FMCA.. what is it ? how to join ? thanks, Mike

[JackConrad]

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

[edroelle]

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

[JackConrad]

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

[kbunnystarr]

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, .............

[gus]

Yeah, those plaques are another thing that seems to say "Look at Me, I'm Special".

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

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

[Busnut83]

I would like to know what is the racial differences of the many bus-nut clubs??

[JackConrad]

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

[JimC]

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

[H3Jim]

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.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

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-