Thursday, August 27, 2009

Note of Thanks

Dear fellow members,

Sandy and I want to extend our thanks for your thoughts and well wishes during my father's recent illness. While his passing was a very difficult time for us, knowing we were in your prayers was very comforting. We look forward to seeing you all very soon.

Sandy and Rick Hahn

Monday, August 24, 2009

Winchester Rally Registration


Click on the image to print out the Winchester Rally Registration.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Carmel Corn Recipe

CARAMEL CORN
Submitted by Ernie Clashman

1 8 oz pkg. puff corn (Mikesels or Seyfert)
2 sticks butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white karo
1 tsp baking soda

In sauce pan, heat butter, brown sugar and Karo.Cook at a rolling boil for 2 minutes. Add baking soda. It WILL foam. Pour over puffed corn. Mix well. Put on a bakingsheet and bake at 250 degrees for 30 - 40 minutes. Stir every 10- 12 minutes. Spread on wax paper to cool.

A Note of Thanks

The newsletter editor received this note of thanks from one of our new members, and it is worth printing. Take a look.

Al,
George and I want to thank the larger H.C. group, but unsure whether to use the H.C. address given in the newsletter, I am starting here. We had such a nice time, meeting so many warm and welcoming people at this past weekend's rally! We just wanted to write to thank all of you for extending that hand of welcome to us! The food was wonderful, the planning top notch, the tent the best, and the opportunities to participate in the fun, delightful! Ed Creighton put it best when he said that he came in part to see the things he had never visited; in spite of living here all of his life. The work that was done to produce such a smoothly run weekend must have been enormous, so we thank you and Cheryl, and all who made it happen.

Karleen

Monday, August 10, 2009

Nominations for 2010 Officers


The following slate of officers was accepted at the August business meeting. Voting for the 2010 officers will take place at the Muncie Rally. The club thanks Dave Griffey, Dick Schumaker, and Mae Stevens who served on the 2009 Nominating Committee.


Slate of Nominations
Pres.- Greg Wessel
Exec. Vice. Pres. - Rick Hahn
Sec. - Sandy Hahn
Treas. - Cassie Lisle
N. Vice. Pres. - Roseanne Gardner
Cent. Vice. Pres. - Duane Stoner
S. Vice. Pres. - Lloyd Harding
Nat. Dir. - Bettie Wessel
Alt. Nat. Dir. - Jerry Hardacre

2010 Nomination Committee
Carl Wilt
Steve Lisle
Betty Tilmann
The club appreciates those person who are willing to serve in the needed leadership roles. Thank you!





Having Fun in Warsaw



Alan and Cheryl Schmiedt along with their assistants, Carl and Suze Wilt, and Denny and Linda Filson organized a fun filled rally. The afternoon "Happy Hours", were well attended with excellent food prepared by the attendees.



One of the first tours was to Splendor Boats. At this plant members were shown the advantages of a twin hull design in fiberglass boats. The grandfather who had founded the company worked with his grandchildren who today run the daily operations.






As you can see the robots spray the materials needed to make the hull of a boat.






The Hoosier Cruisers caravanned to the little town of Silver Lake. They visited a carpenter shop where wooden utensils are made. Whetstone Woodenware is shipped all over the world. It was facinating to watch the items actually being made.




The members made another stop at the Lawrence Bell Museum which contained many items associated with the development of the helicopter and other aviation items.



On Saturday, rally goers participated in a scavenger hunt in the antique shops of Pierceton. What fun discovering treasures from the past. After returning to camp prizes were awarded with Pat Kerns winning a hardwood cutting board in the shape of the state of Indiana.




One of the first timers pitched right-in and scooped ice cream for those members with a "sweet tooth".








Not that it was rigged, but one of the Hardacres' granddaughters drew the winning ticket for the 50/50 drawing and guess who won? Jerry Hardacre.






The day ended with a storyteller sharing stories about people in Kosciusko County. Her tales kept the audience captivated.


If you missed this rally, don't miss another. The September rally will be held in Muncie beginning September 17th, and the club will be celebrating 35 years as an FMCA Chapter.
Ernie Clashman submitted this picture of men attending the seminar on slideout maintenance.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

National Director Report 2009

Hoosier Cruisers
2009
Governing Board Report

The meeting started at 9:00 AM with 422 out of 501 Chapters represented making up 84% of the voting members present, thus establishing a quorum.
After the minutes were approved, Treasurer Doug Key took the floor to give his report.
Last year FMCA has lost $907,000.00.
Commercial Revenues have been $5.7 million between 2005 and projected 2010.
In 2009 there has been a reduction of $6 million. It will take an increase of 160,000 new members to replace that revenue.
We have gone from 128,800 members in 2004 to the present membership as of July 30, 101,823 members. We have suffered a loss of 21% membership since 2004.
There are 3 major revenues:
1. FMC magazine advertising
2. Membership dues
3. Conventions

The magazine advertising has dropped $4.8 million over the last 4 years.
The Membership has dropped considerably, therefore creating a drop in revenue.
The convention attendance has dropped making it harder to cover the cost of fixed expenses for conventions.
Since June 30 of this year the bills have been paid out of our investment reserves.
There were 3 basic Budget Goals:
1. Protect FMCA Core Values (Family Fun)
2. Protect FMCA Core Benefits
3. Temporarily suspend costs/programs until FMCA’s financial condition recovers.
The Executive Board made several budget cut proposals for the governing board to vote on.
After much discussion, several proposals past, and several others were defeated.
The biggest item and most discussion involved Medex.

Medex has gone from $1.50 per member in 2004 to $4.75 per member in 2009. The Executive board felt this is too expensive for today’s economy. The total cost is $518,000.00 per year. The executive board gave Medex a notice of intent to terminate as of January 1, 2010. This would give the board a chance to re-negotiate the contract or search for another company. Medex is not an insurance company and is not under federal regulation to give financial reports to its customers.
Because Medex is the biggest new member recruiting benefit tool, the governing board voted 227 to 187 to keep Medex in the budget, therefore the payment will have to come from the reserve funds.
We ended up with a deficit of $900,000.00 which will have to come from the reserves.
It was moved that a committee of 5 (no more than 2 Executive Board members) and such committee shall present its findings to the Executive board meeting in November 2009 and those be brought to the Governing Board meeting in Redmond – August, 2010. Motion passed.
There was a proposal made to raise the Dues $5.00 from the present $35.00 to $40.00 per year. The motion past by a vote of 198 “for” and 175 “against.” Members need to be notified 120 days before the voting letter come to the National Directors for a vote. Please notify me as to your vote on this matter before October 15, 2009. JHard1138@Gmail.com or 1905 Winding Way, Anderson, In 46011 or 765-644-2166.

Personal Note: This puts even more emphases on each member to bring in new members. 65% of the new members are recruited by the membership. We need to increase our efforts and bring in more members.

The elections of National Officers were then held and the results were.
President-----------Charles Schrenkel F140050
Sr. Vice President-Judy Czarsty F79148
Secretary ----------Joanne Durbin F76454
Treasurer----------Will Young F207019

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
This was one of the longest Governing Board meetings in the history of FMCA.

Submitted by
Jerry L. Hardacre
National Director

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Celebrating 35 Years - September Rally

The Hoosier Cruisers will be celebrating 35 years as an FMCA Chapter. This event will take place in Muncie, Indiana, at the fairgrounds. The September Rally is scheduled for September 17th through September 20th. Complete the rally form below or the form in your newsletter and send to:

Bob Kern
2108 E. CR 700 N.
Muncie, IN 47303


Cheese Dip


The Lou Ann Orman's cheese dip recipe was requested at the International Rally in Bowling Green, OH.


Cheese Dip
submitted by Lou Ann Orman

2 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese (softened)
1/3 cup beer or nonalcoholic beer
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
Small pretzels

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, beer and dressing, mix until smooth. Stir in cheese. Serve with pretzels. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield 3 1/2 cups.
(This makes a thick dip)