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Tuesday, August 28, 2007

RV Association Failing Fast Soon to be on Life Support

Today I received my Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) plates in the mail. You see these plates displayed on motorhomes all the time. I don’t get it. Why would you want to put a cheap piece of plastic on your multi-thousand dollar motorhome? Many members put it between the ladder rungs which gets in the way of using the ladder. FMCA is declining in membership. The recent Redmond, Oregon FMCA rally saw a declining attendance from previous years. When I ask people why they belong they usually say something like, “we like the magazine.” So, let me get this straight, you put this ugly piece of junk on your nice motorhome because you like a magazine? Are we really that hard up that we need to display our club affiliations on our stuff? I’m a member of COSTCO but I don’t have an oversized replica of my membership card strapped to my bumper. The only reason I joined this failing club is because I saved a few bucks on insurance. However, I’ve since discovered that there are better rates available through other vendors. So why is FMCA failing? I’ll tell you why, because they have stopped being relevant. Their RV rallies have little or nothing for the younger generation. How many people under 40 do you see at FMCA events? Do you bring your grandkids? No, because there’s no carnival, no vendors with stuff they are interested in - it’s a bust as far as kids are concerned. It’s also a bust as far as people under 40 are concerned. Look around at FMCA events and you will see a sea of white hair moving around on golf carts and scooters. The grandkids would probably come if they could drive the golf carts, but that’s frowned on at these events. But how about all the perks? What perks? FMCA doesn’t offer anything that isn’t available in a multitude of other places. But what about the chapters? What about them? Can chapter functions continue when FMCA dies? Yes! Will RVers have less fun, enjoyment and fulfillment when FMCA is gone? No! I predict that FMCA will be on life support within the next ten years if something isn’t done. As for my plates, well, they’re in the recycling bin. I’m not impressed with FMCA - are you? Keeping it honest and helping you keep your thinking cap squarely on your head - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing and Road Scholar.

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posted by Jim Twamley at 8/28/2007 02:07:00 PM

21 Comments:

  • I can't join because they are too snooty to accept people who aren't rich enough to afford motor homes. Us travel trailer and fifth wheel folks don't deserve to have membership in such a prestigious outfit.

    But I agree with your assessment about membership. If you don't start appealing to the younger crowd, membership is gonna eventually die off.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at August 28, 2007 4:41:00 PM PDT  

  • Maybe some suggestions to FMCA on what you would like to see at a rally would be helpful. The rallies we have been to have been RV rather than age-centered - tips on maintenance etc. and I would have thought the seminars we attended would have been of interest to any RVer.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 6, 2007 4:08:00 AM PDT  

  • Sounds like Jim may have some great arguments about FMCA but if he would have left out all the links for advertising one may take him serious. As far as FMCA, does nothing for me, will probably not renew.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 6, 2007 5:07:00 AM PDT  

  • FMCA does offer associate memberships for those that do not own a motor coach. I guess my remark would be if you see something that is not, in your opinion, working why not get involved in the organization and bring it into current RV demographics. The Baby Boomers have always driven our society so let's be positive and make change vs. critical of those that have established things.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 6, 2007 6:51:00 AM PDT  

  • I see the FMCA as irrelevant as well. We are members of Escapees and Good Sam and, except for the magazine, the FMCA offers nothing that cannot be gotten elsewhere. We are merely members because we belong to an FMCA Chapter organization, and for insurance purposes we are supposed to be FMCA members. As far as I am concerned, there is little value for the dollar. As for the magazine, I really don't need to see all those Prevost busses that cost 10 to 20 times what I can afford.

    email: shirjer@escapees.com

    By Anonymous jerry, at September 6, 2007 6:55:00 AM PDT  

  • How many sour grapes can you put in one article? FMCA is for like people who believe in the free lifestyle one can get by owning and using their MH and want to meet people with the same or similar goals to exchange greetings, exchange experiences and get new ideas on where they might travel to further enhance their chosen lifestyle. I proudly hang my plate in my front window when I am parked.
    Jeff
    F321294

    By Blogger Jeffrey, at September 6, 2007 7:47:00 AM PDT  

  • A a relatively new motorhome traveler I have often seen the FMCA signs on other coaches. However, when I went on line to the FMCA website and reviewed their benefits, I saw nothing that inspired me to join. So I have not joined.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 6, 2007 8:14:00 AM PDT  

  • We were at the Redmond, Oregon convention a few weeks ago. We had a fantastic time. There were many side trips that teenagers could take as well as adults. Seminars started at 7:30AM till evening, which the entertainment was great!
    Rickey Nelson's sons, Debbie Boone, and Tony Orlando. Only gripes..... air conditioning at the Debbie Boone show was not working and many left. Also we were charged $15. to stay in field for early arrival , many paid nothing. The electricity went off 3 times, so we had to use generator for awhile, but as I said, there was much to see and do. The mountains were beautiful with snow , even with 90's temps.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 6, 2007 10:49:00 AM PDT  

  • We sure had some good crowds in our computer seminars at the Redmond FMCA rally. Several hundred people in each of our 6 seminars ranging from Wi-Fi to Google Earth. We'll be there again in Pomona!

    By Blogger Chris, at September 6, 2007 11:42:00 AM PDT  

  • We have been members for only 3 years and have attended two rallies. We love the rallies and the magazine and will keep our membership. I did not see the part that I MUST put the membership plates on my RV, but I am certain if I did not want it on my rig I would not put it on.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 6, 2007 2:06:00 PM PDT  

  • Interesting use of time! I've got high gas prices to protest!!!!

    By Blogger First Century Pioneer, at September 6, 2007 4:50:00 PM PDT  

  • I agree with this assessment to a certain extent!! I feel change is in order because many of the the clubs and associations have failed to address us younger sets! WE don't have the same outlook and aspirations as the generation before us and we are looking for that little bit more. I have a high line fifth wheel and have tried to join this club but was told no motorhome no admittance. I felt since they wanted exclusivity then good ridings and I put my membership dollars elsewhere! I think the RV industry as a whole in on a downward slide. We bought a new 2007 coach and have spent the greater of the year in repair and replacement. We don't want our production to go over seas but we need to take a strong look at the junk we are producing here!!!

    By Blogger First Century Pioneer, at September 6, 2007 4:55:00 PM PDT  

  • We have been FMCA members for 3 years, ever since purchasing our new and first-ever motorhome. The destinations articles are good and I've added several to my list. Now that we're almost full-timing all our destinations and potential destinations are discovered using the Internet. So the mag. is not working for us it is a lot of wasted trees.
    I've contacted some of the FMCA as well as Good Sams and others and find that the members are much older than I or my wife are. We feel that we don't fit in with 99% motorhomers. I think that many of these organizations as well as private campground associations like Thousand Trails, RPI and Coast to Coast are not keeping up with the needs and wants of us baby-boomers. Sitting around a campfire is not much fun for me but 4-wheeling or spead-boating, Fly fishing, hiking are great for me. If they don't fill the needs of us baby-boomers and Gen-X'ers a lot of RV associations and CG are going to vanish.

    Thanks,

    By Anonymous Chuck, at September 6, 2007 7:16:00 PM PDT  

  • FMCA is a very good organization. It possibly is geared more toward retired people rather than the youger set that seem to want a lot right now without paying their dues. No one says you have to display your membership number nor do they say you have to use the plaques provided, you can have your own custom made. As far as benefits: a good friend that lived in California went to Minnesota this summer and had a heart attack and died there. FMCA flew his body and the widow back to California and hired a driver to transprt his 40 ft motorhome and toad home all at no cost to the widow! I think FMCA is great and much better thank Good Sam

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 6, 2007 7:31:00 PM PDT  

  • Shame on you Jimmy. As far as the Rv $$ goes, belonging to F.M.C.A is a drop in the ocean. I belong to go to the Rallys - love to see the new stuff & hope that there is good entertainment. I do agree that it's mainly an older group --but then again, so is AARP. There has to be groups for all ages -- even ones with GRAY GO-TEES. As far as being for the wealthy, thats HOG WASH. I've been to many RALLYS & there has been lots of older coachs & lots of CLASS C's attending. Also, have met some of the nicest people while attending.
    Will renew my member ship --YOU BET - I think it's a good deal for the money & I proudly display my plackard, on my ladder, along with my Lifetime Good Sam one.Both clubs are good for the RV comunity.
    F 325864

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 7, 2007 8:28:00 PM PDT  

  • The author comments that the affiliated clubs could continue to exist without FMCA. I suggest that is a false assumption if for no other reason than without the group purchase presence of the FMCA, most local clubs could NOT afford to purchase their chapter insurance, which is covered for FREE by FMCA, if all of your local club members are FMCA members.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 8, 2007 10:55:00 AM PDT  

  • I have experienced FMCA members in a North Carolina campground on of my first trips w/my class B. I had already joined in the excitement of my purchase. The racist remarks that came from this group directed at one of my cg neighbors was so obnoxious that I had to respond. From that point on even I wasn't treated well. That is when I removed my plates & placed them in the recycle bin in the campground. They are the older generation that needs to fade away before things get better. I just don't want to be associated w/them.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 8, 2007 2:03:00 PM PDT  

  • Well, don't compound racism with ageism! That old school thinking isn't limited to old-timers - there are some great oldsters out there and also some obnoxious younger ones. That said, I too, am not a member of FMCA - also checked and didn't see any reason to join. Haven't attended any rallies, though - we're not really rally types, I guess.

    What services would I like to see offered by any club that would inspire me to join? Well, as a full-timer, I hate all the magazines, and would love to get ONLINE magazines that could be downloaded with membership. What else? Maybe travelogue/blog websites that are free and easy to use... though I already am set up with that. Discounts are great, of course!! Campground guides are helpful, maps, travel advice and deals on insurance or RV products... let's see - I get these things from Good Sam, AAA, Vagabundos del Mar, Woodall's, Milepost, books like the Church's guides to Alaska and Baja camping, and websites like TripAdvisor, and forums like RV.net - and online e-newsletters and blogs like this one! So while I have to agree that the "younger" (or at least maybe more tech savvy) generation can find most benefits elsewhere, I wouldn't say it's impossible to find a club that fits your needs - apparently FMCA just isn't that club for a lot of folks, but it seems to work fine for others. Part of the fun of this lifestyle is finding where you fit in!

    By Blogger Devin and Maggie, at September 8, 2007 9:27:00 PM PDT  

  • As with many large RV Clubs there has been a major decline. These clubs are not keeping up with the changes the modern RVer is looking for.

    As an example, they are still having their international rallies in the same places year after year, doing the same things they have done for years. Let's face it, how exciting can Perry George and Redmon Oregon be after so many returns.

    Clubs tend to get caught up in glorifying their officers and forgetting about the people who are supporting the organization.

    We have been members of FMCA for about 13 years and will continue as long as we have a motorhome. We have reaped benefits that we feel justify membership.

    I think they need to shake up the bucket and enact some changes in their routine to attract more interest.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 11, 2007 8:30:00 AM PDT  

  • Hey Jim,

    You're pretty hard on FMCA. Most of the RV clubs have had a decline in membership and participation. I like FMCA, the chapters, the rallies, the magazine. I'm sure it could be improved but I will renew my membership.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 28, 2007 4:39:00 PM PDT  

  • My husband and I are in our thirties, we have 2 small children and were absolutely thrilled to buy our first motorhome. Like many we have gone from tent, to bigger tent, pop-up, travel trailer and now finally a class A. The first thing I did was join the FMCA with my parents FMCA number (with a D on the end). It isn't for the discounts or benefits but for all the fun times at conventions I had as a child with my family. I know that the large majority of people will be twice my age at conventions but that is often the case at many of the campgrounds we go to as well. Let me just say it is a good thing too because the first time we tried to fill our tanks and put up our awning we had 10 retired folk helping us. I imagine we were quite the entertainment. Yes, FMCA is geared toward older generations, probably because most people my age are just begining to be able to afford their first camper in general. It takes some time for the younger to infiltrate. I am ok with being outnumbered since camping really is about being with the family and that's all I really need. I enjoy the trips and exhibits at the conventions that I would not normally get to see.

    As for the person who experienced some racist remarks I am sorry for your misfortune, however making a blanket assumption about a group of people is likewise unjust. With such a large group of people you are statistically bound to get a few bad eggs. It is not as if racism is part of bi laws, ya just met some bad people. As a whole, old or young, it's good people having their kind of fun, be it polka band or what not. I'll be pasting on my plastic placard.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 12, 2008 4:08:00 PM PDT  

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