Messages & comments from nominated

[BruceS]

This small section will be used for direct messages & comments from nominated candidates for election to the Board Of Directors of the CMCA.
Any other comments will be deleted & the topic locked.
Other candidates please feel free to include your messages also. (either here or direct to admin@ozervnews.com)

EDIT: A maximum of two messages per candidate.

[BruceS]

Freedom of Choice outcomes by Gary Rebgetz, MBA GAICD

Current board election campaigns focus on “Freedom of Choice” camping. It is now already starting to happen in Queensland, and soon across the country.

The issue for Governments has been the development of a format that meets the needs of the Lands Act, Caravan Park Policy, Competitive Neutrality, local laws, community and local businesses. All a delicate balance.

The good news is that the Queensland Government are the first state to develop a paradigm for non-commercial no cost or low cost “Freedom of Choice” camping that was released in March. This Toolkit Guide format delivers to all Local Governments opportunities to develop and embrace non-commercial no cost or low cost camping. (”Freedom of Choice”) within the framework of State and local laws.

You may not be aware that I was the CMCA representative on the committee that developed this format for RV Travellers that offers councils a range of outcomes to suit the requirements of the RV market.

Presently working with a number of local government authorities throughout Queensland who are in the process of adopting no cost, low cost camping in their local. Also defining new dump point locations from grant funding from the Queensland Government of $450,000 to date.

The Toolkit Guide format will be a game changer for all states across Australia.

I need your support to elect me to the board to extend this format throughout the country.

To keep this vibrant organization moving forward I urge you to vote for the two members, who will best add to the competence of the existing board.

With my background, as one of the team of directors who were responsible for turning the Club’s tide in 1998, my subsequent seven years on the board, my term as chairman and my subsequent continuous efforts for the Club as Queensland State Representative, I am uniquely placed to complement and supplement the three sitting members of your Board.

I have a wealth of Club background knowledge, time and experience having recently completed a MBA from James Cook University.

I am an appropriate candidate for an appointment to the board of CMCA and have already completed the Directors course that is a requirement for all CMCA Directors.

Your support of my appointment to the board would be appreciated by the distribution of this statement to fellow member contacts.

If you require a copy of the Toolkit Guide please email and I will forward the document.

rebetz@ozemail.com.au mob 0417770242

Many thanks

Gary Rebgetz. Q2932

MBA GAICD

[BruceS]

"Dear Fellow CMCA Members,

This year there are two vacancies to be filled with Vincent Moran and John Bennetts completing their 3 year terms. There are 8 candidates nominated for the two positions. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to your Chapter members.

Five hundred words is not enough to allow most to judge a candidate, so with that in mind I have set up a website devoted to my CMCA election campaign: http://lorrainesmith-2014elections.webs.com/ and I urge you to visit it. I have expanded further on both my background and my vision for the CMCA future on the website. You can contact me via the website or Mobile xxxxx.

Briefly, I am retired, a solo (almost full-time) traveller and understand the RV lifestyle. I have a Bachelor of Business degree and am a well qualified and experienced business consultant.

For the last couple of years I have had a pivotal role in the website http://www.freechoicecamps.com.au/index.html and the associated Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Freechoicecamping – I understand that should I be elected I would have to relinquish my role in these sites but my continuing support will be a given as I believe it is currently one of the crucial issues affecting our chosen lifestyle.

Another of my aims for CMCA is to make the Club inclusive of all members and add value to your membership by way of real member benefits (ie benefits not available using cards such as NRMA, RACV, Seniors). Benefits such as Phone/Internet plans, Fuel discount scheme. Another way to include members is to set up “working groups” comprising members from a broad cross section of the membership to advise Board and Management on policy and projects.

I believe that the Directors need to stay in touch with current member issues and would like to see a CMCA forum return. For NHQ it could be used as a means of communication. For the Directors this would be a way of keeping in touch with that segment of the Club and their requirements. Rally and Chapter attendance is simply another way of reaching a different segment of the Club membership.

I am attaching a PDF document which I ask you to please circulate to members who may not be able to access my website as it also expands on my background and aims for CMCA.

After reading the PDF and/or my website I am sure you will realise that I possess the professional qualifications and experience necessary to be one of your team on the Board. Being a solo traveller gives me a unique perspective to bring to the Board and being on the road for approximately 9 months a year allows me to understand the needs of the long term traveller. I will always work for all segments of the Club membership and work towards making your membership a valuable asset.

Lorraine Smith
http://lorrainesmith-2014elections.webs.com/
Member No N55008"

Lorraine with GG.jpg

[BruceS]

COL COLEMAN
Candidate for the CMCA Board of Directors.
500 words in the Wanderer does not really allow members to get a proper insight into the person they are asked to put their trust in.
I am now 68 years young with a passion for our way of life and the Club which supports that choice. My wife Mary supports me in this endeavor, she has interpersonal skills that leave mine for dead so I could say with confidence you will probably get two for the price of one.
I was born into a working class family whose ancestors had worked in the mines in Wales and Newcastle NSW. There was little money but a lot of love and an example of a work ethic and community spirit which has never left me.
I have always been a person who never does things by halves even from the earliest age. From a pack leader in the Cubs to troop leader in the Scouts. An active member of the local Swimming Club and later Surf Lifesaving Club which in hindsight was my first involvement in a life of volunteering positions. This led to many years involvement in Junior Soccer from a local to national involvement when my time came as a parent.
I left school after third year and commenced work as a management trainee with the Newcastle Co-op Store. Starting on the broom and doing just about everything you could imagine until finally following the administration stream through a variety of departments to eventually lead the administration team at the largest branch in what was the largest business in Newcastle and surrounding suburbs including the Coal Fields of Kurri Kurri and Cessnock.
The Co-operative movement is barely alive these days but in earlier times was the salvation for many families in Industrial and Rural areas. It was member based and driven with people and communities helping each other out to achieve things that no individual could ever hope to achieve. The CMCA is a mirror of the Co-op model which is probably why I feel so comfortable in the work I do for the members. It is even based in my home town so it’s roots are imbedded in the same culture.
My activities within the Club have continued to expand as the years have gone by.
I am the Chapter Secretary of a Chapter with an expanding membership of baby boomers. We have an active committee with a good mix of skills and work on the model that many hands make light work. We love Rallies and are always well represented. We use the time to and from to introduce our new members to the way of life we all love and to show them the proper behaviors and protocols to ensure our future is secure. At our gatherings members have to put up with me talking about these protocols and progress on the fight for our Freedom of Choice.
I have been a member of the National Member services Team from it’s inception, although in the early years was never called upon to do much. My involvement has grown since those days and I know head up a very dedicated and active team as the NSW Co-ordinator and work very closely with the team at NHQ.
Communication with members has been one of my pet projects and I have been pushing for an expansion continuously at Chapter Forums.
Not all of our members are into the internet and particularly Facebook but a rapidly growing number of our new members are, so since the Boonah Rally I have made it a mission to master that social network. I have found it to be a wealth of information and a great tool for communication and my work on the NMST. It has been a major contributor to putting our point of view to Governments and is member driven. The CMCA has recently launched it’s Facebook page and already has in excess of 3000 followers in a matter of weeks. It has been an instant success and is a great tool for members on the road to keep abreast of happenings. I wrote an article encouraging members to engage in this new tool in our fight for Freedom of Choice which was published in the March Wanderer.
Many of our members volunteer in rural communities all over the country and Mary and I are part of that great group. CMCA members are the backbone of Blazeaid supplying many of the Camp Co-ordinators and volunteers. Since the fires at King Lake this organisation has been active in supporting families in need. I have acted as a volunteer and Co-ordinator every year since it’s inception and written several articles published in the Wanderer about those experiences. When I have finished my duties as Secretary for the Port Stephens Rally I am sure we will return to the fold as there are still camps active in Victoria and Queensland right know and there is still lots of work to be done.
I believe I have something to offer my fellow CMCA members and that I have the skills to make a difference in the governance of the Club.
I am very member driven it is part of my being and I will not forgo those beliefs if elected.
Our Motorhome is Freedom by Choice and we wave to every RV we pass so keep an eye out for us and give us a wave.
Col
Phone; 0409 900 287
Email: mandccoleman@gmail.com

[BruceS]

Message 2 from Gary Rebgetz.

Please cast your vote. Gary Rebgetz MBA GAICD

I ask for your support for the forthcoming elections as I have the time, qualifications, skill and a wealth of CMCA knowledge, combined with Governments communications experience to compliment the current Board.

Why does this organisation really exist?

CMCA was founded in 1986 by Don and Erica Whitworth so that likeminded people could exchange ideas and travel experiences for the advancement of fun, friendship and fellowship. Now, 28 years later, this philosophy still holds forth as we travel to laugh more and live longer.

Professional Status Board & Staff

CMCA Board and staff comprise of a range of diversified skill sets that is a requirement for a professional organisation of this status, resulting in the CMCA now being recognised as the authoritative spokesperson for all RV travellers by government and industry bodies Australia wide.

The August Board Page states,” the Club has three remaining Directors who have solid skill sets combined with a vast diverse business and corporate experience”.

The Board is supported by a structured headquarters staff whose expertise ranges from hands on senior management experience at state and local government, senior management experience in Australia’s domestic tourism market, social and market research, marketing and communications at international level, strategic management, strategic planning, corporate governance, government communication and liaison.

Recent Activities

As also outlined in the board page the Club, recently has achieved positive results, particularly in regards to government enquiries and outcomes. As of August 1st another report of which I have involvement on the Queensland Government is the 2014/ 2015 Drive Tourism Strategy that reinforces the results of the Toolkit. Much of this activity is still “work in progress”. Good outcomes for members.

Board Election Candidates.

A new Board member should have the skill sets to complement the existing Board. It is imperative that the new appointees enhance the current Board’s expectations so as to achieve outcomes that the members are seeking. The successful operation of a Board is about cohesive teamwork through diligence and shared knowledge with in a structured framework.

Outcomes

Given that a company success is measured by bottom line achievement the CMCA board has an enviable record instigating a new web site, monthly newsletter, the improved and on-line “The Wanderer”, new Facebook page and receiving Queensland State Government recognition of non-commercial no-cost and low- cost camping, LNT and RV Friendly Town Scheme. The new MSO scheme and our ever increasing political profile will continue to provide benefits for all our members across Australia.

I am one of the contenders so urge you to vote for two candidates who have the qualifications to compliment the existing Board and staff.

Gary Rebgetz MBA. GAICD. Q2932 mob0417770242 email. Rebetz@ozemail.com.au