Just wanted to say I am very sorry for saying
what I did about revoking WRM's non-profit
status. I hang my head in shame, and
apologize from the bottom of my heart.
I knew better.

Fact: Even the wealthiest RR museums in this country
are running on a shoestring compared to the human
and physical resources that every Class 2 and Class 1
RR has. And this is even more so when you compare the
human resources and the huge knowledge base emppoyees had
from working many decades at the same job, which allowed
them to get really good at what they did, and when you
compare the human and physical resources that all transit
systems have that run LRVs today.
And the WRM is no exception to this.

And I knew that all volunteer groups everywhere in
this country are very short of members and volunteers,
and that the WRM is suffering from this, too, is no
surprise to me. This is a very sad situation for every
volunteer organization, not only RR museums and clubs.

fkrock ---
Thank you very much, sir, for reminding me -- an d all of us --
about those horrid copper thieves, which is why everything
has to be locked up tight when there are not enough
volunteers present to guard the equipment. That is very sad.

Mike Ninneman ---
Thank you very much, sir, for the kind and lengthy reply. I admire
your dedication and very much hope that the WRM is able to
get many more volunteers.

BOB2 ---
Thank you very much, sir, as always, for the well-thought-out
and informative posts. I always look forward to reading your posts,
as I know I will learn something useful.

highball the pickup ---
Thank you, sir, for the details of the BAERA-FRRS equipment trade, ‘
and for the text of that 2003 AP post -- which is no longer on AP, as
AP has posts going back only to 11-16-2006 @ 12:14. I am glad you
saved that post. The facts about the revenues from, and costs of, the
diesel and trolley operations are very interesting, but those “Prairie
Wildflower” diesel excursions (pulled by the Visalia Electric 502) were
around 20 years ago, when the WRM had a LOT more volunteers -- as
was the case when the WRM did those wonderful “Cavalcades of Power”,
which I so fondly remember, which were more than 30 years ago.

RVJ Refugee ---
Thank you, sir, for the very interesting information and
perspective. I read your posts with great interest, as I know
they are reports from someone who was there as a regular
volunteer, and thus could see what was going on, which
we visitors cannot.

To all -- General statements, NOT aimed at the WRM --
IF you want dependability, you absolutely MUST
pay people, and pay them well, with benefits,
Everyone, both paid staff and volunteers, must be treated
well and with respect, and must be shown that they are appreciated.

In every area of life, IF anything good is to be done --
CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR!
The group must feel like a healthy family.
NOT “us or me versus you”, but a “WE”.
As a wise priest said a long time ago, when asking people
to volunteer to be Sunday School teachers,
“If we don’t pass on our message to the next generation,
the Church is dead in one generation."
This applies to EVERY volunteer organization --
NO exceptions.

And, please remember what Ross Rowland and others
have realized --
All RR museums and all those who put on excursions
must realize they are in the entertainment business,
first and foremost. All education you do must be
experienced as fun. As another wise priest said to me
a long time ago, when he was talking about how to get
more people to come to our church, “It must be more fun
than a picnic, or people won’t come.” This applies to
every volunteer activity. NO exceptions.

To all who have contributed to this very interesting thread --
Thank you for the info and thoughts and perspectives.


Again -- I am sorry.