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President's Column

  It is with mixed feelings that I write my final column.  Another Thanksgiving holiday is complete and I am still reveling in the feelings it invokes in us. While the last 3 years seems like it was a long and difficult time serving as President of the club, it went by fairly quickly. At times I felt like I have not been able to provide the best leadership, but I gave it my best while juggling other commitments such as work and family. I am thankful for the board of directors I have had helping me and all they provide for the club. I am also thankful to my wife and daughter for their support during this time and their understanding of the time commitment. 

 The club has continued on in spite of many changes resulting from Covid, an aging membership, dwindling numbers of volunteers and less value for the club to provide its membership. 10 years ago, our board began to have discussions on just how long we could continue on as a club. We have addressed several items needing immediate action but the elephant in the room still remained and no solution for the future. We are constantly reminded that change is inevitable and if we don't do anything about it, certain things will just cease to exist.

 Halfway through my first year, our first two big changes came with the announced retirement of Bruce Nall and Michael Tinetti. I am grateful for the 25 years that Bruce Nall did an exceptional job on the Rail Report and after his retirement, we transitioned to an email style newsletter as is becoming much more common in our world of technology. For those that prefer a printed copy, I was able to learn enough skills to make a printed layout from the email but it is far less polished than Bruce's newsletter. Michael Tinetti also retired from processing membership. I picked that task up and quickly realized just how much he did to ensure records are recorded, seniority numbers assigned and membership cards printed and mailed.

 This year, it was brought up again at board meetings that the club just can't be sustained and keep going as it is without new volunteers or some significant changes. I solicited in the newsletter and club meetings multiple times for new volunteers and that pretty much resulted in two new board members but not the turnout I had hoped for. It was really looking like the club would either need to outsource many tasks and spend some of our savings or close down and disburse assets.

 In May, one of our board members proposed that we should join forces with another organization. They would be able to provide membership and newsletter services and we could offer a large donation of both money and club artifacts in return. This idea made a lot more sense than trying to limp things along a few more years or just throwing in the towel and ending after 86 years.

 A detailed letter was mailed out to members in October summarizing the direction the club intends to head in 2025 provided we can come to the right agreements.  I would ask that members refrain from discussing any details of this transition online or with anyone outside of the club.

We don't want rumors or negative publicity going around, especially any that could jeopardize our talks concerning our joint venture. If this proposed joining of forces doesn't take place, that would most certainly be cause for the club to be done with everything and we don't want to end that way. It has been a great club over the years and our board feels this is the best way to preserve our club name and continue on in some fashion rather than just fading into the distance as has happened with countless other clubs.

 In closing, I would like to thank all of my officers and board members for a job well done these last three years. I would also like to thank our members for their emails and conversations of support in this time of change as well as their continued membership.

 I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sincerely,  Andy Dell