BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S MEETING
July 18, 2015
Meeting called to order at 12:30 pm at the home of Bill White. Present were Brian Sheron, Superintendent, Marshall Abrams, Senior Assistant Superintendent, Tom Brodrick, Paymaster, Bill White, Clerk. Phil Scruggs was unavailable as he was moving that day.
The minutes from the May 13, 2015 meeting were approved.
Program Reports
Layout tours: The Division now has tours scheduled for September, November, December and January.
Achievement Program: There was no activity since the last board meeting.
Paymaster: The only income was $47.42 received as op session fees for a total balance on account of $5,047.42.
Flyer: The next issue will come out in October with an article deadline of September 1. Presently available are four or five Company Car articles, an article by Brian on train crash exhibitions and one open house report. Jim Brewer's open house in September could be used for a cover photo.
Webmaster: No activity to report. Bill Mosteller is satisfied with the change to the new web site hosting provider. Clint Hyde's article on disposal will be removed from the web site and re-edited by Tom Brodrick. He will check with MER to see if they have any articles on disposal.
Op Sessions: Brian will host in September; Bill Demas is available for November.
PD Files: All have been reviewed and 70% have been transferred to Drop box. All board members will have exclusive access through a password. After a review Bill White will dispose of paper legacy files from the 1990's.
Excursions: An excursion on the Walkersville Southern was approved and is tentatively planned for September 12, Jesse James Day. Brian will call to confirm the date. The Division will request rental of an ex-LIRR P-54 passenger car for $450 with open seating. The fees for members and their guests are $8 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under. The Division will subsidize the ticket sales as necessary from its budget. A shop tour will also be requested. Brian will check on the policy regarding walking the train. We are likely to make a donation to the railroad.
Contacts: Tom will take the lead on developing new speakers and training them. An ad will be placed in the Flyer seeking volunteers. All board members will review the dated Power Point presentation on model railroading as a hobby, which is to be used as a reference by speakers, and send their suggestions to Marshall. Brian will develop a list of experienced presenters. Brian will talk to MER President PJ Mattson about possibility of having an NMRA table at Timonium shows.
2016 Minicon
The 2016 Minicon is tentatively set for April 2nd at St. Mathews. Tom will chair. Marshall will be responsible for clinics; Registration: Bill Demas; Modulars & Food: Phil Scruggs; Contests & White Elephant: Brian. A luncheon speaker will be recruited by Brian. All board members will be responsible for advertising and marketing.
New Business
2018 MER Convention: MER has authorized. Site likely to be Crown Plaza, Rockville. Tom will check on pricing and provide them with previous convention prices and rooms reserved.
Next Meeting
On October 3rd at Tom Brodrick's house.
Action Items:
Walkersville Southern Excursion: Brian
Write-up following September Op Session, list of Op Session participants: Bill Mosteller
Develop list of experienced presenters: Marshall and Brian
Check with MER on Timonium table: Brian
Edit disposal article: Tom
Check with Crown Plaza on 2018 MER: Tom
Solicit volunteers to present Minicon Clinics: Marshall
Review legacy materials for possible disposal: Bill White
Volunteer speaker program: Tom, Brian, Marshall
Review/comment Power Point presentation, comments to Marshall: all board members