Any non-retired people in Highways Mag??

It is an unfortunate fact that most younger people don't have the money or time to attend the events. I know the Good Sam organization is embarking on a big push to get younger people/families involved. After all, it is smart thinking, eventually the older people will stop buying.

UsualSuspect wrote:

docj wrote:

UsualSuspect wrote:
I think most RV Organizations rely on volunteers to get the work done

You ought to look at the financials of an organization like FMCA before you make that assumption. It isn't the equivalent of an HOA; it has a several million dollar a year budget and an investment reserve of over $1 million. Why an organization that is legally a non-profit needs a million in the bank is something I can't explain.

FMCA used to post its financials online, but stopped doing that (the financial reports are only available to "authorized personnel". Maybe that's because they think people might get upset over things like 10-15% of all dues revenues being used to pay the fuel expenses of FMCA officers attending rallies. Wouldn't you like someone to cover your fuel costs so you could go places?

BTW, the last audited financial statement I could find for FMCA was 2011. I've posted it here in case anyone wants to look at it: FMCA 2011 Annual Report

Thank you, I had no idea. I am not a member of FMCA, they don't really offer me anything I can't get here. I don't use Michelin's after a bad experience, and that seems to be the only selling point.

Even though I do like Michelins, I've decided that by not renewing my membership in FMCA or any of its manufacturer-specific chapters I will save enough over the next 6-7 years to cover the discount I would have received on a new set of tires (even assuming that FMCA still has the discount at that time). Any campground discount benefits of FMCA are more than offset by my Good Sam membership and this year the emergency travel benefit was eliminated which was the only other thing I felt I was getting from it.

docj wrote:

UsualSuspect wrote:
I think most RV Organizations rely on volunteers to get the work done

You ought to look at the financials of an organization like FMCA before you make that assumption. It isn't the equivalent of an HOA; it has a several million dollar a year budget and an investment reserve of over $1 million. Why an organization that is legally a non-profit needs a million in the bank is something I can't explain.

FMCA used to post its financials online, but stopped doing that (the financial reports are only available to "authorized personnel". Maybe that's because they think people might get upset over things like 10-15% of all dues revenues being used to pay the fuel expenses of FMCA officers attending rallies. Wouldn't you like someone to cover your fuel costs so you could go places?

BTW, the last audited financial statement I could find for FMCA was 2011. I've posted it here in case anyone wants to look at it: FMCA 2011 Annual Report

Thank you, I had no idea. I am not a member of FMCA, they don't really offer me anything I can't get here. I don't use Michelin's after a bad experience, and that seems to be the only selling point.

UsualSuspect wrote:
I think most RV Organizations rely on volunteers to get the work done

You ought to look at the financials of an organization like FMCA before you make that assumption. It isn't the equivalent of an HOA; it has a several million dollar a year budget and an investment reserve of over $1 million. Why an organization that is legally a non-profit needs a million in the bank is something I can't explain.

FMCA used to post its financials online, but stopped doing that (the financial reports are only available to "authorized personnel". Maybe that's because they think people might get upset over things like 10-15% of all dues revenues being used to pay the fuel expenses of FMCA officers attending rallies. Wouldn't you like someone to cover your fuel costs so you could go places?

BTW, the last audited financial statement I could find for FMCA was 2011. I've posted it here in case anyone wants to look at it: FMCA 2011 Annual Report

I am not quit a geezer yet, but will be soon. I would like to see all generations included. I perceive a rally as a place the retired folks go to burn some time while they are on the road, and there is not much for us non-retired or non-full time folks to do. I am probably wrong, but the pictures I see, and the articles I read leave me with that impression.
Docj - I think most RV Organizations rely on volunteers to get the work done, and most folks that work, and go for a weekend with the family, just don't have the time to devote to it. I know between being on the HOA Board, work, and having on 30 days off a year, I am doing good to plan the next trip for me, let alone anyone else.

I guess my DW and I are both "geezers" but we try to act young. Yes, there are a lot of RVers our age and older. However, I think the issue you are highlighting results from the fact that many organized RVing groups (such as FMCA) are dominated by people significantly older than us. As a result there is a tendency to define RVing in terms of what those folks are interested in doing. For example, when we had an RV and a young family we enjoyed taking them places to see things. Yet, many of the articles about RVing make it sound as if the real purpose of having an RV is to go to organized rallies. We may be older, but we are not particularly interested in sitting around having potlucks, playing bingo and taking bus tours of things we would rather see on our own.

I just saw the story- loved it!

I'll take you up on the cuppajoe offer some time, and will make the Grandkids fetch you a cup if you ever drop in at my site, too...

But after you read my response in your "coffee" post I'll bet you'll be looking to make sure everyone's wearing both socks before you drink it! :B

I am so not anti-geezer! I plan on being one myself some day. I just agree with the OP that the magazines don't have much about family centered travel. But when I go to a campground or RV park there is a real mix of ages. Francesca--I will pour you a cup of coffee any day--and even pasted my coffee story for you in the RV Lifestyle section.

Dog Folks wrote:
We old folks are part of the largest generation--The baby boomers. You will cater to us and our money. You young whiper snappers will have to wait your turn. LOL

Guess I forgot to add that I'm a geezer, too, if turning sixty this years qualifies me to say that...and if we leave the young 'uns out, who's going to cater to our every whim?

I rarely camp without at least some of my descendants. I can't imagine having to get up and pour my own coffee, for example....isn't that what the younger generation's for? :B

Dog Folks wrote:
We old folks are part of the largest generation--The baby boomers. You will cater to us and our money. You young whiper snappers will have to wait your turn. LOL

I am not anti old people, I just look at these Rallies and see pictures of older folks and think, is this where I really want to go camping?