Wanted: TCA e-Train Editor

e*Train Issue: Oct 2015 | Posted in: TCA Adventures

By Stu Rankin TCA #87-25191
Chairman, Internet and Technology Committee Summer 2015

This quarterly online publication is a monumental compilation of accurate and updated information about our hobby, with some fifteen years of content, a huge number of articles, and countless images of toy trains.

TCA is seeking a new Editor to continue this service. While each editor of a publication puts his or her stamp on it, here are typical elements of the post:

Establishes communication with potential authors of articles, encourages submission of text and photos on a wide variety of topics of interest related to train collecting, operating, layouts, maintaining, restoring, train-related and TCA events.

Rewrites or edits text and photos submitted as necessary, placing them into a general article format, keeping in mind related existing articles on same subject so that cross links and text references can be added. Strong writing and editing skills, as well as ability to take and edit photographs, and ability to work professionally with authors.

Seeks and provides a cover photo for each issue which illustrates some aspect of the hobby.

Writes and keeps current articles on new topics.

Submits this layout to TCA webmaster who sets up pages, places into broader e-Train file system with appropriate links and classifications, confers with webmaster as adjustments are made. Sends webmaster large version files of the pictures, so that webmaster can develop smaller versions for page placement with links to the full size versions where appropriate.

For some key long-time favorites, typically those listed under the Popular Subjects drop-down of the site’s menu, monitors these subjects for product information changes and/or photographs actual products when delivered for replacement of initial catalog rendering images.

Updates several Excel spreadsheets in a manner usable in web format, containing lists and characteristics of certain toy trains such at the the 6464 Chart.

While articles published may represent personal experience, they shall observe official policy: “Opinions and comments made in by-lined columns in this publication do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Board of Directors or the views of officers and appointed officials; nor do they indicate an association endorsement of any products mentioned.”

For further information about this position, or to submit an application, please contact Stu Rankin at [email protected]. Editing or writing experience and writing samples submitted with applications are requested.

This appointment is subject to Board of Directors approval.

Shop Amazon and Help TCA

TCA members who shop at Amazon.com can have each of their normal purchases generate a modest payment to TCA! And it won’t cost you anything!

The Train Collectors Association is now a participant with AmazonSmile, which is a special website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com.

The difference is that when customers shop at AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers.

The process is simple. Just search for and select Train Collectors Association when you sign up and shop at smile.amazon.com.

You use your regular Amazon.com username and password, but when you log in to smile.amazon.com, you’ll see that you are supporting TCA with your purchases:

Note that if you just log in to the regular amazon.com, this benefit does not operate.

There are no costs to either you or TCA, but TCA benefits!

This is a great way for TCA to earn extra cash to offset costs, so sign up today to help support TCA.

* Note: TCA is not a party to any of your Amazon transactions, and does not endorse any products or vendors.

Helping TCA with your ebay purchases when you use PayPal

If you’re an ebay user and have a PayPal account you use to make payments, you can designate a donation for TCA when you’re checking out — any amount, small or large.
If you’re a regular seller on ebay, you can pre-designate a percentage of your sales to be donated automatically in your name to TCA as long as the purchaser pays with their PayPal account.

In both cases, you will receive a donation receipt from the PayPal Giving Fund, and enjoy applicable tax advantages.

How to do it:

Click on the image above, or use this link. This will take you to ebay, where you will see the following page (log in to ebay if you are not already):

This offers TCA as an option. Click on the “Add to My Charities” button where indicated with the red arrow. Thereafter, when you make a purchase, at checkout you will be offered the option to make a donation to TCA in any amount of your choosing. Small amounts add up, larger ones are great! It’s always up to you!

The option will appear at the lower part of your checkout page, something like this:

If you’re a regular seller on ebay, you can allocate a portion of your sales proceeds to be donated to TCA. Look at the green arrow marked “Optional” above to see how to do it. Details on how ebay calculates the donation may be read here. This is a wonderful way to share the financial benefits of your hobby with the organization that promotes it!

An added benefit to TCA is that these donations are not subject to normal processing fees, so that makes your donation work harder!

* Note. TCA is not a party to any of your eBay transactions, and does not endorse any products or vendors. PayPal issues the receipts to you for your donation, not TCA.

Wanted: TCA e-Train Editor

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