The Red River Rovers

By CHERIE ILG HAAS
Production Assistant

Diversity makes life interesting.

And that includes life within small groups of friends, such as the Red River Rovers chapter. When members gather, activities range from enjoying museums and movies to potlucks and plays. But one aspect remains the same: each chapter rally is unique.

The chapter is named for the Red River, which separates the top of the Texas panhandle from Oklahoma. Its rallies typically take place within a 150-mile radius of Gainseville, Texas. Golfing, antiques shopping, and quilting are just a few more activities members have enjoyed at these rallies since the chapter formed in June 2001. Rally-goers are free to roam on their own, or stay with the group and participate in the loosely structured weekend. Chapter president Billy Idell, F281616, said, "We provide a framework, so people can do what they want." That framework is flexible enough to keep rally activities varied.

Technical seminars and craft seminars are presented at rallies. Attendees also enjoy local entertainment and games, but most of all they delight in the fellowship. "We just enjoy being together," Billy said.

Auctions are also popular rally pastimes, but not how you might assume. The Red River Rovers hold their own auctions to raise money for the chapter. Members donate RV-related items that they may not need anymore but that still are useful. Of course, "useful" can mean different things to different people, so the auctioneers have a lot of fun with the items for bid, making it a great time for everyone.

A bidding battle ensued at one auction when a lawn ornament inspired participants to continue raising the stakes until it sold for more than $130 -- surely a boon to the chapter's treasury. But other items haven't gone for nearly as much, such as one less-than-attractive bowl that was purchased for only 25 cents.

"Members are always looking forward to the next rally," said Billy's wife, Jeannette, chapter treasurer. She added that some folks are so eager for the fun to begin that they show up a couple of days early.

The Red River Rovers' rally schedule follows the Texas weather. They gather from March through June and again from September through December. As a result, they skip several months that might be uncomfortably cold or hot. Most rallies are held only on weekends, because many chapter members are still working, although some are retired.

Once a year, for a change of scenery, the chapter holds a weeklong rally that is outside of its scope. These rallies are nice, Jeannette said, and generally more relaxing, because chapter members don't have to worry about seeing everything at once.

The chapter is made up of approximately 40 RVers from all over Texas; FMCA members from Oklahoma are also welcome. The chapter has a technical committee, as well as a benefits committee that helps to keep chapter members up-to-date about FMCA member benefits. Lately the Rovers have been working on organizational details, but now that the chapter bylaws are written and other formalities are taken care of, they're looking forward to having fewer meetings and focusing more on enjoying casual recreation. "People told us the fun [in FMCA] is in belonging to a chapter," Jeannette said. "We thought we'd see what this was about. We haven't regretted it one time."

One notable aspect is the camaraderie they experience. "The friendships we've made are important," Billy said. One can see that even within the short time that this dynamic and evolving chapter has been in existence, close friendships have already formed. And that is what chapters are all about.

If you'd like to learn more about the Red River Rovers, call FMCA's Chapter Services Department at (800) 543-3622.