Eastern Area Motorhome Association Workshop Notes 21 May 2026
Gary Lyons called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. with the following people in attendance:
Berkley Alexander
EA Treasurer
Brian Parnes
EA Senior Vice President
Carol Graham
Friendly MD Travelers National Director
Clarissa Sherrow
EA Northern Regional VP
Dana Kromash
Capitol Alternate National Director
Diane Mierzwa
Capitol National Director
Douglas Graves
Elizabeth River Going Strong National Director
Dwellion Howard
Foothills Travelers President
Gary Bowman
Dixie Travelers President
Gary Lyons
EA President
Gillian Raye
Penn Coachmen National Director
Glenn Himes
Allegheny Mountain President
Jeff Hughes
Over the Mountain
Joe Kromash
Capitol President
John Marano
Carolina Drifters National Director
Len Mierzwa
Capitol Vice President
Michael Keith
Foothills Travelers National Director
Mike Smalley
EA Southern Regional VP
Nancy Craig-Pierce
Over the Mountain President
Paul Williams
Mid-South Roadrunners Secretary
Phyllis Britz
EA Past President
Richard Ziegler
Colonial Virginians President
Robbi Perry
Carolina Pelicans President
Steve Raileanu
EA Central Regional VP
Steve Tessier
Bay Travelers President
Sue Cipa
Penn Coachmen President
Tim Keppler
EA Webmaster
Gary opened the meeting with a brief update on Results of the Eastern Area President election in 2026: Nancy Pierce will assume the position of Eastern Area President at the Annual Meeting on July 3, 2026
Information Technology Update
Tim Keppler provided an update of recent conversations with the Family RV Associate (FRVA) Information Technology team noting there are effectively two websites operated by FRVA: the “Black and Orange” site with FRVA program and events information and the Member Dashboard. While most of the information has been migrated, some of the Chapters still do not have Rally information posted.
Going forward, FRVA’s priority is the development of a banking application which will store credit card information across the Chapter, Area and National platforms so members will not have to re-enter data with each purchase. This will allow Areas to process Rally registrations without having to go through National.
Gary encouraged Chapters to review member lists and Chapter descriptions for accuracy and forward any changes to the Chapter Services team. Sue Cipa stated Chapters are now able to update much of their member information directly into the dashboard. Gary also asked Chapter Presidents to send out the Horizon login procedures to members so they may review and update outdated or missing information.
Annual Meeting
Currently there are 379 members registered for FRVA’s 113th International Convention & RV Expo in Sedalia, Missouri. Gary advised the attendees that the program/schedule of events are tentatively scheduled to be released in late May. Chapters are reminded to identify National Directors and Alternate National Directors attending the Sedalia Convention in July.
There are three national Bylaw changes proposed. These changes can be found on the FRVA website under the Governing Board tab.
Article XVII, Chapters (2), (3), (5), (7), and (14) Full chapters to require only 7 members; Associate chapters eliminated; Chapter President may serve as alternate ND if none elected.
Article III (3)(1) Associate members’ dues paying, same rights as full member
Article VII (8) Quorum = 25% of voting members or 75 members from voting chapters
Gary polled the group on whether they have reviewed the changes. Consensus among participants was that they are supported. As of 18 May, 95 of the 123 FRVA Chapters are represented at Sedalia; 15 of the 24 Eastern Area Chapters will be represented. If there a quorum is not reached at Sedalia FRVA will conduct the vote by mail-in ballots.
FRVA Updates
Gary announced that the FRVA accepted on offer for the sale of real estate at the Clough Pike location which is expected to close later this Summer. FRVAs move to the Round Bottom location will take place in 2027.
Gary also mentioned that the Executive Board meetings may be opened to all members via MS Teams. Meeting links will be posted on the FRVA website under the Governance > Meeting Calendar
Observations from chapter newsletters
Tim Keppler lead a discussion on ideas for Chapter recruiting and marketing. He noted that several chapters have waived initial dues or waived dues for chapter membership. Nancy Pierce described how the Over the Mountain Chapter accepts donations to offset the cost of group activities in lieu of annual membership fees. Sue Cipa, Penn Coachman, noted that some Chapters have an excess of funds in reserve and are seeking ways to spend down their accounts either by purchasing Chapter equipment or through donations to local charities. Tim encouraged others to share information so it can be posted on the EA FRVA website.
Recruiting and Retention
Nancy Pierce discussed a survey conducted by the Recruiting and Retention Committee. The survey asked people to rank which elements of FRVA provided the most satisfaction to FRVA members. Preliminary results of the survey gathered at the 112th International Convention & RV Expo at Perry Georgia indicated that Friends and Fellowship and Chapters were the highest ranked. As part of the National Committee effort FRVA regions will request members to complete the survey at their respective annual rally. Since EA will not hold GEAR in 2026 the survey will ne posted on the EA Website. Chapter Presidents are urged to have members to complete the survey.
Ambassador Program
The EAMA Senior Vice President, Brian Parnes, provided a brief overview of the materials recently forwarded to the group on the Eastern Area Ambassador Program for review and comment. Since a number of the attendees had not received or had a chance to fully review the information the materials will be posted on EA Website for ease of access. Look under the AREA Menu for the menu item named “EAMA May 21”. Brian recommended a committee be established to advance the Ambassador Program. Gary stated that the Board will revisit this topic during the June meeting. All areasked to review the proposal and provide input directly to Brian.
Closing Comments
GEAR 2027 is scheduled for 4-10 October 2027 at the State Fair of West Virginia, in Lewisburg, WV
Next Workshop: June 18th at 7:30 and will be a final discussions on Annual meeting issues.
The meeting concluded at 8.58 p.m.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
These documents below were sent by Brian Parnes for that meeting. Please provide feedback to him via this link below:
EAMA – May 21 meeting notes and document links
Eastern Area Motorhome Association
Workshop Notes
21 May 2026
Gary Lyons called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. with the following people in attendance:
Gary opened the meeting with a brief update on Results of the Eastern Area President election in 2026: Nancy Pierce will assume the position of Eastern Area President at the Annual Meeting on July 3, 2026
Information Technology Update
Tim Keppler provided an update of recent conversations with the Family RV Associate (FRVA) Information Technology team noting there are effectively two websites operated by FRVA: the “Black and Orange” site with FRVA program and events information and the Member Dashboard. While most of the information has been migrated, some of the Chapters still do not have Rally information posted.
Going forward, FRVA’s priority is the development of a banking application which will store credit card information across the Chapter, Area and National platforms so members will not have to re-enter data with each purchase. This will allow Areas to process Rally registrations without having to go through National.
Gary encouraged Chapters to review member lists and Chapter descriptions for accuracy and forward any changes to the Chapter Services team. Sue Cipa stated Chapters are now able to update much of their member information directly into the dashboard. Gary also asked Chapter Presidents to send out the Horizon login procedures to members so they may review and update outdated or missing information.
Annual Meeting
Currently there are 379 members registered for FRVA’s 113th International Convention & RV Expo in Sedalia, Missouri. Gary advised the attendees that the program/schedule of events are tentatively scheduled to be released in late May. Chapters are reminded to identify National Directors and Alternate National Directors attending the Sedalia Convention in July.
There are three national Bylaw changes proposed. These changes can be found on the FRVA website under the Governing Board tab.
Gary polled the group on whether they have reviewed the changes. Consensus among participants was that they are supported. As of 18 May, 95 of the 123 FRVA Chapters are represented at Sedalia; 15 of the 24 Eastern Area Chapters will be represented. If there a quorum is not reached at Sedalia FRVA will conduct the vote by mail-in ballots.
FRVA Updates
Gary announced that the FRVA accepted on offer for the sale of real estate at the Clough Pike location which is expected to close later this Summer. FRVAs move to the Round Bottom location will take place in 2027.
Gary also mentioned that the Executive Board meetings may be opened to all members via MS Teams. Meeting links will be posted on the FRVA website under the Governance > Meeting Calendar
Observations from chapter newsletters
Tim Keppler lead a discussion on ideas for Chapter recruiting and marketing. He noted that several chapters have waived initial dues or waived dues for chapter membership. Nancy Pierce described how the Over the Mountain Chapter accepts donations to offset the cost of group activities in lieu of annual membership fees. Sue Cipa, Penn Coachman, noted that some Chapters have an excess of funds in reserve and are seeking ways to spend down their accounts either by purchasing Chapter equipment or through donations to local charities. Tim encouraged others to share information so it can be posted on the EA FRVA website.
Recruiting and Retention
Nancy Pierce discussed a survey conducted by the Recruiting and Retention Committee. The survey asked people to rank which elements of FRVA provided the most satisfaction to FRVA members. Preliminary results of the survey gathered at the 112th International Convention & RV Expo at Perry Georgia indicated that Friends and Fellowship and Chapters were the highest ranked. As part of the National Committee effort FRVA regions will request members to complete the survey at their respective annual rally. Since EA will not hold GEAR in 2026 the survey will ne posted on the EA Website. Chapter Presidents are urged to have members to complete the survey.
Ambassador Program
The EAMA Senior Vice President, Brian Parnes, provided a brief overview of the materials recently forwarded to the group on the Eastern Area Ambassador Program for review and comment. Since a number of the attendees had not received or had a chance to fully review the information the materials will be posted on EA Website for ease of access. Look under the AREA Menu for the menu item named “EAMA May 21”. Brian recommended a committee be established to advance the Ambassador Program. Gary stated that the Board will revisit this topic during the June meeting. All areasked to review the proposal and provide input directly to Brian.
Closing Comments
The meeting concluded at 8.58 p.m.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
These documents below were sent by Brian Parnes for that meeting. Please provide feedback to him via this link below:
email Brian Parmes
Ambassador slide show
Slide Text
Program Guidlines
Reimbursement update