by Ricky Bivins, Chapter President

Well hello again fellow Chapter Members. As the last meeting drew to a close January 23rd, a lot of points concerning our Chapter had been made. Better than half of the thirteen members present were at one point or another, involved it what turned out to be a very constructive discussion. I am very aware that several members were not so entertained. Others said the meeting was positive. One member said it was long overdue. It is not easy to please everyone on every aspect of being a “club” of any type. We have a singular interest, as Bob Moffet pointed out when he said, “I like trains”.

Near the end of the meeting, Chuck Hinrichs made a very good point, one that I vividly recall having been made several years ago when a discussion ensued over lengthy business portions of our meeting night. Chuck said to the effect “…then let the Officers meet before the meeting to decide issues…that’s what we elect them to do”.

The Officers will meet on February 23rd at my house at 7:00PM! The results of the meeting and decisions made there in will be presented to the members present on the 27th and if a vote is needed so it will be done. All members are invited to attend this first pre-meeting meeting. CSX may provide some entertainment just across Railroad Street and I do have some trains running on my Lionel Layout in the upstairs bay.

I asked for a volunteer to take charge of programs and coordinate trips, events etc. and to bring new event ideas to the members for consideration. No one was willing to do so! After the business portion of the meeting was over I ask 7 members at random it they had read the newsletter. I was disappointed but not surprised to learn only two had done so….one of the members asked that had not is an officer!!!

If we are to function as a “Society” and are to move forward, we must take time to be informed. If we do not “function” as a group we are destine to either fail or founder. I hope to gain member support and move the Chapter forward, to function as a group and to be able to take pride in what we do or have done. At one point I brought to light our declining membership statistics. To which someone replied, “…can’t always measure success with numbers”. That is very true. But declining membership and as Wally Watts said “apathy” will undermine any success we have or will be able to have.

As President on our…OUR…Chapter I must uphold a promise. A promise made to the Members of this Chapter and to National. If moving forward and/or growing is not in the Members favor, I will step down as President if ask to do so.

You Fellow Members are the Conductor of this train…..You must select which track we travel!

As I said in last month’s Replies…..”I need to be told what to do.”

Well hello again fellow Chapter Members. As the last meeting drew to a close January 23rd, a lot of points concerning our Chapter had been made. Better than half of the thirteen members present were at one point or another, involved it what turned out to be a very constructive discussion. I am very aware that several members were not so entertained. Others said the meeting was positive. One member said it was long overdue. It is not easy to please everyone on every aspect of being a “club” of any type. We have a singular interest, as Bob Moffet pointed out when he said, “I like trains”.

Near the end of the meeting, Chuck Hinrichs made a very good point, one that I vividly recall having been made several years ago when a discussion ensued over lengthy business portions of our meeting night. Chuck said to the effect “…then let the Officers meet before the meeting to decide issues…that’s what we elect them to do”.

The Officers will meet on February 23rd at my house at 7:00PM! The results of the meeting and decisions made there in will be presented to the members present on the 27th and if a vote is needed so it will be done. All members are invited to attend this first pre-meeting meeting. CSX may provide some entertainment just across Railroad Street and I do have some trains running on my Lionel Layout in the upstairs bay.

I asked for a volunteer to take charge of programs and coordinate trips, events etc. and to bring new event ideas to the members for consideration. No one was willing to do so! After the business portion of the meeting was over I ask 7 members at random it they had read the newsletter. I was disappointed but not surprised to learn only two had done so….one of the members asked that had not is an officer!!!

If we are to function as a “Society” and are to move forward, we must take time to be informed. If we do not “function” as a group we are destine to either fail or founder. I hope to gain member support and move the Chapter forward, to function as a group and to be able to take pride in what we do or have done. At one point I brought to light our declining membership statistics. To which someone replied, “…can’t always measure success with numbers”. That is very true. But declining membership and as Wally Watts said “apathy” will undermine any success we have or will be able to have.

As President on our…OUR…Chapter I must uphold a promise. A promise made to the Members of this Chapter and to National. If moving forward and/or growing is not in the Members favor, I will step down as President if ask to do so.

You Fellow Member are the Conductor of this train…..You must select which track we travel!

As I said in last month’s Replies…..”I need to be told what to do.”