South Mountain Division
Mid-East Region – National Model Railroad Association
Draft Meeting Minutes – January 13, 2019
Division members met at Pete and Jane Clarke’s home. 10 or so were present because of impending weather. After viewing the layout and socializing, Superintendent Alex Polimeni called the business meeting to order.
19.1-1 Paymaster’s Report: As the Paymaster was not present (because of weather), the Superintendent presented the report (received by e-mail) with a balance of $4032.75.
19.1-2 Clerk’s Report (Meeting Minutes): As the Clerk was not present (because of weather), the Superintendent read the draft December minutes, which had been distributed by e-mail to the members. Pete Clarke made the following motion (seconded by ?):
Motion: That the draft minutes not be read at future meetings if they have been distributed by e-mail. The motion passed unanimously.
Tom Fedor made the following motion (seconded by Pete Clarke):
Motion: That the draft Minutes for the December 2018 meeting be approved as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.
Former Clerk David Sweeney volunteered to take minutes in the present Clerk’s absence.
Old Business:
18.10-4 2019 Mini-Con: Date: Saturday, April 13, 2019. Location: Blue Ridge Fire Company, Blue Ridge, PA. Chair Pete Clarke (ebtmx5@aol.com) summarized arrangements to date:
b. Informal clinics: Approximately nine spaces are still available. (One suggestion: working on a model has gotten very positive response in the past.)
k. Publicity: Use of e-mail addresses received at past Mini-Cons for publicizing the up-coming Mini-Con was discussed. The proposed use of the list is for a short (3 sentence) notice of the upcoming Mini-Con and for a late summer notice of up-coming SMD activities to promote interest in NMRA (and SMD) membership. The Superintendent has not yet assembled the list.
18.10-5 Web Site: Tom Fedor reported he is not able to modify the current web site and, consequently, has been tasked with developing a new web site. He requested direction for what the SMD wanted the new site to be. What should be kept and what discarded?
He advocated for choosing the Word Press Blog, which is easy for him to edit and up-date. It will keep the site more active. He suggested keeping the old web site as an archive/link to the new site for old Wheel Reports, by-laws, and achievement program information. The Superintendent concurred.
Consensus: Tom Fedor should proceed with revising the web site on his own and should keep the Superintendent informed. The membership does not need to be directly involved.
18.12-4 MER Convention Registrar: A volunteer is still needed immediately. Other MER volunteer positions are also open (per Bob Charles, Susquehanna Division Superintendent).
18.12-6 Contacting Mini-Con attendees: See discussion in 18.10-4-k above.
New Business:
19.1-3 Hosts Pete and Jane Clarke welcomed everyone to their HOn3 East Broad Top Railroad.
19.1-4 Jack Fritz reported that the widow of the proprietor of Grand Dad’s Hobbies has old magazines, kits, and other model railroading materials she wishes to dispose of. The members suggested forwarding information about auctioneers, including the one Andy Arnold has had good experiences with.
19.1-5 Meeting hosts: The superintendent reported difficulty getting commitments to host future meetings. He has been trying to arrange meetings at layouts the SMD has not been to recently (the last year or two). He asked for ideas and suggestions, especially for the March and May meetings. Members present encouraged Jack Fritz (also present) to volunteer.
19.1-6 Future Meeting agendas: To make meetings more interesting, Andy Dodge has suggested the following to Jane Clarke:
– Show and tell sessions for both models and techniques,
– Themed meetings (for instance, everybody bring a caboose), and
– Discussion of the Achievement Program.
Adjournment: The Chair accepted a motion to adjourn. Notice of the next SMD meeting will be communicated to the members.
Minutes taken by Former Clerk David Sweeney and compiled by Clerk Harvey Heyser
