Board Members

President

Thomas Lytle – Term expires 2025

1st Vice President

Vard Moore – Term expires 2025

2nd Vice President

Ron Natinsky – Term expires 2024

Social Media

Jack Huffman – Term expires 2024

Secretary

Patrick Miller – Term expires 2025

Treasurer

Pete Dahlberg – Term expires 2024

Webmaster/Editor

Ron Trees – Term expires 2024:  info@ntgrc.org

Articles of Incorporation

By-Laws

North Texas Garden Railroad Club Bylaws

June 2010
ARTICLE I: THE CLUB

Section 1: NAME:

The corporation shall be known as The North Texas Garden Railroad Club, Inc.

Section 2: OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE:

The objective of the organization shall be:

1. To advance, improve, encourage and stimulate the quality of garden railroading through the fellowship of like-minded hobbyists.

2. To promote and expand the hobby of Garden Railroading.

Section 3: AMENDING THE BY-LAWS:

By-laws may be amended by the vote of two-thirds of the membership present and voting after a published notice via email and the club website at either an annual or special meeting of the membership. Procedures for calling annual or special meetings are detailed in Article II: Meetings.

Section 4: DISSOLUTION:

The Club may be dissolved at any duly called meeting (see Article II: Meetings) at which a quorum of 51% of members-in-good-standing are in attendance and subject to a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those members. In the event of dissolution, disposition of the Club’s assets shall be subject to approval of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those members eligible to vote. Such disposition must take into consideration the applicable laws and be done in a manner fair and equitable to the members of the Club. All debts and obligations of the NTGRC must be provided for before assets can be distributed.

Section 5: DEFINITIONS:

Management Team referenced in the Articles of Incorporation shall be known as the Board in these By-laws.

ARTICLE II. MEETINGS:

Section 1: MEETINGS:

Meetings will be conducted under Robert’s Rules of Order. Meetings of the organization shall be classified as follows:

1. BOARD MEETINGS are held monthly to conduct the routine business of the NTGRC unless a quorum is not available. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum and a quorum shall be present to conduct business. All decisions of the Board must be approved by a majority of its members. A Board member unable to attend a Board meeting may provide their proxy to another attending Board member for voting purposes.  Any member may attend Board Meetings.

2. MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS may be held monthly for the purpose of camaraderie and enjoying garden railroading and its many facets. Such meetings may be in private homes, at public shows, and may include operating sessions or clinics/workshops depending on weather and availability of accommodations. The host or hostess of the meeting may choose the format of the meeting. The board may, at its discretion, distribute information to the attending members. The Activities Committee coordinates meetings and more than one may be held per month.

3. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING shall be held once a year at a date determined by the Board or in June if the Board does not set another month. Time and location of the annual meeting shall be announced to the membership at least 2 months in advance of being held. The agenda shall include the election of new board members and reports from all officers and standing committees. Other items may be added to the agenda by either the board or the membership as desired.

4. SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING may be called as required to conduct urgent NTGRC business. Time and location of the special meeting shall be announced to the membership 3 weeks in advance of being held. Such meeting can be called by either the Board or by at least four regular members.

ARTICLE III: GOVERNING BODY.

Section 1: EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY (Required by Articles of Incorporation)

The Board shall have administrative powers only, within the limits set forth here.

1. Board members shall not receive any compensation for their services nor shall they profit in any way from association with the organization.

2. The Board shall have authority to approve the necessary purchases for the regular operation of the Club up to $600 in any three-month period. Major purchases, such as vehicles, property, or large projects which have a line-item cost of over $600, or a total project cost of over $1000 should be presented to the membership for a vote. A membership vote should also be required prior to entry into any binding long term non-financial contract (more than 1 year). Legally required expenditures such as state and federal filing fees, taxes, insurance, etc. would be exempt from these limitations. At no time will the Board expenditures or commitments exceed the available funds in the Club Treasury.

Section 2: ELIGIBILITY

Candidates for any elective position in the NTGRC must be members in good standing at the time of their nomination. The Board shall be comprised of a minimum of five members in good standing of the NTGRC as defined in Article V: Membership.

Section 3: ELECTIONS:

Elections for Board Members shall be held each year. The Board shall be comprised of at least* five members in good standing of NTGRC. The Board will choose what position each will have for that year (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, At-Large, and other positions as determined by the Board.) The At-Large member will assist other officers as needed.

* Amended June 2014

• ELECTION COMMITTEE: Prior to the Annual Membership Meeting the Board shall appoint an Election Committee. The Election Committee shall be composed of no less than 3 members in good standing of the club excluding current Board Members. The Election Committee shall elect its own Chairperson and shall prepare a slate of candidates for open Board positions. The Committee Chairperson shall report the slate to the membership at least thirty-days (30) prior to the scheduled election. Nomination of Board Members shall also be allowed from the floor during the Annual Membership Meeting.

• ELECTION RESULTS will be reported to all members following the Annual Meeting. New Board Members will take office effective July 1. Board members are elected as individuals not families/households.

• VOTING: Members (or families) in good standing are eligible to vote. Each membership shall have one vote. All voting members shall be at least 16 years of age or older. Voting will be by written ballot. Ballots may be submitted by mail, email or at a Business Meeting. Board members will be elected by majority of votes cast.

Section 4: BOARD OFFICERS:

After the election of new Board Members, the Board shall elect the following officers from among its members.

1. PRESIDENT: Shall preside at all meetings. The President shall be responsible for the overall conduct and planning of the organization activities. Perform such duties as directed by the Membership or Board.

2. VICE-PRESIDENT: Shall preside at any meetings from which the President is absent, welcome and introduce new members to the organization. Assist the President in administrating the organization and Board’s affairs. Perform such duties as directed by the Membership or Board.

3. TREASURER: Shall have custody, and keep account of all organizational finances. The Treasurer shall present to the membership a statement of such funds as may be required. The Treasurer shall be responsible for collection of Dues and Fees, and shall be responsible for certification of members-in-good-standing for voting purposes. The Treasurer shall deliver a monthly Treasurer’s report, either verbal or written, to the Board and membership. The financial records of the organization will be maintained for three years and made available for review by members and officials as requested. They will be passed on to new board members. There shall be a semi-annual audit of the club’s financial records by two club members, not including the Treasurer.

4. SECRETARY: Shall keep minutes of all the Board meetings and activities. The Secretary shall handle club correspondence, excluding publicity. The minutes will be maintained for three years and made available for review by members and officials as requested. They will be passed on to new board members.

5. MEMBER-AT-LARGE: Shall assist any other Board member as needed or perform such duties as directed by the Membership or Board.

6. Other Board positions such as additional Vice Presidents or Webmaster shall be used at the discretion of and depending on the size of the Board.

Section 5: TERMS OF OFFICE:

Term of office shall be two (2) years split into a 2/3 ratio, or an appropriate ratio if there are more than five Board members, i.e., a 3/4 ratio for a seven member Board. Two or more Board Members will be elected in even years and three or more Board Members in odd numbered years.

Section 6: VACANCY OF AN OFFICE:

Upon written notice from a Board Member of resignation, a new Board Member will be replaced at the next official business meeting by a majority vote from the eligible membership in attendance. This replacement Board Member will fill the remaining term of the departing Board Member.

ARTICLE IV. COMMITTEES AND REPRESENATIVES:

NTGRC may have the following Standing Committees and Representatives. The Board shall appoint the Chairpersons for each Standing Committee and one Representative. More than one person may fill chairperson positions, or positions may be combined, as directed by the Board. All members holding Chairperson Positions will be encouraged to attend the Board meetings as non-voting members.

1. TRAIN SHOW COMMITTEE: The Train Show Committee will coordinate the NTGRC’s participation in shows and displays. Information will be provided to the Promotions Committee for distribution to the membership.

2. ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE: The Activities Committee will coordinate the Monthly Membership meetings and other social activities such as parties, workshops, or workdays.

3. PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE: The Promotions Committee will coordinate and oversee the promotion of the hobby of Garden Railroading. This includes the publication and distribution of brochures and posters, publication of the NTGRC newsletter, maintenance of the NTGRC website and other promotional materials. The committee shall be responsible for notification to Club members regarding meetings and activities via the newsletter. The committee shall be responsible for updating the hobby-shop information at least once a year and all publicity correspondence.

4. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE: A member in good standing shall be responsible to attend the North Texas Council of Model Railroad Clubs Meeting and report back to the organization the status of the annual shows, the disbursements for the shows and the final results on the annual shows.

5. SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Special Committees may be appointed by the Board to undertake special assignments. Such committees shall be appointed on an ad hoc basis and shall serve no longer than the term for which they were appointed. Such committees will have clear instructions with starting and ending dates predefined by the Board.

ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP:

Management of the affairs of the NTGRC is to be vested in the members of the corporation. The membership shall be the policy-making body of the NTGRC and shall consist of members in good standing.

Section 1: ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP:

Membership is open to any person or families interested in or actively engaged or desirous of becoming engaged in activities related to the hobby of Garden Railroading. Membership will be granted upon submission of a Membership Application and payment of dues.

Section 2: DEFINITION OF MEMBERSHIP:

All individuals residing in the same household shall be considered a FAMILY, for purposes of membership, that family having full membership rights and responsibilities. At least one family member must be sixteen (16) years of age or older. There shall be one vote per membership. Any information distributed via electronic mail will be sent to all family members who provide an email address.

Section 3: RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP:

Members of the organization shall have the following responsibilities

1. Paying dues as specified.

2. Adherence to the organization’s rules.

3. Voting on the organization’s business

Section 4: APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP:

Application for membership shall be made by completion of an information form and payment of the current dues. No person shall be denied membership based on color, ethnicity, creed, gender or race.

Section 5: DUES

Membership dues shall be determined by the Board. Dues are payable in January of each year. New members joining after October 31st of any year will be granted paid membership until the following year ending on December 31.

   1. Lifetime membership to be an amount that is 10 times the current annual membership dues as established and set by the Board*.

   2. Upon the death of a member in good standing his/her spouse will be awarded a lifetime membership.*

*Added June 2015

Section 6: SUSPENSION/DISMISSAL OF MEMBERSHIP:

Members in arrears in payment of dues for three months are subject to automatic suspension. Members in violation of the organization’s rules or who have not fulfilled the responsibilities of membership are subject to suspension or dismissal subject to approval of the organization’s membership.

Section 7: MEMBERS-IN-GOOD-STANDING:

Members-in-good-standing are members who meet the following criteria:

1. Dues are current

2. Are engaged or interested in activities concerned with or related to garden railroading or large-scale model railroading

Section 8: COMPENSATION

Members may be reasonably compensated for services rendered. Such items as mileage, refreshments supplied at meetings open to the membership, and general out-of-pocket expenses are eligible for reimbursement. Maximum expense reimbursement for monthly home meetings and the annual Christmas party shall be determined by the Board of Directors. The board must pre-approve these and receipts or other supporting documentation must be provided.

These bylaws were accepted and approved at the 2010 Annual Membership Meeting by the general membership in attendance.

Effective Date: July 1, 2010 Adopted: June 5, 2010

Amendments

Existing By-Law:
ARTICLE III: GOVERNING BODY.
Section 3:
ELECTIONS:
Elections for Board Members shall be held each year.  The Board shall be comprised of five members in good standing of NTGRC.

Proposed By-Law:
ARTICLE III: GOVERNING BODY.
Section 3:
ELECTIONS:
Elections for Board Members shall be held each year.  The Board shall be comprised of at least five members in good standing of NTGRC.

Summary of change: Increases the number of board members to a minimum of five plus those who wish to serve in an At-Large capacity.

Existing By-Law:

ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP:
Section 8:
COMPENSATION
Members may be reasonably compensated for services rendered. Such items as mileage, refreshments supplied at meetings open to the membership (up to $25).

Proposed By-Law: ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP:
Section 8:
COMPENSATION
Members may be reasonably compensated for services rendered. Such items as mileage, refreshments supplied at meetings open to the membership (up to $50)…

Summary of change:  Increases the reimbursable amount for membership meetings snacks.

These changes were presented and unanimously approved at the June 2014 Annual Meeting.

Proposing a change to our by-laws under Article 5; Section 5 Membership
Insofar, as to add, an item labeled Article 5; Section 5; Item 1
‘Lifetime membership to be an amount that is 10 times the current annual membership dues as established and set by the Board of Directors.’
Insofar, as to add, an item labeled Article 5; Section 5; Item 2
‘upon the death of a member in good standing his/her spouse will be awarded a lifetime membership.’
This change was voted on  and passed by the membership present at the Annual Meeting in June 2015.

Amendments Adopted at the June 13, 2021 Annual Meeting by the general membership in attendance.

Article II: Meetings; Section 1, Meetings; 1. Board Meetings:  Changed requirements for a quorum from three to a majority of the members of the Board (reflecting that the Board may be larger than five members).  Allows a Board member unable to attend to provide his proxy to another attending Board member.

Article III: Governing Body; Section 2: Eligibility:  Changed membership of the Board from five members to a minimum of five members.

Article III: Governing Body; Section 3: Elections:  Added Board positions to the five named positions to include other positions as determined by the Board (reflecting that the Board may be larger than five members).

Article III: Governing Body; Section 3: Election Results, and Voting:  Changed voting so that each family/household membership has only one vote rather than two.

Article III: Governing Body; Section 4: Board Officers:  Added Paragraph 6 such that Board positions other than the named five positions (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, At-Large) such as additional Vice Presidents or Webmaster may be used at the discretion of the Board.

Article III: Governing Body; Section 5: Terms of Office:  Changed that the ratio of Board members elected each two years be an appropriate ratio depending on the size of the Board, rather than a 2/3 ration (reflecting that the Board may be larger than five members).  Removed the restriction that Board members be limited to two consecutive terms of office.

Article V. Membership; Section 2: Definition of Membership: Changed voting to reflect only one vote per membership rather than two.

Article V. Membership; Section 8 Compensation:  Deleted the limit of $50 for reimbursement of expenses for mileage or refreshments for hosting monthly meetings, and allowed maximum reimbursements for monthly home meetings and the annual Christmas party to be determined by the Board of Directors (in the same manner that yearly dues are determined by the Board rather than being defined in the Bylaws).

Dues are due in January.

Family Membership = $25.00 annually
(After October 31st, new members will be considered
paid through December of the following year. Renewing memberships
cover the current membership year only.)

Lifetime Membership = $250.00 one time

Those applying for or renewing membership should download an application for complete details. Mail your completed application and dues to:

North Texas Garden Railroad Club
4519 Willow Bend Dr.
Arlington, TX 76017

You may also submit your application and pay your dues at any club meeting.
Please make your check payable to NTGRC.

State of the Club – 2023

STATE OF THE CLUB
PRESENTED TO THE NORTH TEXAS GARDEN RAILROAD CLUB ANNUAL MEETING
JUNE 11, 2023 – LOCATION: Becky and Vard Moore’s Home

FINANCIALS

Our financial situation is provided at monthly meetings, and we do not disclose this information in public forums.  The Board is confident, however, that the Club is in a healthy financial state.  The Club’s principal assets include our trailer, track, Pola buildings, and power controllers. We maintain a sufficient balance to self-insure these assets in case of loss. Members may come to a home meeting, or contact Treasurer Pete Dahlberg, if they have questions concerning our finances.

MEMBERSHIPS

Current membership            62 (25 permanent)
Last year                              62 (25 permanent)

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:  ACTVITIES – SHOWS and DISPLAYS

Texas Discovery Gardens was open the entire year and Ron Natinsky, with his hard work, coordination, and planning, now has five loops of track at the venue.  That is up from three loops two years ago.  A large storage shed is right beside the tracks that can securely store and also maintain their trains right on the spot. The building is air conditioned and heated.  However, we still need approximately $2,500 to install a porch, railing and cover. We held an outdoor gathering at the Gardens this last spring. In addition, Ron is preparing for a gigantic sixth loop. New electrical power is being run to the shed and elsewhere. Previously, they found buried Romex indoor wiring (unsuitable for outdoor use) and are now running new wire in electric conduit.

The Clark Garden’s Fall Opening Festival is one of our club favorites (as well as a nice money maker for our budget) and has been a success each year according to the Garden’s managers.  We have been asked to return this Labor Day weekend again.  It is a beautiful setting. The Clark Garden’s trains have undergone a major renovation these past four years.  Lots of work thanks to JC Greenlee, Pete Dahlberg, Patrick Miller, Mike Pritchett, Julie Spencer, Paul Gramza, Jack Huffman, and Cindy and David Valdez.  Updates include reworked locomotives, new steel bridges and bridge supports, re-glued and painted houses, replaced ballast and some new track. Also, this year there are new power supplies, and remote controls PLUS the return of a multi-stop trolley line. Additional work includes stone bases for buildings to reduce mud splatter from rain, full re-ballasting of the layout, and designing a method to replace siding on elevated loops. Work is needed on replacing old Lionel steel tube track with the newer snap track. Donations are needed.

The Spring Creek Train Club built a new HO layout for Clark’s Train House.  There are two loops and three or so Crazy Water Bottling Company Box Cars, plus locomotives and rolling stock. It was installed and running during Labor Day Train Fest last year and will be in the future.

Scottish Rite Hospital train runs for the last three have been cancelled due to COVID-19. We hope to return next year with at least a 2-day train run, if not a 3-day run.  We are waiting to see if we can return next spring or summer of 2024.

The January Dallas Area Train Show was held this year as it has been in the past.  In addition, the Fall Plano Train Show is scheduled to be held in October.  Pete is now one of the two officials controlling the money at the North Texas Council of Trains. There was a distribution of profits from the train shows as the Council has built up their reserves for future deposits.

The Cook Children’s Hospital train run is usually scheduled to be held during the month of August. Last year it was cancelled because of COVID-19 and RSV restrictions on our members.  We are working with them to see about an unrestricted return in 2024.

Our Christmas Gathering was held in December at Donna Orr’s and Roger Shank’s home.  A nice Italian dinner was had by all.  The white elephant gift exchange was a lot of fun.  A venue for this year’s Christmas Gathering and date have yet to be determined. Donna and Roger have hosted us the last couple of years and done a super job.

GOALS

It is the goal of the Board to have home meetings and displays on equal footing, with approximately six of each, in a given Club year.  In addition, it is also the goal to divide those events and place them all over the Metroplex: North, East, West and South.  This allows those members who like home meetings ample opportunity to intermix with club members and discuss “Trains”.  Shows and displays also allow those members who love to run their trains for both their and other’s enjoyment an opportunity to do so.  And for those that love to do both, we are there for you all year long.

We have increased our membership with new members but are trying to return to our all-time high of 64 members (from 32 in May 2014) – We are close with 62.  Part of that is because we want to both increase our female membership and to attract younger members to lower our average age of members.  We have discovered that there are many females who are the primary movers and shakers interested in trains – not necessarily the male spouse/significant other.  In addition, we are working on increasing the number of younger members and lowering the average age of our members.  Our members range in age from 20 years old to 89 years young.  Our female members are becoming more active and attending more shows, displays, home meetings and National Conventions.  Our younger members have difficulty getting out of school/work to attend some events and help in set up.  That is understandable.  We also have members whose sons, daughters and in some cases, grandsons and granddaughters have come to assist us.  We want both of these trends to increase in the future.

Remember, if we do not engage our youth and peak their interests in model trains, our club will die and wither on the vine.

Respectfully Submitted

Thomas A. Lytle
President

Club History

The Early Days

From George Najar

In 1976 we really did not have a club. It was like minded people who liked LGB trains. There were three people that met in 1976 and discussed getting together for shows. It was not until much later that the idea of a club was desired. I would guess the “Club” was formed in the early to mid 80s but that is a guess. Charles Alspach and Dan Carey were very active in the early club. The way it worked back then was at a show we sent out a list for people to sign who wanted to be contacted when and where the next show was to take place. Brian and or I would call the list and let people know about the train setup. As the list got larger Brian would take Dallas and I would take West of Dallas. We borrowed LBG track, engine, and rolling stock from Bobby Halls. We would sign it out on Friday and sign it back in on Monday. We had signs up for Bobby Halls so people would know where to buy the LGB equipment.

The three early adapters were:

• Paul Kepner II
• Brian Lingle
• George Najar

From Ron Greene

1. Joined 1993.
2. Chas Alspack was president.
3. Rented U-Haul to get club stuff to shows
4. Only 2 shows per year.
5. Club stuff stored in Grand Prairie warehouse.
6. Christmas Party each year.

From  Pete Dahlberg

• We did a show down in Palestine in the town square for the Palestine “Train Days”. Because the ground was not level we asked for some ballast, the sponsors brought us some wet building sand. It worked fine for the first several hours but as the sand dried out and we started having all sort of wrecks. The bigger problems was that we had sand in the track joiners for several years after.
• We regularly held meetings at On the Border next to Six Flags. In fact we were having a meeting when the Oakland CA earthquake occurred.
• We had several sessions where the club got together to help build a members layout.
• When we decided to make the mountains we just got several large blocks of Styrofoam from a billboard company. We then had a session where we used chainsaws to carve the mountains. It was a blizzard in July.
• Early on the club did not own anything. Members had to bring the track, powerpacks, trains, buildings, etc. It was quite a task to determine if we were going to have the right things for each show. At the end of each show it was also a task that everyone got their stuff back.
• The objective of the club was “to have fun with trains”.
• Meetings were split between shows, home meetings, meetings in restaurant and work sessions.
• At one point the club was asked to build a layout for the A&M Extension Station in north Dallas. We looked at the space they were going to offer and it was not the best. Also it was going to be our expense for building the layout and we would be responsible for all the labor to do landscaping.

Today

North Texas Garden Railroad Club – Objective

The objective of the organization shall be:

To advance, improve, encourage and stimulate the quality of garden railroading through the fellowship of like-minded hobbyists.
To promote and expand the hobby of Garden Railroading.