Page 2 - Summer 2016 GMC Vintage RVing

GMC MOTORHOMES INTERNATIONALGMC Motorhomes International was founded in 1982 by Ralph Luby>> GMC Motorhomes International 1402 So Cage Blvd, Unit 273Pharr, TX 78577 | 612-501-4600 [email protected] | gmcmi.com>> GMC Vintage RVing Magazine Published quarterly for members of GMC Motorhomes International.A chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA).Graphic Designer/EditorKimberlea Weeks | 612-501-4600 [email protected]>> Online and Digital Delivery Magazine Versions A digital flipbook version of the magazine is available online at gmcmi.com/gmc-vintage-rving/.For delivery of your magazine by email (pdf format), send an email to admin@ gmcmi.com. It will then not be delivered via the postal service.>> GMC Article and Part Number SubmissionPlease send article contributions and newly found part number crossovers to the editor for publication.>> GMCMI.com Website Webmaster | 612-501-4600 [email protected]>> DisclaimerMagazine articles are contributed by members and are published as a service to members. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Independent verification is urged.©2016 GMC Motorhomes InternationalDavid Blackshearpresident’s cornerWow! How time flies...when you’re having fun...andthe GMC Motorhome family is surely about fun and technical education. It hardly seems that two years could have elapsed since you elected me President. I was nervous about undertaking the role as president and fortunately I did not need a real undertaker but I might have. Many of you may have followed my events of the last few months – having travelled to Louisiana for my 55th High School Reunion but missing that function due to a heart attack and a stay in the hospital. Following that, members of my family drove Sue, the coach and me back to Maryland where I checked into the local hospital ER and thereby missing my birthday. I was transported by ambulance to the Washington Hospital Center where I awoke to learnI have received six bypasses. Recovering, thank the Lord! Will be in cardiac rehab for 12 weeks (36 sessions) but should be “fixed in time for the Mansfield Convention. Hope as many of you as possible can make it and I look forward to seeing you there.You are all aware of the significant happenings during my tenure, thanks to a great Boardof Directors and an outstanding administrator. Kim has done wonders in her regular duties including planning and carrying out all of our great conventions. Our treasurer, Fred Hudspeth performed significant research concerning our loss of members (and the loss of members inmost organizations including our “parent” FMCA. Kim responded with several suggested marketing ideas, which included a major presence on Facebook and the terrific new full-color magazine, which we all are enjoying. Putting our Parts Interchange into an electronic format“Thanks to the Nominating Committee for putting me up for President and thanks to all of you to agreeing to let me serve!”– DAVID BLACKSHEARfor easy retrieval will benefit all our members and the decision to release this critical information to the public was another decision approved by the Board that may well help to increase our membership roll.The grand experiment was the Summer Get-Together in Branson – designed to offer an opportunity for folks to join us who could nototherwise attend our standard Fall and Spring Conventions because of full-time jobs, children in school, etc. Kim offered to provide the planning without cost to the chapter (and we could not have afforded itotherwise). The Board approved the experiment and I could not attend due to the heart surgery. But do check out the highlights on page 9. A comprehensive report will be presented to the Board during the Fall Convention.All told, it’s been a great year for your sitting president and your president pro tempore, Carol Baxter, both with serious heart problems. When I mentioned to one of my New Orleans friends that I had suffered the heart problems and had to leave the coach in Virginia due to a major radiator leak, he remarked that “old machinery, old men and women are defective but both are repairable,” that pretty well applies to most of us in GMCMI.2015-2016 GMCMI Board of DirectorsDavid BlackshearPresidentLarry McLaughlinVP NortheastJanet FreyVP EasternKerry PinkertonVP SoutheastJohn SharpeVP South CentralDale RoppVP Great LakesLarry WeidnerVP MidwestMarilyn PeltzerVP Rocky MountainJim KanomataVP WesternCarol BaxterVP NorthwestKim WeeksVP AdministrationLucy WeidnerSecretaryFred HudspethTreasurerJohn SmyrskiNational DirectorKeith WeeksAlt. Nat. DirectorEmery StoraPast PresidentNominating CommitteeThe following committee will be submitting a slate of nominees for the GMCMI Board of Directors at the Fall Membership Meeting in Mansfield, Ohio: George Baxter (chairman), Ron Bolser, Sharon Hudspeth, Kerry Pinkerton, John Richardson and Keith Weeks.GMCMI Chapter StatusMembership stands at 1,013. We have 87 new members since our last publication. Roster addendum (pdf) available in “members only” section of gmcmi.com.16 members referred a new member and received a $10 voucher, which can be used towards renewal of GMCMI dues, products/apparel or fees for a convention. Refer a new member today!2 GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE | GMCMI.COM