South Mountain Division – Mid-Eastern Region – National Model Railroad Association
Draft Meeting Minutes; November 10th, 2024
Division members met in-person at the Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club in Chambersburg, MD. The Superintendent called the meeting to order at 2:30pm with approximately 15 members in attendance. Superintendent Bob Johnson thanked the Club for hosting the Division, thanked John Pursell for arranging the visit, and introduced the club president. This is the second time the Division has visited the club in recent memory, which has nearly every scale short of live steam represented under one roof.
Draft Minutes & Paymaster’s Report
The Superintendent submitted one amendment to the previous meeting minutes (an incorrect date was cited for the Mini-Con) and asked for a motion to approve the amended minutes, which was made, seconded, and carried. Treasurer Ray Price reported a current treasury balance of $3921.67 after a $64.00 disbursement by MER which allocates $1 per Division member twice annually.
Old Business:
The Superintendent revisited the subject of potential volunteers for the elected officer positions of Superintendent and Clerk, and asked Clerk Alex Polimeni for an update on officer position descriptions, who reported they would be ready before the next Wheel Report was due to be published.
A matter was clarified that non-Division members cannot be elected Superintendent even if they’re NMRA members of another Division.
The Superintendent revisited the subject of a Christmas card/letter to be “snail mailed” to the Division, and distributed a draft copy of the card/letter for those in attendance to review. Division members Don Florwick, Andrew Dodge, and Tom Fedor all contributed to the card/letter. The Superintendent confirmed he would take charge of the mailing going forward.
The Superintendent updated the Division on the matter of new brochures and reported that he had placed the order for a new supply which would be ready before December.
The Superintendent revisited the topic of the Susquehanna Division asking SMD about co-hosting the April Mini-Con, and said that although he responded to Susquehanna Division, they have not gotten back to him.
New Business:
The Superintendent addressed the matter of recruiting new members into the Division and formally introduced a “model railroading meet & greet” at Division member Richard Benjamin’s Hobbytown USA location in Frederick MD in lieu of a December membership meeting.
The Superintendent proposes a motion to approve funds to have a vinyl banner made for use at the meet & greet, Mini-Con and other Division activities. Abroad NMRA member Jane Clarke recommended a $150 banner by VistaPrint. A motion to approve funds was made, seconded, and carried.
The Superintendent asked for volunteers for the December meet & greet.
Division member John Pursell inquired about the hours of the meet & greet, which are 10am-4pm. Discussion followed about the practicalities of demonstrating DCC.
The Treasurer made mention of an NMRA fiscal incentive program for people over the age of 65. The Superintendent commented that an annual NMRA membership costs about the same as an average meal for two at a chain restaurant.
The Superintendent confirmed the 2025 MER convention will be in King of Prussia, PA. The Superintendent then asked for volunteers to form an exploratory committee for the October 2027 convention, which SMD has been asked to host. Clerk Alex Polimeni and abroad NMRA member Rich Randall volunteered due to familiarity in working with venues. Division member Steve King was mentioned as being knowledgeable about hotels. The Comfort Inn in Frederick was cited as a possible venue. Abroad NMRA member Jane Clarke suggested the East Broad Top as a possible prototype to visit. Discussion followed about the practicalities of chartering a bus.
The Superintendent asked the Clarkes for an update on the EBT, who encouraged everyone to visit the EBT and its museum in Robertsdale. They cited the new ownership as applying for “every possible grant” to raise money and secure funding, raising $1.6 mil for the line’s “surprisingly salvageable” steel girder bridge. The EBT has also added two new miles of track to Jordan’s Summit.
The Superintendent introduced the Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club President. Discussion followed regarding the history of the club, which was founded in 1996 and currently resides in their 3rd and final location, which was originally a pipe warehouse. The club stands at about 35 active members and most of the layouts were built after 2005.
A motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and carried around 3:30pm.
