Gerry Leone, (soon to be former) NMRA Communications Director

The tour of the new, highly-restricted Chinese High Speed Rail Facilities which Hasea.com, our NMRA counterpart in China, was going to schedule for the NMRA representatives has been temporarily cancelled, with hope of rescheduling later in the year.

The Winter Board of Directors Meeting will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Sheraton Suites Galleria-Atlanta, February 8-10. Although the Board meets in a closed caucus the evening of February 8, the general meeting on February 9-10 is open to all NMRA members. This year’s meeting has a jam-packed agenda, including discussions about the eBulletin, an electronic newsletter meant to supplement NMRA Magazine. Also, because our membership has dropped from 19,500 to 18,800 in one year, the Board will discuss ways to attract new members. A task force which has studied the challenges of attracting Generation X, Generation Y, and Millennials will be making a report at the meeting.

The Board is reviewing bids for upcoming conventions.Indianapolis has thrown its hat in the ring for the 2016 convention, andSydney,Australia, andOrlando,FL, may be vying for the 2017 convention. No decision has been made on either convention.

The NMRA continues to receive donations for “The Magic of Scale Model Railroading” exhibit at the California State Railroad Museum. While we haven’t yet hit our goal of $250,000, we’re getting closer every day. When we do, we will trigger a matching donation from an anonymous donor. If you, your Division or Region, have questions about the exhibit, contact Howell Day Museum Committee Chairman Allen Pollock at 573-619-8532. You can contribute via the web by visiting www.nmra.org and clicking on the Donation link, near the top of the homepage.

As I mentioned last month, I’ve turned in my resignation as Communications Director as of the Winter Board meeting next month. It’s been a fun run and I’ve enjoyed it. I don’t exactly know what the fate of these InfoNet News eblasts will be beyond this issue – that will be up to my successor. So if you, or anyone you know, would like to apply for the position, please contact President Charlie Getz at charliegetz@yahoo.com.