Be a C&OHS volunteer

I was at the C&O Modelers' Meeting at Hawks Nest and listened to Tom Dixon's presentation about our Archives, and how it is used to serve our members and interested outside parties. A question came from the audience concerning "response time to inquiries." Tom explained the process and associated complications. Then, it dawned on me.

How many of us take the C&O Historical Society for granted? What do we expect from our mostly volunteer organization of 2,500 members? We use the C&OHS all the time when we request information or place orders for sales items. We pay our dues and read the Magazine. Some complain and some are content. We, the members, have a tremendous Archives available to us, but how many have stopped to think about the resources it takes to manage it and process the requests? Furthermore, many of us use the C&OHS, but how many of us ask ourselves what we can do to help support this organization with such a collection and so much potential? If you think about it, by helping the C&OHS you can ultimately help yourself.

My friend Jimmy Moseley is an example of one member who has used his personal research on model projects to benefit to many C&OHS members. Tom Dixon asked him to go through about ten linear feet worth of drawings when it suited his schedule. In the end, Jimmy found lots of drawings that will help him with his modeling. Other members will benefit as he assembles the material into a usable format that can become "packets" of drawings. He has used many of the drawings he sorted through to assist in his scratchbuilding efforts, some of which have appeared in the Magazine. Yes, it can be "OK" to be "selfish" when it helps others in the process! In another example, Jimmy wanted an HO scale, two-bay, offset-side hopper with the first "C&O FoR PROGRESS" logo. He did some research in Al Kresse's hopper car book, looked up some drawings and photos, gave the info to Tom Dixon, and some 2,000 model cars have been sold!

Volunteering can be as simple as that, and it can have a tremendous impact on many members. There are so many areas of our mission where members could help. Imagine if all 2,500 members helped out in some way just every other year! I challenge each and every one of us to contact the Archives to see how we can help our organization! Consider taking a step to be a part of the solution, all the while helping oneself This is enlightened self interest!

Copyright Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society, Inc. May 2000
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