Vote for Bill McCluskey. The TCA is shrinking

[Tony Lash]

The TCA is shrinking because it isn't exposing itself to the public enough. The biggest and best train show in the country, in my opinion, is the TCA's York show held in York, PA every Spring and Fall. Those who have seen me at this show know how much I like going there but we don't see enough new people at York. I think this is because York isn't promoted right.



The Eastern Division controls the York show, not the TCA national office. So it's up to the Eastern Division leaders to make changes to their rules that will allow the show to be better promoted. Members who go to York can see how much the Eastern Division restricts promotion with their no camera rule.



I know the rule was created in the past to protect member identification, but the Eastern Division doesn't even allow the press in to photograph the show and report on its existence in papers or magazines. With a declining membership you would think that the TCA would want to promote a great show like York so that new members might be signed up. Nope, they seem to think that this is a club and no outsiders are needed. They won't even let the TCA Quarterly publish pictures of York, only closeups of trains. This rule prevents anyone who has never attended the show to see how big and exciting it is. You can't get any real feel for what this show offers so why join the TCA.



I've complained to the TCA about this but everyone says its a divisional rule not a national rule so the only people that can change it are the Eastern Division officers and board of directors. Apparently they don't care or can't see how important this show is to the rest of the TCA. I say vote 'em out and get new blood in that does care and will make changes to these old fashioned rules that are now harming the TCA.



Clem has had a great run at the presidency but he hasn't gotten the board to change their rules. I'm voting for Bill McCluskey because I think he does believe that the show needs to make changes and he'll push harder for it. I've heard that most of the resistance is in the board, so let's bring in Linda Webber. She knows how important it is to expand York with longer hours and maybe even limited public hours. Kathy Stevens is running for Secretary and she shares these same desires so I'm voting for her as well.



If Eastern Division folks care about the TCA and want it to grow, then you better care who keeps our best show from expanding and becoming even better. We need more blood in this hobby and in the TCA. If we don't get them soon, who are we going to sell our trains to in the future.

The only way change will come to York is to VOTE.
Eastern members, get out there and vote.

Please VOTE for Bill McCluskey.

Tony Lash

[AlanRail]

The main reason that I quit TCA and stopped going to York was that the Eastern division controlled York and although it is THEIR show; It seemed a lot like the tail wagging the dog.

a lot more members of all TCA divisions go, but have no control at all.

It is hard to say that TCA should take over the show as a TCA all division show because TCA HQ is located a few miles away. So who would be controlling what??


Alan

[Anonymous]

As Mike Wolf stated, York needs to open the doors to everyone, not just TCA members.
I'm sure OGR is endorsing the current incompetent officers. Melvin and Barrett are tight with Clem Clements. Those dinosaurs that run the Eastern Division now have their heads in the sand and their attitude is killing the hobby. Time for new blood and some progressive change. If Bill McCluskey is the man to make the changes, then let's get him voted in and kick those scoundrels out for good!

[Anonymous]

I don't know much about the TCA or about the show in York, mainly cause I'm not allowed to attend. What's up with the thing about haveing to be be a member to attend anyway. Is it like a secret club w/ wierd customs that must not be known? I agree that their self promotion is, well, terrible. But then again, I know little to nothing about them.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Hey guys, I don't know if changing the president of the TCA is going to be enough to solve the problem. This has been going on way too long. The TCA really needs to decentralize geographicly, but it doesn't know how. The Eastern Division is well on it's way to becoming a victim of it's own success.

The entire organization is a concept from a bygone era that is literaly dying a slow death.

Like many others, I can't travel to York. I have no real desire to travel to York, as it is really just a big party for the "in crowd".

Tonight I attended the local meeting of the NMRA. One of the guys has organized two mall shows locally. I am much more inclined to take my time and effort, to set up display layouts to help promote the hobby to the public, than to parade up and down endless aisles of trains for sale, looking for bargains. One activity represents the future, and the other the past.

This is a case of two trains traveling in opposite directions. I have finally figured out which one I want to be on.

[Anonymous]

Thank you Tony. The way Mike Wolf was treated by York officials was scandalous. I am casting my ballot for McCluskey and Webber. York should also be run by the National.

[ChiefEagles]

Well guys, I attend the TCA show in NC. I have to wait an hour to get in. Have stood at the entry desk and no one has asked me to join. Know some of the members and officers and they have never asked me to join. Guess they have all the members they want. If I were that table, I'd be asking every non-member coming in if they wanted to join. So far, my trains run real well without a membership. [;)]

[Anonymous]

Tony,
I don't understand what you mean. In one paragraph you state that we should "vote em out" if they don't want to make the changes that Clem has asked for referring to the Officers and Board. Yet in your very next paragraph you say that Clem should go, yet he is the one trying to implement change and the rest of the Board is resisting. Why would you think Bill would have any better chance to succeed with the same Board in Place. I think we should change the Board, as is requested, and then if Clem still can't do it then change at the top would be warranted.

As Dan Danielson (President of the Eastern Division WB&A Chapter) stated in a recent letter to the chapter regarding the election, and posted following my signature, most all of the changes to improve York have come from Clem and Glenn Snyder, the meet chairman, or from the members themselves taking action at the meetings. Yet you say that Linda and Kathy are responsible. I would encourage you to call Dan if you are still confused. As a matter of fact the Board, including Linda and Kathy are against expanding the York meet!!!

Obviously, you and Mike are upset at the handling of MTH at the last York. I think you would be served with a new Board, not the old guard who have vigorously resisted change to date. Clem can't singlehandly overcome a Board unwilling to change - please don't take your frustration out on him.

I agree with you about being concerned about who has the interest at heart to expand and make York better for our members. I think you will find, if you talk to those who regularly attend the Eastern Division Board meetings and General Membership meetings that you are supporting the wrong folks, but you are entitled to your opinion. I would only ask that your opinion or thoughts be based on the correct facts.
Pete

WB&A letter follows:
November 15, 2004

Dear Eastern Division Member:

I am writing this letter as a fellow Eastern Division member and as President of the WB&A Chapter - Eastern Division. Shortly, you will receive a ballot for the election of officers and members of the Eastern Division Board of Directors. I encourage your support of the following candidates who have assured me they will continue the efforts of current President, Clem Clement, and Meet Chairman, Glenn Snyder, for positive changes and improvements to Eastern Division and the York Meet:

President – Clem Clement
Vice President – Sam Geiser
Secretary – Hope Danielson
Treasurer – Jim Kronz
Director – C.W. “Woody” Kriner
Director – Steve Williams

I have worked closely with President, Clem Clement and have seen the anguish and triumphs as he has strived to bring the Division and the York Meet into the 21st Century with a “CAN DO” attitude.

Over the last two years we have seen many positive changes at the York Meet, changes members have requested. Many changes have been met with resistance from some incumbent officers and members of the Board of Directors; but heralded by the membership. A few examples include:

Allowing early unpacking and set up for dealers and members
Allowing table holders to remain in the halls Friday morning prior to the Meet opening
Opening Meet registration Thursday evening
Opening the Orange Hall and Purple Hall for our dealers
Establishing Kids Korner @ York – promoting the next generation of train collectors
Provide a listing of all dealers and their respective locations in the Orange and Purple Halls
Improving the Meet Notice
Awarding WB&A Chapter the opportunity to host the 2010 National Convention
Appointing a Rules & Regulations Committee to review the bylaws
Appointing a Nominating Committee

There have been many more behind the scenes improvements to the York Meet and there are many more we would like to see accomplished to meet the members’ needs and requests. Examples include:

An Eastern Division Newsletter
A Division website
Online York Meet registration
Friday Evening Social for Division members with “York Dollars” awarded as door prizes
Saturday morning coffee and donut hour for Division members

Please read carefully the resumes included in the ballot, and vote for members who will be responsive to your needs and requests; who will support your President in his efforts to improve the York Meet; and provide a friendly atmosphere to our membership. All of these nominees are willing and qualified to serve our Division and us, the members! They merit your support. Please consider the candidates listed above as you vote, but most importantly, make sure you vote.

I appreciate your taking the time to read this letter.
Happy voting,
Dan Danielson

[Anonymous]

It would be interesting to take a straw poll. How many that comment on this board belong to TCA. I let mine drop as the meets are all to far away to attend, and york would be the cost of a nice engine to just attend.
Dave.

[3railguy]

I agree with a lot of what T Lash posted. I do however feel too much burden is being put on the TCA staff. The TCA staff may be on the stubborn side but many already have enough issues they are dealing with already and they could be putting all this off. I don't know for sure, I'm just making an educated guess. Giving the club more exposure and having an open York day for example is going to require time and money. Alot more than one might think. The TCA membership dues are almost half the of what LCCA membership is so maybe money is an issue here. The wants of the TCA majority (members) have a lot to do with the bylaws and terms too. Many of these issues were voted.

I think York attendance and TCA membership decilne may have a lot to do with competition such as ebay, GATS (Great American Trainshow), the LCCA, and CTT and OGR magazines. We have a lot more resources and info than we did 15 years ago. Many of us would have to drive 2,000 give or take 1,000 miles to attend York. Ebay offers pictures and streamlined buying compared to the interchange mail order system. It would cost a considerable amount for the TCA to set up an internet system compared to ebay.

The TCA is viewed upon by many as a collector's club who's primary focus is researching, authenticating, and preserving trains where operation of trains is a secondary focus. People may feel no matter how large or small, the TCA should focus on collecting.

The TCA does have its museum with train displays and operating layouts for the general public to see all year round. Running this museum takes a considerable amount of time and expense. A lot of which is being donated.