I received the following from my chapter;This organization shall be know as the New York State Organization of the Good Sam Club. The fore mentioned state shall recognize the Good Sam Club’s Constitution and By-Laws as the ultimate body of rules. The State will promote the Good Sam Club Pledge as stated here: “As a member of the Good Sam Club, I pledge to give aid to others in need, respect nature and the environment, give back to the community and those less fortunate, treat others with dignity and respect, and to wear a smile (like Good Sam and Good Samantha’s) and promote the pledge of the Good Sam Club to others.”The State will establish “Standing Rules” as needed to govern their day-to-day operations.I am not sure what you think you are doing but you really need to think this through better, my largest problem with this pledge is this line "give back to the community and those less fortunate"This is a CAMPING CLUB not a church!there are plenty of other clubs/groups to give back to the community and those less fortunate.I joined my local chapter to camp with like minded individuals, it's bad enough to have to work a Samboree after working 40 hours, camping should be relaxing. perhaps your only concern is retiree's which is fine, just make a club for younger campers, the ones not living on fixed income's.Being I now have to take this pledge I feel I can no longer be a member of a local chapter.

From my understanding "giving back" is part of the good Sam (good Samaritan) thing.

Well I guess I missed that somewhere. lesson learned

I've been a GoodSam member since 1990 and a member of this forum since 2003. I have always understood that GoodSam stood for "Good Samaritan". I thought I had heard every possible complaint about GoodSam. But this is the first time I've ever heard someone complain that they may be encouraged to do something nice for someone else.

I wouldn't have any problem helping club fellow club members but I feel that giving up a weekend of my time to help "the community" isn't for me.no big deal, I now understand , I won't rejoin my chapter and if I have to take a pledge to get a discount at camping world then that goes as well.I work for a living my weekends are treasured I don't have time to give back that's what taxes , dues, member fess and so on are for.this pledge is a change being forced down on chapters, I will simply disagree with my measly membership.

NYtraveler wrote:I wouldn't have any problem helping club fellow club members but I feel that giving up a weekend of my time to help "the community" isn't for me.no big deal, I now understand , I won't rejoin my chapter and if I have to take a pledge to get a discount at camping world then that goes as well.I work for a living my weekends are treasured I don't have time to give back that's what taxes , dues, member fess and so on are for.this pledge is a change being forced down on chapters, I will simply disagree with my measly membership.I have been a member for years, never been asked to give up a weekend, nor have I been told I have to volunteer for anything, or send money to an organization or individual outside what I paid to be a Life Member. I don't see anything in what you posted stating you have to give up a weekend, or donate money to anyone. IMHO helping someone in a campground who needs a little assistance is not a big deal, who knows, maybe one day I will need some help, and a like minded person will help me out. Camping is a Community.

Good Sam chapters | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

Good_Sam_Care_T
Explorer II
Jun 25, 2013
Hello All,

As always the spirit of the Good Sam Club remains as it is. Being a good Samaritan has nothing to do with religion or creed. It just means taking the time to help someone out when or if you can. We will never force a Chapter or an individual to do any mandatory volunteer work. We ask that as part of the Good Sam Club as a whole if you can spare the time to do something charitable then by all means do so. Take the Good Sam Cares program here within the Company, each Quarter we give at least 8 hours of volunteer work company-wide from the Executive Management to the Sales Associate at Camping World. We do this as that is part of what Good Sam is about. Sure you get discounts on camping and at Camping World, but Good Sam is more about the community and the people we meet and befriend on our travels. Giving back every so often is a bad thing, its something Marcus believes in and something I do to.

However as the OP has stated his opinion and this thread has begun to devolve I am at this time will be closing it.

Wes Robinson
Marcus' Rapid Response Team
goodsamcs@goodsamfamily.com
NYtraveler
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
RognBon wrote:
It's pretty obvious the OP is a member of the "it's all about me" generation. From his attitude, the other members of his local chapter are probably glad he has chosen not to participate.

sure it is, you havn't a clue as to what I do or who I am!
I've made my point which is all I set out to do.
RognBon
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
It's pretty obvious the OP is a member of the "it's all about me" generation. From his attitude, the other members of his local chapter are probably glad he has chosen not to participate.
NYtraveler
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
wbwood wrote:
I agree. Volunteer means voluntary.

Absolutly, which is why I will not renew my membership!
which all along was the point I was trying to make, I am in my early 40's and the organization needs to realize as senior campers are going to the great campground in the sky it's people in younger age brackets that you'll be seeking revenue from.
NYtraveler
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
beemerphile1 wrote:
On the state and local level the Good Sam organization is totally voluntary. Without volunteers the organization would cease to exist other than the corporation. As an officer of my chapter I contribute many hours of labor to provide an enjoyable event for our members. You should be thanking the people who contribute rather than complaining.

Some chapters do community days where they devote a day to performing some service to the community. My chapter doesn't do that but we do participate in several fund raising activities every year and then donate to our selected charities.

The SOP (standard operating procedure) thing is new. The SOP that your chapter writes and puts into practice is up to the members. If you have an opinion then you should participate in the writing/modification of the SOP.

Volunteer means it is voluntary, not mandatory! Do you realize how selfish you sound? Step away for a week and then come back and read what you have posted. You sound like one of the types that wants to contribute nothing but have everything done for you. I hope you aren't really like that.

BTW, my wife and I also work full time, serve as officers in our chapter, and volunteer at Samborees.

The SOP is being forced on us by the national level!
call me selfish I really don't care, you don't know me or what I do in life so call it what you want, I am simply making the point that changing the SOP just chased me out of my local chapter. I support multiple organizations, I felt joining a camping club to camp with like minded individuals was a great thing for me and my wife to escape and unwind, we'll just do it by ourselves.
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
I agree. Volunteer means voluntary.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
On the state and local level the Good Sam organization is totally voluntary. Without volunteers the organization would cease to exist other than the corporation. As an officer of my chapter I contribute many hours of labor to provide an enjoyable event for our members. You should be thanking the people who contribute rather than complaining.

Some chapters do community days where they devote a day to performing some service to the community. My chapter doesn't do that but we do participate in several fund raising activities every year and then donate to our selected charities.

The SOP (standard operating procedure) thing is new. The SOP that your chapter writes and puts into practice is up to the members. If you have an opinion then you should participate in the writing/modification of the SOP.

Volunteer means it is voluntary, not mandatory! Do you realize how selfish you sound? Step away for a week and then come back and read what you have posted. You sound like one of the types that wants to contribute nothing but have everything done for you. I hope you aren't really like that.

BTW, my wife and I also work full time, serve as officers in our chapter, and volunteer at Samborees.
NYtraveler
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
Well apparently I joined the wrong chapter, I don't have any problem helping a fellow camper, what have a problem with is working through a Samboree, constantly being asked to volunteer for this or that.
taking a collection for adopting a family or something similar again no problem, but taking a weekend to clean up a road NOT going to happen, help in a food bank or pantry or something along those lines again NOT going to happen, if that's what I want to do I would volunteer for those services.
I was going to go to the Syracuse rally, but after constant attempts asking me to volunteer I decided against it, in hind sight it was the right decision. Now I get an e-mail stating our SOP are changing and we're going to have to start doing community service type projects, well I think you are going to watch the chapter I am in fold up now, they've been trying desperately to attract new members due to the ageing population of the club members. They aren't able to do much so it falls on me. I will continue to utilize Good Sam club for services and discounts, but as far as a local chapter goes, I'm out!
Great for you folks making time to do these community things I applaud you, it's just not for me. Thanks' for allowing me to vent
RVJimofOregon
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
Our chapter WANTS TO help out. Our host for each camp out/meeting brings a gift to raffle off. We raise $75 to $90 at each camp out or meeting. It is a good feeling just before Christmas to pick someone or a group to make a gift. Last year we found a family who had medical problems and I think we made a difference giving the children a good Christmas.
Life is not always not about taking but giving.
RV Jim
Good_Sam_Care_T
Explorer II
Jun 25, 2013
NYtraveler,

Thank you for your time and post. Please keep in mind the Good Sam Club is what you would use to get discounts at Camping World. The Good Sam Chapters more than 2,000 chapters throughout the United States and Canada hold camp-outs, meetings, and participate in local volunteer projects such as Adopt-A-Highway. I hope this helps with your matter.

Mark F
Marcus' Rapid Response Team
goodsamcs@goodsamfamily.com