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.
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.
The CRHS is based in Marysville, PA (Harrisburg), but did you know that:
-our chief archivist works out of Lewistown, PA
-our Conrail Quarterly editor writes our magazine in Cleveland, OH
-our Train Show coordinator works out of Allentown, PA
-our website admin lives in Baltimore, MD
So you see, you need not live in or around Harrisburg to make a huge impact on our society! Listed below our some of our most urgent needs. Moving the CRHS forward to save Conrail depends on you. You can make a difference. Please email us if you're interesting in contributing in one or more ways to the positions below.
Grant / Endowment Coordinator and Researcher
Here at the CRHS, there is no more important task than getting started on searching and applying for funding. We have reached the point in our society where the procurment of large funding sources will become necessary if we are to begin the process of finding a home for the organization (buying land, building a museum, etc). 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
We're also looking for individuals who have experience working with matching grant programs, as well as working with private corporations to seed endowments. Again, the CRHS can't emphasize enough how important it is that we find volutneers willing to help us get started on this project. Even smaller grants which help offset the movement of equipment, or restore our equipment are invaluable to our group. Will you be the one to step up and help take the CRHS to the next level? Contact president Russ Swinnerton @ Russ.Swinnerton@thecrhs.org or Ed Kapuscinski @ Ed.Kapuscinski@thecrhs.org to learn more about how you can help. Again, no experience is required! If you have a little spare time on the weekends or at night, and you're willing to learn about grants by reading books or surfing the web, you're qualified.
Conrail Quarterly Contributor
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! Contact cheif editor Joe Marchinchin @ Joe.Marchinchin@thecrhs.org to learn more about how you can make CQ and Bulletin Orders even better publications.
- 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
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!
A Presence in Town
We would like to maintain our presence in the public's eye. Offer to keep an eye on replenishing CRHS flyers, applications, brochures, etc. in your local hobby shops and railfan hotspots.
