A Step in the Right Direction
The second Rendezvous of 2011 in Heber Springs, Arkansas was quite a success. We are still marveling what a great group of members we have. The energy and enthusiasm of both members and presenters will be something to remember for months ahead. We all had so much fun and can’t wait to post some of the videos and photos in the near future. Thank you all for your kind comments and suggestions for the next one.
2012 Rendezvous Dates Announced
We hope you will mark your calendars now and plan to attend either of the Workamper Rendezvous events scheduled at the same venue in Heber Springs, Arkansas. The dates are:
April 17-19, 2012 and October 23-25, 2012 
Why Heber Springs Arkansas? This is the home of Workamper News, Inc. and everyone that has been to the Heber Springs Community Center will tell you what a wonderful venue it is. Attendees were amazed at how beautiful, functional, and friendly the staff are at the Center. Not only that, the Mayor dropped by again to invite everyone to enjoy the facilities at no cost while here. Gym, exercise machines, classes, aquatic center with arthritis pool and more. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer campgrounds are top-rated, and Greers Ferry Lake is renowned as one of the top cleanest lakes in the country. For us to hold the Rendezvous at another location away from our home base would be cost-prohibitive. Not only does the staff devote many hours to setting up and breaking down, we have a team of wonderful volunteers to help. Besides that, there are a lot of things for attendees to do if they plan to come and spend some time in our region.
Most people did camp at one of the USACE campgrounds which were just 5-10 minutes away from the venue. There were others that flew or drove their cars here and stayed in local motels. Everyone seemed very pleased with accommodations.
We had beautiful weather most days, although temperatures dropped and the wind picked up with some rain the very night we planned to utilize the campground shelter and we had to move it indoors. We can only hope for the future! What a difference one day can make from another in fall or spring weather!
The October event was the same as the April Rendezvous in 2011, with the exception that Mark Kohler attended in person. Oh, what a hoot he is, despite talking about taxes and making money! Nothing boring about Mark; he’s a true comedian! Very quick-witted besides being a genius when it comes to saving on taxes.
Jaimie Hall Bruzenak was a stand-out in her red cowboy hat and her seminar was standing-room only. Everyone loved hearing Arline Chandler share about all the people she’s met and wonderful places she and her husband have been. The slideshow is a travelogue of most people’s Bucket List. George Montgomery gave very useful information to important tax planning record-keeping, corporate entity selection and the importance of a domicile. Terry and Evada Cooper—the nicest people you’ll ever meet—were very popular with their RV maintenance and RV kitchen tips and tricks.
Everyone said they wished they could either bottle Jody Anderson Duquette’s energy and cuteness and the gals loved Luke. Attendees that had been Workampers for years soon realized just how much they had under-utilized the Workamper News website, resources and tools until Jody and Luke gave them a guided tour.
It was great for attendees to learn more about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ history and job or volunteer opportunities from Carolyn Bauer, Manager at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Volunteer Clearinghouse. They have helped Workampers find positions for over 20 years. One couple reported how thrilled they were to be hired on at beautiful Estes Park in Colorado.
Phillip Schafer, Workamper Liason at Amazon, Inc. spoke about the job opportunities working at several of Amazon’s fulfillment centers. They hire more than a thousand Workampers for the holiday season! Several workampers were heading straight there to be Santa’s Elves right after the Rendezvous ended.
Kathy Jo Anderson did a wonderful job organizing the event’s activities, making sure everything and every staff member and volunteers were in place. She is the queen of Behind The Scenes. Her small stature didn’t hinder her as the Store manager, and all went very well there. There were a few books we ran out of, but the orders will be filled promptly in the coming week. Many Sewiepigs went home with attendees, but there are many more still looking for homes to do the jobs they were designed for.
Our Commander in Chief and Director of Possibilities, Steve Anderson, was his jovial self and he served as the Master of Ceremonies as well as an awesome Presenter. Those that had a
chance to meet him now realize his enthusiasm and appreciate his vision for Workampers.
Bill Albright who so patiently answers all your questions when you call the office and part-time Vangie Stone who is an office-assistant dynamo were introduced the first day…then returned to the office to man the phones and get store orders out.
Tempa Davis and husband Fred—they are just the best friends Workamper News has! Each of them volunteered in so many capacities to make the Rendezvous a success, and we truly couldn’t do without them. During the Rendezvous, Tempa mostly helped out at the on-site Store, taking and processing orders. Fred’s primary job during the event was as videographer/interviewer (my assistant who often worked alone when I was away acting as Girl-Friday and roving reporter).
George Bruzenak (Jaimie’s husband) was our videographer/cameraman. You will appreciate his hard work when you see all the photos and videos we will be posting on our website.
Other volunteers included Lee Smith, husband of Arline Chandler Smith, who carried out various duties throughout the event and my husband, Grady Smith, who was Guy-Friday. He greeted folks and minded the Sewiepig pen. He made so many great friends and shared lots of laughs.
Last but not least, a big Thank You goes out to Greg and Debbie Robus, the founders of Workamper News who always jump in to help behind the scenes, in front of the scenes and every which way but loose!
Everyone jumped in with set-up and break-down and everything went very smoothly. (If there was anything, I didn’t get a hint of it!)
As you can see, it takes just about a village to put on the Rendezvous and we appreciate each and every one of our staff, our volunteers and all the member and dreamer friends we met!
Get a Bulls-Eye With Lifetime Membership
We are getting down to the wire for the LIFETIME GOLD MEMBERSHIP opportunity! This rare offer ends in ONE WEEK. Monday, October 31st is the LAST DAY you can sign up as a
Lifetime Gold Member and never have to pay dues again. More importantly, you will be a GOLD member with all the best resources and tools available for your use—forever.
The best way to determine if this opportunity is for you is to look at all it has to offer. First, let’s look at the price. If you are a current member, you are paying ANNUALLY $33.00 for a Basic membership; $48.00 for a WorkamperPlus membership; $90 for a Silver membership; or $198.00 for a Gold membership.
The average number of years Workampers remain members is about SEVEN years. Using the WorkamperPlus member as an example, at $48.00 annually, you will save $37.00 in membership dues at today’s rates over a period of four years. But let’s face it: the chances that we won’t have to raise the annual rates during the seven year period at least once or twice is slim…therefore, you are saving even more. Postage keeps going up, up, up, as do printing costs and everything else.
If you became a GOLD member when Club Workamper was first launched, you paid $199.00 to become a member for 12 months. If you wish to become a LIFETIME member now, you would get credit for what you already spent ($198) towards the Lifetime price. You would pay $101 for a Lifetime Gold membership.
However, PRICE is far from the best reason to become a LIFETIME GOLD MEMBER!!!! The tools and resources the GOLD members are afforded are the REAL reasons you should take advantage of this opportunity.
TAKE A PEEK at all the ADVANTAGES Gold Level Members have included FOR FREE at their membership level. Then, sign up THIS WEEK!!!!
National Assn. of RV Parks & Campgrounds
Did you miss the Webinar on October 13, 2011 that the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) presented? They are offering an educational program on communication, health & safety, technology, guest services, and general industry knowledge, to help open doors for you. To learn more about their program, you can view the recorded webinar.
Workamper Calendar:
Workamper Campfire – October 25, 2011 - 3:00 p.m. CT
1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT/3 p.m. CT/4 p.m. ET
Join other Workampers and Workamper Dreamers who have questions about Workamping and would like to have them discussed around the campfire. You can submit your question and we will do our best to provide input on your question during the event. Please submit your question when you register if you can. We will also take live questions during the Campfire event.
DNC Parks at Yellowstone – Jobinar–October 26, 2011 – 12:00 p.m. CT 
10 a.m. PT/11 a.m. MT/12 p.m. CT/1 p.m. ET
Make life-long friends while enjoying first-hand the amazing wonders of living in Yellowstone National Park. Positions go from May/June through August/September. Full hookup RV sites and employee meals available. Find out all about it by participating in this live webinar where you can ask all your questions! You can also learn details by visiting their Featured Employer Page at Workamper.com.
To register for the jobinar, click HERE.
Join The Discussions On These Hot Topics!
At the Workamper News Forums Site–
- Where are you headed for your “Winter Jobs?” Add yours at the Workampers Forum (Member-only);

- If you are researching employers, start at the Workamper Experiences Forum (Member-only);
- Post your images at the Workamper Images Forum and check out the ones already there!
- Tell us about your experience at “Another Season Comes to a Close” at the General Workamping Forum;
- Will you be able to be “Home for the holidays”? How do you feel about it? Share yours at the Full-timing Forum;
- Solos- let’s hear from you at the Solo Workamping Forum;
- Check out the latest projects at the DIY, Mods & Upgrades Forum. You can upload photos too!
- “Ants, ants, ants everywhere!!! Need your help!” Join in at the Workamper Interests and Hobbies Forum.
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