It has been over a week since I posted a challenge to this board to set aside funds for the purpose of sending our younger people to the joint convention at Spencer next fall, and there were a couple positive responses but a disappointing shortage of commitments.

I don't know if it was too subtle or if most of us really don't all share the priority of getting younger people involved in our work.

Even in my organization, I have only had my motivations questioned by the usual backbiters who would have questioned any decision, so don't be scared.

It won't cost you anything but a few dollars.

So, again: Who will set aside funds and commit to sending the next generation to the joint conference? With enough interest, we may be able to get them to provide a symposium to tell us how to do a better job of reaching out to them.

Dave



lathro19@idt.net

Well, RyPN doesn't give me a travel budget (or any other budget for that matter :-) ) but I'll commit to buying lunch or dinner to host a youth roundtable discussion for whoever can come.

eledbetter@rypn.org

> I would like to come, but I can't commit to anything this early in the year, do to work and school, but keep me informed and as time draws near, I'll see what I can do.

My Project
gnufe@apex.net

I thought that your idea was a good one - I would, since as a young railfan I would stand to benefit from such a project - but I have a sinking feeling that this wouldn't do well everywhere. The museum I work at, for instance, tends to be fairly pragmatic when allocating money. New barns to house rolling stock take precedence over paving sidewalks, and so on. I think that in some environments it would be difficult, if not impossible, to persuade hardened railfans to part with their money for the benefit some kid might get from attending a railway convention.
I hope I'm wrong.

I will be attending the joint ARM/TRAIN sessions this year. The organization I belong to has briefly mentioned allocating funds for registration. I do believe that an informal roundtable discussion (with food) would prove valuable in providing details and insight to incorporating younger members into the fold of the organization.

Michigan Transit Museum
sutterd@hotmail.com

> I think that in some environments
> it would be difficult, if not impossible, to
> persuade hardened railfans to part with
> their money for the benefit some kid might
> get from attending a railway convention.
> I hope I'm wrong.

I don't know what your museum's financial position is, but attendance at ARM/TRAIN 2001 would be worth every dime spent, if only for the chance to network and get ideas and ways to solve problems.

I see a lot of questions and ideas hashed over in these message boards and various disucssion groups that come up at the ARM and/or TRAIN meetings.

IOW, the resources some of you seek and many of you need are out there; you only need to avail yourselves of the ideas, knowledge, contacts and experiences of others, and these organizations (along with others, such as RPCA) are by far the best and most productive places to do that.

And, IMO, the most cost effective.

>I would be more apt to call what I'm doing a one man crusade, with some guidance from my dad and some help from my brother. If you or anyone else would, send me some information and I'll look into and try to save some vacation time and money to attend, but I can't promise that I will be able to stay for the whole conference. Missing a couple days of school is ok, but a week or so can be disastrous and I'm so close to graduating, too.

I'm full of ideas and dreams, but I never can seem to make things happen, due to the various stumbling blocks that seem to crop up when everything is going well. (finances, politics, etc....)

Thanks

My Project
gnufe@apex.net

> I'm full of ideas and dreams, but I never
> can seem to make things happen, due to the
> various stumbling blocks that seem to crop
> up when everything is going well. (finances,
> politics, etc....)

> Thanks

That's just Murphey's Law, Stuart. 8-)

Seriously, down near the bottom of the page is a short thread titled ARM/TRAIN 2001 and the thread was started by Jim Wrinn, who is the ramrod (or Main Rod) of the event. You can also check TRAIN's or ARM's web sites. Between those three sources, you should be able to find out anything you need to know about the event.

Hope to see you there.

> I will be attending the joint ARM/TRAIN
> sessions this year. The organization I
> belong to has briefly mentioned allocating
> funds for registration. I do believe that an
> informal roundtable discussion (with food)
> would prove valuable in providing details
> and insight to incorporating younger members
> into the fold of the organization.

I am planning to attend. Like others, I can't make my plans concrete until the time draws near. Nevertheless, I am going to make a valiant effort to get over that way. Naturally, if I do get my way, I would also be very willing to attend a roundtable (and some roundhouses too :) ).

Thanks,
Gerald Kopiasz, President
Heartland Railroad Historical Society


Heartland Railroad Historical Society
hrrhs@aol.com

to Spencer for ARM/TRAIN 2001.

If Jim is the main rod I guess that makes me his side rod. I am on the committee planning the seminars. If there is interest in doing lunchtime roundtable discussions, we will provide the lunch. It could be done at the hotel during Friday or at the Museum on Saturday. Normally lunch is like free time to explore the host Museum and network, but there is nothing that says we can't do this!

For those with limited time, the meat and potatoes of the Convention will start with the seminars on Friday the 9th, and at the Museum on the 10th of November, 2001.

We have a tentative list of seminars, but are still open to ideas. Hope to see you!

NC Transportation Museum
shaymech@hotmail.com

Frank, I can only add that some of the benefits I have gained from chatting with others at these meetings have saved people I have worked for the cost of attending many times over. There is no value that can be placed on the benefits of the networking.

In my former career, a mentor told me that a technical director was no better than his catalog collection. Since there are no more catalogs for a lot of what we need our networks have to take their place.

Best of luck overcoming their small minded penny saving attitude at the expense of dollars saved down the line.

lathro19@idt.net

Thanks John - my director is very supportive and has expressed interest in our doing some hospitality event. Maybe hosting (with Erik's help since the Ledbetters have been a vital part of the C of G) a youth discussion after hours BBQ or some such thing would be the ticket.

Please get back to me with what might work for you and a budget. Is there a Sonny's BBQ in Salisbury?

Dave

lathro19@idt.net

john, if it's all the same to you, i'd rather be a crankshaft, given my proclivity toward the geared species; by all means, you are the main rod!

seriously, i think John Bechtel and I have duly noted your comments and we'll see what we can do.

Hope to have some details for everyone shortly.

Wrinnbo@aol.com

Hi-

Consider me in to. If I can, I'm going to road-trip it down there, so if anyone needs a ride between Port Huron, Michigan and Spencer, North Carolina (and can't afford to fly) let me know.
I'm used to making the drive (I went to Clemson), and would be happy to have people to share the driving and gas!

T.J. Gaffney

> Heartland Railroad Historical Society


Port Huron Museum
peremarquette@hotmail.com

> Is there a Sonny's BBQ
> in Salisbury?

> Dave

You poor, poor man - with all the wonderful barbeque joints in that area, you want CORPORATE barbeque? Don't get me wrong, Sonny's isn't bad for those of us who can't get to Dreamland, or Archibald's, or Walter's, in a reasonable time. But let's not turn the new generation off by feeding them Florida BBQ.

(All in good fun, of course.)

JAC