| Volume 41 Issue 1 | September 2001 |
| Volume 41 Issue 1 | September 2001 |
There's much going on right now in the National Model Railroading Association, at all levels. It's hard to know where to start.
Locally, we're gearing up for the November Train Show again. This year, Fred Schneider is handling publicity and advertising, Leroy Clauser is working with the various groups for the layout and display room, and Dave Decker is working the dealer floor.
The Board has put a lot of study into the show for this year. As you probably know, we lost about $1300 on the show last year. This is a far cry from the $3000 to $4000 profit we were realizing a few years ago. The trend is alarming, but we're not alone. There are a lot of shows having similar problems.
In our case, our expenses have increased, with no corresponding increase in revenues. We've added the BSA Merit Badge classes, and the Child ID program - these combine to cost us almost $1100 each year. The hall rates went up two years ago. The electrical and security costs go up each year. It adds up.
As a result, I expect that the board will vote to increase the gate price from $4 to $5 next year. I also expect that the table costs to dealers will go up. We are investigating getting a sponsor to help defray costs. We've reduced and re-targeted our advertising budget. I expect that there will be other changes as well. I want to see us earning money with this show again. Based on our current budget, if we attract the same number of attendees as last year, we'll break even.
Locally, we're also preparing for the 2002 Regional Convention. We still need help with the Hospitality Room. Contact one of the board members if you can help out.
The Mid-Central Region has covered its expenses on the trailer project with City Classics and is now collecting profits. The deal with City Classics is that the region will double its investment. That is expected to happen sometime in calendar year 2002.
The biggest changes are happening at National. As I expect most of you have heard by now, NMRA's dues have gone up to $45 a year. A letter from Allen Pollack, President of the NMRA, appears elsewhere in the Call Board describing what's transpiring in Chattanooga. A report from John Smith details his impressions from a special MCR Board meeting to find out more details on the situation. These reports are the best written information I have at this time.
The bottom line is, National has been severely messed up for several years, if not decades. We are now seeing the results of a long history of questionable business practices.
Am I happy about the dues increase? No, of course not. But I'd be much more unhappy if there were no NMRA. We, as individuals, need to make a personal decision as to whether we want to make the effort to save the NMRA. The current board and officers are working diligently to resolve the problems they are uncovering, but it will take time. The dues increase is needed to stop the flow of red ink while the national organization is restructured.
As I said, it's a personal decision. If you feel you cannot afford the new full membership dues, I urge you to consider an affiliate membership. It provides all the major benefits of the NMRA, but without the Bulletin. We will keep you up to speed on what's going on at the National level through these pages and at our meetings.
The National Board of Trustees has asked that we support the NMRA in its time of need via this dues increase. For myself, I intend to do so. The friendships I've developed through being active in the NMRA, and the chances to learn and improve my modeling skills make it a simple decision for me. I hope you'll join me.
© 2001 Division 3, MCR, NMRA