The name of the association will be the Virginia Railroad Association
 
 

There will be three classes of membership: Active Member, Associate Member, & Affiliate Member

Active Member:

Any shortline railroad, beltline, or Class II carrier located or operating within Virginia

Any Class I carrier or passenger carrier located or operating within Virginia

Any other individual, organization and/or corporation interested in Virginia Railroads

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors of the Association shall be comprised of the Chief Executive Officer of the Active Member Railroads or their appointed representative. Each Active Member shall have one (1) voting representative on the Board of Directors. Associate Members and Affiliate Members may name one (1) non-voting Director. All meetings are open to all classes of membership The Board of Directors shall have responsibility of development and dissemination of the Association's policies, priorities and programs.

OFFICERS

The Board of Directors shall select on of its members to serve as President for a two-year term, beginning in July of each odd-numbered year The Board of Directors shall select on of its members to serve as Vice President of the Association for a two-year term, beginning in July of each odd-numbered year The Board of Directors shall select on of its members to serve as Treasurer of the Association for a two-year term, beginning in July of each odd-numbered year The Board of Directors shall select on of its members to serve as Secretary of the Association for a two-year term, beginning in July of each odd-numbered year. The Secretary shall serve without compensation from the Association and shall maintain the records of the Association, to include the minutes of the meetings and correspondence. The President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Past President shall constitute the Executive Committee of the Association with powers and duties herein described. Vacancies which may occur will be filled by the Board for the unexpired term.
 
 

Regular meetings shall be held quarterly on the first Thursday of the quarter at designated sites selected by the Board of Directors. However, when the Virginia General Assembly is in regular session, the meetings may be held monthly. The annual meeting shall be held in July of each year (or date agreed to by the Board of Directors)
 
 

There shall be three classes of dues:

Active Members:       $750 per year

Associate Members:  $500 per year

Class I Members: $1,500 per year

Dues are payable to the Virginia Railroad Association in care of the Treasurer, Virginia Railroad Association, no later than July 1 of each year. Active members in arrears on dues payment may be restricted from voting on the Board of Directors at the discretion of the Executive Committee

ASSESSMENTS

Assessments for costs of the Association in excess of funds raised by dues, or for special projects, shall be based on equal shares, subject to each carrier's approval.
 
 

Each Active Member will have one designated representative as a voting member of the Board of Directors. Questions will be decided by a simple majority The Secretary shall conduct elections at the annual meeting on odd-numbered years. Active Member Proxy votes shall be accepted by the Board.
 
 

The Treasurer shall establish and maintain the accounts of the Association. Drafts against these accounts shall be made on the authority of the Board of Directors and executed by the Executive Committee. All drafts shall be signed by two members of the Executive Committee.
 
 

The President or his appointed representative shall serve as spokesperson for the Association in any communication to elected or appointed officials. Individual members may, of course, communicate to such officials as may be in the individual interest. However, reference to the Association must be made only with concurrence of the President or Executive Committee.
 
 

The Association may engage professional service consultants for the benefit of the Association. Fees for such services will be the responsibility of the Association, through the assessment formula and dues structure previously cited. The Board of Directors shall review and approve all contracts for services to be provided under this section, prior to execution of such contracts by the President.

The Association may join with other association which share its goals and purposed as the members may decide
 
 

Changes and additions to these bylaws may be made by a 2/3 vote of the Active Membership at any regular meeting of the Association.  The bylaws were amended on 11-08-01 to include the Past President as a member of the Executive Committee.