The meeting for January 2007 was called to order January 13th by Club President, Earl Blanchette at 1304.

The minutes for November 2006 were presented; a motion was made by Trace Bowen and seconded by Kennedy Gauger to accept the minutes as read. The motion passed.

The Treasurer’s report for November and December 2006 was submitted, read, and accepted.

Old Business

Ron Miller presented a report on the train show held at the Baylor Mayborn Museum, December 8-21. Jim Bush displayed his HO layout. Modular layouts in Z, N, O, & G were also displayed. Baylor posted a thank you to the club for its support in the Waco newspaper. Baylor is talking about what they want to do with the club for the next and following years.

Ron also reported that the club received a donation for participating in the Waco Doll and Train Show, January 6-7. This year the train show expanded vendor participation while the doll show decreased in vendors.

Bob Alston announced that the Lone Star Region will be holding its convention in Austin June 6-10. He said that non-NMRA members can attend the convention by purchasing a temporary six month membership for $9.95.

Ed Neill passed out club certificates to Noel Cowling, Wiley Starnes, and Earl Blanchette in recognition for their efforts in restoring the Moody depot.

Kennedy Gauger reported on the club shirts. It was suggested at the last meeting that a modified club logo be considered for the shirts. A proof of the modified logo was passed around. It was agreed that the club would bear the one-time cost for the setup fee. Denim buttoned shirts will cost $21-27 and Polo shirts $17-23 depending on size. Kennedy will take orders for the shirts and collect payment for same. All orders for shirts need to be in by February 10.

The club still needs volunteers to provide refreshments and club clean-up for the remainder of the year.

Clark Overman discussed the need for volunteers in each of the scales to create and develop content for the club website. Ron Miller volunteered for N, Ed Neill volunteered for HO and basic club information, and Erik Boswell volunteered for O. It was suggested that the club could also link to the Lone Star Convention web site.

Each scale volunteer will be responsible for working with other club members in their scale to develop and then maintain web content for their specific scale. Club leadership will be responsible for approving and maintaining basic club information. Clark will provide general overall administrative oversight for the site.

New Business

Bill Lancaster will chair a committee to review the club’s bylaws. Ed Neill, Dan Ladd, and Wylie Starnes are committee members.

Jim Bush was named Train Show committee co-chair.

Earl Blanchette said we need to form a committee for the 25th Anniversay Train Show. Kennedy Gauger said we should instead consider making this a sub-committee of the Train Show to avoid confusion and duplication of effort.

Earl said he was working to get pricing on calendars, mugs, etc. to commemorate the train show’s 25th anniversary. Neal Locke passed around a professional looking 2007 Club Calendar with pictures from the 2006 Temple Train Show.

Bill Lancaster said he was preparing a schedule of run days to give to the museum.

Ed Neill said the club schedule has already been published three times in the local newspaper. It says the club will be open on the first and third Saturdays of each month.

Earl Blanchette said he was working on a sign for the clubhouse to post times open to the public. He also wants trainmasters to schedule members for running layouts from 1300-1700 on the first and third Saturdays of each month.

Ron Miller said there is a group of members that want to build HO modules to take to shows. He asked if the club would sell some HO modules that hadn’t been used for more than five years. This issue was tabled until the next meeting for the HO members to discuss.

Ed Neill said that on March 3rd the Museum hopes to have three busloads of adult visitors starting at 1100. They would like to visit the club. The business meeting is scheduled to start at 1030 based on the motion passed at November 2006’s meeting.

The Budget Finance Committee met on Jan 8 at the Neill residence to formulate the club’s 2007 budget. The committee consisted of Betty Neill, Earl Blanchette, Bill Lancaster, Wylie Starnes, and Mike Cleveland. Betty presented the projected income and expenses for 2007. Bob Alston moved to accept the budget. Neal Locke seconded. The budget was accepted.

The club adjourned at 1522.

The meeting for October 2006 was called to order October 7th by Club President Earl Blanchette at 1:05 PM.

The minutes for September 2006 were presented; a motion was made by Mike Cleveland and seconded by Bill Lancaster to accept the minutes as read. The motion passed.

The Treasurer’s report was submitted, read, and accepted. Betty reported on the show and it was a success. Pat yourselves on the back for a job well done!

We received a ‘Thank You’ card from Boy Scout Troop 261 for whom we provided a tour of the Depot.

Mike Cleveland reports we have sold 109 tables for 2007! He will provide the survey report with observations as soon as possible. Plaudits for Mike were encouraged by Ed Neill for his tireless efforts as the Train Show Coordinator. Way to go, Mike!

Ed Neill gave a final report on the building upgrades. He recommended we keep some reserves for contingency purposes such as painting the deck, additional skirting, etc.

Earl reports that effective January 2007, we will be open two Saturdays each month in accordance with our new lease agreement.

Betty has received the contract from the Convention Center for 2007 which needs to be executed as soon as possible. Kennedy Gauger made a motion to permit Betty Neill to formalize the contract with the city; Troy Wolff seconded the motion which passed. This will be our 25th show, on September 14-16, 2007.

Earl reports we have two upcoming shows: December 6th at the Mayborn Museum on the Baylor University Campus and January 7th at the Heart of Texas Fairgrounds in Waco. Ed Neill made a motion to allow the use of club logo, vests, etc, for these two shows. Keith Hartberg seconded, and the motion carried. Ron Miller then mentioned that the Baylor exhibition will give us good public exposure. Several members toured the museum last month for tentative layout locations.

Kennedy Gauger made a motion, seconded by Mike Cleveland, to arrange for our Christmas dinner at the Temple Santa Fe Depot on December 1, 2006.  The motion carried.

Earl asked for volunteers, one from each scale, to form a nominating committee for next year’s officers.  JC from N Scale, Troy from HO, and Howard from O Scale raised their hands.

Kennedy briefed members on the shirts with logos; he explained prices and options. Complete info will be presented next month.

The meeting adjourned at 2:45 PM.