Announcement
RAIL PASSENGER ASSOCIATION
OF CALIFORNIA
ANNUAL MEETING
January 28, 2006
California Rail Museum,
Sacramento, California
RailPAC is changing the way it holds annual and regional meetings. Originally, we held an annual meeting that lasted all day and included a formal meeting, speakers, and lunch. The meeting was rotated between northern and southern California. The problem with that system was it made it difficult for members from one part of the state to attending a meeting in another part, all in one day, without staying overnight. As a result most members only attended a meeting every other year. Also, because of the need for food, it generally required meeting at a restaurant or hotel thereby increasing the cost and making it even harder because of the cost, for some of our members to attend. And, besides the cost, there were always the usual complaints about the quality of the food, location, etc.
Additionally, because the meetings were "statewide" it was hard to include regional issues in the discussion as most folks wanted to hear about local issues that affect them directly personally.
Since the annual meeting included a membership meeting to choose Directors and deal with Association business, AND a program of speakers on various rail issues. Some members weren't interested in the business part and came for the program, while for others were more interested in the business portion than the speakers.
So, RailPAC changed the way meetings were held and instead of one annual meeting began having 7-8 regional meeting each year throughout the state. Often meetings were held in smaller cities and although there was less attendance at each meeting, over the course of a year we had many more members attend one or more regional meetings than attended the annual meetings.
But, (surprise!) this didn't please everyone either. There were still complaints about food quality, etc. And, while it was easy to get speakers to talk about local issues, it was harder to get someone to talk about statewide issues.
Now, after talking to some of our more vocal members, we've come up a new plan that we think will hopefully address everyone's concerns.
RailPAC with hold three meetings each year rotating between the North and South. Meetings will be held in the January, May and September, with the annual meeting being part of the January meeting. Thus the January 2006 meeting will be in the North, January 2007 in the South, January 2008 meeting back in the North and so on into the future. We'll also continue to have, on a smaller basis, local meetings similar to what we've been doing.
The meeting day will include a business meeting in the morning followed by a speaker and discussion program in the afternoon. Times will vary slightly from meeting to meeting, as we plan to coordinate with local rail service so that as many members as possible can attend by using the train. Meetings will be near a selection of restaurants with various cuisines and price ranges.
With that in mind, RailPAC will be holding it first meeting under this new plan, on Saturday, January 28 in Sacramento at the California State Rail Museum in Old Town. The morning business meeting will start at 10am. Beside discussing various business matters of the Association, the election of Directors will be held. That meeting will conclude around noon and folks will be able to have lunch at one of the many restaurants in old town. Then, at 1pm the membership program start. BOTH MEETINGS WILL BE HELD IN THE MUSEUM'S AUDITORIUM.
Our speakers will include Eugene Skoropowski, Managing Director of the Capitol Corridor Service. He will bring us up to date with what doing on with the service, including possible expansion beyond its current end points. For information about Gene or the Capitol Corridor service check: http://www.amtrakcapitols.com/
Then Bill Bronte, Chief of the California Division of Rail will give us an up date how various rail programs and projects and what's in store for rail in the coming year. For more information about Bill of the Division of rail check http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/rail/dorwebsite/dorindex.htm
Finally, we plan to have one of the California directors from the National Association of Rail Passengers (NARP) and additional spokespersons from various rail groups and RailPAC task forces to bring up to date on various rail projects going on throughout the state. Keep an eye onthe RailPAC web page: www.railpac.org for updates on the meeting. Find out more about NARP at: http://www.narprail.org/cms/index.php
RailPAC members in good standing are welcome to the business meeting and everyone is welcome to the speaker's program in the afternoon. There is no charge for any RailPAC or NARP member to attend the afternoon meeting and a $10 charge for nonmembers. All are welcome but you must register in advance to insure there will be space for you.
Please fill out the enclosed coupon and send to the address below to let us know if you will be attending. We look forward to seeing you on January 28th in Sacramento. When the final agenda is completed, we will send it along. In the meantime, you will be sure a space will be reserved for you.
If you have any questions, give us a call, toll free, at 888-508-2640.
Richard L. Silver, Executive Director
Noel Braymer,
President
Art Lloyd, Meeting Chair
Clip and send to: RailPAC 1008 10th St-217,Sacramento, CA 95814
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Yes, I plan to attend the RailPAC meeting in Sacramento January 28th. Check one:
RailPAC or NARP members:
____ I am a RailPAC member.
____ I am a NARP member. My membership number is __________
____ I plan ____ I do not plan to attend the business meeting at 10am
____ I plan ____ I do not plan to attend the speakers meeting at 1pm
Non RailPAC members:or NARP members:
____ Enclosed is my $10 registration fee.
____ Sorry, I can't attend, but keep me on your list for future meetings.
Name: ______________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________
City: ______________________________ Zip:______________
Phone: _______________________ E-mail: _______________
P.S. If you have an e-mail address, please be sure to include it so that we can put you on our e-mail list to get special RailPAC E-Mail Alerts.
