Potomac Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, Inc.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
No business was conducted at the meeting, which was the annual holiday social. Attendance was about 30.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:09 p.m. Attendance was about 30.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the September meeting.
John Morris and Bennett Lichtman reported that the nomination committee had assembled a slate of norminees for the coming year, which was:
There were no nominations from the floor. Members passed a motion to elect the proposed slate by acclamation.
Officers briefed members on options under consideration for the chapter banquet: returning to the Amphora, switching to the Golden Bull in Gaithersburg, and holding a joint banquet with the Washington Chapter at Normandie Farm. In a straw poll, attendees expressed a preference for a separate banquet by a vote of 10-8. They expressed a preference for Gaithersburg over Herndon by a vote of 14-3.
Bill reported that he had the 2015 chapter membership renewal notices. He invited members to pick up their notices. He said he would mail the remaining notices the next day.
Rick Davidson reported on the recent national board meeting in Tennessee:
The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
After the intermission, Brian Gilleran presented a digital program with 1980s photos of the Norfolk Southern steam program.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:09 p.m. Attendance was 28.
Members dispensed with the reading of minutes of the September meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report summarizing the previous month's expenses.
Jay reported that the turnout was 16 at the September 27 chapter picnic.
Members approved a motion to change Article X of the bylaws to read.
At least 10 percent of the Chapter membership or 10 members, whichever is greater, shall constitute a quorum for conducting business at a Chapter meeting.
Members approved a motion to add the following text to Article XI of the bylaws.
…A motion to approve an amendment to the bylaws must receive: (1) a majority of the votes cast, and (2) the votes in favor must represent at least 10 percent of the membership, voting either in meeting or by mail ballot.
The text of the two bylaw changes had been published in the September and October newsletters.
Bill told members to expect their 2015 chapter membership renewal notices in the mail soon. The national renewal notices witll be a separate mailing.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
After the intermission, George Hamlin presented a digital program with a broad selection of photographs across North America from his 50 years as a railfan.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:09 p.m. Attendance was 24.
Members dispensed with the reading of minutes of the August meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report summarizing the previous month's expenses.
Jay reminded members about the September 27 chapter picnic.
Bill described the 2015 membership renewal process for the chapter. Members discussed the national organization's planned new business model.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
After the intermission, Paul Woodring presented a digital program covering the technical aspects of standard procedures on Class I railroads.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:09 p.m. Attendance was 29.
Members dispensed with the reading of minutes of the July meeting. There was no treasurer's report.
Members approved a motion to authorize the board to spend up to $1900 on a new Epson PowerLite 3020 digital projector and peripherals. Those peripherals will include a microphone, a microphone preamp, video and audio cables, computer cables for both Windows and Macintosh computers, a carrying case, and a Blu-ray player.
Bill reminded members that the chapter picnic will be held September 27. He reported that the board had approved a bylaw amendment, which will be published in the September and October PRN.
Members discussed the financial problems at the national organization.
The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
After the intermission, Alex Mayes presented B&O in The Sixties, a commercially produced tape showcasing B&O freight and passenger trains.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth at 8:25 p.m. Attendance was 19.
Members dispensed with the reading of minutes of the April meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report summarizing the previous month's expenses.
Bill invited attendees to join other chapter members in riding the Silver Line on its first day of operation. The group will leave East Falls Church at 1 p.m.and travel to Reston.Those arriving early can join a mini-tailgate at the west end of the parking lot.
Jay reminded members that the chapter picnic will be held September 27.
The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
During the intermission, Clay Moritz, John Morris, and Bennett Lichtman counted the ballots from the election to fill the two vacancies on the board of directors. Carl Franz and Gordon Piscacek were elected.
After the intermission, Alex Mayes presented a digital program covering events in the second half of 2012.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:06 p.m.. Attendance was 24.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the May meeting. He also describe the procedure for the upcoming election.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report summarizing the previous month's expenses.
Rick Davidson reported on what he learned at the national convertion. The 2015 convention will be held in Rutland, VT. Rick said that funding issues may cause the national organization to postpone implementation of its recently adopted changes to the membership renewal process.
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
After the intermission, Jerry Hott presented a commercial DVD entitled Heislers, Shays and Other Teakettles.
John Sery and Stephen Sery have posted a video on YouTube about the demise of the color position signals at Baltimore.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by Secretary Bill Holdsworth about 8:15 p.m. Attendance was 23.
Members dispensed with the reading of minutes of the April meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report. He announced that the chapter picnic will be September 27.
Bill reported that the board of directors have nominated Brian Obert and Gordon Piscacek for the two vacant director positions. Carl Franz was nominated from the floor. An election will be held. Bill said that he will work with Clay Moritz on the procedues.
The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
After the intermission, Carl Franz presented highlights of a DVD concerning the Norfolk Southern steam program.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker shortly after 8 p.m. Attendance was 28 including guests.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the March meeting.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report and reported on the March 29 banquet.
The absence of quorum was noted and no official business was conducted.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
After the intermission, Dale Jacobson presented a slide program with highlights from his 50 years of railroad photography.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:13 p.m. Attendance was 36.
Bill Holdsworth read the minutes of the February meeting.
There was no treasurer's report. Jay reminded members about the chapter banquet March 29 at the Amphora Diner in Herndon.
Gordy announced that there are now two vacancies on the board. Directors Bill Hopkins and Bob Cohen have both dropped their memberships status and become associates of the chapter. The board plans to present two nominees for replacements at the Apri membership meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
After the intermission, Jay Creswell presented a digital program concerning his travels to Alaska during 2013.
During the rail news members reported that MARC will retire its gallery cars soon and CSX has begun work on the Harpers Ferry tunnel.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
The meeting was called to order by President Gordy Bjoraker at 8:13 p.m. Attendance was 40.
Jay Creswell gave the treasurer's report. He said the chapter's deficit for 2013 was $3,730.
Jay reminded members about the chapter banquet March 29 at the Amphora Diner in Herndon. The speaker will be Alan Maples, longtime Potomac Chapter member and president of the Everett Railroad.
Jim Mixter made a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the report from the financial review committee. Members thanked Clay Moritz and Jim for serving on the committee.
Bill Holdsworth gave a presentation concerning the national organization's change in the dues collection process.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
After the intermission, Kevin Tankersley presented a digital program concerning the history of the Pullman Company and the Washington Chapter's Pullman car, the Dover Harbor.
