D&J RailRoad
Professor of HO
The modular club I've been a member of now since the mid 90s has been kicking around the idea of transitioning from a 501(c)7 organization to a 501(c)3 status so we could take donations and qualify for grants. We never really had enough interest it seems to actually follow through with it and then when we lost our permanent layout space, the idea kind of went away completely.
Now, we may have an opportunity to set up a semi-permanent layout in a city square box car and eventually a more permanent layout in a restored mansion that is now a historical landmark. The idea has come back up. All just talk though, no real action.
Last fall I joined another club that was part of a 501(c)3 structure and put the pieces together. We could petition that club to merge us to their organization and we would take on the 501(c)3 status.
With that in hand, I ran for the Vice President office of the first club in the last election and won it. Now I'm in a position on the board of directors to more easily put motions to the floor for consideration. The first step was to get the membership on board with this merger. It was near unanimous. I put the package together for the action required for the merger along with the actions required to shut down the previous version of the club, i.e. IRS and state corporation commission along with the merger petition to the new org and a few other associated tasks. Just talking with members about it, they are pumped with the idea. The new club is enthusiastic about it as well to expand the membership as well as other layouts to operate on and the expanded fellowship.
An interesting point about this though. Several years ago, when we had our permanent layout, the club BoD voted to appoint me to the new position of layout foreman for the purpose of one person to oversee the maintenance and improvements to the layout. Shortly after that appointment we were given notice by the CSX and VRE that we would have to vacate the building for renovation efforts to support a passenger waiting area. So, my job turned into overseeing the dismantling and storing of the layout.
Now, with my new position, my primary job is to dissolve the club to prepare it for its conversion.
Don't ask me to fix anything at your house.
Now, we may have an opportunity to set up a semi-permanent layout in a city square box car and eventually a more permanent layout in a restored mansion that is now a historical landmark. The idea has come back up. All just talk though, no real action.
Last fall I joined another club that was part of a 501(c)3 structure and put the pieces together. We could petition that club to merge us to their organization and we would take on the 501(c)3 status.
With that in hand, I ran for the Vice President office of the first club in the last election and won it. Now I'm in a position on the board of directors to more easily put motions to the floor for consideration. The first step was to get the membership on board with this merger. It was near unanimous. I put the package together for the action required for the merger along with the actions required to shut down the previous version of the club, i.e. IRS and state corporation commission along with the merger petition to the new org and a few other associated tasks. Just talking with members about it, they are pumped with the idea. The new club is enthusiastic about it as well to expand the membership as well as other layouts to operate on and the expanded fellowship.
An interesting point about this though. Several years ago, when we had our permanent layout, the club BoD voted to appoint me to the new position of layout foreman for the purpose of one person to oversee the maintenance and improvements to the layout. Shortly after that appointment we were given notice by the CSX and VRE that we would have to vacate the building for renovation efforts to support a passenger waiting area. So, my job turned into overseeing the dismantling and storing of the layout.
Now, with my new position, my primary job is to dissolve the club to prepare it for its conversion.
Don't ask me to fix anything at your house.