Election results
On Aug. 15 during FMCA’s international convention in Minot, N.D., the following national officers were elected to represent FMCA for 2005-2007.

• President: Don Moore, F154921
• Senior Vice President: Connie Pool, F140306
• Secretary: Ginger Painter, F23514
• Treasurer: Jim Kern, F63208

In addition, two new FMCA area vice presidents, elected earlier this year by mail ballot, took office in Minot:

• Donzella Leahy, F234822, Northwest Area
• Jay Blumenthal, F230605, International Area Vice President

Campground discounts
FMCA continues to team with Passport America to provide campground discounts. Passport America members receive 50 percent off the regular nightly rates at participating campgrounds in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In 2005 Passport America had more than 1,300 participating campgrounds.

FMCA members who are not currently Passport America members can join for $39 for one year, $69 for two years or $99 for three years. An enrollment form appears on page 61 of the September 2005 issue of FMC magazine.

For more information about the discounts and benefits available to FMCA members who join Passport America, or to renew your Passport membership, visit www.passportamerica.com or call (800) 681-6810.

Life-saving device at conventions
FMCA has purchased an automated external defibrillator (AED) for use at international conventions. The AED is a machine that analyzes the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, tells the operator to deliver a shock to a victim of sudden cardiac arrest.

The device will be maintained at FMCA’s Round Bottom Road facility when not at conventions.

Use of FMCA’s campground
FMCA’s national office campground in Cincinnati is available to members traveling through town. The campground is located behind the Round Bottom Road office building, which houses the Member Services department, the Mail Forwarding operations, and storage facilities.

It has 15 full-hookup sites for members to use free of charge. All sites are on paved surfaces. Maximum stay limit: two days per month.

Members should always call ahead before arriving at the campground. Occasionally, it is occupied by FMCA chapters holding rallies or, during the May and November meetings, by members of the Executive Board and various FMCA committees. So, call ahead before visiting.

FMCA members may tour the main FMCA office building on Clough Pike as well as the Round Bottom Road office when they are in town. Members should not drive their motorhomes to the Clough Pike office, as its parking lot cannot accommodate them.

For more information about using FMCA's campground or touring the offices, call (800) 543-3622 and ask for the Member Services department.

To take a virtual tour of Clough Pike and Round Bottom Road facilities, go to www.fmca.com/about and click “Virtual tour.”

Message Service update
Utilization of FMCA’s Traveler’s Message Service has drastically decreased because of the popularity of e-mail and cell phones. The system that supports the service relies on older equipment, and FMCA’s Executive Board has determined that it would not be cost-effective to replace or repair it when it ceases to function.

If the system fails, the service will need to be immediately discontinued, without further notice to users. So, all current users should be prepared to use another method of communication.

Meanwhile, you are welcome to continue to use this service, but be aware that there will be no way to gain access to messages when the equipment stops working.

FMCA appreciates the cooperation of members who are using this service.