There are not any hard-and-fast rules about planning the activities for a Lone Star Region Convention; however, a general concept of the activities that have taken place at previous Conventions follows.

A Convention of the Lone Star Region is always a weekend event. The usually accepted, and official, starting time for the Convention activities is Friday afternoon, at 5 pm, while the activities officially end at noon on Sunday. Please note the term "official;" while this is not written down in any procedures, custom has generally decreed the official times.

Notwithstanding the official starting and ending times, the actual times are at the option of the committee hosting the annual Convention. It must be borne in mind that many members of the Lone Star Region may not be able to reach the Convention location much earlier than Friday evening, because of work requirements. This should be considered when planning Convention activities that start earlier than 5 pm on Friday, or extend past noon on Sunday. Again, this is not a hard-and-fast rule, for exceptions sometimes occur. There could be a tour of a prototype railroad facility which can only be scheduled during normal working hours on Friday, or on Sunday afternoon; this tour should be included on the program, and those interested will make the effort to participate. This would be an "official" activity.

There can also be "unofficial" activities, most notably local model railroads that would be open before and/or after the official Convention period. These could be added to the Convention program as options for those who could find the time to visit those layouts that would be open.

Other activities that have become customary, and almost required, are the Banquet on Saturday evening, and the Breakfast on Sunday morning; both should be included in a Convention program. The Sunday Breakfast also includes the Annual Meeting of the Region, which usually takes place following completion of the dining activities. Usual Convention program activities that should be included are registration, Clinics for the Rails and for the Non-Rails, model and photo contests, layout visitations via private car, Silent Auction, Live Auction to follow the Banquet, and a film/video theater. It is desirable that interesting activities be planned for the Non-Rails, possibly including a local tour.

An attractive feature at many Regional Conventions is the Silent Auction, which usually runs through the day on Saturday. Forms for use in the Silent and Live Auctions should be obtained from the Secretary of the Lone Star Region.

The following represents a typical schedule for a Lone Star Region Convention. Planners for future Conventions may use this schedule, and the foregoing notes, in the formulation of their own Convention programs, with times adjusted as necessary for local program activities. Advice, guidance, and information may also be obtained from the Lone Star Region Convention Chair, whose name and address appear in the Marker Lamp.

TYPICAL PROGRAM SCHEDULE

LONE STAR REGION CONVENTION

Pre-Convention Activities 12---------------------5

Convention Registration 5----------------9

Rail Clinics (Optional) 6------------9

Non-Rail Activities (Optional) 6------------9

Hospitality Room 5-----------------9

Convention Registration 730------------------------1230

Hospitality Room 8--------------------------------------------5

Rail Clinics 9---------------------1

Non-Rail Activities 9---------------12 1----------------5

Model Contest, Viewing 8---------------------------1

Model Contest, Judging 1-------3

Layout Visitations 1---------------5

Silent Auction 8-----------------------------------?? (Around 3 pm)

Pre-Banquet Function 6--7

Banquet 7--830

Live Auction 9---??

Breakfast 8--9

LSR Annual Meeting 9--10

LSR Board Meeting 10------12

Post-Convention Activities 12-----------------------??