and he notes -
I don't think you have the rules for a non-profit organization
correct. Non-profits can and usually do have fund raising projects,
NASG being one of them. Items such as patches and jewelry are common
items offered by nearly every organization but the rules do not
prohibit sponsoring any item that benefits the organization. Track
gauges are an example. They do not compete with any commercial
enterprise and become a benefit of membership.
When it comes to other non-fraternal items, such as structures or the
recent passenger car project, the line gets a little fuzzy. But as
long as these items fill a gap which would otherwise remain empty,
there should be no problem with NASG's non-profit status and any
return over cost can be considered the same as that produced by
fraternal items and added to the Trust Fund.
When it comes to having a signal bridge or some such item, there are
many useable products already in production, albeit in other scales.
It would be a better NASG project set up a committee to obtain
samples or investigate any number of items useable to members,
signals etc. being but one of them. If it turned out that no product
is available for use or adaptation, then any further action should be
a recommendation by the committee to pursue it as a project and
approved by the BOD.
NASG is a corporation and operates as such. When I was President,
I got mail from the "I don't want my dues going for" etc. crowd. The
only answer to that is in Robert's Rules Of Order which defines a
membership as a percentage of ownership with no voting rights except
by initiative and referendum. Don't want NASG promoting non-fraternal
items? Then get up a petition, send it to your regional Vice
President to have it added to the agenda for a vote by the Board.
Unless the initiative is presented, the only other way to bring it
forward is to make the issue at the annual membership meeting - and
even then any action must be taken by the Board.
I see no reason for NASG's not producing a signal bridge, as long as
their is a consensus that it is a benefit for the members. Not
everyone will want one but then not everyone wanted the passenger
cars (though they are apparently all but sold out). The proponents
might have a problem selling the committee on a prototype specific
signal bridge though.
Speaking of which, how about a 3/16ths scale ball signal? B&M used
them well into the diesel era and I'm sure other roads did too. It
would be great to activate the signal and hear the engine crew holler
"High Ball!" (Whoops - action accessories are on another post!)
Hmmm... BTW - Sounds like a good idea and I know a bar that serves a
great one!...
Raleigh in Maine where it's about to snow!
www.emporiumpictures.com
At 11:09 AM 12/2/2007, Bill Lane wrote:
>OK,
>
>Don D asked a perfectly innocent question. He has been out of the fold for a
>while.
>
>But still....
>
>Why oh WHY, whenever there is something that does not exist, the thought
>often pops up to get the NASG to make it a project? The NASG is NOT A
>BUSINESS OR A MANUFACTURER! It is a NON profit organization that produces a
>magazine/newsletter, promotes S Scale to the masses and helps organize S
>events. That is a pretty easy concept to digest. Any PROFITS from these
>manufactured items could get us into a world of defecation that no one here
>will want to or should have to deal with. Getting the NASG standards gauges
>made years ago was great. They should have been the last items considered to
>be manufactured under the guises of the (again) NON -profit organization.
>
>The truth be told, I do NOT want my dues to go to ANY project, even if the
>item is something that I might buy, which so far I have not. Dues need to go
>to the running and continued preservation of the organization, not a pet
>project.
>
>This post will not start a flame war. This will be a one and done. Call it a
>Public Service reminder. I just swept out the Moderation Motel. Who wants to
>be the first to check in?
>
>Thank You,
>Bill Lane
>
>Modeling the Mighty Pennsy & PRSL in 1957 in S Scale since 1988
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