Editor’s Note: Three tasks forces convened last year to make recommendations regarding the structure and functionality of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC). Those recommendations have been boiled down and are ready for member input. A link to a copy of the recommendations appears in the current issue of “Wednesday Morning Coffee Talk & Updates,” an online service of the California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (CalARVC). ARVC members should send their comments directly to Paul Bambei at pbambei@arvc.org. Click here to read an earlier story about the task forces.
Recommendations For ARVC Board Discussion
1. Consider combining the Business Forum and the Supplier Council into one organization. This new body would elect a Board member from within their ranks. The goal would be to improve overall communication. This would result in the elimination of one (1) Board seat.
2. Propose that Affiliated States consider using a portion of the 20 percent Administration Fee paid by ARVC as an incentive bonus to state executives for member expansion and retention.
3. Dues:
a. ARVC will send dues bill to affiliated states by December 1, prior to the January 1 start of the calendar year.
b. Dues payment dates and percentages to be retained by affiliated states in the following manner: Payment made to ARVC on or before 12/31, state retains 20 percent, by January 31,, state retains 10 percent. If dues are received after January 31, no percentage is retained. This formula would be included in the bill ARVC remits to the affiliated states for ARVC dues payment (i.e. if paid by 12/31 X is owed, by 1/31 “Y” is owed, and if paid after 1/31 full payment is due).
c. Dues collection inconsistencies currently exist and it is suggested that states align timing, structure and listing on invoices. Said language can be contained in negotiated affiliate agreement.
d. Consider new dues structure for more fairness to all members taking into consideration the current amount collected, based on net zero change but increasing on larger park cap and reducing on smaller park end of dues scale.
e. Consider removing cap of per site dues off of larger parks.
4. Consider permitting Affiliated States the ability to allow members to “pick and choose” which dues amounts they will submit. Choices would include: paying dues for both organizations, paying only the state dues or paying only the ARVC dues.
5. Direct Membership: It is proposed that ARVC should only permit direct membership in the following circumstances: in non-affiliated states; in an affiliated where a particular category of membership does not exist (i.e. public parks); and for instances where there exists a large multi park owner who has locations in multiple states such as ELS. The details would be covered in a negotiated agreement between ARVC and the states.
6. Should ARVC become an Association of State Associations, effectively making the State Associations the end-customer of national ARVC?
7. Create an ARVC Education Committee that would set goals and dates for completion for various projects to staff which would need to align with Foundation goals.
8. For new ARVC members, offer a payment plan for dues the first year only, such as 3 to 6 months to pay annual dues.
9. GoCampingAmerica to add all parks, all types, members and non members alike.
10. New Member Categories:
a. Create a new “ARVC Member Employee” category for $50/yr fee and tie to the Outdoor Hospitality Education Program. This would provide special convention rates and access to education opportunities. The entire $50 cost of yearly associate or employee member dues would be credited toward their cost of annual convention fees or even could be credited toward purchased on line education opportunities.
b. Create an “Associate Full Time Student Membership” for $25/yr allowing students access to educational opportunities and ability to attend convention (again fees credited toward convention fees or on line educational fees).
c. Create an “Associate Member” category for $100/yr that would be for anyone connected with the outdoor industry. This would allow our membership to grow and increase attendance at annual convention. Some level of this fee (if higher) would be allowed to be credited toward annual convention fees.
Note: New language must be created to prevent regular members from dropping full membership in ARVC and moving to associate or employee membership. Managers and or owners would not qualify for the ARVC Member Employee category or Associate Member categories (this requires a bylaw change).
11. Structure Proposal:
a. For the first 3 years, no proposed changes in National and State Roles & Responsibilities currently in place, except in the following situations: In-state multiple park operators and multi-state, multi-park operators as outlined in Recommendation 5 above; and, Public Agency Parks.
- Direct Membership: It is proposed that ARVC should only permit direct membership in the following circumstances: in non-affiliated states; in an affiliated state where a particular category of membership does not exist (i.e. public parks); and for instances where there exists a large multi park owner who has locations in multiple states such as ELS. The details would be covered in a negotiated agreement between ARVC and the states.
- Under the Public Agency Parks Proposal, states would have the ability to solicit all state and municipal parks within their respective states, preferably with ARVC membership included, but not mandatory. ARVC would have the right to solicit all federal agency and U.S. military parks, preferably with state membership included, but not mandatory. In the event, these parks choose not be members of their respective state association, ARVC will share no less than 20 percent of the dues amount collected with the respective state.
b. After 3 years, there would be a fundamental change in how ARVC interacts with the state associations that have a current affiliated status with ARVC (Affiliated or Cooperating), and with those states where multiple associations exist.
- In states that are currently an Affiliated Association, the state can choose their status and keep the 20% administrative fee on their dues or convert to a Cooperating status and receive the reduced discount currently defined in the Bylaws. In these situations, ARVC would be able to solicit and accept direct members, however, the dues for these members would be at a premium rate above the standard dues structure, perhaps 10 to 15 percent higher.
- In states with multiple associations, ARVC will maintain the existing relationship with current Affiliated Association and honor the 20% discount. However, ARVC will be permitted to develop a Cooperating Association with other association(s), but the stated dues discount for these Cooperating Association(s) cannot exceed 15 percent. Additionally, ARVC will be permitted to accept direct members from these states but at a stated premium rate.
