I see there is some kind of Organization but cant find it.. FMCA .. what is its site.? thanks, Mike
Here's the website for FMCA, (Family Motor Coach Association).
They have both family memberships and business memberships.
http://www.fmca.com/index.asp (http://www.fmca.com/index.asp)
Hi Mike,
Welcome!
Here is a brief story about FMCA, it actually started with bus conversions.
Nick-
Family Motor Coach Association
The Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) is an international organization for families who own and enjoy the recreational use of motorhomes. With more than 120,000 active member families, FMCA is the world's largest motorhome owners group.
Since 1963 FMCA has issued more than 380,000 memberships to families who look to the association as their source of information about all facets of motorhome ownership and travel.
Membership categories
Full/Family (F) membership is open to any person or family owning at least one-third interest in a qualifying motorhome.
Commercial (C) membership is for dealers, suppliers, manufacturers, campgrounds, service facilities and other firms servicing the motorhome owner or the motorhome industry.
FMCA's purpose
The purpose of FMCA is to organize social activities, exchange motorhome information, and supply benefits made possible, in part, by collective purchasing.
The interest of the Association also extends into the area of political and legislative action. FMCA supports recreation programs and the legal rights of RV owners.
Greatest benefit
FMCA takes pride in the merit of its many membership benefits, which include trip routing, mail forwarding service, an emergency medical evacuation program, and group rates on an emergency roadside assistance plan.
But foremost, and irreplaceable, are the fun and friendship shared by people who enjoy the common interest of motorhome travel. The Association is rich in the tradition of FMCA members extending hands of genuine friendship to one another.
FMCA members can be identified by the FMCA "goose egg," or membership emblem, displayed on their motorhome. This metal oval plate, embossed with the family's membership number, opens the door for many friendly encounters while traveling.
Staff
FMCA is owned by its membership, governed by elected officers and has a national office that conducts its business affairs. The staff establishes a liaison with the motorhome industry, helps members to organize geographic and special interest chapters, publishes a monthly magazine and an annual membership directory, and coordinates FMCA motorhome conventions and annual membership meetings
I tried to join before I got the bus but they would only let me buy their magazine until I got a motorhome. I tried the magazine for a year and was not impressed except for the very good service business index, otherwise I found it a bit snobbish.
As I remember they limit memberships only to class A owners.
When they later asked me to join I told them "no thanks".
Hi Gus,
That is strange because my dad has been a member since 1969 and he has only owned bus conversions. Hummm!
Nick-
I suspect Gus meant to say RV. Nowhere have I ever seen that it had to be a motorhome per se. And I have been a member for many years. Member # F039926. I believe I joined back in the 70's sometime with a pick-em-up camper.
Richard
Quote from: Nick Badame Refrig. Co. on March 31, 2007, 03:47:24 PM
Hi Gus,
That is strange because my dad has been a member since 1969 and he has only owned bus conversions. Hummm!
Nick-
Here is the membership requirement for FMCA from their website:
Full/Family membership
FMCA - Family/Full membershipFull/Family (F) membership is open to any person or family owning at least one-third interest in a qualifying motor coach. This is a self-propelled, completely self-contained vehicle that contains all the conveniences of a home, including cooking, sleeping, and permanent sanitary facilities. In addition, the driver's seat must be accessible in a walking position from the living quarters
I joined many years ago (#36513) with a converted bus and always had a converted bus until last year when I downsized to a class B When I joined the magazine was more oriented to technical stuff and to bus conversions. Like Gus, I don't have much interest in the latest production model Winnibago.
We joined FMCA 3 years ago when we bought the bus. Lately we have really been struggling to justify the expense of membership for all we get out of it. Escapees is much better value for the way we travel. The FMCA magazine isn't much more than a collection of ads. I read the classified ads thoroughly but the front end of the magazine is largely manufacturer puff stories. I expect one of these years when the renewal comes due we just won't bother.
I am a member just because i can not go to some rallies and cannot belong to the Eagles group with out it i went to 1 fmca convention in 20 years but they have some good thing you always see the new things that are out in the book .I thought the Escapes were a waste of time and money myself
I have been a member a long time and they are a good club they help people put rallys together i know they helped out on the bus'n usa i don't know about Jack Conrads in FL they have chapters for different buses like Mci, Prevost,Gmc,Eagle,and others its fun to go to a national show so much to see and do
Membership is a small price to pay to be universally accepted across almost all of the Bus and RV clubs.
It is a requirement in many local area clubs and if you always want to attend as a guest you will not usually
be turned away but will usually pay more as a non-member.
There are chapters for virtually every kind of RV ( not always a Class A or motorcoach! )
Anyone who doesn't know that hasn't been paying attention in class... :)
I don't know about Jack Conrads in FL
Actually, the first couple years, our rally was sponsored and hosted by Paula and I. As the rally grew, we were reminded that we should have liability insurance to protect us. The Converted Coaches of the Eastern Area (CCEA), a chapter of FMCA volunteered to sponsor the rally. This gave us liability insurance through FMCA. Bussin' 2008 will be co-sponsored by CCEA and SE Cruisers, anoother FMCA Chapter.
We have been FMCA members since the mid 80s. Although we feel the magazine has become mostly advertisers fluff, we still enjoy a few of the articles about new destinations and the classifieds. We also feel we get our moneys worth from some of the other programs they offer and most importantly the freindship and comaraderie of all the fellow members that attend the rallies. In additon to belonging to FMCA, we also belong to 3 different FMCA bus conversion chapters, (CCEA, SE Cruisers, and SE BusNuts)Membrership includes a medical emerency policy that if traveling away from home, will fly you home if neccessary and arrange for you coach to be driven home. They also have mail forwarding services and road services policies available at reasonable rates.
FMCA allows all motorhomes and bus conversions, but not travel trailers, 5th wheels, pop-ups, etc. It must be a motorhome or bus conversion. Jack
Oooppss... I stand corrected...
If it's got wheels,motor and a toilet you can join FMCA...
My brain was playing tricks, Must have been thinking Good Sams when I said "other than motorhomes" was a member
of that for a while but couldn't see a real benefit.
The MIND is NOT the first thing to go, Just hangs around and checks in and out.....
As a conversion owner wannabe, I tried to join the MCI chapter of FMCA, only to be told I couldn't join a specific chapter unless I belonged to FMCA. Couldn't belong to FMCA unless I owned a motorhome. So much for learning what I could from folks who already own MCIs...other than on this BB!
Dennis,
Just about the same thing that happened to me. I was never told they don't accept buses but I always thought a motor coach was a Class A only and I realize that a bus is a Class A. I have never seen an article about a bus in their magazine, just over-priced sticks and staples.
An organization that excludes non-owners is not too smart. Allowing non-owner membership is the perfect way to encourage people to become new owners and members. This is the only organization I have ever found that excludes non-owners and I have belonged to three airplane type clubs over the past 30 yrs-they all welcomed non-owners. All they required was an interest in the particular airplane. That is the way to run a club!
Some people are attracted to an organization that thinks it is exclusive, that attitude has the exact opposite effect on me.
As a conversion owner wannabe, I tried to join the MCI chapter of FMCA, only to be told I couldn't join a specific chapter unless I belonged to FMCA. Couldn't belong to FMCA unless I owned a motorhome. So much for learning what I could from folks who already own MCIs...other than on this BB!
Perhaps FMCA has changed their policy, but it used to be you could join without a coach as an associate member, changing to a family member when you purchased a coach. That was back in 99'. Also, I beleive the MCI chapter is an "International" chapter holding most of their rallies before or after the 2-3 big national FMCA rallies.
Dennis, if you want to see some nice conversions and friendly Busnuts, come over to Myrtle Beach Travel Parl May 17-22 for the Converted Coaches of the Eastern Area rally. Jack
I agree with Jack. I think you can become an associate member of FMCA.
Although the MCI chapter only holds a couple of rallies, it is a good chapter. There is also CVC - Converted Coach Chapter.
Postives
- There are many benefits in FMCA like others have point-out.
- The rallies provide a reason to use your coach and take-in some distant destinations.
- I personally like the magazine.
Negatives
- In my opinion, the rally entertainment has deteriorated over the years.
- I have found bus people to generally be great. In a large organization like FMCA in total, there are some who are arrogant or rude.
- There are a lot of politics goingon in the management of FMCA.
The last 2 are the biggest negatives for club that calls itself a "Family Organiztion".
All in all, I plan to remain a member.
Ed Roelle
Flint, MI
In my opinion, the rally entertainment has deteriorated over the years.
- I have found bus people to generally be great. In a large organization like FMCA in total, there are some who are arrogant or rude.
- There are a lot of politics goingon in the management of FMCA.
The last 2 are the biggest negatives for club that calls itself a "Family Organiztion".
I agree Ed, If it is the FAMILY Motor Coach Association, Why are there rallies on major rallies on weekdays, when children are in school?
We are members of FMCA and 3 bus conversion chapter (SE Cruisers, Converted Coaches of the Eastern Area, and SE BusNuts. All members of these 3 chapters are very friendly "down to earth" people, but we have met some real arrogant, rude snobs. Jack
ive wondered about all this myself.....the previous owner of my bus was a member; i went to Busin USA in Rickerall, OR last year, and met some people in both catagories mentioned, but mostly real nice people ( well at least the ones I spent MY time with) and I picked up a converted coach chapter application thing, and still have it.still wondering if it is worth the $ or if its jsut the plaque that is the main thing......i am still wondering...i know it seems to have up's to doing itin theory, but i cant lay my finger on rather its right for me or not, .............
Yeah, those plaques are another thing that seems to say "Look at Me, I'm Special".
Hay Guy's,
There are alot of us bus guy's that have chapters in FMCA like Jack Conrad and others.
Here are some we belong to in the northeast.
KNOT FORE BUSSES ONLY
SCOPE: New Jersey
CHARTERED: 12/15/1983
OFFICERS:
KATHI HENDRIKSEN
F74765
Pres.
TOM HENDRIKSEN
F74765
VP
HOLLY STIVALY
F9677S
Secy.
VICTOR STIVALY
F9677S
Treas.
VIOLEENE FAGERLUND
F261494
Nat'l. Dir.
ROBERT CALDO
F331598
Alt. Nat'l. Dir.
HOLLY STIVALY
F9677S
Newsletter Editor
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Kathi Hendriksen
17 Seville Drive
Brick, NJ 08723
Phone: 732-477-8630
Email: kathomq@comcast.net
GM BUS OWNERS OF NEW ENGLAND
SCOPE: New England
CHARTERED: 4/12/1997
OFFICERS:
WILLIAM CATANESYE
F4031D
Pres.
MARK WILLETTE
F222734
VP
MICHELLE CATANESYE
F4031D
Secy.
MICHELLE CATANESYE
F4031D
Treas.
WILLIAM L BAXTER
F162523
Nat'l. Dir.
LINDA WILLETTE
F222734
Alt. Nat'l. Dir.
WILLIAM CATANESYE
F4031D
Newsletter Editor
CONTACT INFORMATION:
William Catanesye
127 Heath Brook Drive
Acton, ME 04001
Phone: 207-636-3842
Email: billcat@metrocast.net
20TH CENTURY WAGONTRAINERS
Web Site: http://tcw20cent.homestead.com/
SCOPE: New Jersey and surrounding area
CHARTERED: 3/2/1966
OFFICERS:
RICHARD J RUSSO
F249341
Pres.
MATTHEW HOELZEL
F198186
VP
DOLLY CONWAY
F7720
VP
JACK HORNOR
F312134
VP
CHARLOTTE LAWYER
F160324
Secy.
MYRNA PATTERSON
F225153
Treas.
HELEN CASERTA
F101979
Nat'l. Dir.
JACK K PETERS SR
F163677
Alt. Nat'l. Dir.
JACK K PETERS SR
F163677
Newsletter Editor
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Richard Russo
29 Serpentine Drive E
Bayville, NJ 08721
Phone: 732-269-0170
Email: tcw20centmail@aol.com
CONVERTED COACHES OF THE EASTERN AREA
Web Site: http://www.rvweb.net/club/fmcaccea/index.htm
SCOPE: Eastern Area
SPECIAL INTEREST: Private Converted Coach owners of FMCA
CHARTERED: 10/9/1999
OFFICERS:
CARSON CHRISTIAN
F213302
Pres.
EARL BONNELL
F231105
VP
JAN LASSITER
F252631
Secy.
CAROL M WARTHAN
F122783
Treas.
GENE BOWER
F44287
Nat'l. Dir.
STEVE STEPHENSON
F142636
Alt. Nat'l. Dir.
ALAN BAKER
F27226
Newsletter Editor
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Alan Baker
110 Don Juan Circle
Yorktown, VA 23693
Phone: 757-596-8834
I would like to know what is the racial differences of the many bus-nut clubs?????
I can only speak for the 3 bus conversion clubs that I belong to, but we welcome ALL busnuts. Only reqirements are FMCA membership (this is an FMCA requirement) and chapter requirements. Chapter requirements vary but either require at least a partial ownership of a bus conversion or an associate membership if you do not own a bus conversion. Jack
I belong to FMCA, I think it is great but mainly as a parent orginazation for the local chapters.
The FMCA carries the insurance coverage that allows the local chapters to put on rallies without the worries of someone getting hurt and suing a small local and its officers.
The FMCA is a nationwide magazine that acts as a calender for all the local events.
The FMCA requires that if you have a local chapter outing, all FMCA members are allowed to attend, this opens up fellowship as you are traveling the country, there are dozens and dozens of rallies each weekend during the summer months.
The FMCA has dozens and dozens of different types of chapters from singles, to habitat for humanity, to BUS NUTS, retirees, or just regional, just about anyone that enjoys companionship should be able to fit in somewhere with FMCA.
The FMCA publishes a membership directory that will help you keep track of people that you have met at the various outings.
The FMCA publishes a directory of garages that will work on your coach all over the country.
I agree the magazine is full cheap advertisements, but all in all, it would be hard or impossible for the local chapters to exist without something or someone acting as a parent organization. I don't think the FMCA wants to be anything other than what it is right now. There is no way an organazation can be everything to everybody, it may have slipped from what it was years ago, but nothing stays the same forever. I think they had to evolve in order to survive.
AND, the dues are cheap, so for all of the above, its worth it for me.
Jim
When I first staretd RVing, I tried to join, so I could learn more about everything. I had a fifth wheel toybox at the time. They reserached it, and called me to say theywerer refunding my $ - They didn't want me unless i had a motorhome. pretty irritiating at the time.
Hi Jim,
Even though you had a fith wheel, you could still purchace a subcription to the mag.
It's just that FMCA stands for "Family Motor Coach Association" and thats why you couldn't join in the club at that time.
Nick-