FMCA North West Meeting Update

Vancouver Islanders North West Meeting Update

I wanted to pass along some information in regards to the meeting that was held in Toppenish Washington, 6th to 8th September 2006 at the Yakama Nation RV Resort.

It was an enjoyable visit with some old friends and many more new ones from all the chapters in the Northwest Area. The Annual meeting was held on the 6th in an air – conditioned tent, thank god, as the daytime temp reached 33’c, and stayed there all week. Thank goodness for the evening’s as it did cool down to around 15’c. As all meetings go politics did rear its head, but from what I was told, it was one of the calmer meetings in recent years. We went through the past minutes, committee reports, and discussed long term plans to use the Linn County Fairgrounds (Albany OR) as a regular rally site for the Northwest Area Rallies. Since the National Convention is in Redmond next year, the NW area elections will be held sooner, i.e. April 07 instead of August 07.

One of the updates that did come up at the meeting was how the vote went at the National Convention in Charlotte. The good news was that all the dreaded proposals put forth failed at the convention, the removal of the governing board was defeated, along with term limits for the National Director and removal of the position of Alternate National Director. The only new point which was somewhat controversial was that if the National Director or Alternate cannot attend a National meeting, a chapter must now designate a delegate three weeks in advance, if they wish, rather than just a few days beforehand. All other house keeping duties to the policies and procedures were passed, no major effect to the chapters. All in all this was good news as all chapters will continue to have their say in how FMCA is run.

At our last rally I spoke to you all about the upcoming Redmond Rally in August 07. I mentioned how we, the Northwest were hosting and they would be looking for some volunteers. There are many venues which need to be covered off. As I said, I would try to find something easy on the legs if we could find enough members that were interested. I put the Vancouver Islanders down for looking after the Handicap & Activity Golf Cart Service. The Roaming Catholics Chapter has also agreed to help out in this task.
I did this only after some of you volunteered to go to the National Convention next year.
As you can see, we would be looking after driving people around in Golf carts, taking them to and picking them up from venues at the Rally. Pretty laid back I’d say. There are of course other needs so if you think this one might not be challenging enough, let me know, as you can volunteer for many items.
So…..I’ll be looking for people that are interested in doing this. You would have to be in Redmond, Oregon on the 10th August 2007 and leave the 17th August. Volunteers park together and closer to the main fair grounds. More details to follow. If you are interested, please e-mail me as I would like to start a tentative list. Firm commitment is required by 5th April 07 for the next NW Area planning meeting which I will be attending in Redmond.

See you up Island for the roving rally, or sooner. For those of you that have started your travels………….Drive and be SAFE

Andy

Fall Roving Rally 21-25 Sept

Vancouver Islander’s
Fall Roving Rally
September 21st -25th, 2006

Cost and Registration:
$60.00 per coach with 2 or $45 for single – send cheque made out to M. White to 917 Ballenas Road, Parksville, V9P 1T1. Please also include your choice of dinner and dessert (see below).
Registration must be in by September 14th so we can preorder to get a discount.

Questions: e-mail Merrilee at mwhite@shaw.ca and or phone (250) 248-3180.

Thursday, September 21st
12:00 p.m. arrival at Arbutus Meadows, Parksville
6:00 p.m. - Dinner at Rocking Horse Pub (included in rally fees)
See DINNER CHOICES below.

Friday, September 22nd
Stories Beach, Port Hardy – booked for 3 nights
nice sandy beach, fire pits, some tables, (bring a bit of firewood)

4:00 p.m. - Happy Hour – Please bring plate of cheese and crackers and a nice bottle of wine to share.
----On your own for all meals----

Saturday, September 23rd
On your own for breakfast and Lunch. Coffee will be ready for 7:00 a.m. (hopefully)
Sit and visit or explore the area:
go over to the fabulous First Nations Museum at Alert Bay, drive into Port Alice or Telegraph Cove, etc.
4:00 p.m - Happy Hour
6:00 p.m. - Dinner provided.

Sunday, September 24th
On your own for breakfast. Coffee will be ready for 7:00 a.m. (hopefully)
Around Noon: Pot Luck Lunch.
Dinner? You are on your own.

Dinner and Dessert Choices for Thursday, Sept. 21stPlease choose one dinner and one dessert for each person registering Please note: beverages are NOT included with price of dinner.

1. Fish and Chips (2 medium or 1 large piece cod) with homemade coleslaw
2. Chicken and vegetable pot pie (homemade)
3. Steak and mushroom pot pie (homemade)
4. Roast beef dinner with Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, gravy and vegetables

Desserts: all homemade
1. Chocolate cheesecake
2. Berry cheesecake
3. Blueberry pie
4. Apple pie
5. Pecan pie

Directions
•Arbutus Meadows Equestrian Centre – just South of Parksville
From North: Island Highway south past 2nd exit to Parksville,
Past weigh scales (on right) – left at next traffic light and immediate right into Arbutus Meadows.
From South: Island Highway north past Nanoose Petrocan, up the hill and right at next traffic light, then immediate right into Arbutus Meadows.

•Stories Beach – approximately 10 km south of Port Hardy
Turn right on Fort Rupert Road (signs for the airport). If you miss that, keep going approximately 1- 2 km. and turn right on Byng Road and go past the Fort Rupert Road intersection. .
From Fort Rupert Road, turn right on Byng Road (a”T”) Approximately 1- 2 km. later turn left on Beaver Harbour Road. Follow to end past curling rink and bear to right. We will be parking in the big parking lot between the ball field and beach. We have the Rotary Pavilion building and site.

NOTE: Neither site has any services. This is a self-contained rally, but there is a dump station ($2.00) with water at Rathtrevor Park, Parksville

Reminder - Registration - Hurry

REMINDER!! SUMMER RALLY
July 28-30, 2006
Port Alberni


GET REGISTERED TODAY!

Location: Port Alberni Fall Fair Grounds, Glenwood Centre
Left off Port Alberni Highway to go into Port Alberni, Right on 10th Avenue, Right on Rogers, Left on Vimy, left into fair grounds
Has power and water for each coach. There is a city dump that we are able to use after rally

Registration:
Please send rally fees ($60.00) and train excursion costs
($18.00 per person (if paid by July 10th.) to
Cecil Hamilton
2466 11th Avenue
Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 2S3

**********Schedule***********
Friday: 12:00noon+--arrival, set up and visit:
4:00---Happy Hour – WINE AND CHEESE – please bring small plate of gourmet cheese and nice bottle of wine to share
5:30---Dinner provided
6:30+--Visit and games

Saturday:
7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast provided
8:30 –------Farmers’ market - located near train station, if interested
10:00-------Train departs for McLean Mill
1:00 -------Return from McLean Mill
4:00 -------First Nations Dancers and First Nations Art Sale
6:30 -------We are planning a semi-Pot Luck dinner. We will provide the meat, potatoes, buns, etc. and ask people to bring a salad or dessert. .Will advise which you are to bring when we get closer to the rally date.

Sunday
8:00-9:30---Breakfast
9:00-10:00--BOOK EXCHANGE – bring your previously loved books to trade for another book
10:00-11:00?General Meeting
11:00-12:00-Clean up and say good-bye

If you have any questions, please contact Cec & Karin at cechamilton@shaw.ca or Cary & Merrilee White at mwhite@shaw.ca. or (250) 248-3180.

Summer Rally Port Alberni

(Reminder - Sandown Rally pics appear after this notice)
Summer Rally in Port Alberni July 28th 30th

Location: Port Alberni Fall Fair Grounds, Glenwood Centre
Has power and water for each coach.
There is a city dump that we are able to use after rally
(directions to follow as we get closer to date)

Dates & Times: Friday, July 28th -12:00 noon through Sunday, July 30th – 12:00 noon

Cost: $60 per coach

Activities: We are planning a train trip to the McLean Mill on Saturday. The train leaves the station at 10:00 a.m. and returns at 1:00 p.m. We will have the ride, a tour of the mill, a demonstration and some entertainment. The cost per person is $18.00 if paid at least 2 weeks in advance. If you are interested in doing this, which is well worth the cost, please let us know when you register for the rally and include the cost with your rally fees. Please have your money to us by July 10th so that we can then book and pay for the group. If you decide to go on the outing at the last minute, the cost will be $20.00 per person.

We have also arranged for a demonstration of native dancing for Saturday afternoon – 4ish. It will be about a 45 minute demonstration with 8 to 10 dancers. The cost of this will be included in your rally).

Meals: At least one dinner and two breakfasts will be provided – more info later.

To Register: Please send rally fees ($60.00) and train excursion costs ($18.00 per person) to Cecil Hamilton
2466 11th Avenue
Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 2S3

If you have any questions, please contact Cec & Karin at cechamilton@shaw.ca or Cary & Merrilee White at mwhite@shaw.ca . or (250) 248-3180.

Sandown Pictures

Pictures by Gary Ousey of Sandown Rally can be found HERE.

Pictures by Verne Hague are stored at Snapfish HERE.

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