After 2 years of planning, the convention was a great success.  We had 240 registered attendees plus a few clinicians only and either Op-Sig or Home Layout hosts.  The Greenville Marriott was a great venue and provided us great service (although we did have a little problem with hotel reservations as our weekday allotment sold out!) 

At the Marriott we conducted 43 clinics out of 45 possible time slots.  The Clinics were well attended with standing room only for a few.  The topics were diverse and well presented. We received very positive feedback from the attendees.  The 15 minutes between the 1 hour clinic time slots proved to be liked by clinicians and attendees both as there was time for questions and for packing up to make way for the next clinician.  The Contest Room ran smoothly and there was a need for more judges than we had available!  The special convention theme was “heavy loads”.  The hospitality room for the non-rail activities was excellent, with separate sitting area and room with a large table for activities.  Many of the ladies planned their own outings to the local shopping mall and downtown Greenville activities.  All seemed to always have a smile on their faces, so they must have been having fun! The Registration/Company Store/Raffle Room  was a busy place.  Quite a few members brought “stuff” to sell and we had 51 donated products from various manufactures in our raffle.  Many attendees went home happy with their purchases or winnings; but there were a few very disappointed raffle ticket purchasers as their tickets did not match the winning numbers!

The Saturday evening banquet activities consisted of a social hour followed by a Carolina buffet.  The banquet program featured recognition of the convention committee, special awards by region president Glen Hall, an entertaining view of life married to a model railroader presented by Lorraine Garner, the presentation of Contest winners by Howard Garner, the keynote address by Mr. Steve Hawkins (owner of 2 area short line railroads), and ending with a preview of the 2016 convention in Huntsville, Alabama by Sandy Warrington.  Mr. Hawkins took us on a trip through his life as it centered on railroading and concluded with a powerpoint presentation of his current short line railroads and nicely tied in a bit of humor and “heavy loads” with his presentation.  His talk was both informative and entertaining.

Away from the activities at the Marriott were Prototype Tours, Home Layout Tours, and Op-Sig sessions.  Home Layouts were open for viewing and operation from Thursday through Sunday.  51 attendees enjoyed up to 9 operating sessions and all ran extremely well.  We heard nothing but praise from the attendees.  30 Home Layouts were offered for viewing and the turnout for these was heavy.  Again, nothing but positive feedback was received.  The two Prototype Tours were also great.  Republic Locomotive showed their assembly line and offered all attendees the chance to drive a real locomotive!  Also offered there was the opportunity to ride in a motorcar.  This tour was a huge success.  The Industrial Tour took attendees to the Inland Port (intermodal distribution center) to get an up-close and personal view of the operation.  They also toured to the Wye leading to the BMW plant and ended at the Hub City Museum in Spartanburg.  Another well planned, informative, and entertaining tour.

--Ron Lown, Division Superintendent

Division Superintendent:
Roger Liska, (864) 646-6073, riggor @ clemson.edu

Division Assistant Superintendent:
Chuck Jenkins, (864) 680-4103, cwj577986 @ msn.com

Secretary/Webmaster:
Steve Todd, (864) 423-3671, mstevetodd @ gmail.com

Treasurer:
Myron Pensyl, (518) 878-2503, mypensyl @ hotmail.com

Clinic / Mini-Workshop and Layout Tours Director:
open

Achievement Program (AP) Chairman:
Howard Garner, (864) 878-4705, cascaderail @ bellsouth.net

Board Member At Large:
Dave Winans, (864) 430-6585, dwinans4739 @ charter.net

Columbia Area Program Director:
Rich Lehman, (803) 767-5619, rlehman777 @ yahoo.com
 

By-laws of the Palmetto Division
Southeastern Region, National Model Railroad Association

(Updated June 15, 2024)

Article I - Name, Status, and Purpose

1. The name of the organization is the Palmetto Division (the “Division”). It is established under the provisions of the governing documents of the Southeastern Region (SER), and the Regulations of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA). If a conflict should develop between these Bylaws and the Region’s governing documents, the Region’s governing documents will prevail. If there is a conflict with the NMRA Regulations, the NMRA Regulations will govern.
2. The Division is organized to promote educational, charitable, historical, and fellowship activities related to model railroading and rail transportation. 

Article II - Territory

1. The Division includes the following counties in the state of South Carolina:  Abbeville, Anderson, Bamberg, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Fairfield, Florence, Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Laurens, Lee, Lexington, Marion, Marlboro, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumter and Union.
2. Throughout these By-laws, “residence” means the member’s principal residence. 
3. Throughout these By-Laws, “notification”, when required, may be and probably will be by email to the last known email address. Email notification alone shall suffice. 

Article III - Fiscal Year

1. The Division fiscal year will be from January 1 to December 31. 

Article IV - Membership, Dues, and Finances

1. Each NMRA member is automatically a member of the Region, if one exists, and of the Division, if one exists, in whose territory the member resides.
2. All NMRA members, regardless of residence, are entitled to attend or participate in any activity of the Division, except for voting and holding a Division office.
3. The Division Board of Directors may choose to charge fees for specific activities and services such as meets, conventions, tours, open houses, and a mailed copy of a publication. For such activities, the fees will be the same for all NMRA members, regardless of residence.
4. The Division Board of Directors may choose to grant guest attendance privileges to model railroaders in order to introduce them to Division and NMRA activities. However, no one may consistently attend Division activities or use Division assets without joining the NMRA.

Article V - Voting and Office Holding Rights

1. All Division officers, members of the Board of Directors, and officials must live within the Division’s territory.
2. Only members of the Division may vote, and each member is entitled to one vote on each issue presented to the membership for a vote. 

Article VI - Board of Directors

1. There will be a Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Division that will supervise and control the business, property, and affairs of the Division, except as otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws.
2. The Board will consist of the Superintendent, the Assistant Superintendent, the Treasurer-Paymaster, the Secretary and up to three Directors at large.
3. The Board will hold at least two regular meetings each year at times, days and places designated by the Superintendent. Notice of the time, day, and place will be given to each Board member at least fifteen days in advance.
4. Special meetings may also be held on the request of the majority of the members of the Board.
5. Voting by proxy is not permitted. However, one or more members of the Board may participate in a Board meeting by means of a conference telephone, or similar telecommunications device that allows all participants to hear each other.
6. A majority of the Board members will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
7. No officer or Board member will receive any remuneration of any kind for his or her services. However, they may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred, with the approval of the board and upon presentation of a written request and appropriate documentation.
8. Unless otherwise stated in these By-laws, Robert’s Rules of Order will govern the conduct of board meetings. 

Article VII - Duties of Officers and Board Members at Large

1. The Superintendent will preside over Division and Board meetings, and will perform the usual duties of the head of a nonprofit organization. He or she will be an ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating and Audit Committees.
2. The Assistant Superintendent will act as Superintendent when the Superintendent is absent or otherwise unable to serve, and will perform any duties assigned by the Superintendent.
3. The Secretary will maintain the Division’s files and records, take minutes at Board meetings and see that Division events and activities are publicized.
4. The Treasurer/Paymaster is responsible for receiving and disbursing funds, and preparing financial reports.
5. Board members at large will perform tasks assigned to them by the Superintendent.
6. Many Divisions prefer to combine a number of these functions. 

Article VIII - Vacancies

• The Assistant Superintendent will succeed the Superintendent in case of resignation or incapacitation.
• The Superintendent will appoint a replacement in the case of resignation or incapacitation of any other member of the Board. 

Article IX - Conflict of Interest

• No Board member will cast a vote, or take part in the final deliberation, on any matter in which he or she, or members of his or her immediate family, have a personal financial or other interest. 

Article X - Committees and Officials

The Superintendent may appoint the following committees and officials:

1. A Nominating Committee of two or more members, at least one of whom will be a board member or recent board member. Duties of this committee are described in a later section of these Bylaws.
2. An Audit Committee of two or more members. This committee will conduct an annual financial audit of the Division’s books at the end of each fiscal year, and when a new Treasurer/Paymaster takes office, reporting the results to the membership at a membership meeting or in the Division’s official publication. Neither the Superintendent nor the Treasurer/Paymaster may serve on this committee.
3. An Editor for the official publication of the Division.
4. An Achievement Program Coordinator. This appointment will be made with the advice and counsel of the SER Education Chairman.
5. Other committees as needed to carry on the activities of the Division. 

Article XI - Membership Meetings

1. Membership meetings will be held at such times and places as may be determined by the Board.
2. The Superintendent will call special meetings upon written application of ten percent of the members or a majority of the Board.
3. The annual meeting of the Division normally will be held in November of each year to hold elections and conduct other appropriate business. Date, time, and location will be communicated to all members at least fifteen days ahead of time.
4. Proxy voting is permitted on any issue where advance notice is sent to all members, such as referendums, changes in the By-laws, or election of officers. Proxies will be sent to the Division Secretary, who will vote them as directed.
5. At any membership meeting, 20% of members (in person or by proxy) will constitute a quorum for purposes of voting on items announced in advance. 20% of members (in person) will constitute a quorum for other purposes.

Article XII - Terms of Office, Nominations, and Elections

1. The Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Secretary, Treasurer/Paymaster and Board members will serve two year staggered terms with the Superintendent and Secretary nominated and elected in the same year and the Assistant Superintendent and Treasurer being nominated and elected in the same year. The staggered terms will begin with the nomination and election of the Superintendent and Secretary for one year terms and the
   Assistant Superintendent and Treasurer for two year terms beginning January 1, 2025. Thereafter all officers will serve for two year terms.
2. Officers and Board members may succeed themselves indefinitely as long as elections are held as prescribed.
3. No one may fill more than one of the foregoing positions simultaneously except for brief transition periods.
4. In preparation for each year’s annual meeting and election, the Nominating Committee will solicit candidates, explaining the requirements of the position. In addition, any member may nominate someone via a written notice to the Nominating Committee, with the permission of the nominee. Such nominations must be submitted to the Nominating Committee at least thirty days ahead of the election.
5. The names of candidates for office will be communicated to the membership at least fifteen days before the election.
6. Members elected will take office on January 1. 

Article XIII - Amendments

• These By-laws may be amended by two thirds vote of the members present at the annual meeting or a special meeting, provided there is a quorum. The proposed amendment must be communicated to all members at least fifteen days before the meeting.

Article XIV - Referendums

• Ten percent of the members may create a referendum issue to be voted on at an annual or special meeting where a quorum is present by submitting their request in writing to the Secretary. The referendum must be communicated to all members at least fifteen days in advance. Removal of an officer or a change in the By-laws requires a two thirds vote of the people present (in person or by proxy). Other issues require a majority vote of people present (in person or by proxy). 

Article XV - Dissolution

• The Division will be considered dissolved when any of the following events occurs:
• A motion for dissolution is adopted by a two thirds vote in the same manner as is provided for amendment of these By-laws, or
• No meetings of the Division are held or scheduled for twelve months, or
• The Division charter is revoked by the SER. 

Amendment #1

• Participants, including division members and non-division members, presenting a clinic (30-45 minutes in length) and layout owners opening their homes for layout tours following a scheduled division meeting shall not be required to pay the registration fee for that event.

Updated: June 15, 2024

Q: How do I join the Palmetto Division?
A: When you join the NMRA and if you live in one of the counties in the Palmetto Division you are automatically a member of the Palmetto Division.

Q: What are the dues?
A: There are no additional dues.  Membership in the NMRA is all that is required.

Q: What are the benefits?
A: Membership in the NMRA carries with it many great benefits.  This document - NMRA Benefits - shows the many reasons to join the NMRA (and the Palmetto Division).