Potomac Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, Inc.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
Gordy Bjoraker conducted a brief business meeting during the holiday social.
John Morris, speaking on behalf of the nominating committee, said two people had agreed to run for the two open directors' positions on the board. Members passed a motion to elect Bill Hopkins and Bob Cohen by acclamation. This action was a repeat of that at the November meeting, which lacked a quorum.
Attendees participated in a pub quiz after the social hour.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:10 p.m. Attendance was 21.
Bennett Lichtman, speaking on behalf of the nominating committee, said two people had agreed to run for the two open directors' positions on the board. There were no nominations from the floor. Members passed a motion to elect Bill Hopkins and Bob Cohen by acclamation.
The board of directors for the coming year will consist of:
Bill Holdsworth reminded members of next month's holiday social.
The meeting adjourned about 8:15 p.m.
After the intermission, Clay Moritz presented two commercially produced DVDs, Return of the General and NYC: An Insider's View.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
Jay Creswell called the meeting to order at 8:10PM
Attendance was 28
As Treasurer, Jay reported the September uncommitted balance was $14,987, after September income of $72 and expenses of $858.
Jay clarified that Chapter Dues are the amount to be shown on the national mailing, less $7.50 if you elect to receive PRN by email rather than a mailed copy.
Rick Davidson also noted that National had inadvertently left off a line for Chapter donations, should the member wish to make one. Rick said that members could cross out the printed line for rail camp scholarships and write in “Chapter donation” and the amount.
John Morris made a Nominating Committee report.
As current officers had agreed to serve an additional term and no additional nominees were presented, it was moved, seconded, and passed to elect them by acclamation.
It was moved, seconded, and passed to have nominations for Chapter Director positions continue open another two weeks.
It was moved, seconded, and passed to elect Rick Davidson as National Representative by acclamation.
Jay announced that the Rural Retreat (VA) Depot Foundation had succeeded in collecting enough funds by an October 1 deadline to acquire the station for restoration. The Potomac Chapter had been an early contributor to their efforts.
It was moved, seconded, and passed to adjourn the meeting at 8:23PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Mixter
Secretary Pro-Tem
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:05 p.m. Attendance was 23.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the previous meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing the previous month's expenses. Jay also reminded members about the upcoming picnic.
Gordy announced that John Morris and Bennett Lichtman had agreed to serve on the nominating committee.
Gordy solicited volunteers for the upcoming financial review committee.
After the intermission, Alex Mayes made a digital presentation concerning his travels during the second half of 2011.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:20 p.m. Attendance was 36.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the previous meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing the previous month's expenses.
The meeting adjourned about 8:35 p.m.
After the intermission, Matt Flanagan made a digital presentation concerning his experience at RailCamp and Bill Hopkins presented a slide show about the Monongahela Railway.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:10 p.m. Attendance was 32, including one guest.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing the previous two month's expenses.
Members approved a motion to accept the board's recommendation to reduce the annual dues from $15 to $7.50 for members that agree to receive the newsletter via email starting January 1. Dues would remain unchanged for those that continue to receive the newsletter via postal mail.
John Morris reminded attendees about the informal trip to Perryville on July 27. Participants should ride MARC train #532, leaving Washington Union Station at 4:25 p.m. and arriving Perryville at 6:13 p.m. The return journey leaves Perryville at 6:25 p.m. and reaches Union Station at 8:23 p.m. Standard round-trip fare is $22, but only $11 for seniors (over 65).
The meeting adjourned about 8:32 p.m.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Vice President Marc Laborde at 8:14 p.m. Attendance was 20, including 17 members.
Members approved a motion to accept the board's recommendation to reduce the annual dues from $15 to $7.50 for members that agree to receive the newsletter via email starting January 1. Dues would remain unchanged for those that continue to receive the newsletter via postal mail. The membership vote was unofficial, because the meeting lacked enough attendees to constitute a quorum.
John Morris reminded attendees about the informal trip to Perryville on July 27. Participants would ride MARC train #532, leaving Washington Union Station at 4:25 p.m. and arriving Perryville at 6:13 p.m. The return journey leaves Perryville at 6:25 p.m. and reaches Union Station at 8:23 p.m. Standard round-trip fare is $22, but only $11 for seniors (over 65).
The meeting adjourned about 8:32 p.m.
After the intermission, John Sery presented a 1942 comedy/murder mystery film, Grand Central Murder.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:09 p.m. Attendance was 28.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing the previous month's expenses.
John Morris is organizing an informal trip to Perryville on July 27. Participants would ride MARC train #532, leaving Washington Union Station at 4:25 p.m. and arriving Perryville at 6:13 p.m. The return journey leaves Perryville at 6:25 p.m. and reaches Union Station at 8:23 p.m. Standard round-trip fare is $22, but only $11 for seniors (over 65).
The meeting adjourned about 8:25 p.m.
After the intermission, Alex Mayes presented a digital program covering his travels during the first six months of 2011. Highlights include chasing Alco-powered freights on the Arkansas & Missouri, the Kansas City Southern in Oklahoma, the Memphis trolley system, Branson Scenic Railway, CSX’s Sand Patch Grade in winter, Peru’s line to Machu Picchu, the Galapagos Islands, and the Cass Scenic railroad.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:10 p.m.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the previous meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing the previous month's expenses. He noted that the banquet had a deficit of about $150.
Members approved a motion to authorize the expenditure of up to $950 for RailCamp tuition for Matt Flanagan, with the condition that he join the Potomac Chapter. The camper would be responsible for his travel and incidental expenses.
Members approved the amendments to the bylaws published in the March 2012 newsletter. These amendments
The amendments updated Articles IV, V, VI, XV, XIX, and XXI. The amendments added Articles XXII and XXIII.
The meeting adjourned about 8:45 p.m.
After the intermission, Clay Moritz presented The Story of the Locomotive Chase, a DVD produced by the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. Afterwards, Clay showed digital photos from his visit to the route of the chase.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:09 p.m. Attendance was 33.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the previous meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing the previous month's expenses.
Clay Moritz reported that 35 people have signed up for the banquet. Members can now sign up online via PayPal.
The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
After the intermission, Dale Diacont presented a slide program covering MARC commuter service from 1984 to 2011. Dale is publishing a book, Yesterday's Trains, Across the Commonwealth, about railroading in Virginia.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:12 p.m. Attendance was 25.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the previous meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing the previous month's expenses. He reminded members of the March 23 deadline for the banquet.
Bill Holdsworth alerted members to the proposed bylaw changes, which we will be published in the March newsletter.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
After the intermission, members enjoyed Bob Dixon-Gumm's presentation on Maine's two-foot gauge railroad, which included excerpts from two commercially produced DVDs.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:07 p.m. Attendance was 31.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report, detailing the previous year's expenses. The deficit for 2011 was $2900. Jay reported that the chapter awarded a $500 grant to the restoration of B&M steam engine 3713. He updated members on arrangements for the March 31 banquet.
Rick Davidson briefed members on the recent national board of directors meeting at Williamsburg. The national directors approved a district map for the upcoming election. They selected Alaska as the site for the 2013 convention.
Bill Holdsworth reported that the Darjeeling Himilayan Railway Society has expressed interest in Bob Flack's films taken in India.
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
Bill Holdsworth announced that the National Park Service is looking volunteers to ride the Capitol Limited and provide narration for the passengers.
After the intermission, members enjoyed History of Pennsy Electrification, a commercially produced DVD.
