|
NOVEMBER 2009 MEETING
PHOTOS
On November 7, 2009 we gathered at Brookford Community Center near Hickory, NC
for our November business meeting. Before the meeting, several members
participated in a work session on the Wade's Train
Town layout. Minutes of the meeting are here and
photos are below.
Jack Haynes
scrubs away cleaning a building under the
Carl Wessel gives Steve August a tutorial on ballasting while
watchful eye of Stephen Wood, our visitor from Div 13.
Stephen Wood and Neal Anderson kibitz in the background.
Michael Lethcoe
assumes his usual position under the layout while
checking out the wiring for a new streetlight.
Jack Haynes
gives the clerks report to our meeting...
... while
Steven August ponders the next item of business.
Photos contributed by Gil Brauch
Minutes of the Meeting
The meeting was held at 1:00 at the Brookford Town Hall,
Brookford, NC.
Steve opened the meeting at 1:05.
Clerk Report:
Jack Haynes reported that the latest MER file had 94 members listed. Of those,
seven were from out of the area and four were in the SC counties that may be
added to our Division. A total of fourteen NMRA members reside in those counties
and would become Division members if the transfer is completed.
Directors Report:
Roy Becker stated that all the current officers are willing to continue serving,
except for the Assistant Superintendent. The Directors needed nominees for one
Director and the Asst Superintendent. He had received no response from Jack
Monette, but Jack telephoned during the meeting and declined to run again. The
Directors are nominating Bob Halsey for Asst Super and Jim Rager for
Director. The bylaws do not allow for any additions by the Directors after
today's meeting, but nominations may be made from the floor at the Annual
Meeting in January.
Paymaster report:
Dick reported that the Division ahs a current balance of $1,194.35. Net income
from events have been: from the Ops weekend $234.34; MRU $225.00; Turnout clinic
$165.00; a donation $77.50. The net change from last year is $730.03. There has
been no Director's audit so far this year. Roy agreed that it will be done after
this coming annual report.
AP Report:
Dave Chance summarized the 4th quarter report. Four Division members have
earned the Gold Spike award, Seth Gartner, David Ward, Jerry Shepherdson, and
Steve August.
Other AP's have been awarded to Jim Allen, Gil Brauch, and Steve August. Two
others have been submitted. Fourteen other members have work in progress on
awards. Jack Parker is working on the Master Builder Cars AP which will be his
seventh award and would earn the MMR.
Wade's Train Town Report:
Gil Brauch submitted a preliminary Annual Report for Train Town. They have had
10 open houses this year, with 580 visitors. About two-thirds of the layout has
been restored. Five members have worked over 280 hours on the restoration,
mostly by three members: Carl Wessel, Mike Lethcoe, and Gil. They have received
about $1260.00 in donations most of which has gone back into materials and
supplies for the restoration work. They have a cash balance of $144.00 to meet
future needs.
Web Site Report:
Gil Brauch reported that the web site has been up and running and updated
regularly. He would like more material and requests all members to submit items
of interest: photos of Division activities, model or prototype scenes, how-to
articles, etc.
Old Business:
Steve reported that the Jim Teese award had been continued at last year's Annual
Meeting, was presented at this year's National Convention, and went to an MER
member.
It goes to the first time modeler with the most points. He asked if we want to
continue this award at National, or change to a local Division award or
Regional. Gil suggested that the officers meet and come up with a recommendation
for an award of some sort either local or regional. Dave Chance pointed out that
for a local Division award, we would have to have a local modeling contest.
Op Session Weekend:
Steve reported that our first Ops Weekend was successful and all participants
had a good time. There was an article covering it in the latest BP. There were
26 registrations. Planning is starting now for next year. the scheduled dates
are October 8-10, 2010. A longer article has been submitted to Scale
Rails. They are looking for helpers for planning next year.
New Business:
Steve has been elected a Regional Director. Big issue at last MER Director's
meeting was incorporation of Divisions. It was stated that Divisions are not
covered by the National 501(3)c designation. Donations are technically not
deductible. Incorporating costs about $60-$100, About twice that for 501, and
more for 501(3)c (dealing with IRS). He is looking at web sites for assistance,
forms, etc. Need to submit bylaws, and list of Directors. The motivation for
incorporating is to protect officers and members involved in Division
activities. After speaking with the officers, Steve is moving ahead with it,
working on articles of incorporation. Incorporation and tax-free status is at
state level; 501(3)c means filing with the IRS and there is a specific
prohibition for “hobby groups”. There must be an educational element to qualify.
2009 Activities:
There will be a turnout clinic at David Wards on Nov 14 (registration full).
Brookford will have open houses Nov 14 and Dec 12; work sessions Nov 12 and Dec
10. On December 5, there will be open houses and Jack Parker's and Rick Knight's
layouts.
RMU:
Roy reported that they will have the same format as last year: three
simultaneous sessions for three time periods. Info is being posted to the
Division web site as it is finalized.
2010 Calendar:
Steve reported that he is looking at a visit to Lancaster and Chester RR for
February, a presence at the Hickory Train Show on April 10, and is working on a
garden RR tour.
Model RR Month:
Gil has spoken with the Brookford town clerk and we could use the facility there
for a promotional event. He suggests trying to organize something around the
open house for Train Town, setting up an N-Scale modular layout, inviting area
hobby shops to set up tables, etc. Gil will submit a proposal to the Division
Board of Directors for consideration for next year.
Action Items:
Gil Brauch will submit a proposal to the Division Board of Directors for a
promotional event at Brookford next November.
Steve will put together documents necessary to incorporate
the Division.
Division Board of Directors will meet and come up with a
recommendation for an award of some sort, either local or regional to succeed
the Jim Teese award.
Roy Becker will organize a Directors' audit of the Division
treasury after this coming annual report.
Meeting adjourned at 2:00
Respectfully submitted,
Jack Haynes
Division Clerk
| 
