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Minutes of meeting / banquet on January 9, 2006
46 members and guests present.
Meeting called to order 7:47 p.m.
INTRODUCTIONS OF MEMBERS AND GUESTS: The meeting was started with all members and guests stating their name and a brief background.
INTRODUCTIONS OF 2005 OFFICERS: Each of the 2005 officers introduced themselves, told what office they held, and gave a brief background. Historian Gene Hawk and Publisher Dale Swant were absent.
SECRETARY’s REPORT: A motion was made not to read the minutes from the December 6 meeting. The motion was approved, seconded and passed.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT: The new vice president Dennie Byram was introduced. He will take the place of Calvin Graedel.
AD HOC BY-LAW COMMITTEE REPORT: Dennie is still working on the by-laws. No report was given due to the holidays. He is comparing the new by-laws to the old National laws. He may have them laid out by the next annual meeting.
TREASURER’s REPORT: The treasurer’s report was read, approved, seconded and passed.
2006 BUDGET PRESENTATION: Art stated that our savings account saved us in 2005. He estimated that we would earn $25,000 in the year 2006. He also estimated that using the expenses we incurred in 2005, that we will incur an estimated $31,000 in expenses for 2006. We strongly need donations. A motion was made to approve the 2006 budget as presented, approved, seconded and passed. Art stated that he is moving to Provo, Utah and he must make the move for medical reasons. He will continue to be our treasurer through the March meeting. At that time, we will need to elect a new treasurer. Art has done great work for the IERHS and will be missed by all. Jerry Fey will take over as temporary treasurer with assistance from other officers.
REARDAN OPERATIONS REPORT: CURRENT PR&CC RAIL OPERATIONS: WATCO has shut down the line. It is unknown if it is temporary for the winter due to slow business, or if it is permanent. Bill is going to offer them a $8 million 501C3 tax write off to get WATCO to possibly donate the line to us. The 5th district legislative committee will look into the donation. They stated that it is a unique offer. We have approximately $100,000 invested in the Reardan location and we will ask PR&CC to repay us if they abandon the line.
TRAIN SWAPS: Gene and Mike bought all of the Montana Daylight Rockies inventory for approximately $400. They have displayed some of the inventory at tonight's meeting. The next trip they plan on making will be to Portland. The estimated return on the inventory so far has been approximately $4,000. Donna mentioned the quality of the products is very high.
ACCEPTANCE OF ACTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS OF 2005 OFFICERS: A motion was made to ratify and accept the actions and resolutions of the officers for 2005. The motion was approved, seconded and passed.
PRESIDENT'S RECOGNITION OF MEMBERS:
Bill Riley recognized for assistance in By-laws typing and transferring to computer disc.
Calvin Graedel recognized for picking up speeders and assisting in president's duties.
Lee Tillotson recognized for hammering, nails and track work.
Gene Hawk recognized for scrounging and finding freebies.
Dale Swant recognized for work on the Side Track.
Frank Nonnemacher recognized for backhoe work.
Art Cowan was recognized for providing valuable assistance to the president.
Mike McMakin recognized for assistance to the president and for being railroaded into projects.
ENTERTAINMENT: The program was given by author Dick Green on his book, "The Pacific Northwest Railroads of Mcgee and Nixon".
Dick opened with a brief description of his accomplishments. He has written 2 books, spent 32 years of teaching history in Odessa, WA, and he used his railroad history interests to gain photos and knowledge from Warren McGee and Ron Nixon. He made many trips and phone calls to Warren who at the time lived in Livingston, MT. He purchased over 300 photos from Warren. Later, he made contact with Ron Nixon in Pulson, MT and collected many more photos. Both men worked for the railroads. He made his first book "Northern Pacific Railway of McGee and Nixon" in 1985. He used Richard Stennheimer's books "Western Trains" and "The Electric Way Across the Mountains" as an inspiration to write his first book. Dick described the formatting of his book. He has very high standards when it comes to the detail and accuracy of dates, locations, engine numbers, etc. He often referred to the ability of Warren and Ron to capture those high details that he was looking for. His second book, "The Pacific Northwest Railroads of McGee and Nixon" was published in 1997. The second book included more stories about trains and people. Dick offered advice on writing and publishing a book. He gave advice about how to watch for hidden costs, ask who keeps the photos, who reviews the materials, and royalty payments. To conclude his presentation, Dick showed many photos he had collected from Warren and Ron. Warren and Ron were both known for taking photos of the first time and newest railroad adventures as well as wreck photos.
President Bill Graedel presented the IERHS with a $50 check to help fund the society and he recommended that everyone follow in his footsteps and do the same. He also made a plea for donations - we badly need them to keep us financially secure.
The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
Wayne Shaw, Secretary