Save Our Station Day for the City of Goldsboro will feature a host of activities from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on the grounds of historic Union Station, 100 S. Carolina St. in Goldsboro. The Eastern Carolina Rail portion of the program will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and will include an updated presentation from Jason Myers of the Department of Transportation Rail Division.

We would like to meet with supporters, both in person and on Zoom, to discuss major priorities, form committees, and create an action plan.

Here are some key topics: 

1) Fundraising -We need sufficient funds to operate as an organization. We have already incurred travel expenses, purchased materials, and built and maintained a website, Facebook page, etc. A fundraising appeal is necessary since we will only get busier working with supporters, municipalities, and allied organizations. At this point, despite public recognition, we are running this on a shoestring. Note the donate buttons on our website.

2) Public Communication—Right now, we have a volunteer website coordinator and an active Facebook site, and we distribute press releases regularly. Gene and I also try to personally answer all inquiries. I think we urgently need to communicate newsletters regularly to keep our supporters and the public informed.

3) Special Events—We have more coming up as we try to connect with public officials and the people who live in the towns and cities along the proposed Raleigh to Wilmington route. This process takes planning and organization, and it is nearly overwhelming to contact everyone involved and make necessary hosting arrangements. 

4) Promotional efforts—This includes regularly reaching out to the public and governmental officials and trying to make our goals public policy. Obtaining the North Carolina matching amounts necessary to be used along with Federal Funds is critical when the time comes. Financial support at the state level cannot be taken for granted.

5) Organizational bookkeeping.  It sounds simple, but it isn't. Tax and other reports must be filed on a timely basis.

6) Grant Writing—We need to enlist the talents of grant writers to assist us in this area.

Let us know if you know of a location that can hold at least 30 people in a donated space for our first meeting, preferably in Wilmington.  

Future meetings (at least semi-annually) could be held in other locations, such as Goldsboro.

Thank you for getting involved with Eastern Carolina Rail.  It is your support that makes a difference.