Potomac Division Board Meeting
January 9, 2010
The
Potomac Division Board meeting was convened at Superintendent Marshall
Abrams’ house at 12:40 PM. Also present were Bill Day, John
Griffith, Mark Andersen, Brian Sheron, Mat Thompson, John Drye,
Chesapeake Division liaison Russ Forte, and Bill Demas.
Paymaster’s
Report – Mark Andersen reported the Division had a net balance of
$4510.31 after income and expenses and includes a balance of $393.36
for the Module Crew. This represents a decrease of $127.90 from
the last report, and reflects an expense for electronic upgrades for
the module crew setup.
Clerk’s
Report – Bill Demas reported that as of January 1, 2010, the Division
membership stood at 365 active paid NMRA members, a net decrease of 5
since the last report.
Newsletter
– John Griffith reported on the secondary effects of an expanded
Flyer. One was that articles in PDF format could no longer be
accepted – Word only going forward. Another was that all Board
members were requested to submit two articles per issue, Neat “n Nifty
tips, and anything else appropriate to be sent to John for
inclusion. The deadline for the next Flyer is March 1,
2010. Mark will ask all clinicians for the Minicon to submit a
brief outline sketch of their respective clinics for the Flyer and the
Minicon web page.
Layout
Tours – Mat Thompson has taken over the Layout Tour Coordinator
Chair. He reported on three upcoming open houses. Rich
Steinmann in Reston on January 24 (Mat will work the door); Jim Brewer
in Glenwood, MD on February 28 (Brian will work the door); and March
14, two open houses – Phil Raymond in Gainesville, VA (Mark on the
door) and Pete LaGuardia in Haymarket, VA (Mat on the door). Mat
proposed expanding the open houses to two tours in the same
geographical area on the same day. Russ Forte reported that
Chesapeake Division will hold open houses across Anne Arundel County in
May with several outstanding, well known layouts already committed to
participate. Final details will be published on both division web pages
as the date approaches.
A
P Program – Brian Sheron reported the Division has had five AP
certificates awarded since the last report – Dave Arday, Bob Minnis,
Mat Thompson (2), and Mike White. He also reported the mini-con
will have three judges on hand for AP judging.
Computer
Clerk – Mike White submitted a report stating the many updates carried
out in the last quarter including the PD Contact list; the mini-con web
pages (though still awaiting more clinic descriptions); layout tours;
BoD minutes: contact information; and additions to the Tips ‘n Tricks
web page.
Module
Crew – Mark Andersen reported the upcoming appearances for the Crew
would be January 22 & 23 at the World’s Greatest Hobby Show in
Chantilly; the Troop 964 Boy Scout Show March 13 & 14 in Manassas;
the Fairfax Station Show May 1 & 2; and the Manassas Train Show
June 5. The Crew is converting all modules to Anderson Power
Poles, and is in the process of obtaining new skirting.
Old Business
Bylaws update – Marshall reported several proposed revisions as a
referendum for a vote of the membership at the business meeting portion
of the Minicon in order to update the bylaws. Among these are
clauses that allow Division officers to live outside the boundaries of
Potomac Division; the extension of voting privileges at Board meetings
to committee chairs– however, in case of a tie vote, only the votes of
the five elected members would count; and six physical face to face
meetings per year, but more by electronic means if necessary;
Outreach – Bill Day reported that he published a model railroad article
in a local community newsletter, and suggested it as an excellent venue
for extending publicity for the hobby.
Alternate Monthly Clinics – Mat and John Drye will research the
availability of a permanent venue and report at the next meeting.
New Business
Brian Sheron was elected to fill the vacancy on the Board for the remainder of Tom Brodrick’s term.
Modeling Skills Committee – Mike and Brian will follow up on the
“Helper Service” setup for the web page and report at the next Board
meeting.
Newsletter Rates Adjustment – The Board decided to maintain
subscription and advertising levels at their current rates.
Annual Donations – After a review of our financial position and a study
of several organizations, the Board directed that three equal donations
of $500 each be made to the Western Maryland Scenic Railway, the
Friends of the East Broad Top, and the Walkersville Southern Railroad.
John Drye will explore the feasibility of the Division co-hosting a
large convention in 2014 in Chantilly with NVTRAK in conjunction with
the N Scale National Convention and report to the Board at the next
meeting.
Elections – A Nominating Committee of John Drye and Jeff Peck has been
appointed to supervise the Board elections at the mini-con. John
will prepare an article for the Flyer and the committee will prepare
ballots, a ballot box, and a confirmed list of paid Division members
for the mini-con. Nominees will be invited to write an up to 150
word personal sketch for the Flyer.
A proposal to jointly co-host a MER Regional Convention with Chesapeake
Division in 2013 was proposed by Marshall, but tabled pending a report
on the 2014 N Scale National Convention by John Drye.
Mini-con
Contests/Judging/AP – Brian has three qualified judges lined up.
Volunteers – Bill Day will coordinate assignments.
Publicity – Russ has sent notices to all the appropriate hobby print
media.
Clinics – Mark has all the slots filled.
Modular Layouts – John Drye agreed to coordinated modular setups.
BANTRAK will set its’ layout; John will clarify
MARRS” intentions to set up and run.
The next meeting will be at the Old Country Buffet in Fairfax at noon on Saturday, February 27.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Demas, Clerk
Potomac Division