Handling Know-it-alls

I would suggest that you run the operation prototypically. At each session form up teams, like trackmen, electricians, landscapers, etc. I would try to run a couple of operations at each session, not just one. Then, just like on a real railroad the electricians do not do the tracklaying, the conductor doesn't operate the yard shunter, the trackmen do not landscape etc. If your problem child tries to interfere in a job not assigned to his team, then it's time to get the union involved. Is there anything he is really good at that you could steer him towards? If nothing works, then maybe it's time to tell him he's not fitting in with the group and it would be better if he departs.

My Suggestion...

Is to have a business meeting and set the standards at the meeting.  Majority rule.  Each "side" can present its' own defense as to why task #1should be done their way.  Once it's voted on and approved, that's it, the task is to be done that way.  Period.  If the know-it-all can't deal with that, perhaps they should find a different group.  

I know there is always tension between keeping membership levels up, having everyone content, and getting things done.  But if one is dramatically suffering, ESPECIALLY if the purpose of the club is to have a layout, and for that actual PROGRESS needs to be made, then some sacrifices might need to be made. 

FWIW.

Ken L.

point out the obvious

Show him what has been done over the right way. Point out that he isn't the only one with experience in modeling. If he doesn't like it, so what.

Bill D

Majority Rules

Nelson, we had the same problem for a while and like your group, nothing got done. We decided to vote on what we wanted and how to do it. That has worked and we have made great progress. Everyone has assigned jobs, doing things they know best. It works well.

Go Bill D one step further..............

..............if he doesn't like it, tell him he's out, fired, done..................

Peter

Style of Club VS best choice "conflict resolution" technique

Dear Peter,

A lot easier said than done, esp if the group Nelson is describing is closer to the "informal round-robbin group-of-friends" situation than the "pay your dues for the year, attend minimum x meetings per year, obey the rules" kind of organisation...

Also, we have no idea if Nelson is in a "position of authority" within the group to make such significant decisions, let alone deploy them...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

PS had a covers-most-bases post a few hours ago,
but got sniped by the "press "Post" and get asked to Log-back-in" issue... :-(

PPS It is worth noting that the Protagonist in Nelson's case may genuinely believe they are doing their best for the benefit of the club and it's members. Before any major moves are made, it really behooves the club, via a nominated person, preferrably someone close to the protagonist, to have a quiet word, point out the issues, and as suggested already, show the practical application/wiring-solution which _has_ been proven to forfill the project's "mission parameters".

PPPS push comes to shove
- if it's a "group of friends, round robbin" style organisation, then the Protagonist really doesn't sound as if they're deploying common sense and common courtesy in working within their team of friends, with respect to the stated "misison parameters" of the wiring project in question...
(...and doing-right by one's friends is usually a reasonably clear motivation and guide to behaviour...)

- If it's a "on a financial basis" membership-type organisation, then someone who actively (whether willfully or unknowingly) and repeatedly causes ructions within the rank-n-file would logically be handled by established "friendly help/quiet-word --> active warning --> formal censure --> out" discipline routine, handled by the nominated "club leaders"/heirarchy

Objective Vs Subjective issues in Club environments

Dear MRH team,

Sidenote, it's worth keeping in mind that when it comes to _objective_ disciplines like trackwork and wiring, there are definite "ways which work, and are safe/reliable/reproducible", and ways which are not.

If a piece of wiring is simply incorrect against a schematic
(I recall a friend who swore blind he'd wired up a panel correctly,
only to be shown that he'd wired a trigger line to _both_ sides of a toggle switch,
IE no matter which way one threw the toggle, the circuit was always ON)

and such an issue can be isolated, identified, the lesson learnt by all, and we all grow/improve-our-skills/move-on.

However, when it comes to subjective disciplines such as scenery, weathering, structures, etc, it's a lot harder to make hard-line judgement calls about what "looks right, or doesn't".

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr
 

Round Robin group!

Yes we are basically a round robin group of friends/modelers that get together at one of the members homes as that is where the clubs modular/semi permanent layout is located.  As for anybody having authority in the club, there are no officers or organization as such in a formal club.  Everything is usually handled in a "gentlemen agreement" format and 99% of the time this works quite well.  A little background of the this club and how it came to be.  I myself, along with 2 other close friends, one being a hobby shop owner started this group in the mid 1990s as a way to A), drum up a bit of business for the hobby shop,b) see who is actively modeling in our area and C) form a group so we could share ideas, thoughts, techniques and have a modular layout. We held an informal meeting one Friday night to see who would show up and had a phenomenal turnout of about 30 plus people!!  So we formed a club complete with officers and had the intention of going full NMRA but as time went on, the club fell back to a much more informal group and that is where we stand to date.  All of the initial goals with the exception of the NMRA have been accomplished.  As part of our group we have many talents and there is an accomplished author who has written dozens of article for the leading print model railroading magazines out there (MR,RMC, Narrow Gauge Gazette as well as FSM) to name a few.  So we feel very fortunate to have this members talent as part of our group(this is NOT the member I originally posted about).  The other member who is one of the original charter members is that is in question is an accomplished modeler in his own right and has done some very nice work but does the word STUBBORN ring a bell with anybody.  I this I will look to see how many more of you post suggestions and then form a plan of action.  

Than you all for the suggestions so far!  I'm getting a better idea of what to do!

Ahhh, since he is a person

Ahhh, since he is a person who does nice work, how about giving him some kind of project that he would be suited for. That way he will be doing something productive, and others can do their projects without the extra .....help....Mike

On the Fence

Either do what is suggested in the last post, or as I originally felt was necessary, send him back to his own basement since he doesn't fit. We have high standards for a reason, and when it comes to modeling, its Victoria Secret or the highway. We don't want our trains on the highway.