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NRHS works to reinvent itself in the 21st century
For someone like me that is a member only because my local chapter has a model RR club, we can care less about national conventions, meetings, resources or presevation. So, I’m currently paying $50 a year to run toy trains!
I’m not currently paying $50 and I probably will not be paying the additional $10 since there is no chapter close by. All I am getting for my buck are the publications and conventions that are too far away to plan for. Even the 2014 convention announced in a later article will probably not get my attention since I am now planning to be at the A&M while the Alco’s are still running this August. With regard to the monetary issues, I would love to see the annual 990 federal tax returns to see how much compensation management receives.
a cent a railfan…Charity Search Engines
TRAINS’ Preservation Award
Tom E. Dailey Foundation
goodsearch.com
isearchigive.com
Grocery Stores Fundraisers
charityusa.com - helps feed homeless vets
upromise.com - helps pay for college
I attended the national convention in CR…very well done. However, the organization is very much an insiders club with little or no outreach to us “outsiders.” I came to the convention, enjoyed myself, and left. Nobody in the “in crowd” gave a darn.
In my opinion, the money spent on NRHS conventions would be better spent on preservation grants.
The federal Form 990 is a public document, so just ask them for a copy. Or you can go to www.guidestar.com and look it up, or almost any other charity you like, yourself.
Mr. Bates, someone, sounding like an A&M official, said on another string the Alcos will still be running on most trains, and for the NRHS in Arkansas. That isn’t very far from Texas. Perhaps we’ll see ya there.
I here Mr. Bowermaster’s comment made of almost every group I’ve ever belonged to. I went to my first NRHS convention about 3-4 years ago in Duluth. Didn’t think I’d know anyone, but ran into a couple people I’ve met at conventions for other rail historical societies I belong too. Sure, I didn’t rub elbows with the board or “insiders,” but my and I had a great time anyway even though we only attended about half the convention because we’ve been to Duluth and done much of the rail scene there many times before.
Last year, we went to the C.Rapids convention, too, Mr. Bowermaster. Sorry we didn’t meet, but then again, there were several hundred people there and we didn’t meet even a large minority of them. Still we had another great time. Ran into a couple of the same people. Recognized a few more people and talked to them. Also, another couple I’ve known for 15-20 years in my model railroad hobby was there and we rode several of the trips with them.
If we travel to Arkansas next year, I expect the same will happen. We’ll meet new people, see others we’ve seen before and probably still not necessarily rub elbows with the “insiders.” We don’t go to rub elbows with the insiders. We go to have fun, and always have.
I belong to four single-railroad specific societies. My wife and I have developed a circle a friends in each one through attending conventions with all four groups — not every year, but probably get to each one at least once every third or fourth year. Each time we go, we renew friendships, and in many cases, the people we know are in one or more of the other groups.
Having attended so many now, we’ve gotten to know many of the “insiders,” somewhat
I wish the new NRHS Board the best…a 25 or so member board has a chance…the former 150+ board was hopeless…I don’t think the 2014 NRHS dues increase is justified…the promises seem hollow and I don’t see any evidence of attempts to save $$.
I wish the new NRHS Board the best…a 25 or so member board has a chance…the former 150+ board was hopeless…I don’t think the 2014 NRHS dues increase is justified…the promises seem hollow and I don’t see any evidence of attempts to save $$.
Fifty dollars hurts the bottom line in today’s tight economy.
When will it end?
Fifty dollars hurts the bottom line in today’s tight economy.
When will it end?
Someone wrote about not meeting the "insiders’. I’m not really sure what an insider is, but I was the convention chair of the Iowa convention. As an unpaid volunteer, I was at most events but seldom had time to enjoy them. There were several days that I worked 18 hours, but did make the membership meeting, the board meeting, and at least started every evening seminar. I also walked every train and introduced myself, and then headed to work with the railroad staff for the rest of the trip. If you want to say hello, just stop me and we can chat for a moment. However, my “job” is the safety of the event participants and to work with the railroads involved - leaving very little time to network with the paying passengers.