Message from board jan to july cmca

Page 1

January 2013

Message from the board

Vincent Moran, N14036

John Bennetts, q5331

Karen Griffin, q3960

The CMCA Board held its first full business meeting in November at NHQ. The Board now comprises Vincent Moran N14036 (Chairman), Karen Griffin Q3960, John Bennetts Q5331, Ken Kipping Q44763 and Keith Moxham V50766. Keith remains on leave of absence as he recovers from illness. We trust that Keith will be able to take up his duties in February at the next planned Board meeting. The Audit and Compliance, Remuneration, and IT committees were confirmed for the coming year. The financial accounts for the first quarter year to date were presented and approved, together with the budget for the coming year. We intend to publish regular, updated financial reports in The Wanderer in the near future, in order to give Members a greater understanding of our financial position. Government representation, marketing and communication, future Rallies and volunteer status, Member Advantages, website development and GeoWiki were discussed. The importance and contribution of the Chapter network continues to be recognised. The Board acknowledge the skills of Chapter members and wish to further utilise their talents for the benefit of all CMCA Members. MoTOURing Australia also held a meeting at CMCA NHQ in November. The vast numbers and strength of MoTOURing Australia are a tribute to the working alliance of the major RV clubs in the country which is supported administratively by CMCA. Its representation and formal submissions to various government agencies and departments are adding considerable strength to the protection of the RV consumers’ lifestyle. One of our main objectives is to maintain and improve our freedom of choice regarding commercial or non-commercial overnight accommodation, and the provision of safe travel for RV tourists. Negotiations with government authorities indicate a national acceptance of our Leave No Trace® Scheme. CMCA is regularly being approached by more and more councils, and other organisations which are making sites available for overnight parking for self-contained RVs. CMCA and MoTOURing are recognised as the consumer representatives for RV travellers through Australia. CMCA and MoTOURing submitted a detailed report to the Draft Queensland Tourism Strategy. Following the Queensland Government announcement of its intention to attract additional road based tourism to Queensland, relevant forums were held in Cairns, Townsville, Longreach and Barcaldine. Representatives of CMCA attended these meetings and the

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Board have briefed all State Reps on the submissions and desired outcomes. CMCA State Representatives also met at NHQ in November. Each State Rep submitted detailed reports of activities in their state. A list of your State Reps and a synopsis of their activities can be found on page 68. Future editions of The Wanderer will include State Representative Reports updating Members of developments in each state. As with all our volunteers, the Club is extremely grateful for their efforts in working to improve the calibre of our lifestyle and its experiences. Following professional advice, the Board have appointed an experienced bookkeeping service to oversee the Club’s financials. We are confident that this is a positive move for our administration and look forward to a continuing arrangement at the conclusion of their trial period. Your Board are focussed on managing the continuing growth of the CMCA Membership, Member retention, fiscal control, prudent decision making, and the enhancement and expansion of Member Advantages. There are exciting plans to develop RV touring routes which will provide the opportunity to enhance the travelling experience of our Members. The continued funding and installations of dump points remains high on our priorities and we continue to pursue the various state and local government bodies to partner our efforts with further grants. We have received Government funding for the 2012/13 financial year from Queensland $50,000, South Australia $25,000, and $100,000 New South Wales. The Board thank these state governments for their continued support. The improvement of communications with Members is high on our agenda for this year, as is continued work on GeoWiki, The Wanderer, The Wanderers’ Mate and the various newsletters that are regularly distributed for Members’ information. NHQ has now established individual CMCA Board email addresses. If a Member would like to contact a CMCA Board Director, we recommend the following addresses be used: vincentmoran@cmca.net.au karengriffin@cmca.net.au johnbennetts@cmca.net.au kenkipping@cmca.net.au keithmoxham@cmca.net.au The CMCA Board wishes you a very happy new year and we hope that 2013 is a happy and healthy one for you all. Laugh More - Live Longer®

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Feb 2013

Message from the board As we move into February and prepare for our first Board Meeting of 2013, it is appropriate to reflect on and define our plans and resolutions for 2013. New Year’s resolutions if you like!

The Board Your Board will commence the year by allocating time and resources to re-emphasise and update our already active strategic plans. We are fast approaching our 27th anniversary and there is a continued need for us to ensure that the Club, both Membership and administration, perform as a vital and live operation as we grow and mature.

Strategic Plan One of the first priorities is to put renewed thought and effort into our strategic plan. CMCA’s strategic plan must be a motivational document. It needs to: • encapsulate the vision and mission of the Club • promote the strategic direction in pursuit of excellence in whatever the Club does • provide a road map to facilitate the achievements of the Club’s objectives • be developed in consultation with staff, Board and Members (ideally in the first 3 months of 2013) • outline the Club’s strategic priorities and look to a horizon ending 2025 (encapsulating potential Members from Generation X and Y) • be designed with one objective in mind; to provide service excellence to all Members and stakeholders The initial focus, in terms of implementation, is the financial year 201314. The plan needs constant review and refining to meet changing needs, demands and expectations. Accountability is at its heart and outcomes are to be measured. It should: • reflect the Club’s strengths and culture • seek to strengthen the identity of the Club as foreshadowed by its founders • promote the proposition that each Member is not only being served but is supported in all facets of the Clubs offerings • ensure that management, staff and services adequately meet the demands of our growing organisation • plan for the future office accommodation necessary for the proper administration of the Club’s affairs

Mission Statement Review A remastered mission statement must reflect on the Club’s past and consider our present, but also look to possibilities of the future. It has become commonplace to observe that we’re living through an information and communication technology revolution, and Members and stakeholders are being profoundly affected by the nature and pace of change.

The Club’s Future The Club needs to change radically if it’s going to meet the needs of future Club Members and stakeholders. The environment the Club operates in today has changed and continues to change at an ever-increasing rate. The Club needs to become a sales/marketing driven organisation with administrative functions kept in the background. The reinvention is an ambitious agenda and possibly discomforting for some Members and/or staff. However, just as retailers, libraries, newspapers and the broadcast media are facing fundamental questions about their future, so too the Club must face similar questions. Nonetheless, new patterns of operating, new modes of servicing and communication are inevitable. The Club must begin to realise that services offered today most likely won’t meet the expectations

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• develop a system of Membership rewards e.g. for long term Membership, new Member introduction, innovative recommendation and/or objective suggestions • increase and broaden product discounts • review and recommend Membership fee adjustments • provide additions to current Member benefits • enhance the importance of Chapters and encourage volunteers

Sales/Marketing: • re-branding • shift from current view of Member/stakeholder value (static approach) to the changing landscape of Member/stakeholder relationships • new website design and layout incorporating ‘live’ imagery and much more • new communication tools including live web-chat, 1800 number, IT driven automated Member messaging system • review of The Wanderer magazine and publisher • ensure that The Wanderer’s Mate or its supplement meets the requirements of the majority of Members • review of current advertising rates i.e. printed and electronic media (Wanderer/website) • additional fair and exhibition attendance • new communication activities involving various social media facilities • cross marketing activities incorporating current and future stakeholders • Cmail based personal monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly messages, Email newsletter dispatch including quarterly financials available to interested Members Laugh More - Live Longer® Board of Directors

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of tomorrow. Over the past 26 years CMCA has established a good reputation as an RV Club with recognised strengths in providing services and benefits to its Members and stakeholders. While continuing to develop our strengths, in 2013-15 the main strategic priorities must be to improve: • Membership numbers • income and operating surplus • benefits to Members and stakeholders • relationships, services and communication • environment protection • relationships with government decision makers, reminding them that we are the consumers • legislation to incorporate freedom of choice camping • relationships with RV manufacturers, caravan parks, holiday parks etc. to our benefit • the LNT (Leave No Trace®) Scheme and promote it to Members and all levels of government • training and recruitment of staff and continue Board education • Club and brand awareness • local and state government support resulting in more grants and assistance • outsourcing of work to professional operations, where appropriate • management reports and budgeting • the security of reserves and continue to maintain those built up over many years by Boards and prudent management of Club revenue • IT environment, expertise and application • GeoWiki, making it a more efficient facility through update and re-invention

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March 2013

Message from the board

Vincent Moran, N14036

John Bennetts, q5331

Karen Griffin, q3960

CEO Appointment On February 25 the Board announced the appointment of a new CEO for the Club. The announcement read as follows: The CMCA Board is pleased to announce that Mr Rudi Fuhrmann has been appointed as CEO of CMCA, effective 1 February 2013. The Board is confident that with this appointment CMCA now has the leadership to build on its existing strengths and develop in the new directions that will ensure future sustainability and growth. Commenting on the appointment, Chairman Vincent Moran said, “The Board is very pleased that we’ve been able to attract Rudi to lead the CMCA through its next development phase. He has strong, proven senior management skills and held previously GM, MD, CEO and Executive Director positions in Europe, North America, New Zealand and Australia. There has been a pressing need to reorganise our administrative hierarchy to compensate for the loss of former CEO John Osborne, and then Graham Tricker as Operations Manager. Richard, as we all know, rose brilliantly to the task of covering all fronts and will always have the recognition, gratitude and admiration of the Board for his extraordinary efforts and accomplishments. However, the fact remains that to cover all aspects of the Club’s operations has now become beyond the reasonable capability of any single executive. The Club has experienced many changes in recent years and is still undergoing them, from the old ‘glass of wine under the gum tree’ organisation to its present level of sophisticated aspirations and objectives. It is important to the Board that we carefully preserve the attitudes of family and camaraderie that have always been the hallmark of CMCA, whilst at the same time we move with the times and meet the challenges of a modern corporate identity. We are confident that we have made an excellent choice of leader for the foreseeable future and have also established a plan of succession that will see the Club into the longer term.” The CMCA Management Team (pictured right) is now comprised of (top L-R) Rudi Fuhrmann, Colin Thompson, Richard Barwick, (bottom L-R) Elizabeth Dallen, Caroline Dando and Suzanne Murray.

Australia Day Honours Congratulations go to our Tasmania State Representative, Don Mackrill T16082, who received the Emergency Services Medal (ESM) in the Australia Day Honours List, 2013. The ESM is awarded for diligent long service to the community in

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hazardous circumstances, including in times of emergency and national disaster, in direct protection of life and property. Don previously received the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, 1990 and the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, 1994. Culminating in January 2013, he received his 45 year clasp to his National Medal for collective service in the Australian Defence Forces and emergency management functions within the emergency services. We commend Don on these remarkable achievements.

Disaster Relief News of recent fires in Tasmania and NSW, and floods in Queensland and northern NSW touched all of our hearts’ and our sympathies go out to all CMCA Members who have been affected. At least two Members lost their homes in the fires and, as we write this page, it is almost certain that more Members will have suffered in other areas. Members are asked to advise NHQ if they are aware of Club Members who may have been by affected by these disasters so that we can pass on our regards and sympathy. The Club will assist with generous donations to the appropriate appeals and Members who wish to help should do so through the Australian Red Cross www.redcross.org.au The Club is extremely proud of those Members who make up a large contingent of BlazeAid volunteers and who will be on the spot to help in these disaster zones. Members wishing to know more about BlazeAid and who may be interested in joining in their efforts should visit the website www. blazeaid.com.au, email blazeaid@gmail.com, or phone BlazeAid volunteer Lyn Bailey on 0400 833 262 or President Kevin Butler on 0418 530.

CMCA Friendlies Our 2010 Rest Area Research indicated that, on average, RV travellers stay in caravan parks one night in three. CMCA Members receive discounted accommodation from those CMCA Friendly Caravan Parks that are listed in The Wanderer’s Mate and should support welcoming caravan parks when possible. We should also utilise the facilities of our RV Friendly Towns and Destinations. Support those that support us! It is important for us to preserve our lifestyle and our right to exercise our freedom of choice. This freedom includes both commercial and non-commercial accommodation – our choice and our selection. Laugh More - Live Longer® Board of Directors

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April 2013

message from the board

Membership

CEO Chairman Vincent Moran N14036, Directors Karen Griffin Q3960, John Bennetts Q5331, Keith Moxham V50766 & Ken Kipping AM Q44763

Rallies and Chapters

Board Meeting

The bi-monthly Board meeting was held Membership at NHQ on 19 February and was the first time that a full complement of Directors had been present since Planning Meeting GeoWiki theStrategic AGM. Apart from the necessary formal procedures, it was also the initial meeting at which the new Club CEO, Rudi Fuhrmann, was present and Board Meeting was able to begin putting forward his early impressions and plans for the Club’s progress.

CEO

Rudi has quickly settled into his new role with the Club and is already making great strides in bringing about improvements, changes and plans for and Chapters theRallies Club. For instance, in order to support the Leave No Trace® Scheme, NHQ is developing a sustainability campaign entitled ‘I-Do’. Representations Leave No Trace® Scheme Although initially based at NHQ, the campaign will be designed to Strategic Planning Meeting GeoWiki incorporate all interested Club Members in the future. The ‘I-Do’ campaign Membership CEO is designed to help protect our environment with its aim to unite and make All but the most recent Members to join CMCA will be well aware of the a difference in the community. Sustainability is about social responsibility continuing growth that the Club has enjoyed over many years. and requires each participant to ‘live green’. Those involved in the ‘I-Do’ Communications Membership CEO While it is most gratifying, it is essential that we do not rest on our programme are asked to make one small change towards sustainability, Rallies and Chapters Board Meeting Representations Leave No Trace® Scheme laurels. Consequently, the Board intends to initiate a Membership drive allowing the environment to continue to flourish for future generations. to enlist new Members. Members who mayBilly’s have practical suggestionsGuide to Boiling Camping to Australia offer are invited to convey their thoughts to NHQ, either by post or email to Rallies and Chapters Board Meeting Strategic Planning Meeting GeoWiki enquiries@cmca.net.au Communications There is an obvious boost in Membership applications following the Rallies: The future Anniversary and National Rallies are in very interesting various trade shows where Club Members volunteer to man CMCA stands locations – Maryborough, Narrabri, Robinvale/Euston; with further plans Membership CEO and talk to the general public who attendStrategic these shows. Planning Meeting well advanced forGeoWiki New South Wales, then South Australia, followed by Traditionally we have attended the major shows in each state, but Western Australia. The latter are certainly still in the early stages, but are an Boiling Billy’s Camping Guide to Australia Representations No Trace® Scheme there are many other opportunities where we Leave would like to have Club indication of preferred locations put forward by Members. representation. We would be very grateful to Rallies Members who wouldChapters be Chapters: Now that 2013 is well under way, we hope that the new and Board Meeting prepared to offer their services in this regard. Please contact General Chapter committees are all ensconced and operating efficiently. The Representations Leave Noindicates Trace® Scheme Manager, Richard Barwick, at NHQ for more information. feedback to NHQ that this is so, while, of course, the officials who were re-elected are also content in their positions. Communications As this year progresses the Board are looking to work more closely with Strategic Planning Meeting GeoWiki Chapters, and their Presidents and Secretaries. When making representations It has been the Board’s custom, of recent Communications years, to hold strategic planning to various government authorities, the fact that we have such a widespread Boiling Billy’s Camping Guide to Australia sessions each half year or so. This procedure is continuing to provide the network of Chapters is always of vital importance. We must work to make Club with a clear definition of our progress and future outlook. more use of this wonderful asset to help in our efforts to reinforce the causes The Board, CEO and members of the NHQLeave executive No teamTrace® met inBoiling MarchScheme that are important to the Club and to our way of life. Representations Billy’s Camping Guide tochosen Australia to establish the Club’s 2013 – 2015 strategy. Combined Chapter meetings: The Tasmanian combined Chapter meeting Our objective is to create a comprehensive blueprint that outlines the was held in February. Director Ken Kipping attended as a guest and was Club’s overall strategic direction and future marketing plan, based on our made very welcome. Victoria’s meeting took place in March and Director current Membership and potential new Members from Generation X and Y. Keith Moxham was on site for that occasion. Of course, Queensland is well Communications We’re reviewing the Club’s mission, vision and values to best represent catered for with the Dam Fine rally and Christmas in July. Members are the needs of our Membership, taking into account the utilisation of urged to support these gatherings, where they will enjoy all the benefits of new technologies. camaraderie and the fun of belonging.

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May 2013

Message from the Board

Chairman Vincent Moran N14036, Directors Karen Griffin Q3960, John Bennetts Q5331, Keith Moxham V50766 & Ken Kipping AM Q44763

State Representatives March 18 saw a gathering of all the State Representatives in Brisbane. The main objective of this was to acquaint these tireless Club volunteer officials with the various political situations that the Club is facing in each state and the progress being made in putting our cause to the relevant authorities. The meeting was conducted in the format of a forum and all present contributed their points of view and listened attentively, absorbing the details of our position across the country. The Drive Tourism Report is being rolled out by the Queensland Department of Tourism. Ken Kipping and Gary Rebgetz, Queensland State Rep, were present at the recent meetings. These included the address and presentation by the Premier, Campbell Newman. Their update was supplemented by a report on the recent representations made in Tasmania by Ken Kipping and David Grace, the Club’s legal advisor. A great deal of emphasis must be put on the fact that Representatives, State Co-ordinators, or indeed any Club Members, must refrain from ever making statements on behalf of the Club to the media without first obtaining approval from Rudi or Richard at NHQ. Director, Ken Kipping, is the official spokesman for the Club and only in exceptional circumstances will the Chairman, another Director, CEO or GM speak on the Club’s behalf. It is important that there are no mixed messages conveyed to the public or authorities and this decision comes after receiving professional media advice. The meeting was very fruitful and the Board is extremely grateful to those representatives who must travel such long distances to come together for the benefit of us all.

Recognition The material that is now being tendered by our representatives in each state is making it apparent that CMCA and MoTOURing are being widely recognised as the voices of RV consumers throughout Australia. We are participating more and more in government inquiries and commissions across the country. Functions such as our RV Futures Forum at Boonah are helping to enhance our reputation and spread our message of freedom of choice. The Board plan to repeat exercises like this as opportunities present themselves.

years. In 2011 and 2012, we had employed the services of an independent professional facilitator in the form of a highly qualified and acclaimed consultant. This year, with the inclusion of both Rudi and Richard, and chaired by Vincent Moran, we worked on our past performance and our future goals with a very satisfactory result. The nature of our considerations ranged widely and encompassed: • Developing a mission and vision statement and defining our values/spirit • Summarising the NOW state • What company are we in? • What are our distinguishing features and our competitive advantages? • What are our biggest opportunities? • What are the biggest risks we face? • What is our competitive situation? • What are our business drivers? • Our Membership situation • Our innovation strategy • Brainstorming the future state/goals • CMCA in today’s world and in the future • Future revenue planning • Future marketing and promotion • Our growth strategies and timelines • Future NHQ structure and operations • The Board’s future qualifications and training The exercise resulted in a much greater understanding of plans and aspirations. This is a great Club and a big business that must be conducted in the most professional manner possible. Strategy planning sessions such as this are paramount to our continued good governance, growth and the provision of Member benefits.

RVFTs Whilst the opportunities to add new RV Friendly Towns and Destinations continue to be assessed by our NHQ staff, we have also undertaken an audit of towns that are already accredited as RVFTs. This process has been commenced in Victoria and will continue throughout each state to ensure that all accredited towns and destinations meet our criteria. Member advice and co-operation will be most appreciated.

The Board For two days following the State Representatives meeting, the Board continued to review, plan and expand our Strategic Plan for the immediate future and several years to come. The meeting began with a review of our progress following similar functions that had taken place in the last two

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Whilst some delay has been experienced in the production of the specially designed envelopes to contain the LNT membership certificates, these are now almost to hand and will be distributed promptly. Already, some councils

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June 2013

Message from the Board

Chairman Vincent Moran N14036, Directors Karen Griffin Q3960, John Bennetts Q5331, Keith Moxham V50766 & Ken Kipping AM Q44763

Board Election

Membership Drive

In The Wanderer last month, nominations were called for the two vacancies that will exist on the CMCA Board of Directors come the AGM in Narrabri in October. Karen Griffin is coming to the end of her term and is not eligible to stand again. Her fellow Directors will be sorry to see her depart, however, there is little doubt that Karen will continue to be an enthusiastic advocate for the continuing growth and development of CMCA. She has been an integral part of Club life and operations for over fifteen years and we anticipate that she will continue her interest with the same degree of enthusiasm. Ken Kipping, whist being a relatively new Director with one term under his belt, continues to work tirelessly at all levels of government in his pursuit for recognition of the Club as the responsible voice of Australian RV consumers. We trust that Ken will see fit to nominate himself for re-election and that he will be successful. The notice in The Wanderer prudently points out the legal and constitutional responsibilities and duties of company directors. These responsibilities are significant and, whilst they are generally well understood by some CMCA Members, it is imperative that all new Club Directors attend the appropriate Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) course to ensure they are fully aware of the risks and liabilities that may affect them or the Club. At the same time, any new Directors must have a first rate understanding and feeling for the Club, its Members and our chosen lifestyle. This can only be achieved by experiencing the camaraderie and fellowship Club life provides on the road. We recommend that the following questions be answered by each applicant, as part of their 500 word statement. What is your current involvement in the CMCA? What qualifications and/or experience do you possess that are relevant to the position of Board Director? What other qualities would you bring to the role of Board Director? What aspirations do you have for the CMCA? Are you passionate about CMCA as a Club? Members are asked to look amongst their friends and associates and urge suitable CMCA Members to nominate, so as to give Members the widest possible choice of candidates. We do remind nominees that Directors of CMCA are unpaid volunteers. Nomination forms and information packs are available from NHQ, phone 02 4978 8788, or on the Club website www.cmca.net.au The closing date for nominations is 12 noon on Friday June 14.

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A number of Members do not receive their copy of The Wanderer until it is forwarded to them on the road, sometimes months later. The Wanderer is the official communication tool of the Club and, as such, contains current information to keep Members updated. All Members should be aware that The Wanderer is also published on the Club website at www.cmca.net.au/wanderer at the same time as it is posted by mail. Therefore, any Member with access to the internet can always be kept up to date with the latest edition of The Wanderer.

GeoWiki Progress on GeoWiki continues with a new set of user guidelines now released and available from the GeoWiki ‘Which Search’ page. The Chapter GeoWiki representative network is growing fast and this will allow Members to get help with GeoWiki at any Chapter meeting across Australia. There is also a lot of work being done by the GeoWiki team to ensure the data is as accurate and complete as possible. Alongside the development of a more user friendly interface and improved data quality, the team is building a self-help tutorial that will contribute to GeoWiki’s ease of use and ensure it is more accessible to Members who may currently be apprehensive about trying it. We ask Members to contribute to the database by entering new information directly into GeoWiki, or by sending an email with the details to geowiki@cmca.net.au and the GeoWiki team will do whatever they can to assist you.

Representation Promoting the Club’s belief in freedom of choice in where we stop and stay is an unwavering commitment for CMCA; whether it’s caravan parks, low cost camp grounds or freedom camping at idyllic locations. Our activities this past month have included high level government talks in Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia. This activity

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The Board has approved a new Membership drive, as advertised in the May and June editions of The Wanderer. Until June 30, 2013 the joining fee will be waived for all new Members, so get cracking and urge your friends to join now.

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July 2013

Message from the Board

Chairman Vincent Moran N14036, Directors Karen Griffin Q3960, John Bennetts Q5331, Keith Moxham V50766 & Ken Kipping AM Q44763

With 916 vehicle registrations and 1,635 CMCA Members in attendance, the Maryborough Rally may not have exceeded record numbers but it certainly qualified as one of the happiest Rallies. The unusually large number of letters and calls of congratulations were very much appreciated by John and Marion Hartnett Q15639 and their volunteer team. These accolades were well deserved as the team ran a smooth operation that included a number of new and innovative Rally features. At both major Rallies each year, the Board hosts a Forum for Chapter presidents and secretaries. At Maryborough, this function was attended by nearly 100 office bearers, representing 50 Chapters. The notes from this Forum are distributed to each Chapter, to be disseminated to their individual members. Following are some brief notes from that Forum and the question and answer section.

Chapter Forum – Maryborough 1 May 2013 commencing at 10:30am CMCA Chairman, Vincent Moran, welcomed all Chapter representatives and thanked them for attending. Vincent undertook the role of MC for the meeting and introduced his fellow Directors and other speakers. He asked those who responded to the RSVP to stay after the meeting to receive a token of appreciation. After outlining details of the Forum and emphasising that the meeting involves Chapter issues not Membership issues, Vincent pointed out that Chapters represent about 20% of the CMCA Membership and were a vital part of the Club’s life and activities. Assistance from Chapters was requested in the audit of RV Friendly Town™ compliance and dump points. Vincent then introduced the following speakers:

Keith Moxham – Director Keith spoke about several issues that are on the agenda for the Board’s attention in the immediate future. These include solving the legal issues that, to date, have inhibited the Club’s development of Member specific facilities such as a POPP (park on private property) scheme, and low cost Club controlled camping grounds. Keith referred to the New Zealand model and mentioned both the similarities and differences to the situation in Australia.

Bruce Reimers Q45236 – GeoWiki Bruce spoke about the GeoWiki update, pointed out that there are currently 8,500 sites on GeoWiki, and improvements are well in hand but are part of an ongoing project. He also mentioned that a more user friendly interface is a prime objective, technical assistance is readily available to Members, and his team is developing a video tutorial that will be distributed

through the Chapter network. The GeoWiki help desk at this Rally was an outstanding success.

Rudi Fuhrmann – CEO Rudi welcomed discussion with Members on a range of issues and stressed that these discussions must be based on fact not fiction. He stated that CMCA is the 6th largest organisation of its type in the world and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Rudi mentioned that the largest RV manufacturer is Jayco with 50% of the caravan market, and 30% of the campervan/motorhome market. Second is Winnebago, now known as Avida, who have 30% of the campervan/ motorhome market. It is clearly evident that five or six RV manufacturers share and control approximately 75 to 80% of the Australian market. The campervan/motorhome market and the caravan market declined by 30 to 40% and 15 to 20% respectively after the GFC. The campervan/motorhome and caravan market ratio is 20:1 in favour of caravans. Rudi then discussed the Leave No Trace® (LNT) Scheme and the need to encourage growth in this area. This includes seeking assistance from Chapters to encourage Members with self-contained vehicles to apply for accreditation. Three points of verification will be displayed on the new card; vehicle registration, club Membership number, and expiry date. It was issued and distributed to accredited Members in a plastic sleeve during the month of May.

Ken Kipping – Director and Government Liaison Ken requested audience feedback and commented that we need to hear from the ‘troops’ as you are the ones on the ground; we need you to be involved. Our Chapters know their local situation better than anyone outside their area. They should be able to provide valuable assistance to our Member Services Team by helping to audit the local RVFTs and dump points, and by advising NHQ of opportunities to improve the Club’s presence and facilities in their areas. He emphasised the importance of supporting the people and towns that support us. Ken reiterated the importance of our environmental credentials through our LNT Scheme. Government and bureaucrats alike respect the accreditation, and the fact that we are environmentally responsible travellers who love and respect our country. He mentioned that the CMCA Board have met with the National Board of the Caravan, RV & Accommodation Industry of Australia Ltd (CRVA) with approval and encouragement from government. The aim was to see what we have in common and how we could work together for the betterment of all parties, both travelling consumers and businesses. The Club is continuing


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