2016 Govering Board Summary from John Pangburn

Thanks to John Pangburn, below are the highlights from the the Governing Board Meeting at the FMCA International in West Springfield, MA. More posts will follow.

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The 2016 Governing Board meeting was called to order promptly at 9am by President Adcock. The usual housekeeping items, standing rules and assignment of various duties was completed and we were soon down to the business at hand. the treasurers report and standing committee reports were concise and to the point. I am pleased to tell you this is the first Gov.,Board meeting I have attended where the topic instead of doom and gloom reported positive gains in membership over loss. FMCA has shown positive numbers all of 2016 with the exception of Feb. 25% of the attendees aththis convention were new first time members. When Charlie Adcock became president the tone at that meeting was that when our reserves dropped to 3 million we would shut down as it would cost that much to close the doors. Our reserves today are just under 8 million. The youth activities committee requests we get more children and grandchildren involved. The youth that are here are kept on a busy schedule and here at the convention appear to be having a very good time.FMCA at the recommendation MCA our management advisory group had partnered with RVillage as social media group. The thinking was that that way to attract new members from the 50 and up group this is how to contact them best. There was a lot of discussion that the cost at $250,000 was excessive. The overall feeling of the gb was however positive. I think we all know even if we don't use it, the internet and social meida groups are here to stay and the younger people use them more than any other way to communicate. There is a dues increase coming effective Oct 1 2016. It is possible to renew for up to 5 years at the old rate up until then. Joan and I plan to do just that and advice all in our chapter to do the same. 

That is the general information from the meeting. I will, Lord willing, be a the Oct rally and bring my booklet if anyong would like to see the agenda, reports and my notes. 

John Pangburn, Fingerlakers Nat. director