“Belligeranti Engineerus”
This is the individual that views the engineer’s license as a prize to limit access to “the seat”, as personal possession, rather than a special skill to be held in trust for future generations. They constantly remind other volunteers/employees that access to the throttle goes through them and that access is granted not because the student demonstrates interest, aptitude, regard for effective and safe operating practices and care for the mechanical condition of the machinery they are privileged to operate, but the student’s willingness to stroke their titanic ego(s) and learn the unwritten “rules”. Fire a little to heavy? There’s nothing a good berating won’t help.

Their version of teacher is not one of the patient Jedi Master, but of the fraternity brother hazing a pledge or a bad upper classman abusing “plebes”.

They are especially dangerous when they develop a reputation for having unique mechanical aptitude with your archaic equipment. Left uncontrolled, they will continue to treat the engine as a personal domain and dominate operations with delusions of alpha-maledom or being assigned to the Broadway Limited until they are damn good and ready to hang ‘em up. Unfortunately, ready to depart usually means prying the throttle from their cold dead fingers or finally being unable to persuade their certifying physician that a myriad of maladies aren’t really a problem a few feet away from the hellfire known as a firebox.

You retain this individual uncorrected at your own peril, they drive people away because you don’t give a chance for rookies and second stringers to develop.


“Homo Pecuniaris”

This is the individual that has the ability to persuade people to give cold hard cash or worse, the ability to make you believe he’s connected to the pillars of your community when it’s all talk. Like a common street pusher, they remind to you that they can get you your “cash fix”, but only if you do things their way. Money doesn’t talk, it screams. It’s also a wonderful servant and a fearsome master. JP is usually fond of places of honor and public acclimation. They seek to be the public face at every function, in order to maintain the channel.

Ironically, they are actually lauded in some respectable circles as valuable assets to be left to do as they please-when what they really are is a danger that you become a junkie, relying only on them for the comfort that comes with large donations. You need to find new sources-nobody should be dependent on one person.

“Detailus Minutaei”

This is the individual that has a real or imagined store of mechanical and technical knowledge about your equipment. You know the individual, seems to understand blueprints the way Dustin Hoffman counted toothpicks in “Rainman”. Despite this gift for the mechanical, he studies obsessively, perhaps brings his own stuff and is generally a good individual. Always has a copy of McShane’s and Johnson’s books with him. Oh yeah, knows every page by heart, too.

His mechanical skill makes him a “go-to individual”. However, the detail-orientation and mechanical focus makes him a human hard drive, unconnected to the USB port that will allow data transfer and CPU that’ll get things done. The restoration project falls behind because he can’t bring himself to use anything but the same stuff that was there in the first place-or worse insists on holding up everything until you finally have enough cash to buy all mahogany you need.


“Exhibitus Excessus”

Here’s a individual that really knows how to put on a show. Yep, it sure is impressive when he belches big clouds of black smoke from the stack, either by burying the fire, leaving doors open a crack and/or running the stoker real heavy. Somehow doesn’t realize that the real trick is to keep that fire nice, even, light and the stack clean as possible and minimize thermal shock. Never learned that in the old days, overfiring was a sure way to have the old man rip you a new one and overkill promotes a vision that locomotives are’t just dirty, they are detestably filthy, even to people without Sierra Club memberships. By all means, please that significant plurality of the 35mm (or has everybody gone digital?) freeloading choo-choo paparazzi that will drive 500 miles to shoot ol’ 99, but won’t write a check or turn a wrench. Watch your neighbors seeth as their new car gets covered with ashes and pool filters get clogged.

He’s also an audio enthusiast too-knows just how much to apply the brakes to make ol’ 99 look like that ten car photo-freight of empties is 100 cars going up a percent and a half. All the better to run in the corner and beat the hell out the engine. Damn what a show-until your stay bolts are leaking and your brakes are worn. But he did he six shots of ol’ 99 in the FRN Journal-which is good, since it’ll be a while until you run it again.

Worse, this individual is usually the life of the party, sociable and fun. His exhibitions are merely the best advertising, not abuse of equipment, right?


“Technicali Puritanis”

This is the fellow that knows more than everybody else and is on a personal mission to ensure absolute purity of every technical detail. Argues about curatorial ethics and how magnetic signs “do violence” to the “historic integrity” of the engine they are affixed to. Likes to tell anybody that will listen that “Thomas” is the little blue abomination, because it’s merely the figment of an English cleric’s imagination.

Purposely initiates a “conversation”with the guy wearing the C&O cap with a friendly little opener like “you know, the N&W A was a better engine than the Allegheny?”. A really corrosive type of individual, because they never really do anything serious enough to merit removal, but he's still driving people away.

I think the street term is cab queen. They forget that the locomotive and people within a group aren't objects to be lorded over, and that being a steward of the engine does not mean they have full reign to be a heavy-handed patriarch.

It all begs a better question: How do you corral, cage, tranquilize, or dare I say, appease this wildlife to better the cause?

How do you set a formal ladder of authority within a group of volunteers who all bring various skills and occasionally competing methods to the table?

KL

And with "royalty" comes dynasties, often warranting hostile takeover to dethrone.

I recall hearing of at least one outfit (methinks the Illinois Railroad Museum?) restructuring itself to prevent such, including term limitations for board members and a requirement that they serve as active volunteers (in juxtaposition to the armchair-ruling "I'm a member of ___, huzzah!" crowd, who may pay their dues but are never seen around the yard).

For the survival and perseverance of our community, it's in everyone's best interest to forget the "I" in "preservation" once and for all. The potential of petty personal agendas and egotism to undermine cohesion, progress and safety has already proven itself an insidious threat to everything we do, and its demise should be of foremost priority.

I'll add in Gullibus followis -- the unquestioning dolts who never seem to recognize that H. pecuniaris is all bluff and bluster, and think he's the greatest thing since sliced bread.

As for how to get rid of Homo Pecuniaris... just give him enough rope. Our version finally managed to tick off enough people in the group that we were able to unseat him. There are still some delusional fans who think he got a bum rap, but they're in the minority.

You also left out Railfanus crookedus. Unfortunately we had one of these critters, too. Thankfully his dishonesty was discovered before he did too much irreperable harm -- but it's generally accepted that he's the reason the former owner of the railroad hates the Museum. This individual is now banned from membership for life.

A species of the Belligeranti Engineerus type could be known as the Clayfeetis Grayhairus, related perhaps to the Gullibus followis clan. From what observors and scientists tell me, the Clayfeetis Grayhairus remain cemented in positions of power, but their seat of authority may as well me a boat anchor serving to promote stagnation, impede progress and forward thinking, and otherwise derail the efforts of populus preservation. Clayfeetis Grayhairus may also allow the aforementioned wildlife roam free, whether intentionally or not.

Sadly, I have lived with the first two at several of non-profit experiences, both paid and unpaid, and in one case, one might say we are STILL cleaning up the aftermath of their reign of terror.

Good rule of thumb --- when your organization begins to approach "adult day care" or "zoo" status, is time to reevaluate the priorities; both personal and as a collective.

May I also add:

CORPORATUS BEANCOUNTERUS

This is one or several of your individuals (usually board members or major donors) who have only ever worked in the corporate world, and seem to think that your volunteers are paid staff, and should be treated accordingly. As such, its all about deligation --- and if your volunteers don't except such, should be threatened with "firing" or "having their pay docked," in this case "no firing the engine" or some such other equilevant in their minds.

These also tend to be the same individuals who tend to harass the few paid staff you do have to the point of departure, or worse, work to have other Board Members fire or move them out when they do something not in the plan of said individual. Trying to explain to said individual that deligation is fine, but that these people are VOLUNTEERS, and therefore can leave any minute when such tactics are performed, falls on deaf ears. The fact that it takes a delicate hand to balance the many personalities in a non-profit world is compelely lost on these individuals --- its damn the torpedos (and anyone hit by them) full speed ahead.

Sadly, some of these individuals tend to be brought in/ on by "Homo Pecuniaris", as they often have large pensions or retirement funds and the spare time to use them. They are often also the ones who get organizations into financial trouble, as they tend to push the organization getting wrapped up into personal pet projects to the point that debt loads become nearly insurmountable without their "vast financial help." When this happens, they are the first to state that "we can't do this becuase it will cost us/ me too much", even though they are part of the reason such organizations get used to being in financial trouble.

TJG

Hmm, personal experience there Kelly?

;- )

Many government bodies will stage culls to cut down on excess populations of certain species. Hmmmmm...

No, tempting as it may be, I'm sure it wouldn't be legal in these cases!

:-)

Steve Hunter
Cardinal, Ontario

An organization that I am familiar with (but which will remain anonymous to avoid accusations of flaming) has a whole menagerie of these creatures. They refer to it as a "Board of Directors" . They have multiple examples of Homo Pecuniaris, Corporatus Beancounterus, Clayfeetus Grayhairus, and many Gullibus Followis. They even have an extremely dangerous crossbreed which can cause grevious harm to an organization's credibility, the Clayfeetus Pecuniaris. Needless to say, the Populis Preservationii in the area tend to avoid the place. It is truly a shame, as this organization has a good collection which needs management and attention.

One of our volunteers is fond of referring to Boards in general as the "Board of the Directionless." Sadly, it's often appropriate.

FWIW, we've finally gotten a couple Trustees who are willing to DO something besides talk. That's a hopeful sign.

May I add Modeloperatus Protoexperticus. This species models the particular line whose equipment you now operate. He believes his model making makes him more of an expert on the equipment than those who actually restored and maintain it. His vast knowledge entitles him (in his appraisal) to run amok though your facilities to take measurements even though he has never lifted a finger or written a check to help keep said equipment maintained. He believes the focus of your organization should be to sell zero or negative profit margin modeling supplies for his convenience.

Before mutating into the Belligeranti Engineerus, the Uncharitas Entitlementus thrives under the impression that their age and limited experience authorizes them to ram-rod their way through an organization or operation with no regard for the presence, skills, or passion of others. Unchartitas may violently assume authority in any situation and is a threat to not only bringing new blood to the industry, but young blood especially, as they believe their own younger status authorizes them to take over which will invariably lead some members to believe all young people are pompous, helpless entities. The Uncharitias will issue contradictory and hypocrtical commands, unnerve visitors with pompus regulations and rules to abide by in their presence, and prolifierate rumors and discontent in an effort to act like "the big shot."

They will in fact try to sustain a likability by giving "presents" to other volunteers in an attempt to placate them by offering a more desirable job or letting them into the engineer's seat, where the volunteer or member of the public will invariably suffer from nerve wracking instruction and angry guidance where any chance of joy or education is snuffed out by a burning lack of selfless interpersonal skills.

KL