South Mountain Division, Mid-Eastern Region, National Model Railroad Association

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

Minutes submitted by Clerk Harvey Heyser

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SMD Mini-Con of April 18 and the regular meeting of May 17 had to be cancelled.

[A summary of actions taken in preparation for the 9-13-20 meeting is appropriate here.  

Through the late spring and summer, NMRA National developed guidelines for remote/distance events.  Those guidelines were shared with all NMRA groups through the Regions.  MER Director Bob Morningstar passed information along to the SMD.

The Officers and Advisory Committee held a Planning Meeting for Remote/Distanced Meetings by an 8-28-20 test Zoom call.  Minutes of that meeting were made available to members by e-mail on 9-7-20. 

During the Planning Meeting, the Officers and Advisory Committee reviewed the SMD By-Laws, which include the following:

Article XII-1:  “Membership meetings will be held at such times and places as may be determined by the officers.”  Note that the Officers are charged with determining the places of meetings.  Based on advice from the NMRA National, the Zoom platform can be considered a place.  Also note that the By-Laws do not specifically mandate face-to-face elections.  Consequently, the Officers (with Advisory Committee agreement) decided to hold the election at a remote regular membership meeting normally scheduled for the second Sunday of September (9-13-20).

Article XII-4:  “Proxy voting is permitted on any issue where advance notice is sent to all members, such as referendums, changes in the Bylaws, or election of officers. Proxies will be sent to the Clerk-Paymaster, who will vote them as directed.”

Article XII-5:  “At any membership meeting, fifteen members (in person or by proxy) will constitute a quorum for purposes of voting on items announced in advance. Fifteen members (in person) will constitute a quorum for other purposes.”

Article XIII-4:  “The names of the candidates for office will be communicated to the membership at least fifteen days before the election.”

Article XIII-5:  “If contested, the election will be conducted by the Nominating Committee Chair at the annual meeting via secret ballot. Ballots will be counted and results announced before the close of the meeting. Positions will be filled by a simple plurality of votes.”

Members were notified of the election and candidates by e-mail on 9-29-20.  As there was only one nominee for each position, the election was not contested.  Consequently, the election could be conducted by the out-going Superintendent.

In preparation for the remote regular meeting and at the suggestion of MER Director Bob Morningstar, Zoom practice sessions were held on 9-11-20 and 9-12-20 in order to familiarize members with logging into Zoom meetings.  Members were able to participate in those sessions by various electronic devices and by land line telephones.]

Division members met remotely on the internet using the Zoom platform.  After some socializing, out-going Superintendent Alex Polimeni called the business meeting to order.

20.9-1 Paymaster’s Report:  Paymaster Ray Price reported that the Division has $3808.09 in its bank account.  That balance took into consideration the Division’s purchase of a Zoom license, expenses related to the fall Wheel Report, and receipt of 2 checks from the MER.  The Paymaster reported that he did not purchase the $150 gift certificate raffle prize for the cancelled Mini-Con.

20.9-2 Clerk’s Report (Meeting Minutes):  Clerk Harvey Heyser summarized the draft minutes for the March meeting (previously distributed by e-mail).  Don Florwick made the following motion (second by Bob Johnson):

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

Minutes of the Planning Meeting held by the Officers and Advisory Committee (8-28-20) had been made available previously for members to read via e-mail.  There was agreement that no further discussion was necessary at the September membership meeting.

Old Business:  Old business will be discussed at the October 2020 meeting.

New Business:  

20.9-3 Election of officers:  Out-going Superintendent Polimeni stated that this remote meeting was being held in a time of emergency.  He reviewed the provisions of the by-laws and the decisions made by the Officers and Advisory Committee.  He placed the slate of nominees for elected officer positions before the membership for a vote:  Superintendent – Jerry Skeim, Clerk – Harvey Heyser, and Paymaster – Ray Price.  A roll call vote was taken.  For the purposes of establishing that a quorum was present the following names are numbered and in the order of the roll call.

Voting for the slate of nominees:

1) Ron Polimeni, 2) Jay Beckham, 3) Bill Wilson, 4) Dave Thalman, 5) Ray Price, 6) Jerry Skeim, 7) John Madden, 8) Bob Johnson, 9) Jack Fritz 10) Andy Arnold, 11) Don Florwick, 12) Gary Nastasi   13) Bill Martz, 14) Andrew Roberts,15) Harvey Heyser, 16) Rich Nemchik, 17) Alex Polimeni, 18) proxy Tom Fedor, and 19) proxy Richard Benjamin.  (The 2 proxy votes were cast by the Clerk.)

Voting against the slate as presented – no one.

Abstaining – none of the SMD members present – (Meeting attendees who live in non-SMD counties did not vote.)

Bob Johnson made the following motion (second by Ron Polimeni):

Motion:  That the slate of nominees be adopted unanimously.  The motion passed unanimously.

20.9-4 Zoom account:  Alex Polimeni will administer the SMD account for now.  The page can be used for informal (non-meeting) activities (hanging out, etc.).  Experience with the practice Zoom sessions indicated ways to share content (use of the screen share capability on Zoom), ask questions, get help with problems, give layout tours, and hold other activities of interest to the membership.

20.9-5 Revisions to the By-Laws:  Alex Polimeni pointed out the need for provisions related to “times of emergency” and suggested that matter be taken up during the course of periodic review of the by-laws.

20.9-6 Members praised outgoing Superintendent Polimeni for the job he did during his term of office.

20.9-7 Division Facebook page:  Members were encouraged to use the page for informal contacts.

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

Following the meeting, informal discussion among members continued.