The Badger Chapter

By Cherie Ilg Haas
Production Assistant

At a small, private campground in Wisconsin, several RVers gathered and formed an unofficial group to discuss motorhomes. So what makes this meeting special? The date.

In June 1966 the Badger chapter was formed. What began as a small circle of RVers has snowballed into a chapter consisting of more than 250 motorhome enthusiasts today. The chapter's scope includes Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and eastern Minnesota.

When Fred and Pat Miller, F29689, joined the Badgers in 1978, a large rally included about 30 coaches, Fred said. "But now it's up to 100 at a rally. We've grown quite a bit through the years." Fred serves as the chapter's current alternate national director; Pat is a former chapter secretary.

Thirty-five years later, the members themselves remain the number-one reason the Badger chapter is as strong as it is, Fred said. "The camaraderie is fantastic," Pat added. "Members keep in touch even through the winter. They often contact each other for informal 'Winter Badger' get-togethers."

The group tries to base its rally activities on local festivities, events, and attractions. For example, at the chapter's 35th anniversary rally in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in October 2001, attendees had the opportunity to go on a brewery tour, visit a technology center, and see the local apple orchards.

One evening during the rally, chapter members with FMCA membership numbers of 400 and under gave a presentation, sharing personal stories of times that stood out in their memories since they were members. Suzanne Inglefield, F6618, coordinated the rally program, which included a game of multiple-choice questions wherein members had to match the meeting minutes to the right year. "It was a refresher for some older members, and a history lesson for the newer members," she said.

Photo albums containing past meeting minutes, newsletters, articles, and other Badger chapter memorabilia were on display at the anniversary rally. Fred laughed as he said the books were "proof that Father Time and Mother Nature have been working on us, too." Howard Inglefield, Suzanne's husband and the chapter's national director, said, "It was interesting to look back at pictures of members. It was really nostalgic."

Fred and Pat remember experiencing a brush with fame in the 1980s when President Ronald Reagan borrowed their motorhome. The president needed a place to freshen up in their small town before a speech, and although they didn't get to meet him personally, they were honored to be of service.

But Badger hospitality isn't reserved just for U.S. presidents. When new members host a rally, some of the more experienced members volunteer to help them. "It's a club where everyone pitches in and gives help where needed," Suzanne said. In fact, another way members make the chapter successful is through friendliness and encouragement to get involved, she said. New members are given a "first-timer's" badge to wear at the rallies, "and people by the dozen just go up and introduce themselves," she said.

The chapter also sends a welcome letter to new FMCA members who live within the Badger scope, which includes an invitation to join the chapter. "It's a way to extend friendship and let them know what there is to do in Wisconsin," Suzanne said. "Many new (FMCA) members come to the rallies."

The teamwork that is involved in keeping the Badger chapter going seems to extend from the officers, for married couples usually make up the top four officer positions. This arrangement works well, Suzanne noted, because of the partnership needed to perform chapter duties. In addition, most officers are elected for two one-year terms, which provides continuity, Howard said.

Chapter members begin every meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and offer a prayer of thanks, Fred said. One thing they're probably thankful for is the friendship that the chapter promotes, for as the number of Badger families grows higher, and the chapter keepsake albums get thicker, the Badger chapter continues to instigate friendships all over the Wisconsin area.

For more information about the Badger chapter, contact FMCA's Chapter Services Department at (800) 543-3622.