibility in today’s fast-paced world to adapt to changing needs and expectations over time.

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION — BALLOT

Instructions: Printed in this issue of the magazine is the addition to the current purpose statement in the Family Motor Coach Association Articles of Incorporation. This is the return ballot. You may vote for ONE (1). Mark your ballot by placing an “X” in the box, remove the ballot, and mail to:

MANDEL AND ASSOCIATES, INC., 431 OHIO PIKE, SUITE 201, CINCINNATI, OH 45255.

Full Members, Full Lifetime Members, Life Members, or Honorary Members who have advanced from one of these classes are entitled to cast a vote. One vote per FMCA member number.

ACCEPT THE ADDITION TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

oYES      oNO

_________________________________________________________________________________

NAME and FMCA MEMBER NUMBER (print)

_________________________________________________________________________________

CITY AND STATE/PROVINCE OF MEMBER (Print)                                                              Signature

MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT BY DECEMBER 31, 2016

2016 Holiday Christmas Party

Metropolitan Chapter
of
FMCA
Holiday Party

Sunday, December 11, 2016
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Casa Rina Restaurant
of Thornwood
886 Commerce Street
Thornwood, NY

We would like to exchange gifts, so if interested, please bring something to share ($10 maximum)
50/50 Raffle

Menu

Appetizers: Cheese and Crudites, Cold Antipasto, Swedish Meatballs, and BBQ Wings
Entrees: London Broil, Chicken Marsala, Penne Vodka, Sole Oreganate, and Salad
Sides: Oven Roasted potatoes, Mixed Vegetables
Desserts: Italian Pastries
Beverages: Diet and Regular Soda
Cash Bar

Reservations must be paid by November 25, 2016
payable to: Metropolitan / FMCA
$40.00 per Person
We hope to see you there
$40.00 per person Must be received by November 25, 2016
Name ___________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________ # Attending __________
$40.00 X # attending = $______________

Please send check made out to Metropolitan FMCA to:

Jim Kelly
56 Stuart Rd.
Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
Jfk31447@aol.com please email if coming
914-739-8055