I'm a little confused with the Motor Home Club

Peter1059 · Senior Member

I'm a little confused with the Motor Home Club

hino motorhome · Veteran Member

Hi peter,like you I only see the positive side to what cmca stand for, it is a club, and you will get the knockers, 5% of people will always find something to nock, you just have to see past it and enjoy this wonderful life style whatever your rv is I'm at the pointy end of our bus conversion and can't wait to get on the road .regards danny

kiwijims · Guru

My personal thoughts on the CMCA are that this subject has been done to death on this forum,

If you go and click on "SEARCH" enter CMCA, you will find over 134 comments already made on this forum regarding Members thoughts on this subject.

K.J. hmm

-- Edited by kiwijims on Sunday 17th of April 2016 03:15:05 PM

goldfinger · Senior Member

I'm not a member, only know what I read in their current articles in each Caravan & Motorhome Magazine....they do sound like a Club that is in the process of evolving for the betterment of their growing membership....less elitist and more representative of the various R/V's including caravans than perhaps before?......

I can see that the Grey Nomad ethos would not necessarily mesh with the more privileged/affluent/pretentious among us...and I definitely identify with the 'easy going' Grey Nomad, non-organised less pretentious lifestyle...

When I get back to full time touring again I will be looking to join perhaps for 12 months and see how it pans out....I have an open mind....perhaps previous comments on this forum are less relevant now ....only asking in support of Peter's excellent/balanced contribution....Hoo Roo

Peter1059 · Senior Member

Well it's a bit of a slow Sunday so poured a glass of red and followed your advice K.J and read the lions share of those 134 comments and not one reason why the CMCA cause so much angst. There was a running debate on personalities at rallies and another on insurance and another on the confusion about if Caravans can or cannot join but other than that not one real reason what they have done.

I think you are right Hino , people just like to look at the perceived negative aspects.

Well, I for one like the idea that we have a voice, albeit probably not as loud as it could be. If anyone has any real reasons I would be keen to know as my renewal is coming up and I like to look at all aspects.

Regardless, keep safe on the roads and keep smiling.... life is way ... way to short smile smile

Sorry Goldfinger I didn't see your post when I replying, I think you may have something and in the many years ahead I can see other substantial clubs amalgamating and then we would have a Lobby voice and it may even some of the free camp versus C Parks debate in some towns around OZ

-- Edited by Peter1059 on Sunday 17th of April 2016 07:13:04 PM

-- Edited by Peter1059 on Sunday 17th of April 2016 07:18:44 PM

dazren · Guru

There was the CMCA of Old !! and now The CMCA for the New, !! the old CMCA was very eliteist !! and the old school was very much against allowing Caravaners into the fold, However A couple of years back, there was an upheaval and the Board was replaced with a much more forward thinking group and in part of the restructure allowed Caravan Owners to become members, [ much to the disgust of some of the old school !! ] The only sticking point now is that Caravan owners can only be Associate Members, !! They pay the same dues, ! However they do not have all the same rights ! like Standing for positions Nor Voting Rights in elections , to name a couple ! But no doubt this also may change over time,

I think a part of what '' goldfinger'' wrote in his post is just about spot on ''ie'' they do sound like a Club that is in the process of evolving for the betterment of their growing membership....less elitist and more representative of the various R/V's including caravans than perhaps before?......

There is No Doubt that the CMCA has done some great and beneficial work, that is of great benefit to Every traveller or camper out there today, And we all must hope that this continues, as Great as the Group is, lets us not forget, that there is another very powerful and Deceitful Group out there trying to undermine, not only The great work that CMCA does, but also make life very difficult for all travellers, !! That Group is the CPA ! [ Caravan Parks Association ] who are also campaigning very heavily, to force us all into their members caravan parks, By getting Councils to close down both Freecamp, ! and Lowcost area's such as Showgrounds etc !! They too are a powerful group, and are actively pouring thousands of $$$ into their campaign, !! To Our Detriment !!

I have been a member of ACC [ Australian Caravan Club ] for many years, and they have also been doing great work, !! and personally I would like to see a much closer working relationship between both the CMCA and the ACC, As I believe that the combined membership voice of Both Organisations would be a very loud and powerful voice indeed !! -- I am not saying Amalgamate !! Just saying we all have common interest, so lets work together to secure those interests !!

-- Edited by dazren on Sunday 17th of April 2016 08:13:34 PM

Baz421 · Guru

I WROTE THIS AGES AGO ON ANOTHER THREAD.

About 6 years ago I was on another popular forum and there was an attempt (not initiated by me) to "FORM A CARAVAN GROUP", similar to CMCA so that we could mutually support each other across the spectrum of issues.

It was a dismal failure as the "caravan group" were so fragmented and bitched about everything that didn't suit their own personal wants or opinions that the whole thread caved in on our heads.

Just my thoughts.

Krusty · Senior Member

Well said Dazren. The First thing to do is to know thy enemy.

Izabarack · Guru

Peter1059 wrote:
I have never been asked or quizzed in reference to a grey water tank.

Me too. I was onboard with the LNT attitude long before the CMCA so have no problem with it at all. I am a member mainly because the club does so much for its members. The flow on effects to all travelers are often ignored by those happy to use the facilities and opportunities that CMCA has pushed for while knocking the club at the same time. People who knock the CMCA as elitist are only disclosing something about their own level of self-esteem while insulting the whole CMCA membership. Never been to a rally and don't belong to a CMCA chapter but happy to show the stickers that say I am a member.

Iza

Weevil · Guru

dazren wrote:

There is No Doubt that the CMCA has done some great and beneficial work, that is of great benefit to Every traveller or camper out there today, And we all must hope that this continues, as Great as the Group is, lets us not forget, that there is another very powerful and Deceitful Group out there trying to undermine, not only The great work that CMCA does, but also make life very difficult for all travellers, !! That Group is the CPA ! [ Caravan Parks Association ] who are also campaigning very heavily, to force us all into their members caravan parks, By getting Councils to close down both Freecamp, ! and Lowcost area's such as Showgrounds etc !! They too are a powerful group, and are actively pouring thousands of $$$ into their campaign, !! To Our Detriment !!
I have been a member of ACC [ Australian Caravan Club ] for many years, and they have also been doing great work, !! and personally I would like to see a much closer working relationship between both the CMCA and the ACC, As I believe that the combined membership voice of Both Organisations would be a very loud and powerful voice indeed !! -- I am not saying Amalgamate !! Just saying we all have common interest, so lets work together to secure those interests !!

There is a combined club lobby group called MoTouring Australia of which ACC is also a member, see;

http://www.atcmcc.org.au/newsitem.php?pagename=home&page=9&newsid=motour2

(The above club also has full membership for caravans etc and motorhomes with equal rights)

This CMCA link also refers to MoTouring Australia https://www.cmca.net.au/about-us/motouring

-- Edited by Weevil on Monday 18th of April 2016 11:22:11 AM

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Couple of points.
Caravan owners (and any one else at all) have always been able to join the CMCA as Associate Members. Nothing has changed there except that they can now attend a many major rallies as they wish.
MoTouring Australia was created by the CMCA as a way of getting as many RV clubs as possible together in order to better represent RVers when negotiating with various other bodies and the government at all levels. Many other clubs have chosen not to be a part of this initiative and that is their choice.

Cheers,
Peter

Bill B · Guru

Weevil wrote:

There is a combined club lobby group called MoTouring Australia of which ACC is also a member

Incorrect Weevil, ACC withdrew from Motouring a few years ago.

Cupie · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Couple of points.
Caravan owners (and any one else at all) have always been able to join the CMCA as Associate Members. Nothing has changed there except that they can now attend a many major rallies as they wish.
MoTouring Australia was created by the CMCA as a way of getting as many RV clubs as possible together in order to better represent RVers when negotiating with various other bodies and the government at all levels. Many other clubs have chosen not to be a part of this initiative and that is their choice.

Cheers,
Peter

I am personally not in to clubs or the like, but I do wonder at an organisation that has equal fees for members but unequal rights, as I understand from your posts is the case with CMCA. ie Non Motorhome owning members can't vote or be office holders but pay the same membership fees. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Like I said .. not for me.

I seem to recall that the Owner/Operator of that great CP at Narrabeen (& perhaps others eg Ballina) is a leading light in CMC. Is that right? It's our prefered CP when visiting Sydney

Very happy camper · Veteran Member

Hi Cuppie

Yes you are quite right.

They are Associate Members.

Associate members are those who are RV enthusiasts, but do not own a qualifying vehicle. Associate members have the same access to all member benefits as full members.

There are equal fees and the Caravan owners do not have the right to vote in club elections, nominate persons for election, move motions or hold office.

They also have the right like you have chosen, not to join. Some Caravan owners are very happy with this arrangement.

It seems the best of both worlds for all The Motorhome members maintain control of their Motorhome club and Caravan Associate members can join and enjoy from all the benefits of the Motorhome Club if they wish but they will never be in a position to take over control of the Motorhome Club.

dieseltojo · Senior Member

Very happy camper wrote:
Hi Cuppie

Yes you are quite right.
They are Associate Members.
but they will never be in a position to take over control of the Motorhome Club.

And nothing in this statement doesn't seem wrong to all the members? Those darned caravaners might take over? What a paranoid way of looking at the proposed brethren.

PeterD · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
MoTouring Australia was created by the CMCA as a way of getting as many RV clubs as possible together in order to better represent RVers when negotiating with various other bodies and the government at all levels. Many other clubs have chosen not to be a part of this initiative and that is their choice.

Correction here, CMCA did not create MoTOURing Australia. It was a joint effort of CMCA and the NACC, and a couple of smaller clubs. The cooperation between NACC and CMCA commenced during a meeting with with Forbes Council discussing requirements for both bodies national rallies. The NACC rally chairman approached the CMCA delegates about forming a peak council and the proceedings developed from this informal contact.

The ACC split from MoTOURing after they rejected the Self Containment scheme and formulated their ACCESS scheme.

Bello · Veteran Member

CMCA discriminate against caravans, What is the differance between a caravan and 5th wheeler? 5th wheelers have the right to vote etc, caravaners don't.

03_Troopy · Guru

It's their club, so they are justified in making whatever rules they like. If you don't agree with them, then just don't join. Pretty simple really. Personally, they have nothing to offer me, so I wouldn't bother.

GerryP · Veteran Member

In every organisation I've been involved in, associate membership, because of limited or reduced benefits usually attracts a lesser fee. Obviously not the case here. It offers no benefits for us personally, so I haven't joined. I think though that over time they will be pressured into accepting caravans as full members. Time will tell.

Dav4Cris · Senior Member

I only ever join a club were I have equal rights. CMCA do not give me those rights so I don't join. I was associate member 10 years ago but we had no rights then, we attended one rally and we where treated like lepers so we never went again and we never renewed our membership. That is were the elitism came in very much so was at rallies.
Yes thanks to the CMCA I can use all the facilities that councils and CMCA have put in. We mainly free camp anyway so we only need a dump point and if there is not one available we dig a hole and bury it ( yes away from waterways ).
We have no need to attend huge rallies or to have glossy magazine full of ads sent to us. IF and when the caravanner's get the same rights or a discounted membership we may rejoin but until then I will just keep doing what suits us and most of the people we run into.

kiwijims · Guru

Copied from a previous discussion on the same subject April 2015.................

We were also members of the CMCA only because the Motor Home we had at the time was too old for any other insurance company to handle,

Ken Tame was the only insurance company that would cover our bus ( a 1977 Coaster ) the only stipulation for the cover was, we had to be members of the CMCA to get the cover.

She wasn't flash, but took us where we wanted to go...........

Copy of crusin in the coaster 001.jpg

I also found the Monthly magazine was nothing but adverts, very little helpful info, as soon as I sold the motor Home I didn't bother to renew the membership, instead I joined this Forum and have found all the info here readily available , and free for the reading.

We were down in Tassie when the CMCA had a gathering some years back, We found them to be a very clicky bunch, at the gathering when they all arrived in a paddock, you couldn't park where you wanted to, they would not have our "Cheap Van" beside a $80,000 Motor Home with all the bells & whistles, "Oh No" , You get your cheap heap of junk way down the line, where the lower class vans were, my thoughts at the time were, How many of you lot actually "OWN" your vans, or do most of you have to be back at work by a certain date to pay the next install on them.

Another thing I found was that if you wanted to go to one of their Rallies, it would cost a fortune,

We would much rather free camp and nine times out of ten, meet people who would just come along for a friendly chat and we would all enjoy ""Happy Hour"" at very little expense to anyone.

K.J.

-- Edited by kiwijims on Tuesday 19th of April 2016 09:55:37 AM

Very happy camper · Veteran Member

Hi Kiwijims and others who have given their reasons for not joining the CMCA. No person needs to justify their reasons for not joining . A club is something you join if you either want to contribute to the organization or you feel that it will be of benefit to you at what you consider good value.

The CMCA is a huge club that suits a lot of people but certainly not all. When I am travelling I am only too often told the reasons why people do not want to join. I proudly have a CMCA sticker on my van so is anyone sees that they know I am a member .I always listen politely to their thoughts on the club but never try to change their mind. Some people have very strong feelings against the club and they will never change.

The CMCA has been and is a wonderful club for me, I am a single woman travelling (not full time ) on my own and membership of the CMCA Solos Group has given me the support and comradeship that has made my travelling experience exceptional.

If you do not want to join that is fine.

If you want to tell everyone why that is fine also.

I do not see any problem with the club. It has a constitution and rules of membership eligibility . If you are eligible for full membership so be it . If not you can apply for associate membership. If you do not want any part of it so be it.

There are many members of the CMCA on this forum and they do not bother to try to explain what a great club it is for them because the threads usually end in tears. I hope this one does not end in tears

goldfinger · Senior Member

Unfortunately I suspect the tears are usually shed by Cindy once again......I also suspect I help make Cindy an even Greyer Nomad ...we don't really mellow with age do we?.....?.........Hoo Roo

-- Edited by goldfinger on Tuesday 19th of April 2016 11:43:35 AM

adreamer · Senior Member

Now I know why I travel alone!!!

Some people should stay at home and whinge!!

TommyG · Senior Member

Perfect.

Tony Bev · Guru

TommyG wrote:
Perfect.

Ditto

Tony Bev · Guru

adreamer wrote:
Now I know why I travel alone!!!
Some people should stay at home and whinge!!

Ditto

PeterD · Guru

kiwijims wrote:
We were down in Tassie when the CMCA had a gathering some years back, We found them to be a very clicky bunch, at the gathering when they all arrived in a paddock, you couldn't park where you wanted to, they would not have our "Cheap Van" beside a $80,000 Motor Home with all the bells & whistles, "Oh No" , You get your cheap heap of junk way down the line, where the lower class vans were, my thoughts at the time were, How many of you lot actually "OWN" your vans, or do most of you have to be back at work by a certain date to pay the next install on them.

That's OK. No real discrimination against non members, the big unit owners treat the small rig owners the same at their rallies.

Bruce and Bev · Guru

As many have pointed out, you are not compelled to join the CMCA - of you don't agree with their constitution and rules, then just don't join.

I have a caravan and don't agree with only being able to join as an associate member and also some of their rules that disadvantage 'van owners. But in the flip side, they are really the only ones who professionally represents Rvers so think they do a good job in that respect. And as their Board develops newer and less old fashioned ideas from new members, we will all benefit and know doubt we will see 'vanners with full rights in the not too distant future

Cupie · Guru

Bruce and Bev wrote:
As many have pointed out, you are not compelled to join the CMCA - of you don't agree with their constitution and rules, then just don't join.

I have a caravan and don't agree with only being able to join as an associate member and also some of their rules that disadvantage 'van owners. But in the flip side, they are really the only ones who professionally represents Rvers so think they do a good job in that respect. And as their Board develops newer and less old fashioned ideas from new members, we will all benefit and know doubt we will see 'vanners with full rights in the not too distant future

I share your views on this topic.

But I resent the posts that label some contributions as 'Whinging'. (Or am I whinging in saying that?)

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within".

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within".

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross