GEHAMS MEMBERSHIP

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Membership in the Golden Empire Historical and Modeling Society  is open to all individuals who share a passion for model railroading. We have both HO and N scale layouts. We offer several levels of membership for adults (ages 18 and older), as well as a youth membership program for those under 18 and students that are currently enrolled in school, for those ages 18-25. New members are always welcome at The Golden Empire Historical and Modeling Society. Experience is not necessary, only an active interest in the hobby of model railroading, a desire to learn and a willingness to actively support the organization and its mission. 

MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

• REGULAR
  • Qualifications
    • Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
  • Privileges
    • Have voting rights; May hold executive office; Have unlimited access to premises where the Society's layouts are located. 
  • Dues
    • $50/month; First 6-months of Regular membership dues are $25/month.
• ASSOCIATE
  • Qualifications
    • Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older and reside in excess of twenty-five (25) radius of miles from the Society’s headquarters.
  • Privileges
    • May work on or operate the layout only under the supervision of a Regular Member; May not hold office or committee chair; Have no voting privileges; Have limited access to premises where the Society’s layouts are located.
  • Dues
    • $25/month
• STUDENT 
  • Qualifications
    • Must be between the age of eighteen (18) years until twenty-five (25) years of age, and is enrolled in any public or private secondary, technical, or post-secondary (college) school on a part-time or full-time basis, with the equivalent of a minimum of 6 units.
  • Privileges
    • Unlimited use of any and all of the Society’s facilities and layouts provided they are proficient in the safe operation of such facilities; Have unlimited access to premises where the Society's layouts are located; Working on and operating the Society’s layouts; Voting on all matters submitted to the membership; Membership in committees; Holding office or committee chair in the Society.
  • Dues
    • $15/month
• JUNIOR
  • Qualifications
    • Must be between the ages of eight (8) years until eighteen (18) years of age, who is interested in model railroading, provided that such a child consistently demonstrates a level of maturity and behavior that is neither disruptive nor destructive to persons or property while engaged in group activities.
  • Waiver  
    • A parent or guardian must provide in person, all Junior Members with a signed authorization to apply at a Regular meeting.
  • Sponsorship
    • A Regular Member shall sponsor junior members. The sponsors, parents or guardians must be present with them at all Society activities.
  • Privileges
    • May work on or operate the layout only under the supervision of their sponsors. May not hold office or committee chair; May vote on all matters except Bylaws; Have limited access to premises where the Society’s layouts are located.
  • Dues
    • $5/month
• FAMILY
  •  Qualifications
    • Must be the spouse of any age, or immediate family member age twenty-five (25) and under, of which one person of the immediate family must be a Regular Member of the Society. 
    •  Immediate family members of the Regular Member shall be identified by the Regular Member to the Society who is adding any family to become a Family Membership 
  • Privileges
    • May work on or operate on the layout only under the supervision of a Regular Member; May not hold office or committee chair; No voting privileges, except that a Family Member may take part in the discussion of voting matters; Have limited access to premises where the Society’s layouts are located; May serve on event committees and otherwise participate in all group events.
  • Dues
    • $0 / month

      

HOW TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP

A membership application is available at the GEHAMS clubhouse located in downtown Bakersfield, during our regular public hours, every Saturday, 10:00AM – 1:00PM. However, if it is not possible for you to pick up a membership application form in person, you may click here --- Membership Application ---  and it will take you to the download Membership Application section. If you would rather have a Membership Application emailed or snail-mailed to you, please click here-----Email Or Mail Me Membership Application. Please include your email and/or mailing address to have the Membership Application sent to you.

If you have made the decision to become a member of GEHAMS, you will need to submit a written application to GEHAMS, accompanied by the first payment of the dues for the class of membership you are applying for, in person at a regular meeting. Our monthly business meeting is usually on the last  Saturday of the month at 9:30AM but maybe changed due to major holidays and other events. See website calendar to confirm times and date.

Upon a majority vote at a regular business meeting, to accept the applicant’s membership application, a Probationary Status membership, for up to six (6) months, shall be granted at that time. The Probationary Status is designed to offer new members a chance to learn and adapt to the club’s functionalities. Probationary Status members, after attending eight (8) work or run sessions and three (3) Regular business meetings, will have their Probationary Status evaluated by the Board of Directors for permanent membership status. When you are voted in as a full-time member, a one-time initiation fee of $50 is required.

We look forward to meeting you!