Thanks for the info Spike and thanks for offering to scan the forms. Let me work on this a little more before we start scanning forms.

Hope to see you there.

We bought our first motorhome in 1971 when we were 38 years old andd two daughters ages 6 and 2. We were too busy and had limited time to get involved in RV clubs. It wasn't until we retired that we considered joining. We've been in FMCA and Good Sam (both national and a local chapters)for about 6 years and enjoy the fellowship. How do you/we get the younger crowd involved ? If our experience is a good example, it's going to be very difficult.

I've avoided answering the original question posed here up to this point, but now am compelled to answer. Not sure my answer applies to just attracting younger folks - it's more along the lines of attracting and getting anyone involved in FMCA.

Since we've owned our MH (about 3 years), I've had exactly one person approach me and want to discuss FMCA --- he was trying to get me to join (for which he got credit as I identified him on my application). Since then, even though I display my membership plaque, nobody has ever brought it up to me. I've seen other motor homes with their plaques, but the FMCA has never been brought up - either by those other folks or by me. Don't even get waves from fellow FMCAers as they pass on the road.

Just doesn't seem to be a kinship attitude among members. I also think some sort of forum on the FMCA website might help, but have you noticed --- even here, where there is a spot for FMCA folks, there just is hardly any exchange. Just quickly scan the dates on the postings on the first page of the FMCA section ---- about half of them were clear back in January and February!

I asked a "rookie" question a couple of days ago about attending an FMCA rally --- and I appreciate the two comments/responses that have been posted --- but will any FMCA veterans be inclined to help us out? Not sure. Maybe I'll check back in January or February!

Younger people will not get involved as long as the so called entertainment is clowns and a ventriloquist!! The 40's and even the 50's crowd want to hear some quality music not has beens or never was. They also do not square dance and listen to kitchen bands. The FMCA conventions could easily become first rate but not as long as old fuddy duddies in blue blazers are running the show. I somehow doubt that it will ever change. I keep reading in the magazine where they have special commitees looking at expanding the membership. Bribing me with a free Atlas will not work. Like dinosaurs they will become extinct unless there is change. Even the seminars are geared towards older people. Good Sam has many chapters that are family oriented. Does FMCA have the same?

My wife and I are full timer and have been for the past 3 years or so. We have just turned 40. For us it comes down to other things when joining FMCA, Newmar Kountry Klub, Good Sams, Escapees, and all the others. We ask ourself what do we get out of it? Why would we pay extra money to hang out with RVer's? We have been to "the Rally" twice, one FMCA rally. Have always had fun, but no need to be a member to hang out with RV'ers. The so called discounts you can get anywhere, we do not use there other services, so why pay?

Second sore spot is when in past on others site we bring up the age group , you get flamed.

We love the RV lifestle, and have never met a bad person of any age, reguardless what group they pay dues to .

My two cents!

What entertainment or music would you suggest FMCA hire for its conventions?

Nick
Old, but no blue blazer

As a past director for a national club (not rvs) I can understand issues on both sides. One of the biggest hurdles the FMCA leadership faces is getting their current members to reach out to the younger and new members. All too often in any club members get cliquish which becomes a big turn-off for new members. Each member who hangs a club sign on their vehicle must understand that they are a representative for the club and their actions (or lack of actions) are advertising for the club. As an example me and the wife were at a campground lately. The fella next to us had club posters plastered all over his rv. He and his wife didn’t associate with anyone else and when I went to talk to him I got a very cold shoulder. Needless to say if I was interested in joining a club that one wouldn’t be considered. If you’re not a people person don’t hang club signs on your rv .

IMO Discussion Forums are a must for any club but not all members will participate in them. We ran studies in our club and found about 20% of the members actually participated in making posts. This doesn’t take into account the lurkers who were just there for information. Regardless, discussion forums are something younger members (and a lot of older ones) look for in a club.

In saying all that I don’t think age is as big of issue as most people think. Granted if you’re holding a rally and have quilting classes on the schedule you might also want a rock and roll band playing in different area of the rally.

Camaraderie is what a social club is all about regardless of age however the club leaders must address the needs and interests for all the members.

Just my .02

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Gedney,

Traveler:

I cvan understand that real hard Rock and Roll is not suitable. But many members grew up in the 60's and even in the 70's. How about some "dewop" music. You see them on PBS all the time. There are booking agencies who sepcialize in entertainment for all the Indian Casinos. Many of those acts would be a big hit. To have some stupid clown on a bicycle or a ventriloquist is an insult. We are adults not children. I might also add that black entertainers are very rare at FMCA. Yet black entertainers probably comprise close to 50 % of the entertainment field. It is time that FMCA stopped being so conservative and hired some African Americans . Perhaps that is another group of people that should become members. I see lots of African Americans on the road in RV's. A forum for members is a great idea. But I think they would be afraid of criticism.

All valid points, but one that seems simple and is the main reason my family hasn't participated in FMCA weekend rallies is...they are not on weekends. At least not in AZ. I contacted two local chapters knowing we would likely be the only mid-40's with kids, and the response was welcoming. Problem was their monthly rally was Tuesday thru Thursday. I guess living in AZ I have a special challenge with club members being snowbirds, but you'd think there would be a few folks in the state that camp on weekends? Even the regional rallies in Palm Springs, the Workhorse Owners group and the National MH Owners all have rallies during the week with some spilling over to Saturday. Not going to attract anyone below retirement age at that rate.

As a kid my family was part of FMCA in the early 70's (parents still are too) and motorhoming then was definitely a family activity. Those folks have stayed with it and retired, and the RV marketing is not geared toward families anymore (except for toyhaulers). Just the facts and probably not a lot we can do about it until popular opinion changes. Kind of like trying do something against the tide.

"Family" Motorcoach Association makes me think of family RVing - as in vacationing with the kids in the summer - and since I'm single, I never looked into joining. Also, while traveling, I've seen the plaques mainly on higher end, diesel coaches - not little gassers like mine. I assumed it was some exclusive club for the riche . . . LOL! Now reading these posts, it sounds like it's not "family" but more "senior" which I do fit into. So I will have to take a look at the organization and see what benefits it will offer me . . . . However, from what these posts have indicated, it doesn't sound much like my cup of tea . . . it sounds out of touch with younger RV'ers and while I'm 52, I'm 30 in spirit and like more exciting things than ventriloquists and square dancing . . . .