Highball - Spring 2006

We’ve printed these suggestions before, but offer them again this year to provide some helpful tips for taking quality photographs and entering them in the photo contest:

- A tiny speck of dust that can barely be detected with the naked eye becomes much more evident when the photograph is enlarged for reproduction in the calendar, so make sure your camera lens is clean.

- Your entries are not altered for publication, so position the subject of your photograph as you would like it to appear in the calendar.

- Be mindful of shadows. They can sometimes enhance a photograph, but often they cause the picture to be too dark for reproduction.

- If you are using a digital camera and printing your own photographs, we encourage you to use quality photo paper.

- Label your photograph carefully. We recommend writing the required information on an adhesive label and then affixing it to the back of your picture. Make sure the ink doesn’t bleed onto other photos.

- Protect your entries for mailing with a lightweight piece of cardboard, and seal the flap of your envelope carefully so it doesn’t adhere to your snapshot.

Q: Would I be eligible for “Held Out of Service” benefits if I accidentally suffer a permanent and disabling on-the-job injury?

A: While most of us would rather not think about the possibility of a serious on-the-job injury, the reality is that, as railroaders, we are vulnerable to such risks. As noted in Article XXXIII, Sec. 1-b, of the BR&CF Constitution, your job income protection benefits include such events. While nothing can compensate for this type of loss, it is comforting to know that there are benefits provided when “Held Out of Service” as a result of dismemberment on the job.

IMPORTANT -- PROXY PACKETS

WILL SOON BE COMING YOUR WAY

Annual Meeting of the Members

Scheduled for April 22, 2006

One of the most significant events of the year is the mailing of proxy packets to BR&CF members in preparation for the Annual Meeting of the Members. Watch for yours to arrive in early March. Included in the proxy packet you will find a Notification of Annual Meeting, a BR&CF financial statement and a proxy card.

This year’s Annual Meeting is scheduled to commence promptly at 10:00 a.m. on April 22, 2006, in the BR&CF Principal Office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. As a BR&CF member, you are welcome to attend the meeting. If you think you will not be able to be present, we strongly encourage you to read the contents of the proxy packet, complete your proxy card and return it to us in the envelope provided. Remember – it must be received in the Principal Office in Harrisburg no later than April 12, 2006.

Why is returning your proxy card so important? The Constitution calls for a quorum of the entire BR&CF membership to be represented in person or by proxy in order for the Annual Meeting to be conducted. As a member, exercising your vote by proxy permits you to have a voice in the operation of the Fund even if you can’t travel to Harrisburg.

This year, in addition to the usual business, there are two positions up for election – the office of International Secretary-Treasurer and one Director’s seat. Candidates’ profiles may be viewed on the BR&CF website at www.brcf.org. Once you have accessed our home page, select “Members” and then select “Officer, Director and Candidate Profiles.”