Draft Meeting Minutes – 21 May 2023
There was no SMD business meeting in April because the Division hosted its annual Mini-Con.
Division members met in-person at the home of Rich Randall near Gettysburg, PA. 11 or so were present. After admiring Rich’s steadily progressing layout and socializing, the Superintendent welcomed everyone and called the business meeting to order at 3 p.m.
23–5.1 Paymaster’s Report: [The notes taken made no mention of the Paymaster’s report.]
23–5.2 Clerk’s Report (Meeting Minutes): The attendees dispensed with the reading/summary of the minutes (previously distributed by e-mail). As there were no comments or corrections, per Roberts Rules of Order, the draft minutes, as submitted, were approved by acclamation.
23–5.3 Superintendent Bob Johnson thanked Rich Randall for hosting.
23-5.4 The SMD welcomed new member Grant Harrison, just moved from Denver.
23-5.5 Election – The Superintendent apologized for losing sight of the timing of the nomination process and reported that the three present officers have all indicated a willingness to serve another term. Andrew Dodge made the following motion (second by John Madden):
Motion: That the bylaws be suspended and the current officer slate be re-elected. The motion passed unanimously.
Old Business:
22-10.5 Mini-Con 2023 – Paymaster Ray Price reported the event was successful with over 100 in attendance. Monroe Stewart won $150 door prize.
In light of the Mini-Con’s success, there was a suggestion that the SMD hold a similar winter event. After discussion, it was concluded that would be too big an obligation.
22-11.4 SMD Summer Trip in 2023: The Superintendent reported on plans for an EBT tour: Organizers Jane and Pete Clarke have proposed Friday the 21st or 28th of July because Fridays are less crowded. Grant Berry observed that the Friday date largely limits attendees to retirement age.
Proposed schedule:
- 10am – Beginning,
- 11:30am – Catered lunch of pizza,
- 1pm – Guided shop tour,
- 3pm – A ride behind #16 followed by a ride on the trolley, and
- 4pm – Conclusion
A Division member’s personal cost will be $45. Guests are welcome. The Superintendent advised that everyone buy their tickets in advance.
Alex Polimeni made the following motion (second by Stefan Minne):
Motion: That the Division pay for the EBT lunch (approx $100 from Division coffers). The motion passed unanimously.
The Superintendent would like to aggressively promote the EBT tour.
New Business:
23-5.6 Hosts for 2020 meetings: 8 will be needed. John Madden, Andrew Dodge, Stef Minne, Rich Randall indicated their availability. Bob Johnson potentially will be available also. The superintendent wants the schedule established as early as possible.
Rich Randall suggested doing a barbeque meeting at his place; Andrew Dodge suggested a scheduling it for a September or October date to re-engage members.
23-5.7 “Reversing the trajectory” of the Division due to COVID era decline: Andrew Dodge observed that participation in the division has remarkably declined and suggested brainstorming directed towards reinvigorating the Division.
23-5.8 Newsletter tardiness: Editor Alex Polimeni apologized and indicated he plans a retrospective for the past season and then to return to a monthly format in September. Andrew Dodge suggested a Q&A section to share members’ expertise publicly.
23-5.9 Mainline Hobbies Fall Open House: An advertisement is needed in Wheel Report.
23-5.10 There was a discussion of SMD territory.
23-5.11 Zoom meeting with a special guest.: Andrew Dodge reported on the James River Division event.
Adjournment: The Superintendant accepted a motion to adjourn. The next meeting will be scheduled for the second Sunday in September. Members will be notified by e-mail of the place and date. The division does not schedule regular meetings in June, July, or August.
Notes for these Minutes were taken and transcribed by Wheel Report Editor Alex Polimeni; formatting by Clerk Harvey Heyser
Draft Meeting Minutes – September 10, 2023
Division members met in-person at the home of Don Florwick near Fayetteville, PA. 17 or so were present. After admiring Don’s extensive layout and socializing, the Superintendent welcomed everyone and called the business meeting to order.
23–9.1 Paymaster’s Report: Paymaster Ray Price reported the SMD bank balance was $3,669.71. The last expense was EBT pizza for $50. The Superintendent stressed SMD’s lack of revenue.
23–9.2 Clerk’s Report (Meeting Minutes): Because of a failure to get notes taken at the May meeting, there were no draft minutes to review. The Clerk hopes they will be available for the October meeting.
23–9.3 Superintendent Bob Johnson thanked Don Florwick for hosting.
23-9.4 The SMD welcomed new members Larry Daily (from Shepherdstown), Dan Mulhearnfrom Waynesboro, and another new member from Waynesboro.
23-9.5 The Superintendent reviewed the SMD’s customary schedule:
- Monthly meetings usually are held at members homes from September through May (except for April because of the Mini-Con) on the second Sunday of each month (except for May – third Sunday because of Mother’s Day).
- The meetings start at 2pm with a layout tour followed by a business meeting and a clinic (if available) – The SMD is always looking for clinicians; please contact the Superintendent to volunteer.
- The April gathering is the open to all modelers Mini-Con held in conjunction with Mainline Hobbies in Blue Ridge Summit, PA.
Old Business:
22-11.4 SMD Summer Trip in 2023: The Superintendent reviewed the day, and Rich Randall praised the Robertsdale mine tour given by Pete Clarke.
23-5.6 Division picnic: Following up on Rich Randall suggestion, there were several suggestions of a picnic as a Division activity. No action was taken.
New Business:
23-9.6 Keeping current with membership: The Superintendent reminded all to renew and to update e-mail addresses.
23-9.7 Hosts for the upcoming November, December, and January meetings are needed. Please contact the Superintendent.
23-9.8 SMD hosting a MER Regional Convention (the main way of raising revenue in the past): The last one hosted by the SMD was 2005 in Hagerstown.
23-9.9 SMD brochures: The batch printed before COVID are getting low. There was sentiment expressed for getting another batch printed because the Division needs exposure. The consensus was for the Superintendent to get a price.
23-9.10 Volunteers: The Superintendent requested a volunteer for membership coordinator to reach out to new members and possibly for a new Clerk/Secretary [given that the current Clerk has not been at any face-to-face meetings in years.]
23-9.11 COVID concerns were expressed (considering the new strain circulating). The consensus was that common sense is for those especially worried to use N95 masks.
23-9.12 Items of Interest:
- The Shay at Kinneyman’s
- A steam tractor ice cream machine
- MER 2023 convention in Altoona – The hotel is sold out.
Adjournment: The Superintendant accepted a motion to adjourn. The next meeting will be scheduled for the Sunday, October 8 at 2:00 p.m. at Larry Daley’s home in Shepherdstown, WV. Larry has a small layout based on the Piedmont Sub of the Chesapeake and Ohio, started in 2016 and 2/3rd’s scenicked. (Larry notified everyone that US Route 340 is closed for maintenance and recommended using an alternative route across the Potomac River.) Members will be reminded by e-mail.
Notes for these Minutes were taken and transcribed by Wheel Report Editor Alex Polimeni; formatting by Clerk Harvey Heyser
Following the meeting, host Don Florwick thanked everyone for coming, gave a history of his time in the hobby, and explained how this railroad came to be.
WHAT: POTOMAC DIVISION IN-PERSON TECHNICAL CLINIC
