Author: smdnmra

Minutes submitted by Clerk Harvey Heyser

Division members met remotely on the internet using the Zoom platform.  The Superintendent convened the meeting one hour prior to the published start time to allow for any attendees having trouble with the Zoom connection time to try logging in multiple times.  After some socializing, Superintendent Jerry Skeim called the business meeting to order shortly after the 2 pm start time.

20.10-1 Paymaster’s Report:  Paymaster Ray Price reported that the Division has $3808.09 in its bank account, the same amount as in last month’s report.

20.10-2 Clerk’s Report (Meeting Minutes):  Because of computer problems (letting the smoke out), Clerk Harvey Heyser was unable to access his copy of the draft minutes.  Paymaster Price read the draft minutes for the September meeting (previously distributed by e-mail).  Ron Polimeni made the following motion (second by Alex Polimeni):

Motion:  That the draft Minutes for the September 2020 meeting be approved as submitted.  The motion passed unanimously.

There was general agreement among those present that the SMD dispense with reading of the draft minutes in future.

Old Business:  None brought up.

New Business:

20.10-3 Remote meetings:  Superintendent Skeim notified attendees that remote meetings on the internet using the Zoom platform will continue for the foreseeable future.  Meeting dates will continue to be the 2^nd Sunday of the month.  Members expressed appreciation for a first reminder 2 weeks before and a second the Friday before the scheduled meeting.  Editor Tom Fedor will post the dates on the SMD blog, and Alex Polimeni will post on Facebook.

20.10-4 2021 Mini-Con: In response to a question about delaying the date of the event because of pandemic concerns, Chair Pete Clarke made the following points:

• He indicated he had been in contact with Brian Wolfe on Mainline Hobbies.
• He asked attendees if they would give in-person clinics in a crowded hall if the situation in the spring is what it is presently.  The response was generally negative.
• He pointed out that trying to set up a spring 2020 event was likely wasted effort considering what we don’t know at this time.  He expressed his opinion that effort will be best spent keeping the SMD strong and functioning at this trying time.  (Helping Mainline Hobbies, creating content for the Wheel Report, and posting remote clinics (show and tell like the informal Mini-Con ones) on the SMD blog/Facebook pages were suggested.)
• Holding the Mini-Con outdoors was suggested but was not favored because of unpredictable weather, the difficulty of providing for power needs, and inability to hear presentations.
• Summer 2021 was suggested.  Chair Clarke indicated a willingness to consider that possibility if the current situation improves greatly and quickly.  A possible summer 2020 flea-market (not at Blue Ridge Summit) was also briefly discussed.
• Chair Clarke will begin planning for the 2022 Mini-Con in March/April of 2021.  He reminded all of the importance of Mainline’s mailing list for getting the word out.

20.10-5 Strengthening the SMD:  Members pointed out that a stronger internet presence now will help the SMD face the electronic future.  Several members reported on their positive experiences with virtual NMRA events (NMRAx).

20.10-6 Virtual Mini-Con:  In light of NMRA virtual events, a virtual Mini-Con was suggested and discussed.  Recorded clinics could be compiled for internet viewing.  Chair Clarke reminded everyone that the in-person interaction is one of the most important qualities of SMD’s Mini-Cons.

20.10-7 Virtual Raffle:  Members suggested holding a virtual raffle to support Mainline Hobbies.  Paymaster Price volunteered to handle the financial aspects of the raffle including a PayPal account.  No decision was made.

20.10-8  Brochure:  Bob Johnson reported the brochures have not been distributed and volunteered to do so (with a brief inserted notice of the upcoming remote meetings).

20.10-9 Remote Clinics – Equipment, Resources, etc.:  A desire to have more than just looking at each other’s faces was brought up.  Remote clinics and layout visits were suggested.  Attendees mentioned interest in more sharing of what we are doing.  In answer to a question, Alex Polimeni discussed recourses available to members for making remote presentations, including speaking to the camera and the screen-share function of Zoom (button at the bottom of the Zoom screen).  Following adjournment, Dave Thalman made a presentation demonstrating some possibilities.  He reported using his i-phone both walking around and mounted on a phone tripod (available on-line for $15 to $20).

20.10-10 What other groups are doing:  Attendees reported on virtual clinics and events held by other groups (both NMRA affiliated and not) and of how those interactions have aided in dealing with the isolation brought on by the pandemic.

Adjournment:  The Superintendent accepted a motion to adjourn.  The next meeting will be held remotely in November.  Members will be notified by e-mail.

Following the meeting, Dave Thalman made a presentation including a video of recent progress on his layout and a discussion of his efforts to complete background scenery.  He reminded everyone of the potential for damage to fragile foreground structures as a result of trying to reach over and around them into the more distant areas of a layout.  That fact encouraged him to do scenic work this summer. 

Dave also discussed his signaling plans using sensors (to change the lights to red when a train passes) and timers (to reset them to green after a given time interval).  That approach will greatly simplify signaling his 4-track mainline.

I would like to introduce myself to those members who may not have heard that I was elected as the new SMD Superintendent last month. My name is Jerry Skeim and just briefly, I live in Thurmont, MD and have been an NMRA member for just shy of 50 years. I moved from the Washington DC area in 2017 to Thurmont and have enjoyed being a member of the South Mountain division since that time.  I am looking forward to a good year, hoping for a time that we can get together in person before next summer, safely without the fear of this current public health crisis.  

Just letting everyone know, our next scheduled meeting is on Sunday, October 11^th by using the ZOOM application. Please email the Division at southmountaindiv@gmail.com for meeting credentials. Meeting will start at 2:00 pm. There will be the business meeting and if there are any of you that would like to participate in a little show and tell highlighting any modeling that you have done over the summer or show updates to your layout you are more than welcome to do so. I will ask for any volunteers to show us their work after we adjourn the meeting.

In other news 

Since my election last month I would like to report that the division has retained the talents of the following modelers in their roles as advisory staff to both myself and to the division. Those folks include Mr. Bob Johnson, Mr. Don Florwick, Mr. Pete Clarke and Ms. Jane Clarke along with Mr. Alex Polimeni as the Asst. Super, and Mr. Tom Fedor as our Wheel Report Editor, as well as additional social media and webmaster positions.  I do want to mention that besides being on the Advisory committee Pete Clarke has agreed to again handle the reins of the Mini-Con, should conditions permit, and Jane Clarke will continue to be our AP coordinator. Thank you to one and all, I am very grateful for your continued support, advice and counsel as we navigate the coming year.

If you are not that familiar with the ZOOM meeting format or the process on logging in, the meeting site will open 1 hour early on Sunday at 1:00. That will give those of you who might want to do an early login or if you are logging in to ZOOM for the 1^st time it gives you an opportunity to do so. Hopefully you won’t feel rushed and be able to be on board at the start of our meeting at 2:00.

From the members

Jay Beckham  – Would like the membership to know that he has 50 plus years of MRR, RMC and other model magazines to give away.  He can be reached at JAMES@thebeckhams.us.

Hope to see you all on Sunday the 11^th at 2:00.

Jerry Skeim, Superintendent