The meeting was called to order on January 9th at 7:10 PM by incoming Club President Ron Miller. The next business meeting will be Feburary 6th. Run day for January is Saturday the 17th.

The minutes for November were e-mailed to members. They were not available at the meeting and will be brought to the Depot for the January Run Day.

The financial report for 2003 was presented by Betty Neill. Discussion included reports for November and December 2003 and an end-of-year report. The reports were accepted as presented.

Old Business

There being no items to discuss, a call for new business was ordered.

New Business

Ron Miller established the refreshment list for the coming year. Please sign up as you see fit.

The Finance Committee, consisting of Ron Miller, Joe Teakell, Earl Blanchette, Betty Neill and Mike Ross will meet to develop the 2004 budget. This is your club, so if there is an item you wish to see budgeted for, please make your desires known to a member of the committee.

Dues for 2004 are due. Betty requests payment as early as possible. Please indicate your choice of scale on the check for budget purposes, since funds are allocated based on percentages of members in each scale.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.

Membership Breakdown by Scale

*1/2 Memberships indicate the member models in more than one scale.

The meeting was called to order on November 7th at 7:15 PM by Club President Bill Lancaster. The next business meeting will be held January 9th, 2004.

The minutes, which had been previously printed, were nowhere to be found. They will be available at the November Run Day.

The financial statement was presented and accepted.

Old Business

Ed Neill wanted to resurface the procurement of flourescent lighting for the rear area. He will request another quote from Brown Electrical and have them include remote switches in the back area as opposed to using the panel boxes each time. A motion was made to solicit bids by Ed Neill and seconded by Paul Otis. The motion carried.

It was decided to hold our annual Christmas Party at the Dynasty Chinese Restaurant on Airport Road (Highway 53) at 6 PM on December 13th. Members were requested to RSVP by November 15th (Run Day). As usual, there will be the outlandish exchange of gifts with presents to be in the $10. range. Let’s have a good turn out.

New Business

The CofC is forming an electrical commission in an effort to get better rates for the membership. The Central Texas Electrical Coalition will solicit electrical providers. A motion was made by Ed Underwood to join this effort and seconded by Randy Hiersig. The motion carried. A letter will be mailed.

The nominating committee submitted the following names to the membership for consideration as officers for 2004:

• President: Ron Miller, Lorena
• Vice-President: Earl Blanchette, Lorena
• Secretary: Mike Ross, Copperas Cove
• Treasurer: Betty Neill, Temple

Dan Ladd made a motion to close the nominations and it was seconded by Paul Otis. The motion carried.

Paul made a motion to accept the slate by acclamation, Gordon Locke seconded, and the motion carried.

Them meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.

The meeting was called to order on October 3rd at 7:05 PM by Club President Bill Lancaster.

The minutes for September were presented. Bob Alston made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Michael Hiersig seconded. Dieter Hiersig’s name was misspelled and will be corrected. The minutes were accepted as amended.

Betty Neill presented the financial report for both the Train Show and September. A total of 79 tables have been purchased for next year’s show. The following obligations from the 2003 budget are still available:

• O Scale Allotment
• Temple Historical layout
• HO Scale Allotment
• N Scale Allotment
• Lionel

Next year’s show is scheduled for September 17-19. Betty has a copy of the contract from the City of Temple and is checking the fine print. Both reports were accepted. Plaudits to Betty for a fine presentation!

Old Business

None.

New Business

Bill asked club members to think about nominations for next year’s officers. A Nominating Committee was formed: Richard Leonburger, Ed Neill, Bruce Koehler, Gordon Locke, and Bob Alston were tasked. Bob Alston will chair.

Bill also asked club members to consider changes they may want to see for next year’s show. Joe Pyland asked why change something that works – a point well taken. Bob Kibbe thought we should consider barriers for all layouts and perhaps adding “Do Not Touch” signs and have stool-type benches for the youth in attendance. Betty brought up the need for more sponsors for future shows. Letters should be sent to prospective sponsors. We should also send thank-you letters to this year’s sponsors.

N Scale and Lionel will be set up in Lorena for their Thanksgiving show, and also for Waco’s show in January 2004.

Dr. Moore’s wife wants to join the club (He had been a member almost from the beginning) – Bob Alston suggested extending a life membership; Ed Neill so motioned and Bruce Koehler seconded. The motion passed.

Bobby Cooksey, a former member, was at the meeting and requested to rejoin the club. A prospective member from Cameron, Jim McKimmey, also visited.

The meeting adjourned at 7:56 PM.

The meeting was called to order on September 5th at 7:05 PM by Club President Bill Lancaster.

The minutes for August were presented. Joe Pyland made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Craig Lancaster seconded. The minutes were accepted as presented.

Betty Neill presented the financial report. 127 tables have been sold as of this date for next year’s show. The report was accepted as presented.

Old Business

None.

New Business

Dieter Hiersig made a motion to have the business meeting changed to coincide with the third Saturday Run Day, meeting to be called to order after 5 PM. Randy Hiersig seconded. The motion was opened for discussion and then put to a vote. There were 5 in favor and 12 against. The motion did not pass.

Joe Pyland made a motion to have a Friday Run Day for members only. Craig Lancaster seconded the motion and the motion passed.

A clean-up was scheduled for September 13th from 9 AM to noon in preparation for the Train Show Open House.

Numerous local media sites have announced the postponement of the Texas Train Festival originally scheduled for the same weekend as the Temple Model Train Show. Some members were concerned the public may also assume our show has been postponed as well. Ed Neill contacted the Temple Daily Telegram to have them amend their story accordingly. MIke Ross notified KXXV TV with a similar request.

Train Show setup will begin at noon on September 19th. The doors to the Mayborn Convention Center will open to vendors at 7 AM on Saturday and at 10 AM on Sunday. All members should be prepared to load material on Sundy at the completion of the show.

Ed Neill distributed pre-sales tickets to members after the business meeting.

Train Show Committee Chairs:

• Bill Lancaster – Clinics
• Betty Neill – Awards
• Gordon Locke – Vendor Relations
• Dan Ladd – Entertainment
• Earl Wiley – Raffle Layout
• Ed Neill – Publicity

The meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.

The meeting was called to order on August 1st at 7: 15 PM by Dan Ladd, sitting in for Club President Bill Lancaster.

The minutes for July were presented. Joe Teakell made a motion to accept as presented and Ed Neill seconded. The minutes were accepted.

The financial report was presented by Ed Neill. As of this date, 115 tables have been sold for the show, down considerably from last year. The report was accepted as read.

Old Business

The run scheduled for the weekends of 23/24 and 30/31 August at the Temple Mall has been confirmed. We plan on setting up Friday, August 22nd and will have room for the raffle layout, one 8’xl6’ layout, and subject to availability, the Thomas layout.

We will have a work session for the Historic Temple Layout on Saturday, August 9th.

Approximately 150 children will be visiting the Santa Fe depot on August 6 and 7 starting at l0 AM.

New Business

September show committees have been assigned. Bill will coordinate clinics.

Joe Teakell made a motion to purchase another lot of large club patches, as we have run out of our initial purchase. Ed Underwood seconded and the motion passed. Betty Neill will make arrangesments for placing a new order.

The meeting adjourned at 8 PM.