General Membership Minutes 8/20/09

Country Coach International General Membership Meeting
August 20, 2009
West Coast Class Reunion, Linn County Fair Grounds

Club President Ted Wright opened the meeting at 1:05pm with salute to the Flag of America and led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

President Ted introduced special members in attendance at this rally: Past President George Shallbetter and his wife Josie; Bob and Terry Lee, founders of Country Coach and Country Coach International. Ted introduced the board members and spouses: Treasurer Vern Meighen and Phyllis; Gary Wallstrom Northwestern Area VP and Pat, also the rally hosts at this event; newly appointed Rocky Mountain Area VP Joe Smith and Beverly; John Malabicky, Rally Sheriff and newly appointed Western Area VP (replacing Don Page who recently resigned) and his wife Juanita; Jane Jordan, Club Office Manager; Leslie Pearson, Club Office Assistant and CCI Board Member Sherry Fanning, Country Coach Liaison to the Club.

Ted recognized the ten active area clubs located throughout the country. Members were asked to stand when their club was mentioned. Ted recognized those Board members not in attendance at this rally: Danna Holmes, Secretary; Bob Yount, FMCA Nat’l Director; Jim MacGilvray, Midwestern Area VP; Jerry O’Connor, Past President; Lionel Johnson, Great Lakes Area VP; Wayne Cleveland, Eastern Area VP; Jack Hoadley, Northeastern Area VP; Jerry Keeton, South Central Area VP; Gary McConnell, Southeastern Area VP.

Ted welcomed everyone and recognized all club members in attendance. He asked club members to stand as he honored those who have been members of Country Coach International less than 5 years, 10 years, 15, 20 and more and gave his appreciation for their years of dedication to the club and reminded everyone of the importance of their membership.

Ted introduced Judy Keppler, FMCA National Vice President of Northwest Area. Judy presented a certificate and letter from FMCA to Country Coach International in recognition of the club’s 25th anniversary in 2009. The plaque will be on display in the club office.

Ted paid tribute to Blanche Miller a founding member who passed away this last December. In her honor, a video was shown that Country Coach had recorded of Blanche a few years ago when she could not attend an East Coast Reunion Rally.

Secretary’s Report: Jane Jordan, Club Office Manager, gave the Secretary’s report in Secretary Danna Holmes’, absence. It was moved and seconded that the minutes be accepted as read.

Treasurer’s Report: Vern Meighen submitted the current bank statement: Checking: $21,527.22; CD#1: $5,046.68; CD#2: 5,062.46; CD#3: $14,365.98; CD#4: $50,493.76; CD#5: $25,034.81; CD#6: $5,062.46 for a total of $126,593.37.

Ted addressed the subject of the new CCI website for all members to use, the topic of club dues and the need to retain and grow the club’s membership. Ted introduced Bill Vincent as the Rally Parking Chairman and commended him on a job well done. Ted reported on the club’s new office in Junction City and the new QuickBooks program being initiated as the club’s new method of membership management.

Club Report: Jane Jordan reported on her appreciation of the new club office and thanked Country Coach for their generous donations to the club office of equipment, furniture and professional staff support during and since the move to the new office. Jane thanked Gary Wallstrom and Vern Meighen for their assistance with the transition to the new computer and payroll system, and to President Ted Wright for initiating the club’s website. Jane introduced Leslie Pearson as the new club office assistant. Jane reported that we currently have over 2400 member families and offered the various methods for paying your annual renewal dues and for updating new contact information. Jane mentioned the various member benefits and the prospects of expanding those benefits in the near future. Jane reminded everyone of the additional benefits of their FMCA membership along with the company’s New Destination magazine published twice a year which includes a club section with informative club events and related reports.

Ted presented bouquets of roses to his wife Terry, Rally Team Member; Pat Wallstrom and Country Coach’s Sherry Fanning thanking them on behalf of the club for their dedication and contributions to this rally’s success.

Rally Report: Gary Wallstrom reported 146 coaches are in attendance at this rally. Gary introduced and thanked all the committees and chairpersons. He announced that next year’s West Coast Class Reunion is tentatively scheduled for August 25-29, 2010 at the Linn County Fairgrounds in Albany Oregon. Gary recognized the importance of First-Timers at a rally. First- Timer Jerry Summerlin was honored with a birthday cake and song.

Old Business: Ted reported on results of a survey mailed out to the club members in February. Of the 2600 surveys mailed out, over 800+ were returned. Some of the results of the survey included: Registration fees of $350-$400 per coach per rally were reasonable; 65% said one night of entertainment was ok; 1-2 open nights were welcome; 60% preferred two rallies per year; 90% requested a club website; 54% said a four day rally was preferable; 87% requested a club newsletter and a website with occasional e-blasts to members; 87% preferred buffets over plated meals to reduce costs and 70% said a women’s or men’s luncheon was not necessary; 97% wanted vendors; 97% also would like seminars; off-site venues were requested if they fit in the budget of the rally. The results of this survey have been incorporated into this rally.

New Business: Ted announced that he proposed and the Board of Directors has agreed to make changes to the territory for two of the Area VP territories for the purpose of a more even distribution of VP are coverage. These changes were to include Nevada in the Western Area Vice President’s territory and to add South Carolina to the Southeastern VP’s area.

Ted commented that the Combined Country Coach Area Clubs upcoming Fall Rally in Sevierville, TN sold out in three weeks. There is currently a waiting list. He is exploring the idea of a Combined Country Coach Area Clubs Rally in Florida next year, followed by a West Coast Combined Country Coach Area Clubs event in California’s wine country in 2011. Ted reminded members that they may locate area clubs contact information online at www.countrycoachclub.com within the area clubs section of the website by clicking on the area you are interested in.

Ted reported that after the Country Coach East Coast Class Reunion at Jekyll Island GA, scheduled for last March had been cancelled, an area dealer, Lazy Days RV in Florida, did offer a free rally for the registered attendees at their location. 16-18 coaches attended that rally. He thanked Lazy Days RV for doing this.

Ted closed by thanking all in attendance at the 23rd Annual West Coast Class Reunion and expressed high expectations for a great rally!

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:45pm.

Respectfully submitted by Jane Jordan, Club Office Manager
On behalf of CCI Board Secretary Danna Holmes

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