South Mountain Division – Mid-Eastern Region – National Model Railroad Association
Draft Meeting Minutes; 12 January 2025
Called to order at 2:27 PM
14 present
Several members reported ill, one forced to atend his wedding anniversary event with his wife.
Bob thanked Richard Benjamin for hosting (at his Hobbytown store) the November event. That event is reported to have produced one confirmed new member and 2 others may have joined.
New member Fred Larimore & wife Vicky introduced themselves.
Bob reports that the February meetng will be on 2/9 and will be at the home of Richard Benjamin. Richard is the developer of the “Mushroom” design concept. Want to understand what that means? Come to the meetng in February.
The March meetng will be 3/9 and at the home of Jane and Pete Clarke.
The secretary was not present, so no minutes were read.
The treasurer had sent in his report. Balance $3,448.68. Payments have been:
- $81.88 – for printng Christmas cards
- $39.42 – for mailing those cards
- $180.19 – for the new SMD banner and other costs of the November event.
Members have suggested that SMD add a 3rd “event” to the Division calendar. Currently we have the “Mini-Con” in April at Mainline Hobby Supply, and the November event at Hobbytown Fredrick. One suggested we add 2 more. But no specifics were given.
Bob reports that the Susquehanna Division may have some members who will give clinics at the 2025 Mini-Con (4/5).
Membership had been about 90 in past years, but since Covid has dropped to near 60. But the number of those who actively attend SMD events has remained about the same. Bob reported that the MER as a whole has had a similar reduction in membership, so SMD is just experiencing the same reduction as the NMRA as a whole.
It was suggested that the focus of our attempts to gain more members shift from the very young to the middle age demographic. Frank Benenati offered to set up the new banner at the sales table he will have at the next show in Timonium (on 2/1 & 2/2/2025). This was accepted and also agreed that he should have some brochures. Bob will see that he gets all that in time for the show.
Discussion of other shows and places we could display the banner and/or have brochures.
- The Hagerstown show (but it’s only open 10 am to 2 pm so it’s hardly worth the set up/take down time)
- The Bunker Hill show
- Westminster show
- Quincy Village open house
Also shops that might allow our brochures were discussed. Mainline and Hobbytown already have and display them. There’s a new store in Mt. Airy (Toys and Trains) and evidently one in Thurmont.
How about Libraries? It’s felt that they are very limited in what they are allowed to display.
How about the Brunswick Railroad Days event? – At $150 per table it’s felt this is cost prohibitive.
To support the above program, it was moved to approve spending no more than around $200.00 to get 400 more brochures printed. That motion passed unanimously. One member, Dan Mulhearn offered to approach Quincy Village about allowing us to meet in the Village train room in May. No one else offers to follow up on any of the other suggestions.
Bob reports that a member has agreed to run for Superintendent and that Ray Price has agreed to continue as treasurer (Paymaster). No one has volunteered for the Clerk position. If no one does, then Bob suggests that we modify the by-laws to make “Paymaster/Clerk” a single position. That would allow anyone to volunteer to take notes at any given meeting. No one disagreed with that suggestion, so Bob will look into it.
Future meetings – February and March see above. April is the Mini-Con, May is open. Dan Mullen offerred to ask if the Quincy Village club would like to host that meeting.
Dan also mentioned that it is he who has offered to serve as Superintendent in the next election.
A motion to close the meeting was made and passed unanimously. The meeting closed at 3:15.
Using the one used on his railroad, Steve King then spoke on how to read a timetable.
On 14 December your Division will be conducting an all-day event to encourage model railroaders to join the NMRA at HobbyTown – Frederick, located at 454 Prospect Blvd, Frederick, MD 21701-6400; (301) 694-7395;