ROCKWOOD WEST
NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2012
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:
This past week I realized, once again, how fortunate we are to live in California and Arizona. Hurricane Sandy and the it's aftermath caused more damage than any earthquakes and forest fires I can recall in our area. I urge all of you to donate what you can afford to an agency of your choice to aid in the relief efforts.
On a happier note, thank you to our chapter members who stepped up to host a rally in 2013. As you review the rally schedule below, the only month without a rally is February. If anyone is interested in hosting a rally then, please let me know.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and don't eat too much turkey and pumpkin pie.
Paulette
MEETING MINUTES:
Nevada Treasure RV Resort
Pahrump, NV
The meeting was called to order at 9:36 a.m. by president Paulette Kotan who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members present: Gerry & Lin Chetelat, Jim & June Cheshire, Nick & Ramona Escamilla, Russ & Pat Himmer, Lloyd & Wendy Holloway, Dennis & Paulette Kotan, Mac & Nita McAfee, Greg & Debbie Murrell, Rich & Linda Strobel, Bill & Sandy Vargo and Henry & Lucille Yanoff.
The hosts of the rally, Rich and Linda Strobel, were thanked for having the rally at such a nice RV resort.
A motion to approve the minutes as written in the blog was made by Ramona and seconded by Lloyd. The motion carried.
Treasurer's report: Balance on hand $2,527.04. A motion to approve the treasurer's report was made by Sandy and seconded by Nita. The motion carried.
National Director's Report: Lloyd reported that FMCA will no longer provide stipends for members who previously received them, only the officers will continue to get stipends, all other work will be done with all volunteers. Travel trailers and fifth wheels can be associate members at the local level but cannot vote in any FMCA function. This matter has been put to bed and will no longer be brought up for voting in the future. FMCA has done away with providing Sky-Med coverage. Only 17 people used it last year and the cost for FMCA to provide this benefit was approximately $300,000. If you want this type of coverage you can purchase it at a cost of $95 for an individual and $105 for a family. A person can now be an officer in two chapters with the exception of the national director or alternate director. As in the past, if neither can attend the governing board meeting the chapter may choose an alternate to attend in their place and must notify FMCA of the replacement. FMCA currently has 85,000 active members and 2,100 attended the last national convention. There was no decision regarding having two conventions each year or only one. The 2013 convention will be in Gillette, WY.
Nominating committee report: Ramona reported that she heard from no other members interested in running for office. Therefore, the slate of officers proposed in September are elected by proclamation. All members present approved election by proclamation. Debbie Murrell swore in the officers for 2013.
Old business: Wendy reported Bill Proett is selling his fifth wheel and will no longer be traveling. We wish our mascot good luck in the future. He will always be welcome in our chapter.
New business: Paulette asked who in the club follows the blog. It takes a lot of time to put the blog together and if no one in the chapter is interested in reading it and would rather go back to a newsletter by email or snail mail let her know. Nita asked whether the blog or newsletter is easier. It was agreed the blog contains all of the past rally information with the most current rally being listed first, therefor a blog is better. Hosting a rally was also discussed with the need for more participating in hosting rallies and members becoming future officers. Without joining in and participating this chapter will cease to exist. According to FMCA the chapter needs to have one rally per year to remain under their umbrella. Since we wish to promote ourselves as having fun, food and friendship it seems more than one rally would be nice.
Pat wanted to know how many were attending her rally in November and whether or not it should be cancelled. There were only 2 rigs signed up with another possible. A discussion ensued and all agreed not to cancel. If there were not enough for a quorum no meeting would be held but we could still have a good time.
Paulette will once again have a Christmas party for the chapter at her house on December 11th.
Nita provided information about the rally she and the DeAmbrogios will be hosting in Tombstone, AZ at the Tombstone Territories RV Resort in April.
There was further discussion regarding rallies, see rally schedule below.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Dennis, seconded by Linda. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 10:39 a.m.
Respectfully submitted by Lin Chetelat, secretary/treasurer
RALLY SCHEDULE:
November 9-11, 2012 Silent Valley Club, Inc., Banning, CA hosted by Russ and Pat Himmer
December 11, 2012 Christmas Party hosted by Dennis and Paulette Kotan
2013
January 9-13 WMHA Rally, Indio CA
January TBA Quartzsite, AZ Dome Rock area, organized by Greg and Debbie Murrell
March TBA hosted by Gerry and Linda Chetelat
April 5-8 Tombstone, AZ hosted by McAfee and DeAmbrogio
May TBA hosted by Nick and Ramona Escamilla
June 6-9 Castiac Lake RV Resort (Rockwood West 25th Anniversary celebration)
hosted by Dennis and Paulette Kotan
September TBA San Dimas RV park hosted by Henry and Lucille Yanoff
October 4-6 Nevada Treasure RV Resort, Pahrump, NV hosted by Strobel and Vargo
This is the week of the winery's grape stomp.
November TBA hosted by Holloway and Cheshire
WAGONMASTER'S REPORT:
We were blessed with absolutely beautiful weather for the entire week preceeding the rally and the rally weekend. The rv resort, Nevada Treasure, was a pleasure to work with and did everything possible to make our stay very enjoyable.
We arrived early on Saturday the week before the rally to welcome members as they arrived starting on Sunday to make it a leisurely week long vacation. Members arrived almost every day including Friday, the first official day of the rally. We had a total of 11 rigs and appreciate everyone's support on this somewhat distant location.
We started out the rally on Friday but instead of the usual heavy appetizers we all went to "Friendly Friday" at the Nevada Treasure cafe where they were serving baked potatoes with all the trimmings plus a salad.
Saturday morning we all enjoyed a hardy breakfast of eggs, sausage patties, pancakes and fruit. Lin helped with the eggs and Lloyd did a fantastic job with the pancakes. It's always nice when members jump in and help the wagonmasters, you are very appreciated.
Nevada Treasure RV Resort really welcomed us and gave us an extra site for all our get togethers. It was really nice to have a spot as everyone congregated there rather than in smaller groups.
Thanks to all who came out and we are looking forward to seeing you at many rallies in the future.
Rich and Linda Strobel
