TCA National Election Ballots (a chance to vote on the two-signature rule)

Sending my ballot back tomorrow as well.

 

Neal Jeter

I don't have mine yet-this maybe the most votes ever cast in a TCA election. People feel strong about this in both camps.

Scott Smith

Got mine yesterday and sent back today. Nice of the TCA to  supply a stamp for the return of the ballots.

Scott, is one of those camps in favor of allowing camera's? 

I'm certainly looking forward to see what percentage of the membership actually votes this time around.  It will certainly be telling as to how hot this topic is outside of the more vocal and active people that participate on this forum.

 

The real question is if the people who vote opposite of the eventual outcome will accept the result, or will they go on complaining as if nothing happened.

 

I know that if the decision is for the option I did not vote for, it will not bother me in the least.

 

Andy

Andy, "Some people will complain if you don't hang them with a new rope."

It just cracks me up to read and hear them.  See you at Fridays on Thursday this time?

Mines ready for tomorrows mail. Don't vote, don't complain. Of course some will no matter how the vote goes.

Is that the only issue we can vote for? How about some of the other antiquated rules.

What "antiquated rules"?  This ballot is from and for the TCA National, not from or for the TCA Eastern Division.  One would think folks would know the distinction by now since it has been noted time and again here for years.

yes i voted ,now i will save the stamp/letter and have c-10 mint item for life,richard yegan

quote:

The real question is if the people who vote opposite of the eventual outcome will accept the result, or will they go on complaining as if nothing happened.

 

No doubt people will complain.

 

I have not received my National Headquarters News with the ballot yet. I certain will vote as soon as I get mine.

 

As far as turnout goes: the vote will almost certainly be low. While this is the most active of all the train boards I've visited, it is not representative of the TCA membership, and most people don't really care.

Heck, what percentage of the population will vote in the upcoming presidental election?

 

I plan on being there. 

 

My only complaint with the TCA is that they can't slow down time during York.

 

Andy

I can't vote.  I'm cutting back on memberships in things, and I had a choice between the TCA and the LCCA.  I went with the one that had easy on-line renewal.  If the TCA has changed this policy then I'm happy for them.

 

Jon 

quote:

I'm cutting back on memberships in things, and I had a choice between the TCA and the LCCA.  I went with the one that had easy on-line renewal.  If the TCA has changed this policy then I'm happy for them.

 

I am under the impression that the TCA does have online renewal.

 

I'm glad to hear of it.  It wasn't so long ago when running between duties at the National Convention, I stopped by the membership table to renew, and was told: "you can't do that here, you have to go home and mail it!"

 

Jon 

No ballot here. 2 signatures or none - either way it doesn't bother me. Why did they institute that rule in the first place? Was it to insure the "quality" of new members or, as some have told me, just to make sure you meet a couple of members and get a little indoctrinated before joining. I really do not know the reason. TCA does seem to have a push on for membership so you wouldn't think they are trying to be too exclusive.

Most of the "clubs" I belong to have a two members rule.  Back in the day it probably made sense, as people of similar passions initially met at hobby shops.  These days though, they tend to meet in-line or not at all. 

 

If shrinking demos are an issue, then I'd possit this:

 

When the TCA was formed in the 1950's, their main source of collectors were guys into 1920's and 1930's Standard Gauge... or trains that were aroun 25 to 30 years old.

 

In the TCA "peak years" of the 1980's, the guys were into Post War, or trains around 25 to 30 years old.

 

Today, trains that are 25 to 30 years old are ignored by the TCA.  And so it goes...

 

Jon 

Its seems normal for interest in collecting toys and trains to develop as the items reach an age of thirty to forty years. Being that the historical focus of the TCA is on collecting, I would expect most of the "doing" to revolve around items of at least that age.
This is not to say that folks interested in newer stuff and/or operators are being ignored. IMHO, the TCA has always welcomed operators, and in recent years has been going out of its way to make them feel welcome.
The TCA's online publication, E-train, is heavily focused on Modern Era trains, and is available to all. One does not have to be a member to read it.

I think part of the reason we don't see more articles on newer equipment and operating is that not much is being submitted for publication. There are several competeing outlets for these articles, including commercial magazines, other organizations whose primary focus is on operating, and even personal web sites.

 

Yes, it does.  It is in the members only section of the TCA National's web site.  In fact, I just renewed my membership online a couple of weeks ago.  It was pretty easy.

 

Andy

I looked thru my copy 3 times looking for a ballot - I couldn't find one.  Is it easy to miss?

 

If it was an insert then I know that I didn't get one.

 

- walt

Walt,  my ballot was loose inside the big white envelope that the magazine came in.  Check the envelope if you still have it.  If not, I'd contact the TCA to send a replacement.

 

Andy

Allan, Are you telling me that everything at the National is all ok, nothing that could be improved? The only time I hear from the TCA is either to donate money or the magazine that arrives on the cheapest paper possible. Too many divisions, they need to be culled down. They keep offering club cars that nobody or very few want. They should take a look at the LCCA on how to run club offerings.  These are just some of things that could be improved.

My Goodness! Like the old saying goes, "Opinions are like ________, everybody has one". We'll have to wait and see on this one....

God Bless,

Pappy

TCA TTOS

 

quote:

They should take a look at the LCCA on how to run club offerings.

 

I belong to the LCCA and the TCA. They are two different organizations with very different characteristics. I personally have no interest in the LCCA offerings, and hope the TCA never tries to emulate them.

I will vote to eliminate the two signature rule.  I don't think it matters now anyway because people seem to get all the signatures they need at the door of the York meet which is why a lot of the newbies join in the first place.  I know York is just the Eastern Division.  The rule is just outdated.

 

Ray

Should the two signature rule be removed, I expect to see a crush of new applicants from this forum and other lists who have opined and ranted for years they would not join because of this rule. If the rule goes away, I expect TCA membership

to rise 50%

As for myself, I will vote to keep the 2 signatures.

I suspect they'll find some other convenient reason for not joining, and even though a crush of new membership applications would be wonderful, I'll be very surprised if that actually happens.  Delighted, to be sure, but also very surprised.

May I ask why you would vote that way? I am try to make up my own mind as to which way to go and would like to hear some opinions.

Agree on the reasons folks don't join, usually it is a valid complaint or irritant by the person, but the bottom line is that people would join if they really wanted to.

I voted for the two sig rule.

I am curious.  What are the perks that come with joining?

Allan,

Oh so very, very true. I hope everyone will vote, I have.

God Bless,

Pappy

TCA TTOS

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Sheesh, guys. Do we need to "litigate" this again here on the forum?  The ballots are out!  Just vote your conscience and be done with it.

 

Not trying to stifle any legit questions about TCA benefits and the like, but after years of threads on the two signature rule, here's your chance to weigh-in and be heard when "it counts."

 

I'll vote and keep my mouth closed about it here.

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, another benefit is the ability to buy club exclusive cars, like the METCA mint car series (the reason I joined).

 

Andy

As for myself, I will vote to keep the 2 signatures.

May I ask why you would vote that way? I am try to make up my own mind as to which way to go and would like to hear some opinions.

I feel something is better than nothing. Even with asking for 2 signatures at the York registration desk, or the national HQ finding 2 people to sign for an applicant - it requires the person wanting to join to extend themselves. To show a little interest and invest just a tiny little bit of effort investigating how to join isn't a bad thing. If it turns off even one casual bad actor it's worth it.

Also the TCA Toy Train Museum. Free to members.

I'll send mine in. Before I was a member, I didn't like the 2 member rule. Now it doesn't bother me since that's now out of the way, and I just signed for a friend the other day. But I think if you want to increase membership, it ought to go.

 

I belong to like 4 other historical-fraternal groups, and none of them require a sponsor anymore, let alone 2.

Wampeters Foma and Granfalloons