It depends on what they do.

In a sense, there's little, legally speaking, to prevent a Chapter from simply dissolving and selling the artifacts for scrap and disbursing the cash assets to other charities. There would be some moral considerations, however, as well as IRS non-profit requirements and considerations--and the NRHS proviso mentioned above.

I've been with a rail preservation group that had to face the difficult decision to "call it a day" because of aging membership and dramatic changes in operating possibilities; luckily they were in an area where turning over the physical assets (several cars and related equipment) to a willing railroad museum was an easy and appropriate option. Once you've been in such a situation, a somewhat fatalistic cynicism can set in. I know for a fact that a couple groups with which I work/have worked have, either long ago or recently, set up plans or directives to outline potential distribution/relocation in case of dissolution of either the group or its relationship with a museum/railroad/etc.

Just think long and hard about the potential of the Mohawk & Hudson Chapter locomotives, or the quandary of DL&W 952, and figure out now how to prevent the squabbles over your future Amtrak AEM7, Conrail SD80MAC, or preserved Amshack. <:-)

I really wasn't thinking that anyone would associate the future of the NRHS with RR preservation, just wondering aloud of the future of the most well-known of the national preservation groups, that's all.
The chapter I joined back in Florida in 1984 owns a RR station there and I've been told that they'll probably be donating it to the local historical society (which will likely take decent care of it due to it's historical nature) when the current members who work on it all retire and quite being active.
But knowing my 25 year pin is in the mail at this moment, I really wonder if I should just let my membership go at this point. other than the 05 convention in Portland (and I only signed up for it because I wanted to say I'd done so, I chased every trip and didn't pay for any of them and didn't go to any social event), I haven't been to an official event in over 10 years.

As someone who has never been a member, but has been a speaker at chapter meeting and at one national convention…

How do we collectively save this organization, or do we just abandon it and let it die…

The same question is appropriate for various R&LHS chapters, some preservation organizations… etc…

If I understand the previous posts in this thread, they are (the membership) dying off, and abandoning their assets to local historical societies who are not always healthy …

It speaks to the collective heath of railroad preservation.

"There is a NRHS chapter nearby with this same "age" problem. I just learned that they are down to a "handful" of members and those are in very ill health. The question I had was "what happens to the assets of the club when the last member passes on"? They do have assets...some rusty choo choos and a bank account with some funds in it. My guess is that the equipment will eventually be scrapped. Is this "preservation"?"

Each NRHS chapter is a separate corporate entity, so depending on how you count, right now we're talking about 170 to 180 separate organizations, not just one. In this case, there is a clause in the chapter bylaws, as there is for all 501(c3) organizations, that says what is to happen to the organization's assets if it dissolves. What happens then, of course, is very much TBD.

NRHS has been around for nearly 75 years and organizations that last so long do so only because the older leaders step down and let other younger ones take over.

Bob H

Many of the issues raised here were topics of discussion with NRHS President Greg Molloy at his visit to Tri-State Chapter NRHS in Morristown, New Jersey last year, so the officers are certainly aware of the concerns.

I can observe that in traveling around the country it is sometimes very difficult to get information on the meeting dates, times, and locations for NRHS chapters. This is one area where the internet could be used to good advantage if the national organization were to host a "default" website with meeting dates and detailed driving directions for each chapter that does not have the local talent to maintain a website of their own and keep it up to date (provided of course that they were able to extract that information from each chapter).

Some larger chapters presently have non-functional websites for a variety of reasons. One chapter that I frequently visit still has their 2008 schedule of events posted, no 2009 activities. On inquiring about that I was told "we send out e-mails to our members now". WELL FINE, but once again that shows a lack of motivation to "jump the fence" and go after an audience with the general public to try to grow the organization. If the only people you promote an organization to are the ones who are already members, it is just going to get smaller and smaller until it is gone.

PC

Not a bad idea and in fact it's actually being done -- (well sorta)

See:

http://nrhs.com/chapters/index.html

This part of the National's website has links to the chapter websites.... of course it's up to the chapters to keep their websites up to date.

Note that the Yearbook also contains information on how to contact each chapter.

While I think about it, and just slightly off topic, the NRHS will again offer a discount list of rail museums / tourist railroads etc. that will provide discounts on admissions/tickets/gift shop items.

Watch NRHS.com for that list to be updated soon.

Why do I say slightly off topic -- because it's a benefit of membership that applies to all NRHS members regardless of their age.

Bob H

As Bob pointed out, that links page is only of value if the local chapter is able to maintain a website and keep it up to date. One chapter in my area finally took down their five year out of date banquet notice home page. Their website appears to have been eliminated entirely.

Thus the reason that I think having the national maintain a "default" web page with the meeting dates, times, and location for each chapter would be helpful. No need to list the programs, just the information you need to be able to find the chapter.

PC

I have never been a member of the organization; bu the part of this that worries me is that their chapters run a number of museums across the country.

What happens to the non-profit status of these groups that do a lot of good historic preservation?

One example among many is the Connnecticut Eastern Railroad Museum, which is also a chapter name.

Connecticut did not have a steam/Diesel era museum for most of my life; now they do and it is doing good work, such as rebuilding an historic roundhouse and turntable.

I am sure others can give similar examples.

Ted Miles

Ted,
Each Chapter is incorporated separately in it's home state. If "National" disappeared, the Chapters would simply have to rename themselves, such as "ABC Railway Preservation Society", or "XYZ Geezer Railfan Club", or whatever. There is no standard business model for an NRHS Chapter. Many of them are strong and viable organizations with good management. They own and preserve equipment or structures, run or support museums, and are fiscally responsible. They face the same challenges as the rest of the rail preservation community, but are dealing with them, and would continue to do so without "National". Other Chapters live up to many or all of the criticisms above, and will fail with or without "National". And, there are some in between, that could evolve either way. I have been an NRHS member for over 30 years. Yes, it has problems. But I am an optimist. I think that NRHS will evolve into a smaller, but stronger organization eventually.

I heard that during the last round of controversy regarding dues increases, etc. that some chapters with museums changed the way they are set up, and instead of being an NRHS chapter that also runs a museum, they became museums that optionally offer membership in NRHS.

PC

Don't look at me. I DID my part.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV
1st Vice President, Baltimore Chapter NRHS

When I moved from Florida, I found myself wedged between two NRHS chapters, each about equally far away. I was in the Army then and didn’t have much time to devote to anything like that. I got a pretty lukewarm reception from each when I called the phone numbers I had. “Yeah, we have our meeting at such-and-such a place and time if you want to show,” voiced with a tone that said to me, “We’re fine with you or without you. Whatever.” I asked if they needed people to help with their equipment (both have some decent rolling stock). I was in both cases VERY quickly reminded that new people start by doing minor (read: housekeeping) duties. Heck, I wasn’t asking to just be an engineer or something, just trying to show that I would help out when I could. I got the very firm impression that they had an inner circle who got to “have fun” and anyone else could just go sweep out the buildings or something. So, I hung up the phone from that second (and final) phone call, knowing I wouldn’t waste my time with them in the future, thinking a thought that pretty much ended in, “…and the horse you rode in on.” When I was recently advised from my pals in Florida that my 25 year pin came to them as I maintained my membership there, I was asked if they wanted to forward it on to a chapter near me so it could be officially presented to me. I replied I’d feel much better getting it in the mail from old friends than I would getting it from people I didn’t think wanted new people around. I understanding paying your dues with equipment to do cool stuff, but I wasn’t welcomed to contribute at all. So I find it very irritating when I dare to bring up this subject elsewhere (but not here, and I think you all for that), people tell me, “Well, if you won’t help out, you have nothing to complain about.” I don’t expect them to come recruit me at my house or something but for the love of God, they should have shown SOME level of enthusiasm when someone calls asking if they could use another hand. The “yeah, whatever” reception I got might be very well why chapters are where they are today in many cases! A friend from back in Florida who also once lived in a large city in another region said he had the same experience. He also got a vibe that nobody really needed or even wanted new people around.

Some reelected officers of clubs with railroad equipment are shy about asking for help. Sometimes it is fear of rejection, or fear of getting someone who might not work to the same standards as the incumbent officer. This can be quite an obstacle to new members if the officer with these views is the crew caller or volunteer coordinator.

The NRHS (national organization) has no authority to take the assets of any one of its chapters. When the membership falls below 5, the chapter goes inactive. What happens to their assets is the decision of the local chapter, normally controlled by their own bylaws or the articles that incorporate the chapter.

BS

I had originally posted a smarta** response but then thought better of it. I'm just going to leave it as pointing out the the National NRHS organization has sent out letters to at least 2 chapters that contradict this claim. Bottom line is if you belong to an NRHS Chapter and you can count the membership on your fingers then do something NOW.