Minutes

Called to order: 2:09 PM by President Tom Paradis
Present: Approximately 18 members present
Officers: Tom Paradis, Jerry Snow, John Lovely, Eric Hadder

1) New Members:
" First application reading: Frank Drapers
" Final application reading:
o Steve Scott: vote = unanimous
o Fred Pond: vote = unanimous

2) Membership Cards:
" New membership cards were distributed to paid-up members.
" Dues must be paid to obtain building combination.
" Building combo will change on Tuesday. Gate combo will remain the same.

3) Officer Reports (if applicable):
" Treasurer: Jerry Snow. Annual report attached
" V.P: Eric Hadder: No report
" Trainmaster: Wendell Goodwin (includes project updates): Not present
" Secretary: John Lovely - No report
" Fair Business Manager: Bruce Petrarca:
o Add train - will be limited to 35 cars
o Raffle
" Discussion on more prizes and types
" Discussion on where they should be sold.
o Discussion on new sources - sponsorships
" Sponsors have a major advertising presence
" Members recruiting - advertising,
o Tom will contact Community Calendar
o Fred will contact hobby shop

4) Riordan Mill Town project update:
" Plan to meet Tuesday night.
" Funding and progress made. $1000 budget
" Preliminary plans have been drawn to cover just the mill area of town

5) DCC Order, Process
" Clarification from Bruce,
" Board on process for individual orders,
" New deadline will be second week in February.

6) "The Vision Thing" for 2004: Club Goals
" Clinics - Members want more
" Operating Sessions -
o Committee volunteered: Curtis Deibel, Bruce Petrarca, Wendell Goodwin, Eric Hadder, Jim Shay
o Will attempt to have simple plan ready by summer.
" Open Houses - 2 per year.
" Get-togethers, field trips - not much response here.
" Involve new members into the project committees
o Two way response is needed
" new members talk to foremen
" Foremen ask new members to participate.
" Some goals set by President Tom Paradis
- Able to operate/run trains at least once a month
- Continue more efficiently with projects, inviting other club members to contribute effort if desired.
- Invite community to club meetings once a month (specifically to show the layout, etc.)
- Use free advertising in local media
- Hold occasional clinics to exchange knowledge of club members
- Begin designing a scheme for HO operations (via new committee selected at annual meeting)

7) New/Old Business
" A Historical Moment: New info about our Club in the early 60s - Tom Paradis
" Other Business/Info from club/board members?

8) Election of Officers for 2004 and 2005
" Wendell Goodwin (Trainmaster) - elected
" John Lovely (Secretary) - elected
" Tom Paradis (President) - elected
"
9) Adjournment. 4: 15 PM
Let's Eat!