Amherst Railway Society
Elections 2006

For the past 11 years it has been my privilege to serve as president of the Amherst Railway Society. During this period, with the help of many dedicated members, the society has grown in size and reputation. Our Annual Big Railroad Hobby Show has become one of the most highly rated train shows in the country and our grant program has received national recognition.

It is my desire to see the Amherst Railway Society continue to be an organization that welcomes anyone with an interest in any and every form of railroading whether model or full size. During my terms as president I have been pleased to introduce such changes as an annual schedule of programs as well as door prizes at many meetings.

My sincere wish is that the society will continue to be an enjoyable and fun organization for all members.

I have tried my best to make myself available at any time to any member to hear any ideas or suggestions for the improvement of the society. It is the society's membership that makes the organization what it is. Your vote would be very much appreciated and if I am reelected as your president I will do all in my power to make the Amherst Railway Society and organization we can all be proud of.

The Amherst Railway Society and its Railroad Hobby show are in a period of transition. The Railroad Hobby show is already moving towards a new management structure and will benefit from a cooperative and supportive relationship with the Society.

There are other efforts to get under way, though.

• We need to encourage more members to become involved with the regular activities of the Society.
• We need to encourage and recruit young members.
• We need to become more involved in rail fan activities like regular fan trips.

It is our Society and will function as you and I want it to.

I have been an active member of the Society since the late 1970's, and previously served as Treasurer and an at large member of the Board of Directors. For several years I coordinated the Video Library and have also served on the Refreshment Committee. I have been closely involved with the Railroad Hobby Show for more than 20 years and I am currently a member of the Show Committee. I am now and have been since the early 1980's one of the coordinators of the Amherst Belt Lines, our HO gauge modular railway system. In addition to the layout at the Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show, the Belt Lines perform an "outreach" function by setting up a layout at five other shows during the year.

When I took over the position of secretary from Chris Coyle some 11 years ago, the work consisted of getting out a monthly meeting notice, keeping and filing the archives and eventually serving on the board of directors. A few years later, the work of the position changed to also include the keeping of the current membership roster on the computer, and the printing of the labels for the monthly newsletters and other mailings. Throughout these years, I have enjoyed developing the skills necessary to do these things, and I have been proud to do it for the Amherst Railway Society, a group I admire very much for its diversity. It is important to note that I originally agreed and was willing to be nominated for secretary before my husband was elected president of the society.

Article 2.1 of the bylaws says this: The purpose of the society is to disseminate information about railroads, their history, current status, equipment, operating procedures, etc., and to promote hobby activities centered around railroads and railroading. I think it is very important that the officers and board members of the Amherst Railway Society respect the broad railroad related interests of our members, and be willing to make decisions that are in the best interests of the society as a whole. During my years on the board of directors, I have tried to do this.

I have been especially interested in the number and variety of grants we have been able to award for the past few years. I feel that my tenure as the only woman to hold an office for the Amherst Railway Society, one organization in a very male-dominated field of interest, is important. My hope is that more women and responsible young people will be encouraged to step forward to serve in the future.

As we move further into the 21st century and the advancing technology of computers continues to impact every aspect of our society, I hope we will not lose the esprit de corps of those early members who met to share their interest in railroading, and gathered at early 'shows' to share their passion with the public. It is because I enjoy serving the individual members of the Amherst Railway Society that I am willing to continue another year as secretary if I am elected.

My membership in the Amherst Railway Society started 4 years ago when I moved to the Pioneer Valley, and I have been active with the Amherst Belt Lines, the Tuesday evening operators group and at ARS monthly meetings ever since. The call from the Nominating Committee was a welcome opportunity to give back to the ARS.   

Section 5.8 of the Society's bylaws gives the duties of the Clerk. "The Clerk shall be responsible for the maintenance of the official records of the Society; for recording the meetings of the Society and of the Board; for maintaining the membership lists of the Society; for preparing and mailing notices of monthly and special meetings of the Society; and for carrying out such other duties and responsibilities as may from time to time be assigned by the Board or the President."  

I am a computer programmer, and work regularly with databases and mail merge routines. Other volunteer leadership positions include current membership on the Leadership Development Commission Massachusetts Conference of the UCC, previous membership on the Church and Ministry Committee Hampshire County (MA) Association, two terms as Treasurer of the Litchfield North (CT) Association of Churches, and seven years on the United Church Board for World Ministries.