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The
purpose of our Chapter, from our Bylaws: "This Chapter
exists to promote social, recreational, and informational exchange
activities which provide for the enjoyment and pleasurable use of
family coaches". To me, these activities are rallies,
the Newsletter, the Directory, the CyberRally, and our Chapter web
page.
All of us get the Newsletters and the
Directory. Many thanks to the Publishing Committee, chaired by the
Newsletter Editor, Bob Lee, for a job well done. Many of us participate
in the CyberRally. Many thanks also to the Moderator Committee, chaired
by Chuck Campbell. You can join the CyberRally (if you are a Roadtrek
International member) by sending an e-mail with your full name, FMCA
number, and your e-mail address to: moderators@roadtrekchapter.org.
Harvey Tetmeyer, who is also a ModComm member, is our Chapter web
page editor - thanks, Harvey, for a great job. If you have not already
done so, check out the web page at: www.roadtrekchapter.org. Thanks
also to all the other volunteer officers and committee members for
their hard work.
That brings us to the main point of
this article - rallies. For Mary and I, rallies are the main reason
that we are, and will continue to remain, members of our Chapter.
Since our first rally in Jamestown, VA in April of 1998, we have attended
31 rallies. The Region 5 rally Feb 21-24, in Crystal River, FL, will
be number 32. We have made many lifelong friends at these rallies
and will continue to go to rallies as long as we are able. If you
have never been to a rally, you are missing the best benefit of Chapter
membership.
Check your Directory for policies/procedures
on rallies and also for guidelines for rally masters.
Rallies fall into three major categories:
Chapter rallies, "formal or sanctioned" Regional Rallies,
and "informal or spur of the moment" (Regional) rallies.
Let me emphasize that all Chapter members are encouraged to
attend any and all rallies/activities, regardless of whether they
are in your Region or not.
There are (normally) two Chapter rallies
each year, usually held just before or just after the two FMCA yearly
Conventions and usually within a one day drive of the Conventions.
These rallies last from 3 to 5 days, are usually very organized with
entertainment or tours, and have several catered meals. They include
an Executive Board meeting and a Chapter business meeting. The cost
for these rallies varies from $200 to $400 and the attendance is from
75 to 150 vehicle members. The sites and dates for Chapter rallies
are selected by the Executive Board a year or two in advance. Check
the Newsletter and the Directory for information on future Chapter
rallies. The rally master(s) for Chapter rallies are appointed by
the Chapter President. The rally master(s) are eligible for reimbursement
for the rally fee (subject to approval by the BFC). Chapter rallies
are always advertised first in the Roadtrek News. Chapter members
attending their first (Chapter) rally will be provided a name badge
compliments of the Chapter.
"Formal or sanctioned" Regional
rallies are held in each Region and should NOT be
held at or near the same time as a Chapter rally - there should be
"ample time" for members to attend both the Regional rally
and a Chapter rally. Rally masters are not appointed, but are volunteers.
Contact your Regional VP or me (or any officer) if you might be interested
in running a rally. These rallies can last for whatever amount of
time the rally master chooses (some "rolling rallies" or
caravans might last more than a week). The cost for these rallies
might vary from $75 to $300 with an attendance of 10 to 50 (or more).
The rally master(s) are eligible for reimbursement for the rally fee
(subject to approval by the BFC). "Formal" Regional rallies
are always advertised first in the Roadtrek News. Chapter members
attending their first (formal Regional) rally will be provided a name
badge to be paid for by the Chapter.
Attendees at Chapter and formal Regional
rallies are eligible to receive a $100 rally attendance award (10
given out each year).
"Spur of the moment" or "informal"
rallies (also Regional rallies) are usually less structured and can
be organized and held in just a few weeks and the number of attendees
can be 2 or more. These rallies can be "advertised" on the
CyberRally and/or the Chapter web page. Since not all members will
be aware of rallies advertised in this manner, the attendees will
not be entered in the drawings for rally attendance awards and badges
will not be furnished to first time attendees. Also, the rally master(s)
will not be eligible for reimbursement for the rally fee. Many "informal"
rallies will have no "rally fee" at all, but will just be
run on a "pay as you go" basis. They could be held at very
low cost, or no cost facilities, such as BLM lands or Corps of Engineer
facilities. The "theme" for these rallies could be tech
and show & tell sessions, as was the very successful Western Workshop
held in Quartzsite AZ in Early December 2002 (many thanks to Harvey
& Margie Tetmeyer for putting that one together). Contact your
Regional VP or me (or any officer) if you might be interested in running
a rally of this type.
If you have not yet attended a rally,
I urge you to do so. To check for rallies, look in this and future
Newsletters or on the web page or join the CyberRally. As mentioned
above, if you might be interested in running a rally, contact me,
your Regional VP or any officer. Mary and I hope to see you at a rally
in the near future.
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