Page 8 - January Februray 2009

Region Officers’ Meeting
All Region Officers and Division Representatives are invited to attend a meeting with members of the Board of Directors on Saturday 21 February 2009 at the Kegworth Village Hall, off Nottingham Road, Kegworth, Leicestershire DE74 2FH. The meeting will commence at 11.00 am. There is no particular agenda but it is an opportunity to raise current topics and concerns with the BOD, as promised following the recent review of the Region structure.
British Region Structure
In the October 2008 Roundhouse we set out where our thinking had got to following responses and comments from active groups and individual members. The topic was also aired at the Annual General Meeting. This report is intended to bring to a close this current review.
We are agreed that the current Division structure serves a purpose, principally one whereby members resident within a particular geographical area of the UK are deemed to be within that division for admin purposes only and are represented by an appointed person for each Division. This person acts as the link between individual members and the BOD, as well as the first point of contact for any members enquiring about activities in his/her area or his/her specialism or interest. It is also agreed that there need to be regular meetings between the BOD and all appointed officers and representatives. The first such meeting will be held on 21 February 2009 at the Kegworth Village Hall,
Please note that this is also a regular meeting of the Black Diamonds Division and there will be a charge for admission although a meeting room has been set aside for us. Refreshments will be available as well an opportunity to play trains.
The BOD look forward to meeting as many of you as possible. Any apologies for absence or subjects you wish to raise or for discussion (whether you are able to attend or not) to the Secretary, Steve Scott, by phone or e-mail: secretary@nmrabr. org.uk.
Kegworth, on the occasion of a regular Black Diamonds Meet. Details will be sent to all invitees.
Finally, within British Region we have a growing number of active groups variously called divisions, sub-divisions or groups. Whatever they are termed, they are all equal – there is no hierarchy. Importantly, they are open to members wherever they live, and will in many if not all cases require an additional subscription to participate in the activities beyond those provided by the Region itself.
As a result of the above, and the fact there are two or more active groups within some Divisions, the Directory will show Division representatives separate from active groups. One Division has in fact been re-named, reverting to its original name before active groups were started.
Kegworth for NMRA BR 2010 Convention
Your Board of Directors 14 December 2008
Mike Arnold
After much debate and deliberation, the NMRA British Region’s annual convention celebrating the NMRA’s 75th year in 2010 will held in the UK at Kegworth.
The Board of Directors considered all the bids very carefully. To get a balanced decision we asked the members for help, took advice and opinions at the AGM, through the Yahoo group and in discussion with members. It was only after all that that the final, tough decision narrowly came in favour of Kegworth.
British Region NMRA members can now pencil in their diary the dates of what will undoubtedly be a very special meeting to be held at the Yew Lodge Hotel, Kegworth on Friday 22 to Sunday 24 October 2010.
Everyone concerned with making this decision would like to thank all those who took the time and so much effort to present
their proposals for the respective venues, with special thanks to those who proposed Bournemouth. We hope that they will present their case for the 2011 convention.
Now that we have something definite to work towards, we can find out what the members want us to help them with, ask for their help in preparation and be here to help make the convention all that they want it to be.
Planning will now begin in earnest for this special convention. Members are invited to make suggestions, and further details will be posted on the website and printed in Roundhouse once the Swindon convention next October is over. In the meantime any questions or offers of help can be addressed to Nobby Clarke in the first instance.
Discounts for NMRA members
I am pleased to announce that The Hobby Box, Uckfield, East Sussex has agreed to give all current NMRA BR members 10% discount off all their modelling materials with immediate effect. Although not American specialists, The Hobby Box stocks Peco Code 83 track and pointwork, Tortoise switch machines, DCC controllers and decoders, Evergreen styrene, and a wide variety of paints and scenic materials useful to American modellers in a wide variety of scales. I can personally testify that owners Mark and Anne Tullet are always willing to go out of their way to offer
Mike Hughes, Marketing Co-ordinator, NMRA British Region
an exceptional service. Nothing seems too much trouble for them. Mark said, “We are pleased to be involved with the NMRA British Region and to recognise membership with this 10% discount.” To get your discount please quote your NMRA number and expiry date. Open Tuesday to Saturday 9.30 to 5.30, The Hobby Box are at 8 Framfield Road, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 5AG and can be contacted by phone on 01825 765296 or by e- mail at mark@hobbybox.co.uk.
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