Association Briefs: ASLRRA, LRW
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
Desiree Miller of Atlantic Railways uses a track gauge to take measurements during a University of Tennessee rail inspection and safety course. Miller received a Doug Golden Scholarship through the ASLRRA Short Line Education Fund to help pay for her training.
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has expanded the types of training eligible for its Golden Scholarships. Also, the League of Railway Women’s (LRW) Board of Directors call for nominations ends Aug. 26.
ASLRRA
ASLRRA recently announced via a Twitter post that it has expanded the types of training eligible for the $1,200 Golden Scholarships, which are available to employees of small railroads, defined as those earning $10 million or less in annual revenues. Qualified recipients can now use this funding to help cover training-related expenses, including registration fees, and travel and lodging costs for certain ASLRRA seminars.
According to the association, nearly $30,000 is available from the ASLRRA Short Line Education Fund for employees of small railroads to attend ASLRRA seminars and other industry-specific training programs.
To apply, qualified recipients must complete a brief online form and may receive up to $1,200 through the Doug Golden Scholarship, or up $425 through the Jake Jacobson Memorial Scholarship. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are distributed.
According to ASLRRA, Golden Scholarships may be used for industry-specific training that will “help improve railroad safety and compliance practices and enhance overall operations.” Eligible topics include track, bridge, and signal inspection and maintenance; locomotive and freight car inspection and maintenance; regulatory/compliance training; and railroad safety and operations training.
LRW
ASLRRA recently announced via a Twitter post that nominations for those interested in serving on the LRW Board of Directors are due Friday, Aug. 26. Available positions are for one- and two-year terms.
ASLRRA Senior Vice President Law and General Counsel Sarah Grimmer Yurasko (LRW Vice President) and ASLRRA Assistant Vice President, Legislative and Regulatory Policy Crystal Gitchell (LRW Scholarship Chair) are current members.
According to LRW, the Board of Directors is made up of railway industry professionals, five of which comprise the executive committee. The Nominating Committee is charged with presenting a slate of candidates to the full LRW membership for election every two years. All board members serve on a voluntary basis.
The LRW Board of Directors is responsible for “ensuring the organization’s long-term financial stability and integrity.” Officers and directors ensure that the organization fulfills its mission by doing quality work. LRW board members pledge to personally contribute their time and talents toward connecting and cultivating women in rail.
Each year, LRW membership is asked to submit nominations to the board. Once a slate of candidates is developed, LRW says, the Nominating Committee presents a slate of qualified nominees for each open board position. The full membership votes electronically and election results are announced to the membership at the annual conference. In the event all nominees for office are unopposed, the Secretary may be instructed to cast a unanimous ballot.
Interested members of the LRW, who would like to be a candidate or nominate someone for the board, can access the Call for Nominations form here.
