The CRHS is an all volunteer operation, but we're currently looking for help with these volunteer positions.
Volunteering with the CRHS is a great experience. You get to work closely with the society's engaging dynamic leadership and help make a difference in preserving the memory of Conrail. It's also a great resume builder.
Our only requirement for any volunteer is a current membership in the Conrail Historical Society. Even though the CRHS is headquartered in Central Pennsylvania, our volunteers span the country, so please don't let your geographic location discourage your participation. Many of these jobs consist mainly of planning and phone calls which can be done anywhere.
Please email us if you're interesting in filling one of these exciting positions.
Donation and Archive Project Curator and Coordinator
The CRHS recieves many donations of artifacts, photos and other materials each year. We are very appreciative of these donations and feel that they need to be properly archived and preserved. Primary responsibilities would be:
- Organize and catalog incoming and existing CRHS artifacts.
- Help digitize paper and photo materials for archival purposes and display on our website.
- Organize retrieval operations for offered donations.
CRHS Sponsored Event (Train Show & Basket Bingo) Coordinators
The Society relies on events that we sponsor, Longaberger Basket Bingos and our annual Winter Train show, for financial support. We are currently looking for someone to help organize and run these events. The responsibility for these events can be spread amongst multiple people, and we are appreciative of your donation of time even if you can only volunteer to help with one event. Primary responsibilities for the event coordinators are as follows:
- Publicize the event
- Organize other volunteers to help staff the event
- Solicit event sponsors
- Oversee the event in progress
Grant / Endowment Coordinator
The CRHS knows that there are State, Federal and private grants and other funding sources available for historical preservation work. We're looking for someone, hopefully with some experience in this tricky field, who can help us identify these sources and apply for them. Primary responsibilities would be:
- Identifying grants and other funding sources for our historical preservation work
- Applying for grants and endowments
21165 Repaint Project Coordinator
We need to repaint our caboose, and we need to raise funds to do so. Once funding has been secured, we need to oversee the project. We're hoping to find a volunteer to help oversee both of these processes, so that 21165 can once again wear a fresh coat of CR Blue. Responsibilities would be
- Identify and administer fundraising opportunities for the 21165 repaint project
- Oversee contractor selection for the paint job
- Arrange transportation to and from the paint contractor
Conrail Quarterly Editorial Staff
The publications our members receive, "Conrail Quarterly" and "Bulletin Orders" are loaded with news and information. Conrail Quarterly consists of original material when it is made available from our members as well as reprinted information from employee magazines. Bulletin Orders is geared towards CRHS specific news and information. Help is needed with both projects!
- Proofread and fact check articles
- Author new material
Website Contributing Editor
Our website continues to grow and branch out into different areas of Conrail interest. We're in search of people who are willing to contribute photos and information to fulfill the educational portion of our goals. Some of the other website related work that is needed is;
- Verify accurate and complete information accompanies all recently added photos
- Proofread, fact and spell check information
- Prepare information in a manner that can be added to the website
- Manage content within the website
CRHS Model Railroad Coordinator
The CRHS is considering the possibility of creating a modular group. While the scale and specifics have not been determined, members would have the ability to create their own modules that would be assembled at various CRHS events and other train shows across the system. To move forward with this project, several things need to be addressed;
- Set up meetings with interested parties to discuss the viability of a CRHS modular group.
- Determine which scale (N - HO) would best suit the modular group
- Prepare a formal outline of module specifics and guidelines
- Maintains an accurate list of member modules that are available
- Coordinate the gathering of members at events to run trains
Website Email
We receive a ton of inquiries through the website in regards to Conrail's history, equipment and more. If you're interested in helping people learn more about Conrail, this is something that might be right up your alley. If you have a particular area of interest or expertise, for example, freight cars and cabooses, questions submitted that relate to these topics can be directed your way. Naturally, you'll also have a support stafff to fall back on should the question be more difficult than you thought.
Policing the Galleries
Our website is quickly becoming the number one resource for Conrail equipment photographs. As the number of images grow on the site, ensuring that they appear in the right place becomes all the more important. You'll be given a certain portion or area of the site to keep an eye on to make sure the titles are correct, and images are housed in the right gallery.
- Training on how the galleries should appear will be provided
- Quick, easy and fun to do!
Fundraising Ideas
We are always looking for new fundraising ideas. Look at the products you use during your day, what items would look good with a giant Conrail logo on them? Have an idea for something the CRHS could bring to market? Let's hear your ideas. You want a duffle bag with can openers on the side and a catchy slogan across the front to take with you railfanning? Run it by us and we'll see if it's something we can do!
- Help bring your Conrail ideas to market!
- Play an important role in the success of our future
Adopt a Highway Program
Just as Conrail did, the CRHS gives back to our community. We are looking to partner up with the States "Adopt a Highway" program and adopt stretches of highway that are adjacent to the railroad. Not only will the country benefit from a cleaner landscape, but it's a positve spin on the organization and you can still railfan while participating in the clean-up day. More information on this is soon to be available. If you'd like to adopt a stretch in your area, let's put together a team and get those pictures beside the sign, "This stretch of highway adopted by proud members of the Conrail Historical Society"
New Member Introduction
Are you a people person? Like to talk? We'd like to make new members more welcome as they come aboard. Email is ok, but I'd like to see a call made to welcome our new people, ask if they have questions, see what they know. I believe a successful organization involves active participation and showing new members that we're glad to have them with us is the first step to foster that participation.
Growing the Galleries
This past year the CRHS purchased a professional slide scanner to properly document images digitally. Sean McDonnell has been tirelessly scanning thousands of slides and could desperately use a hand cleaning them up in Photoshop as well as uploading them to the website. If you're interested in helping with this endeavor, the number of slides are massive and before we move onto the collection we acquired from Corporate, we need to complete the ones we started first. Offering to take a cd worth of images and getting them to the site will speed that process along!
Maintain the Conrail Shoppe Online
Our retail arm does well through the website and our inventory is always changing. We need a team that can adjust prices on items, add new or delete sold out stock, etc. You don't have to have a degree in business to maintain the Shoppe, just a dedication to maintain an accurate representation of what we have. Right now there are several new items that we have that aren't on the online site simply because there are just so many other projects occupying our time.
A Presence in Town
We would like to maintain our presence in the publics eye. Offer to keep an eye on replenishing CRHS flyers, applications, brochures, etc. in your local hobby shops and railfan hotspots.
