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August 2024
In my search for an inspiring quote about the important work of committees, I was surprised to learn that committees are not held in high regard. One search engine result revealed that a committee is “a group that keeps minutes and loses hours.” Another one professed that “a committee is a group of people who individually can do nothing, but who, as a group, can meet and decide that nothing can be done.”
While these quotes made me laugh, whoever dreamed them up wasn’t familiar with railroaders as they do not reflect what I know about NRC committees.
The NRC has a dozen committees working for the benefit of our member companies and our industry. They comprise some of the sharpest and most caring professionals in the railway industry. Because they already have big, full-time jobs, our member volunteers aren’t looking for a resume-booster. They come together to collaborate with other professionals with similar experience to make a difference in our industry.
Having chaired and served on several NRC committees, I can attest to how special our member volunteers truly are and how fortunate our industry is to have them working behind the scenes. The great work our committees do positively benefits our member companies and influences our work environment across the entire industry.
Our Auction Committee — one of our hardest-working committees — recently completed our 20th annual railroad equipment auction. Because our committee members understand the ins and outs of railway equipment and procurement, their expertise helps them plan and execute an auction that brings sellers and buyers back year after year. This committee’s past 20 auctions have raised more than $1 million to fund the development of safety resources.
The recently formed Sustainability Committee was established to help our members address sustainability requirements in our industry. The committee recently published the first “Rail Sustainability Update," a great resource to give members greater visibility about the evolving sustainability landscape and what’s expected from our client railroad partners.
Members of our recently formed Veterans Committee met with veterans looking for careers in the railway industry at a job fair in June. This event will lead to more activities to introduce and integrate transitioning and post-military veterans to our member companies and to our industry.
In April, the Policy and Legislative Committee held a congressional fly-in for board members to meet with members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. These meetings, and those held as part of “Railroad Day on Capitol Hill,” create valuable connections with members of Congress to give them a personal perspective and insight into our work, as well as challenges facing railway contractors and suppliers.
Our recently combined Education/Scholarship Committee is collaborating with the Federal Railroad Administration’s Office of Research Data and Innovation on a workforce development strategy. They are discussing industry challenges in recruiting, retaining and developing the next generation of railroad industry employees. This committee has awarded more than $200,00 in scholarships to college-age students over the past 10 years on behalf of the NRC. If you are a parent or grandparent of a college-age student, or a student yourself and work for an NRC member company, please take advantage of this opportunity to win a scholarship and complete the application.
NRC committees are working hard for you! And those efforts and hard work all culminate in influencing the sessions, speakers, the golf course selection and even the refreshments at our annual conference, which will be held at the beautiful JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort Jan. 5-8, 2025. Committee members' involvement helps ensure we have a member-driven, relationship-based organization that addresses our members' needs.
Find out details about each of our committees — their mission, chairpeople and members — on the NRC website at nrcma.org/committees. If you are interested in serving on an NRC committee, contact the NRC staff and complete the application. Get involved and make a difference.
We aren’t just in this industry. We are this industry!
Joe Daloisio, NRC chairman The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association Inc.80 M Street, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20003202-715-2920nrcma.org info@nrcma.org
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