Bay Counties Division of Toy Train Operating Society (TTOS)
Our division was reactivated and approved by the National TTOS Executive Board on 11/11/2006. We are now in the internal organization phase. We need to form a nominating committee for electing a slate of officers, put together teams to work on the various layouts, and decide how we want our division to operate. To join the division, the first step is to join national if you have not already. The application page is available at www.ttos.org. For the time being, we have set division dues at $20.00 per year. Since some members will use the mezzanine at the store, our clubhouse, more than others, we would like to try the following system: A member wanting to run trains, either his/her own, or use those of the division, pays $5.00 for a month's worth of access to the layouts and can visit as many times as wanted for the month. When the next month comes up, that member may play for that month for another $5.00. This system is recommended so that general dues can be kept low, and those not using the clubhouse will not feel like they are subsidizing those who are getting more benefits.

The way this Yahoo group works is that anyone who sends email to: TTOSBayCounties@yahoo.com will automatically broadcast that email to all members who are on the send list. Since some members do not have email, we can pair an emailer with a nonemailer and have that emailer call his/her buddy, nonemailer to keep them informed.

Again, the above is just to get started. Membership will have much opportunity to influence our operational guidelines. We are required by national to have 4 membership meetings a year. Given that the traffic is rough, gas is expensive, and schedules varied, it seem likely that we will more often communicate with each other via internet.

In the near future, a link will appear with additional information for members on the website www.tinplatejn.com. Let the fun begin!!!!!