Newmar Pledges $25,000 to RV Learning Center

Nappanee, Ind.-based builder Newmar Corp. advanced its giving to the RV Learning Center this week, donating $25,000 for the 2013 annual campaign. To date, Newmar has donated $160,000 toward its overall pledge amount of $260,000.

According to a press release, Newmar’s pledge amount of $260,000 puts it into the “Major Gifts” category of donor, which is the highest level of giving.

“I am proud to be in an industry where dealers and manufacturers alike recognize the importance of supporting and nurturing education,” said RV Learning Center Chairman Jeff Pastore of Hartville RV in Ohio. “The Newmar Corp.’s sizable recent donation and the significance of its pledge amount are a great testament to Newmar’s corporate values. This is a great example of putting belief into action.”

The RV Learning Center kicked off its fundraiser in October. Donations are necessary to fund the Learning Center’s many educational programs designed specifically for RV dealership personnel. Emerging technology has transformed education and training, so donations to the RV Learning Center enable it to utilize leading technologies to maintain high standards while keeping training affordable and relevant for dealers and their staff.

For more information on the RV Learning Center, visit www.rvlearningcenter.com, e-mail info@rvda.org, or send a fax to (703) 359-0152.

 

 

Learning Center Opens Scholarship Application

Applications are now available for the RV Learning Center’s scholarship program. According to a press release, deserving college undergraduates majoring in business, finance, economics, accounting or other RV industry-related subjects are eligible to apply for the $2,500 award.

A factor for awarding the scholarship may be an applicant’s background of RV industry employment or a desire to work in the RV business after completing post-secondary education.

Dealers are able to offer this opportunity to their team specifically through their employment in the RV industry. Posters publicizing the scholarship are available through the RV Learning Center so dealers can display them in the workplace to alert employees to the opportunity. Dealer principals, their family and dependents are not eligible.

Applicants must:

· Have a 2.8 or better cumulative grade point average, and a 1050 minimum SAT score (1575 minimum on the 2400 point scale). A minimum ACT composite score of 22 is also acceptable.

· Be a rising sophomore, junior or senior college undergraduate student.

· Complete a 500 word essay on their goals and objectives for attending college.

· Submit a copy of their Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) form which is available from guidance counselors or for download at no charge from the U.S. Department of Education at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

· Demonstrate the ability and willingness to fund a portion of their educational expenses on their own.

· Attend an accredited four-year college or university as a condition of receiving the scholarship.

The deadline for application is June 3. To obtain an application, poster, or more information, click here.

The scholarship program is possible through the generosity of the Newt and Joanne Kindlund family. The Kindlunds are the founders of Holiday RV Superstores — the first publicly-traded RV dealership. The Kindlunds sold the company in 1999. Newt Kindlund remains an active participant in RV industry affairs and currently serves on The RV Learning Center board. The Kindlund family has fully funded the $270,000 Foundation scholarship endowment.

For more information on the RV Learning Center, go to www.rvlearningcenter.com , send an e-mail to info@rvda.org, or fax to (703) 359-0152. The RV Learning Center is a tax-exempt organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions may be tax deductible as charitable donations.

Learning Center Will Host ‘Going Green’ Webinar

The RV Learning Center is sponsoring a webinar Thursday (Jan. 31) at noon EST for dealers interested in “going green” and learning the latest trends, techniques and safety concerns associated with reuse and recycling around the dealership. The January 31 webinar is free and dealers can sign up here.

Recycling products and parts used around the dealership whenever possible is important, but there are limits dealers need to know. The process comes with its own set of rules and regulations. In this webinar dealers will learn the proper ways to recycle the follow products: used oil, antifreeze, gasoline, parts washers, wheel weights and fluorescent lamps.

The webinar is produced by KPA, a Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) associate member, and will be led by Hannah Crawford, formerly of the Florida Department of Environmental protection and now part of the KPA team. She has 10 years of experience working for the state of Florida in various capacities and has extensive experience as a hazardous waste inspector.

If you are unable to attend the webinar at this time, register here and you will be sent a link to a recording of the webinar along with the presentation slides.

KPA is a dealer services and Internet marketing provider for over 4,600 automotive, truck, and equipment dealerships and service companies. KPA provides consulting services and software for three industry-specific product lines: Environment & Safety, HR Management, and Internet Marketing. KPA joined the Inc. 500/5000 list of fastest growing companies in 2012. For more information, visit www.kpaonline.com.

The RV Learning Center is supported by dealers, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and other RV industry members who are committed to dealership education and the high levels of customer service that is provided by educated employees. Certification programs, readiness testing, webinars, audio presentations, live workshops, and a wide variety of specialty publications are all part of the RV Learning Center’s offerings.

For more information about the RV Learning Center, go to www.rvlearningcenter.com. The RV Learning Center is a tax exempt organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions may be tax deductible as charitable donations.

Little Dealer, Little Prices Backs Learning Center

Little Dealer, Little Prices in Mesa, Ariz., donated $5,000 to the RV Learning Center, bringing the dealership’s lifetime contribution to $10,050.

According to a press release, Tte lifetime contribution by the dealership puts it into the Champion category of donor, recognizing those giving between $2,500 and $24,999. The current fundraising drive concludes at the end of the fiscal year in June.

RV Learning Center Chairman Jeff Pastore of Ohio-based Hartville RV said, “Debbie Brunoforte is out in front as usual. She is a leader we all know we can count on to promote giving back to the industry. I hope others will follow her dealership’s example of generosity and foresight. We need every dealer to step up and show their commitment to continuing education and training.”

For more information on the Foundation’s RV Learning Center, visit www.rvlearningcenter.com, send an e-mail to info@rvda.org, or send a fax to (703) 359-0152.

 

 

Protective Life Adds to Learning Center Support

The Asset Protection Division of Protective Life Corp. made its annual commitment to the RV Learning Center, bringing its total support to $132,558.

According to a press release, the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) has exclusively endorsed Protective’s XtraRide service agreement since 1992.

“This is another major demonstration of support for the RV Learning Center from one of the RV industry’s leading companies,” said RV Learning Center Chairman Jeff Pastore of Hartville RV Center in Hartville, Ohio. “Protective and its agents have consistently championed continuing education and training. This financial contribution comes at a critical time for the RV Learning Center as it works to provide education resources for dealership personnel.”

“Protective and our agency representatives are dedicated to providing the best possible service to RV dealers and their customers,” said Bill Koster, vice president of Recreation Vehicle and Specialty Products for Protective’s Asset Protection Division. “The RV Learning Center helps the entire RV industry prosper by providing employee certification and training in critical areas that improve customer satisfaction and dealer profitability.”

Koster also serves on the RV Learning Center board as secretary/treasurer.

 

Minnesota RVDA Gives $5K to Learning Center

The Minnesota Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) donated $5,000 to the RV Learning Center, according to a press release.

This donation brings the fundraising drive for FY2013 closer to its goal of providing more opportunities for cost-effective training that makes better use of technology. Fundraising for 2013 began during the Convention/Expo and continues through June.

“Minnesota dealers want to show our commitment to all the good the RV Learning Center does for us,” said Will Jarnot of Pleasureland RV. “We know this donation is money well-spent because supporting the RV Learning Center is an investment in the future of our industry. If we didn’t have the RV Learning Center, where else would dealers turn for continuing education that speaks to our unique needs?”

“Minnesota RVDA’s donation is a fine example of what we as dealers can accomplish working together,” said RV Learning Center Chairman Jeff Pastore. “This gift will go a long way toward keeping the RV Learning Center leading change in our industry through innovative and cost-effective educational programs.”

Donations to the RV Learning Center fund programs including webinars on current topics, training and certification for dealership staff, essential publications and learning guides, and the Convention/Expo. Convenient online donations as well as a printable form that accommodates customized pledges and donations have simplified giving for 2013.

The RV Learning Center is supported by dealers, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and other RV industry members who are committed to dealership education and the high levels of customer service that is provided by educated employees

For more information go to www.rvlearningcenter.com and learn more about what the RV Learning Center does for dealers and how you can help keep it going. The RV Learning Center is a tax exempt organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions may be tax deductible as charitable donations.

Jeff Pastore Donates $5,000 to Learning Center

RV Learning Center Chairman Jeff Pastore and the Pastore family pledged $5,000 to the RV Learning Center during its 2013 annual campaign.

According to a press release, the fundraiser is aimed at securing the “resources needed to keep pace with training and education needs for RV dealers and staff in a challenging but growing economy.”

The new pledge by Pastore, owner of Hartville RV Center in Ohio, raises the dealership’s lifetime pledge to $15,500.

“As chairman of the RV Learning Center board, Jeff Pastore has shown his dedication to continuing education many times over just in the time and energy he devotes to its success,” said Recreation Vehicle Dealer Association President Phil Ingrassi. “The Pastore family’s pledge increase is an extension of Jeff’s already overwhelming commitment to the RV Learning Center and all the good it does to improve our industry work force.”

The fundraising drive for 2013 kicked off at the RVDA Convention/Expo in October and continues through the end of June.

RVDA said that donating is easier this year with the addition of a web page for online donations and the convenience of a printable form that allows a variety of pledging options and customized payment plans to meet donor needs. All donors receive a lapel pin and active donors of $100 or more will be recognized in a listing appearing monthly in RV Executive Today and on the RVDA website.

For more information, go to www.rvda.org.

Webster City RV Gives $5K to ‘Learning Center’

Rod Ruppel of Webster City RV in Webster City, Iowa, pledged $5,000 to the RV Learning Center, according to a press release.

His donation fuels this year’s fundraising drive, Annual Campaign 2013, which commenced during the RV Dealers International Convention/Expo in Las Vegas. The campaign runs through the end of the Learning Center’s fiscal year in June of 2013 and is aimed at continuing to fund innovative and cost-effective training, education and learning resources for dealership personnel.

The $5,000 pledge puts Webster City RV into the Champion level of donors to the RV Learning Center. That category, second only to Major Gifts, is designated for donors making gifts or cumulative pledges between $2,500 and $24,999.

“This generous pledge from Rod Ruppel is just more evidence of why Rod is such a valued member of our dealer body,” said RV Learning Center Chairman Jeff Pastore of Hartville RV Center in Hartville, Ohio. “As an at-large member of the RVDA Board of Delegates, Rod is a leader in our organization, but he is also one of those far-sighted dealers who truly leads the way in our industry as well.”

“I strongly encourage other dealers to follow Rod’s lead,” said Pastore. “Make a donation. Pledge to give over time. When you do that, you are funding critical programs we rely on like the convention/expo, webinars on timely topics, publications that educate and inform our employees, and cost-effective training for everyone on a dealer’s staff. You are showing you believe in education and that’s a powerful example for your staff and for other dealers.”

For more information on the Foundation’s RV Learning Center, visit www.rvlearningcenter.com, send an e-mail to info@rvda.org, or send a fax to (703) 359-0152.

RVDA Urging Certification for Dealer Personnel

The RV Learning Center is offering certification for a dealership’s fixed operation employees, including technicians who can be certified through a joint program with the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA).

According to a press release, the RV Learning Center is designating the week of March 10-16 as “RV Professional Certification Week.” Certification candidates taking the test during the designated week will receive a free, one-year subscription to RV Technician magazine.

“The rewards of education serve the industry, the dealer and the individual employee over time, as increased professionalism makes our industry perform better,” said RVDA Chairman Jeff Hirsch. “My sincere advice is that if you want to separate yourself from the competition, then train, train, and train some more. Allow your people to separate your company from the pack.”

Dealers will benefit from:

• Higher rates of employee retention.

• Greater dealership profitability.

• A higher level of professionalism among staff,

• Enhanced customer service.

• Increased credibility with customers.

For individual employees, certification means:

• Greater self-confidence.

• A respected career path.

• Evidence of competence, dedication, accomplishment and professionalism.

• A validation of their knowledge and skills set as an RV professional.

Learn more about certification and training opportunities for technicians, warranty administrators, and service writer/advisers by listening to free recordings of recent informational web seminars. Thirty-minute web seminar recordings are available on the RV Learning Center’s website at www.rvlearningcenter.com. Three recordings are available:

• Technician Training Online and Technician Certification Preparation

• An Introduction to the RV Learning Center’s Service Writer/Advisor Certification Program

• An Introduction to the RV Learning Center’s Warranty Administrator Certification Program

Managing Millenials Webinar Set for Thursday

Dealership personnel are invited to attend a free webinar focusing on managing a younger work force. According to a press release, “Managing Millennials” is scheduled for Thursday (Dec. 20) at noon (Eastern). It will cover how to hire and retain this fast-growing segment of the work force, discuss ways to make the most of the socially-oriented team focus and share strategies for keeping them engaged and productive.

A recent RV Learning Center webinar for dealers that focused on health care reform attracted more 200 participants. These webinars, provided through a newly formed strategic alliance between the RV Learning Center and KPA, are the beginning of a schedule that will include twice-monthly webinars produced by KPA and available free of charge to RVDA members.

“We’re excited about the benefits of this partnership,” said RVDA President Phil Ingrassia, noting that KPA is an associate member of RVDA. “Through this arrangement with KPA, we are expanding the ability of the RV Learning Center to promote education about best practices related to environmental regulations, health, and HR. It offers our members access to resources they cannot find in other places.”

KPA has been servicing RV dealerships throughout the country with our environment and safety, and HR management services, and is very pleased to share our complementary webinars through the RV Learning Center,” said Patric Timmermans, vice president of marketing at KPA.

To register for the “Managing Millennials” webinar click here.

 

« Previous Page — Next Page »