Parliament Travel Club

By CHERIE ILG HAAS
Production Assistant

Who better to start an FMCA chapter for Parliament coach owners than RV enthusiasts Pat and Harvey Mitchell, L8382? Pat and Harvey own Parliament Coach Corporation, C5991, and have been in the RV business for a solid 30 years. And the couple isn’t new to forming chapters either — this is the second FMCA coach manufacturer chapter that they’ve led gracefully to success. (The other is FMC Club East.)

The Parliament Travel Club was chartered in March 2002, after the Mitchells invited their customers to discuss the possibility of a new chapter over dinner at FMCA’s “Southern Sensation” convention in Perry, Georgia. Everyone there recognized what a great opportunity it would be for fellowship with other owners. As a result, 32 families got the wheels turning. Now Parliament owners have numerous opportunities for camaraderie and relevant information exchange with each other and the company, especially considering the size of the chapter — it’s currently 116 members strong.

Parliament Coach Corporation hosts three factory-sponsored rallies each year. The next rally, in January, will be an open house, where RVers are invited to visit the Parliament factory in Clearwater, Florida. The actual rally will be held at Rock Crusher Canyon RV Resort in Crystal River, and will include lively entertainment, fun activities, and a product line tour featuring Parliament innovations.

Chapter president and charter member Richard Bell, F82080, said that in addition to the Parliament-sponsored events, the chapter also holds prerallies before FMCA’s international conventions. They typically include entertainment, dinners, a golf tournament, and always fellowship and fun.

One of the recent events was an “Options” rally. Members could choose to spend three days at a Parliament rally, and/or three days at a nearby Prevost rally. Since Parliaments are Prevost conversions, many members enjoyed going to both for the information available about the coaches. Although this was the chapter’s first Options rally, it’s sure not to be the last, as it proved to be very successful.

To join the Parliament Travel Club, FMCA members must own a type A coach, but it does not have to be a Parliament. Chapter dues are $35 per year and include a subscription to the “Parliament Press” newsletter. A “Mechanics Corner” column, rally registration forms, meeting minutes, and an informative letter from the editor are included in the newsletters, along with FMCA news.

According to Pat, the main benefits of joining are socialization and the fun of enjoying members’ shared interests. “The special friendships established during rallies or traveling together are some of the most precious benefits of motorhoming,” she wrote in a recent newsletter. On a broader outlook, Pat’s favorite aspects of Parliaments are the quality and user-friendliness of the coaches. For more information about Parliament Coach Corporation, visit the company’s Web site at www.parliamentcoach.com, which includes a link to Parliament Travel Club information.

If interested in joining the Parliament Travel Club, contact FMCA’s Chapter Services Department at (800) 543-3622; e-mail: chapters@fmca.com.