As of 7:00 PM EDT, February 7, 2006, here is a message from the President.

NRHS Rumors

Over the last couple weeks, a number of rumors have apparently been making the rounds of the Society. We have encountered these rumors in newsletters, e-mails and verbal conversations. Since they are inaccurate and could lead people to take misguided actions, we believe it is important to get out the correct information.

Rumor No. 1:
The 2006 dues bills were produced with the new NRHS information system, and it caused all the errors as well as the delays.

Not true. The new information system is still in design, following delays caused by staffing shortages. The bills were produced using the old system. The delays and errors were the result of an unstable system, no documentation, and a staffing resignation that required new people to take over the system on an emergency basis. The delays were aggravated by a supplier going out of business at a critical time. The new NRHS information system remains our long-term solution to these problems, not the cause of them.

Rumor No. 2:
The national management withheld news of the 2006 dues increase for Family members from the chapters until it appeared on the dues bills.

Not true. The 2006 dues increase was fully covered in the minutes of the summer Board of Directors meeting and announced in the NRHS News Extra. One or more officers at every chapter receive these publications.

Rumor No. 3:
Jeff Smith is the only national officer doing any real work, and the other officers are either not supporting him or undermining his efforts.

Not true. All of the national officers have different duties and responsibilities, but they are working together as a management team. The national officers collectively are operating more cohesively today than at any time over the last several years. Mr. Smith is part of that management team and is doing a lot of good work. So is everybody else.

Rumor No. 4:
Larry Eastwood has been fired from or substantially downgraded in his responsibilities managing the RailCamp program at Steamtown.

Not true. Mr. Eastwood continues to manage the RailCamp program at Steamtown, which is now part of a larger program involving two locations and expanded participation. Mr. Eastwood's role was not announced earlier because discussions about his continued participation in the Steamtown program were deferred until mid-January at Mr. Eastwood's request.

Rumor No. 5:
The national officers do not support the RailCamp program.

Not true. The national officers consider RailCamp to be a very important program. They are working with management at both the Steamtown National Historic Site and the Nevada Northern Railway Museum to improve and expand the program offerings.

Rumor No. 6:
Because of late delivery of dues bills, chapters can delay remitting national dues for several months without repercussions.

Not true. Memberships expired at the end of 2005. We are currently operating in the 90-day grace period specified in the NRHS Bylaws. After the last week in March, members who have not renewed for 2006 must be suspended from membership. They will receive the 2005 Bulletins they are owed, but not any 2006 Bulletins also planned for issue this year. They will be eligible to attend the national convention only as a member of the general public. Chapters that have not submitted the required minimum number of renewals shall be declared inactive and their representatives may not participate on the Board of Directors.

If you have questions about these or other rumors you may encounter, please contact the management through the NRHS national office.

Greg Molloy, President

NOTE: If you are seeing this announcement for the first time by browsing the NRHS website, then you are not receiving Urgent Messages from the Society by e-mail. This service continues to be available for up to three e-mail contacts per chapter. In order to use this service, however, your chapter must send us the contact information and inform the national office of contact changes and address changes. Many chapters take advantage of this free NRHS service, but some still do not.