Here’s a glimpse into the office.
It’s purely a glimpse since a complete list would take away from precious time working on more projects for our members. This year we’ll keep January on the top, adding each month below it.
JANUARY
- Received permission to distribute our 2020 Kansas RV & Camping Guide from the state so it can be added to the visitor and welcome centers around our state.
- Ensured our guide was distributed at the Quartzsite RV Show (attendance of 150,000!).
- Reconciled membership data with ARVC.
- Activated 2020 benefits for each campground member.
- Added the new state visitor guide and our 2020 Kansas RV & Camping Guide to the respective pages on ksrvparks.com.
- Began filling orders for the 2020 Kansas RV & Camping Guide that have come in from ksrvparks.com, inserting the rack cards from the members that opted to participate in our marketing. Their park’s rack cards land in the hands of those who already have an interest in camping in Kansas or else they wouldn’t have requested our guide.
- Oriented Richard Lord, Rutlader Outpost RV Park and Secretary on our Board of Directors, to his new role as delegate to the Travel Industry Association of Kansas.
- Wrapped up our 2019 bookkeeping in preparation of the upcoming Board Meeting.
- Continued to receive dues and activate 2020 benefits for our industry suppliers. Also, we began receiving auction items from them for our annual gathering.
- Updated this website, including the Upcoming Events and the Annual Gathering pages.
- Prepared for the February meeting of the Board of Directors.
- ARVC’s Jeff Sims will attend our Annual Gathering!
- The Kansas Tourism – Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks, & Tourism will be sending a speaker to our Annual Gathering!
- Karen Weber, owner of Mid-America Camp Inn in Goodland, served in our place at the booth at the International Sportsmen’s Expo in Denver. Here’s the booth.
FEBRUARY
- Richard Lord, owner of Rutlader Outpost RV Park in Louisburg, is the KansasARVC Delegate to the Travel Industry Association of Kansas. He shared the following pictures from the Destination Statehouse event in early February.
- The Board of Directors held their meeting, reviewed legislative affairs, closed out the 2019 financial records, and finalized some plans for our annual meeting.
- Distributed our first COVID-19 informational email to members.
MARCH, APRIL & MAY
Before I could even update the members (or this site) from our conference (something I still need to do), I hosted a 3-day event in Colorado and then immediately the country dove into COVID-19. Since my travels included areas of positive results, I went into self-quarantine. Then I began reestablishing the office. Little did I know that March, April & May would seem blended into one very long day.
Each day included endless conference calls, webinars, social media pages, social media groups, and emails with other organizations such as:
- Government departments
- Executive Directors from sister-associations in other states
- State, regional and local tourism and public health agencies
- ARVC
- Campground owners from around the country
- Full-time RVers
THANK YOU to each member who connected with me this month. Your words of support and appreciation were and still are greatly appreciated!
YAWZER, it’s been tough in this uncharted territory of the covid pandemic.
Each day, from dawn to well into darkness, the activity has been brain-spinning, mind-boggling and exhausting.
At the end of each very very long day, I’ve had the utmost pleasure of reading emails and social media comments from members. Your words gave me fuel to do it all over again the next day.
THANK YOU!
JUNE
The Board of Directors held a meeting in late May, and finalized some details in early June. This got us up to speed on the ramifications of COVID-19.
The Colorado association is extremely active and uses my services very heavily, so you might want to refer to their COVID-19 page for additional insight into coping with the situation. While some of the content is Colorado-specific, you still might find value. Additionally, if finding cleaning supplies are of concern, click here. If cleaning restrooms and public areas are of concern, click here.
We welcomed Aaron Dreher and his park, Creek Side Resort, in Hays to our organization!
JULY
Gained approval for the benefit packages for the upcoming year for both the industry supplier member and the regular park members. Began getting those many ducks in a row, and launched the membership renewal process.
Made the last big push on social media for our member. Starting in August, we return to broader posts about Kansas
AUGUST
Launched the membership drives for Outdoor Hospitality Members and for Industry Supplier Members.
Began outlining the frequent Zoom meetings that will begin in mid-to-late September for those who renew for 2021 by 9/15. The first will be held on 9/24 regarding ejecting guests. Details will be sent to all who renew by 9/15.
SEPTEMBER
Attended a meeting of ARVC staff and fellow Executive Directors from around the country.
Launched the industry supplier membership programs, especially noticeable on our roster. We hope you enjoy all the ways we’re bringing their programs and services to you this year. (Continued signing on new suppliers throughout September, doing their interviews, creating their videos, and so forth.)
Hosted the Board of Directors Meeting and brought them up to speed on the activities of the association.
Planned for the distribution of supplier member literature to outdoor hospitality members in early October.
Continued attending the KWPT / TIAK Huddle online meetings.
Was on a panel of state association executives at the Virtual Outdoor Hospitality Expo. We spoke on the why owners and managers of outdoor hospitality businesses should belong to the state association.
Requested each member ensure I have their correct data for the 2021 Kansas RV & Camping Guide.
Continued receiving 2021 outdoor hospitality membership renewals and preparing to launch the 2021 membership year benefits (some of which began in late September).
Presented the Best Practices: Avoiding Ejection Issues discussion.
OCTOBER
- Still doing the 2021 membership drive for outdoor hospitality businesses (gratefully, we’re finding that most delays were merely a result of an overly busy September)
- Still accepting more industry supplier members, which requires recording an interview and scheduling their online presentation
- Distributed the industry supplier materials to all 2021 outdoor hospitality members, and provided the suppliers with their roster.
- Compiled all updates for the 2021 Kansas RV & Camping Guide
- Hosted the Best Practices: Considerations for Websites online event (by Pelland Advertising), Best Practices: How to Capitalize on the New Campers Using Digital Media (by CampgroundViews.org) and Using Smart Reservation System Technology to Your Park’s Advantage (by Campspot).
- Attended the TIAK virtual conference, Glamping Show USA, and several other association management online meetings
- Spoke about “state associations” on a panel presentation at the The Virtual Outdoor Hospitality Expo (recording available through Dec.)
NOVEMBER
- Handled the appointment of Terri Schwerdt to fill the Board vacancy from Carolyn Fenn’s departure
- Prepared for and hosted a meeting of the Board of Directors. This is the one of the longest meetings of the year since we finalize our next year’s budget. As we planned for 2021, we hoped for the best, promised what could be delivered, and we always keep our eyes and ears out for the worst. In November, we can finally fully see our next year’s revenue and we have to create a budget that fits the funds. Trying to be light on a serious subject, this is what I told my friends: “November is budget setting month for each association and my own business. If you ever had to cut a budget before, you know it can be tough. Just picture me with a scalpel, a paring knife, a pair of scissors, an axe, a chainsaw, and a backhoe at my desk.”
- Created the Facebook group for members, a group we share with members in CO and SD.
- Increased monitoring of state and local regulation changes brought on by the rise in COVID-19 cases.
DECEMBER
In mid-December we distributed a press release that was published by WCM. The original press release included these images and this content:
Abilene KS – “For Auld Lang Syne” is a New Year’s Eve tradition, yet this year KansasARVC has reflected on its rich memories twice in recent times.
Most recently, Sheila & Keith Wagner, owners of USI RV Park in Wichita, sold their business and are taking their first steps out of the outdoor hospitality industry in, virtually, their lifetime. They’re second-generation owners and operators.
Earlier, KansasARVC bid farewell to Darell & Carolyn Fenn, owners of Four Seasons RV Acres in Abilene, who sold their RV park mid-summer (while keeping their RV dealership).
Until these sales, for nearly 20 years Executive Director Mary Arlington and the other members hadn’t known a day in KansasARVC without these four people. When Arlington bought her RV park, the Wagners and Fenns were already fully involved in the association.
She says, “Keith was elected to Treasurer at my first membership meeting all those years ago. In that role, he introduced KansasARVC to electronic bookkeeping, which I’m still using today.”
Vice President, now President, Karen Weber (Mid-America Camp Inn) says, “Until the respective sales, Sheila was serving as President and Carolyn was serving as Treasurer. Over the years, these individuals have worn many leadership hats. Where we’ve been and what we’ve achieved is largely because of our dedicated leaders, and the Fenns and Wagners are listed in countless minutes, records, and programs in our files. Generous with their time and energy, our leaders are our guiding force.”
Whether we were staffing booths at RV shows, huddled in meeting rooms around the state, or ferrying across from the Savannah Convention Center at a national conference, friendship and work blended beautifully.
Arlington adds, “The Wagners saved the association considerable travel costs by hosting me when my travels took me to Wichita, a frequent location for industry events and even our own association meetings. I remember sleeping in the back of my van at their RV park. More recently, they’d moved off-site and I was given my own bedroom. I was also always well fed, and that also reduced the association on its expenses. Oh, the things we’ve done to achieve the most work on behalf of the association within budget!”
The Fenns have hosted the last five annual membership business meetings at their central Kansas location. Arlington says, “Carolyn worked tirelessly each year, often starting days earlier since sometimes she personally provided our event’s meals. The Fenns saved us on travel expenses by hosting me in an RV or even in their own home for our Abilene events. I remember driving from meetings in Topeka back to my park in northwest Kansas and I’d pull into their place to change out of my suit and into comfortable travel attire. They welcomed me for 5-minute pit stops and overnight stays; whatever was needed, always with a warm hug and a big smile.”
Arlington visited with Kelly McKenzie. She and her husband Bud purchased the park from the Fenns. “Carolyn told us the McKenzies were eager to be involved in the industry and my visit with Kelly confirmed that! I see a strong, supportive and active member in them as soon as they get their bearings with their new business.”
Terri Schwerdt, of KOA of Salina, was appointed to fill the vacancy after Carolyn’s park sold. Secretary Richard Lord, of Rutlader Outpost RV Park, stepped up to fill her role as Treasurer.
Lord is grateful for the service of all four members saying, “As a newer member of KansasARVC and its Board, I have truly appreciated Sheila’s leadership and her steady approach, especially in the unprecedented year of 2020. She has tirelessly given of her time and resources for the betterment of our organization. We’re extremely grateful for her many contributions and wish her and Keith the best in their future endeavors.”
Schwerdt, a newcomer to the Board, feels the four showed us how to pull together. She says, “What the Fenns and Wagners did with us is what it takes to make a difference in our industry. We appreciate their decades of service! They leave behind big shoes to fill and I know our members have been shown how to fill them.”
Arlington notes that the organization remains in compliance with its bylaws, and the regular election will occur our Feb. 23, 2021 meeting.”
On behalf of the entire membership, the KansasARVC Board of Directors praises the works of the Fenns and Wagners, applauds them for being dedicated to us, and wishes them God speed on all which lies ahead for them. “For Auld Lang Syne”
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December was a blur of last minute EVERYTHING, from last minute dues collections, proofreading the guide, finalizing the bookkeeping, reconciling records with ARVC, deactivating former members and activating new members and launching the benefits for the new year. Additionally, Board of Directors meetings created new tasks that had to be implemented or researched. The 2021 budget was finalized, and so forth. The legislative calendar and committee structure was reviewed and evaluated.
Simply put: Closing out a year and launching a new year is a tedious and detail-oriented task!
