From wb6yru at aenet.net Sun Oct 1 01:19:13 2006
From: wb6yru at aenet.net (Gary Mitchell)
Date: Sun Oct 1 01:16:48 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] We need to proceed with liability insurance
In-Reply-To: <02e501c6e49a$869228e0$0300a8c0@robathome>
References: <02e501c6e49a$869228e0$0300a8c0@robathome>
Message-ID: <451F7A01.4020802@aenet.net>
Rob Hawley wrote:
> I also do not feel that it is likely a part from an airplane will strike my
> house, but I have insurance for that.
If your home owner's policy doesn't cover falling airplane parts and it
would increase your premium by 50 percent to include that, would you go
for it? That's what we're facing.
Look at it this way: The D&O supplement premium represents twelve percent
of our 2005 membership dues income. That's about $2.40 from each $20
dues. And that's on top of our existing policy--which represents 23
percent of our 2005 dues income (or $4.60 of each $20 dues).
In other words, if we get this supplement our total insurance load will
be over a third of our total dues income.
Gary
From robhawley at earthlink.net Sun Oct 1 07:08:07 2006
From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley)
Date: Sun Oct 1 07:08:00 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] We need to proceed with liability insurance
In-Reply-To: <451F7A01.4020802@aenet.net>
Message-ID: <037e01c6e563$0584cc70$0300a8c0@robathome>
I don't believe a lawyer coming in and telling us that we could be sued (no
lawyer will tell us we can't) will help. Ultimately this is a business and
actuarial question. How much personal risk are you willing to assume?
If we had decided to purchase this insurance at the last meeting this
insurance would not have cost SJAA anything. Given events since then I am
no longer inclined to be so generous.
It sounds like people's positions on this are rather hardened at this point.
We going to vote and then everyone can decide whether they can live with the
outcome. I really do not have time to pursue banter on this issue before the
board meeting.
Rob Hawley
From mark.wagner at resource-intl.com Sun Oct 1 08:47:00 2006
From: mark.wagner at resource-intl.com (Mark Wagner)
Date: Sun Oct 1 08:49:14 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] We need to proceed with liability insurance
In-Reply-To: <451F7A01.4020802@aenet.net>
References: <02e501c6e49a$869228e0$0300a8c0@robathome>
<451F7A01.4020802@aenet.net>
Message-ID: <451FE2F4.7010302@resource-intl.com>
Gary Mitchell wrote:
> In other words, if we get this supplement our total insurance load will
> be over a third of our total dues income.
People can be sued period. D&O insurance, or not. And, people can sue
over, period.
Look at the track records of the SJAA and other similar organizations,
and how many lawsuits have been filed against them? I'm not aware of
any, although there exists the probability that it has occurred.
Even if there have been lawsuits, the incidence of them is so minuscule,
protecting against it is like insisting on plugging subatomic level
holes in a dike.
And, this D&O insurance primarily protects against board members suing
board members, right? I had to be on one of the worst and acrimonious
SJAA boards of ever, and nobody sued anyone, or the club. The chances
of that are even more remote than the subatomic holes in the dike.
If a board member can't be without this "overkill" of coverage, maybe
they're in the wrong place. They can minimize their risk and still help
the club without being a board member... $600 to $1000 a year could be
spent on better things for the club.... like hiring dancers for the
X-Mas party! Or, perhaps it might come in handy for (gulp) insurance on
a new meeting hall if found to be necessary.
I agree with some of Gary's earlier comments. An attorney is going to
cover his backside by saying the insurance is a good thing to have - why
would he risk saying the opposite? An insurance company *wants* to sell
it to you... they're going to say "no*? Think like an actuary... if you
are averse to this incredibly tiny risk... personally consider
purchasing meteorite insurance!
Mark
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaaboard/attachments/20061001/58f75068/attachment.html
From robhawley at earthlink.net Sun Oct 1 12:43:56 2006
From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley)
Date: Sun Oct 1 12:43:52 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Recommendations for CalStar 2007
Message-ID: <039401c6e591$ef3b0900$0300a8c0@robathome>
********Executive Summary**********
This year we experienced more numerous and more serious problems than in any
past CalStar that I have attended. We need to make some changes in how we
run the event if you want to have serious observers (like myself) attend
further events. This message will outline what is required.
I have proposed some specific actions to reduce the possibility of future
problems. I ask the board to reaffirm that I am empowered to lead the event
and implement these changes.
******* 100,000 foot view*********
CalStar differs from other organized Star Parties since the site offers us
the ability to have an observing area for less experienced people. There
were calls from some on TAC to eliminate this which SJAA should resist.
Almost all of the problems we had can be traced to one of four kinds of
visitors:
a) (Mostly) Local Astronomers who parked in the marked entrance area
and then visited their associates. I will refer to them as "non-resident
astronomers"
b) Visitors that arrived on the site expecting a conventional star
party. Most of these were with the school group(s). I will refer to them
as "the public".
c) Attendees (or guests of attendees) that arrived late through the
main entrance. ("late arrivers")
d) People who wondered onto the site ("lost souls")
The board needs to go on record that CalStar is not a public event. A public
viewing night has never happened in the previous 4 years that I attended.
This is the SJAA's sole event for its members that are serious observers. (I
would argue the marathon does not count). We sponsor up to 100 events per
year for the public. Having a single event for that part of our membership
does not seem like an unreasonable request. It is unreasonable to have a
public night in an event so short. I believe this sentiment is echoed by
TAC which supplies the majority of our attendees.
Lastly I have to take ownership of some of the problems. I moved a parking
area closer to the observing area. Doing so removed a barrier that allowed
people to drive further into the site until they were stopped by
participants. It also meant that instead of putting the non-resident
astronomers near the entrance they were practically at the dark area.
************Discussion of what happened****************
##Problem: Security Issues
One of the attendees had an eyepiece stolen during the event. Other
attendees in the area reported groups of visitors hanging around their
equipment. The only "groups" that I saw were the two school groups. The
non-resident astronomers disappeared into the other participants and I was
never able to find any of them.
This is the first time I have ever heard of a theft at any astronomy event.
Since we don't know who took the eyepiece we cannot be sure it was a
visitor. Still the presence of groups of people wandering through the site
is going to be very unwelcome in the future. It also means that personally
I will lock up my belongings like I have to do on a public night at
Shingletown.
If I was a participant and not running CalStar I would consider arriving on
Wednesday and leaving on Saturday unless changes were made to insure more
control on the site.
##Problem: Non Resident Astronomers
Several of the local astronomers came down to the site to be with their
friends who were registered. They were almost all in place well before the
road closure. It is hard to say they did anything wrong. They caused an
impact mostly due to their numbers (many more than previous years) and
because I moved the parking area (my mistake) so their backup lights
impacted the observing site (their mistake). I cannot make an argument that
they should be treated differently than folks that had equipment on the
site, but walked out in the middle of the night.
I would not even put them on the list if it was not for the security
problem. People are going to be more concerned next year about groups
hanging around their scopes. Their expectations need to be set that this is
not a public event and viewing from other participant's scopes is probably
not a option.
##Problem: Late Arrivers
There was a group that set up on the south of the viewing area that did not
seem to be local. The bottom line is that we need to be really firm about
the road closure rules next year.
Normally we also have some early departers. I don't remember this happening
this year (at least while I was awake).
##Problem: The School Group Light Show
In the past the school groups operated over in the late arrival area. Late
at night a couple of students would wander over and we would give them a
couple of views. The numbers were few enough and the disruption small
enough that this was tolerated by all.
We also began an experiment in 2005 with green lasers. The 2005-2006
regulations permitted them in the north part of the dark area under mistaken
belief that the imagers were in the south part. In reality the imagers
migrated all over the site several years ago because the south part is
impacted by road light.
This year two separate groups conducted their students through the dark area
like they were on a tour. One group stopped right in front of one of the
imagers ( and also near me). They conducted a presentation with an
extremely bright laser (I believe > 5 Mw) that lasted right up until the
published 10 PM stop time. With the exception of the "lost souls" this was
the greatest impact to me personally. They impacted my viewing since their
very bright laser kept shining in the parts of the sky I was trying to
observe killing what little was left of my dark adaptation.
##Problem: Late Arrival Area impacts people set up in casual area
This is a second problem mostly attributed to the school group. In the
past this has worked because few people were set up in the casual area.
People leaving after the school program drove out with their headlights on.
This was prudent behavior considering how difficult the area is to navigate
even in the daylight. Their lights cut a swath through the party extending
all the way to the dark area. The people set up in the casual area were
especially impacted.
##Problem: Lost or Curious Souls
We have always had two entrances; one for general admission and one for late
arrival. The main entrance has a sawhorse partially blocking it at 8 PM
with signage directing people to the late arrival entrance. The late arrival
entrance is supposed to be used by people arriving after 8 PM and by the
school groups talked about earlier.
This year we had an unprecedented number of people enter the site after 8
PM. Some drove around barriers and past road closed signs to get in.
Others drove through one of two entrances to the late arrival area. One got
as far as the dark area before being stopped. Each of these instances
impacted a large percentage of the attendees. This went on as late as 10 or
11 PM.
##Problem: The size of the event is straining the park infrastructure
Anyone who set up near one of the toilets will empathize with this problem.
The toilets at LSA are what we used to call "honey buckets". They are not
chemical toilets like we rented at the Ayers site. They are just pits. 180+
people contributing waste made being near one "memorable".
##Problem: Liability
Our attorney advised us to get a waiver for all people at all events. The
board will likely not do this for our in-town events that are conducted on a
hard surface. CalStar is different. It involves working in an field that
is full of gopher holes, branches, and other hazards. Even those not
choosing to visit others at the site have to walk around to visit the
toilets. This is the same concern that caused us to move the Coyote events
to the boat dock.
##Problem: Dogs
This was also the first year for a dog problem. One person brought a dog
that was allowed to wander freely on the site. The dog defecated at the
base of one of the major telescopes at the party. I don't need to paint the
rest of the picture.
@@Solution: Reiterate this is not a public event
The board must reiterate its commitment that this is an event to
meet the needs of our observing members (of all experience levels). SJAA
does enough public outreach during the year. We don't have to do it at this
event also.
Re-commitment to this principle will enable several of the other solutions
below.
@@Solution: Hard close the entrances at night
The problems with the entrances are at least partially due to us leaving
them open. I propose next year the "late arrival" and another entrance I
discovered in that area be barricaded 24 hrs per day. The main entrance
will have saw horse, signage reading "Road Closed", and red coned at street.
We will provide a limited "early departure" parking area at the bottom of
the entrance hill for those observers that want to leave their equipment on
the site and then walk to the entrance. We will place additional barricades
and red cones between that parking area and the observing site. I will also
look into supplementing the barriers with either orange tape or plastic
chain. I don't know if either of these are practical until we can evaluate
the impact on one of our disabled participants.
The security problem this year will reduce the number of people willing to
leave their equipment on the site. I will strongly recommend to
participants next year that they sleep in their cars until twilight and not
leave any portable equipment open on the site. Since the theft was likely
an impulse event, even a tent to store equipment will furnish much
protection.
One side effect of this is it will mean that the 8 PM arrival time will be a
hard limit. I know of at least one person who says that they will not be
able to attend because of this. In my opinion this is regrettable, but
necessary.
These barriers should prevent people from accidentally entering the area.
It will not stop those who believe it is their "right". Unfortunately there
is no way we can fully get "gate mojo" at LSA.
Also recognize that sunset for the date scheduled in 2007 is at 6:30 PM. I
would prefer everyone be on site by sunset.
@@Solution: Reiterate to this year's participants the nature of the event
In concert with this we need to communicate to all of this year's
participants that the roads are really closed 8 PM to twilight. The road
closures will not work unless they participate. The local club was not the
only offender in this case and may not even have been the worst.
We will also encourage them to not invite visitors or visit the site as a
non-resident astronomers at least until the furor over the theft dies down.
If they do then I would advise them to not expect to be welcome at other
people's scopes.
@@Solution: Reduce advertising for the event
The star party experienced a 50% growth this year. While the area can
accommodate more people, a larger star party increases probability that
participants will not subscribe to the rules.
The portable toilets were taxed with the number of participants this year.
A star party even of this size may require a proper gate to regulate people
entering the site.
I do not plan on advertising the 2007 event in the astronomy magazines. I
will also ask that the CCAS remove the information on the party from their
web site. That will enable us to control the message on what is and is not
allowed.
We will make announcements only through SJAA, CCAS, TAC, and TAC-SAC.
@@Solution: 100% Registration
In the past registration was a courtesy unless you order meals. Next year
we need to require that each family unit register so we have a legally
binding liability waiver. Anyone registering for a group will assume
personal liability for that group. It will also insure that the rules are at
least flashed before everyone's eyes.
@@Solution: Ask School Group not to attend or restrict them to entrance
I am especially concerned about liability and the school groups. These are
clearly the "public" that this event is not supposed to be supporting. I
question whether the liability waivers could be administered and whether
they would be binding on people that did not fully appreciate the risks.
SJAA does enough public outreach during the year. We don't have to do it at
this event also.
We need to be clear that bringing large numbers of people through the dark
area at night will not be tolerated. If they want to see scopes or talk with
astronomers they can attend one of SJAA's many public events that we
schedule. CCAS (the local club) also schedules events. There is no
compelling reason why they need to enter the grounds of this event.
It is far better from a risk management perspective to insist the school
groups either not attend, hold their gatherings only at the "early
departure" parking, or operate in a different part of the park. I would
even be willing to grant the leader special dispensation to enter the former
"late arrival" gate after 8 PM.
@@Solution: Leave dogs at home or require they be leashed
There is no excuse for the dog problem. The solutions here are obvious.
@@Solution: Green lasers banned
Lastly we do not want a repeat of the light show. The 2 year experiment
with green lasers is ended. The lasers being used seemed brighter then even
the 5 mW "bright" lasers commonly in use.
In the future Lasers > 2 mW will be permitted only at the "early departure"
parking. Lasers under 2 mW will be permitted in the casual area until 9 PM.
The piece of good news is that the catering worked much smoother by
collecting the money ahead of time.
I will not be able to spend any further time on this until November. At that
point I plan to take no future action until my responsibility and authority
for the 2007 event is clarified.
Rob Hawley
From akkana at shallowsky.com Sun Oct 1 20:30:02 2006
From: akkana at shallowsky.com (Akkana Peck)
Date: Sun Oct 1 20:30:09 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Mercury transit viewing?
Message-ID: <20061002033002.GA1024@shallowsky.com>
Does the SJAA have any public viewing planned for the Mercury
transit on Nov. 8? I don't see anything on the schedule in the
current Ephemeris, but if there is something I want to mention it
in my column for November. Also, I'll be doing a school event the
day before and want to know whether there's a public Mercury party
I can recommend to them.
...Akkana
From wb6yru at aenet.net Mon Oct 2 00:34:33 2006
From: wb6yru at aenet.net (Gary Mitchell)
Date: Mon Oct 2 00:32:12 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] We need to proceed with liability insurance
In-Reply-To: <451FE2F4.7010302@resource-intl.com>
References: <02e501c6e49a$869228e0$0300a8c0@robathome> <451F7A01.4020802@aenet.net>
<451FE2F4.7010302@resource-intl.com>
Message-ID: <4520C109.8040207@aenet.net>
Mark Wagner wrote:
> Look at the track records of the SJAA and other similar organizations,
> and how many lawsuits have been filed against them? I'm not aware of
> any, although there exists the probability that it has occurred.
I know of one, locally too. Maybe it would help to describe it (them)...
There's an amateur radio organization called NARCC that does repeater
coordination for Northern California. It's a collection of hot-heads,
huge egos, and stubborn power-hungry individuals. They attract, indeed
generate trouble like you wouldn't believe. However, you can see it
coming months, sometimes years in advance and it's always avoidable if
they'd just be reasonable.
The coordination aspect is divided up into sort of committees where
each band has it's own coordinator. (If you want to put up a repeater
in the amateur 70 cm band, you have to work with the 70 cm coordinator.)
Those are run like little fiefdoms. I was told of one case where a
coordinator simply refused to release information from *his* database
come hell or high waters unless and until *he* saw fit to do so.
Sometimes the easiest way to get your coordination is to work your
way onto their board of directors (where you can wield more power).
Sometimes they'll screw up and have one repeater interfering with
another--and NARCC won't fix it. The list is a mile long.
They have been sued, more than once, both from outside and from within.
But each time, you could see it coming. The suits aren't about large
amounts of money, they're about forcing them to do something, or not
do something (which they should have anyway, or at least dealt with
it reasonably).
I don't see anything even remotely like that here at the SJAA.
Let me try to make up an analogy... Mike is running the scope loaner
program. (thanks Mike) Now, suppose he developed a huge ego and a big
attitude about it, loaning scopes only to people he liked, not loaning
to others unless... whatever. etc. One day the board says: look Mike,
Joe Blow has been waiting for two years for scope X. Mike makes up some
excuse and the fight begins. Over the next few months the disputes get
bigger and each side gets more and more stubborn, entrenched, petty and
vindictive. The membership & non-members who are involved somehow (e.g.
public who frequent the Houge star parties) start lining up on one side
or the other. Months later lawyers get consulted. Months after that,
they're squabbling in front of some poor magistrate who's trying to sort
it out and acting like a father keeping his fighting children apart...
all over one scope and who gets to use it--and most of all, who calls
the shots.
You all could see THAT coming, right?
From my experience, *that's* the sort of thing that would result in a
suit--and most likely wouldn't even be about money. (not like hot
coffee or fingers in chili.)
Now, people are leaving and threatening to leave the board over this.
I think some of you guys are seeing tiny remote risks through a big
magnifying glass--making them seem much worse and much more likely than
they are.
So, if it takes $600/yr to keep everyone calmed down, OK. That's why
I'm FOR getting the insurance... the only reason.
Gary
From wb6yru at aenet.net Mon Oct 2 00:38:33 2006
From: wb6yru at aenet.net (Gary Mitchell)
Date: Mon Oct 2 00:35:58 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] We need to proceed with liability insurance
In-Reply-To: <037e01c6e563$0584cc70$0300a8c0@robathome>
References: <037e01c6e563$0584cc70$0300a8c0@robathome>
Message-ID: <4520C1F9.90704@aenet.net>
Rob Hawley wrote:
> I don't believe a lawyer coming in and telling us that we could be sued (no
> lawyer will tell us we can't) will help. Ultimately this is a business and
> actuarial question. How much personal risk are you willing to assume?
That's good question, but it's not the one we're facing. The issue here
is: what are the chances that we (board) could be sued and our regular
policy wouldn't cover it, but this supplement would?
Gary
From jvn at svpal.org Mon Oct 2 00:47:08 2006
From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland)
Date: Mon Oct 2 00:57:00 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Mercury transit viewing?
References: <20061002033002.GA1024@shallowsky.com>
Message-ID: <4520C3FC.7641@svpal.org>
Akkana Peck wrote:
>
> Does the SJAA have any public viewing planned for the Mercury
> transit on Nov. 8?
I don't know of anything. If I hear of it, I'll post to the TAC and
SJAA members' lists.
I'll ask on TAC as there are occasional reports of solar observing.
We have a school event on that evening, so I'll be busy all morning
and until about 1 pm. I'd hoped that I would not get a request for that
day, as it's fun to watch. I'd intended setting up here at home for the
neighbors.
Clear Skies!
--
Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association
JVN's web site
From wb6yru at aenet.net Mon Oct 2 02:08:04 2006
From: wb6yru at aenet.net (Gary Mitchell)
Date: Mon Oct 2 02:05:37 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Mercury transit viewing?
In-Reply-To: <20061002033002.GA1024@shallowsky.com>
References: <20061002033002.GA1024@shallowsky.com>
Message-ID: <4520D6F4.30607@aenet.net>
Akkana Peck wrote:
> Does the SJAA have any public viewing planned for the Mercury
> transit on Nov. 8? I don't see anything on the schedule in the
> current Ephemeris, but if there is something I want to mention it
> in my column for November. Also, I'll be doing a school event the
> day before and want to know whether there's a public Mercury party
> I can recommend to them.
>
> ...Akkana
This reminds me...
George Kiriyama of KNTV news (Ch. 11) wants to know about any events of
an astronomical nature, george.kiriyama@nbcuni.com. He contacted me
(as an officer of SJAA) when the news came out of Pluto being downgraded
to a dwarf planet.
It would be good if we had an event planned for the transit where they
could come and see. The free publicity we could get wouldn't hurt either.
Gary
From wb6yru at aenet.net Mon Oct 2 03:23:28 2006
From: wb6yru at aenet.net (Gary Mitchell)
Date: Mon Oct 2 03:20:55 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Recommendations for CalStar 2007
In-Reply-To: <039401c6e591$ef3b0900$0300a8c0@robathome>
References: <039401c6e591$ef3b0900$0300a8c0@robathome>
Message-ID: <4520E8A0.3070003@aenet.net>
Rob Hawley wrote:
> ##Problem: Security Issues
>
> One of the attendees had an eyepiece stolen during the event.
Are we sure it was actually stolen, not dropped or misplaced?
> If I was a participant and not running CalStar I would consider arriving on
> Wednesday and leaving on Saturday unless changes were made to insure more
> control on the site.
There's a limit to what we can do. I can't imagine the SJAA putting
in place security that would prevent an eyepiece from walking off in
the dark.
I for one don't have a problem with all the rest. There should be a
star party with restrictions for the serious amateur at least once in
a while. I rarely go to dark sky star parties any more because I
find the constant stream of people leaving all through the night very
disturbing, especially with the inevitable handheld and car lights.
The only exception is you might want to be a little flexible when it
comes to arrivals during dusk. No serious observing or photography
takes place until it gets good and dark anyway. But once it gets good
and dark, barring medical emergencies, raise the drawbridge and fill
the moat!
Gary
From mark.wagner at resource-intl.com Mon Oct 2 08:25:37 2006
From: mark.wagner at resource-intl.com (Mark Wagner)
Date: Mon Oct 2 08:27:59 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] We need to proceed with liability insurance
In-Reply-To: <4520C109.8040207@aenet.net>
References: <02e501c6e49a$869228e0$0300a8c0@robathome> <451F7A01.4020802@aenet.net> <451FE2F4.7010302@resource-intl.com>
<4520C109.8040207@aenet.net>
Message-ID: <45212F71.80006@resource-intl.com>
Gary Mitchell wrote:
> So, if it takes $600/yr to keep everyone calmed down, OK. That's why
> I'm FOR getting the insurance... the only reason.
Tongue in cheek here.... but what if one or two members began requiring
steak dinners and fine wine next in order for them to serve on the
board? Of course, those items would be totally unnecessary for an
astronomy club to function, but.... ;-)
I think the right question is the one you ask here:
> The issue here is: what are the chances that we (board) could be sued
> and our regular policy wouldn't cover it, but this supplement would?
As to the first part, the chance, anyone can sue anyone, insurance won't
prevent that, regardless of whether it is a regular policy or D&O. But,
looking around at other astronomy clubs.... the PAS, EAS, SFAA, Halls
Valley, Santa Cruz, MIRA, SVAS, and considering the SJAA has been
functioning suit-free for over 50 years... this appears to be an almost
nil risk... and *additional* insurance to cover a very small
sub-possibility (D&O) of an already very small possibility seems like a
wast of money. It could be less painful and much more cost effective
replace board members who feel the need for so much "protection". If
they want to help the club, they could choose to do it without being on
the board. That's how I ran CalStar for several years, in fact, I
wasn't even a member of the club - I just did what I did *for* the club
and other amateur astronomers, and let the club put its name on the
event and cover it with.... uh.... its insurance!
$600 a year is $50 per month toward refreshments (or two steak and wine
dinners) at club meetings, or part of an advertising budget, or helping
defray the costs of better toilets at CalStar each year...
Mark
From wb6yru at aenet.net Mon Oct 2 19:59:32 2006
From: wb6yru at aenet.net (Gary Mitchell)
Date: Mon Oct 2 19:57:02 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] We need to proceed with liability insurance
In-Reply-To: <45212F71.80006@resource-intl.com>
References: <02e501c6e49a$869228e0$0300a8c0@robathome> <451F7A01.4020802@aenet.net> <451FE2F4.7010302@resource-intl.com> <4520C109.8040207@aenet.net>
<45212F71.80006@resource-intl.com>
Message-ID: <4521D214.7080108@aenet.net>
Mark Wagner wrote:
> Gary Mitchell wrote:
>
>> So, if it takes $600/yr to keep everyone calmed down, OK. That's why
>> I'm FOR getting the insurance... the only reason.
>
>
> Tongue in cheek here.... but what if one or two members began requiring
> steak dinners and fine wine next in order for them to serve on the
> board? Of course, those items would be totally unnecessary for an
> astronomy club to function, but.... ;-)
Yeah, good point. :)
However, we've already had one director resign over this and another
threatening to. And that second one runs the database! That's not
someone you want to lose.
If insurance wasn't the issue, but steak dinners were... I dunno. If
it meant holding the club together, I might reluctantly go for that too.
Don't the rest of you get any ideas now! ;)
Gary
From robhawley at earthlink.net Wed Oct 4 17:19:15 2006
From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley)
Date: Wed Oct 4 17:19:07 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Membership report for October
Message-ID: <001601c6e813$e4d254d0$0300a8c0@robathome>
Only the current numbers this month
Last SJAA Meeting 9/9/2006
Report Date 10/4/2006
Number of members whose membership expires in which month
Aug-06 8
Sep-06 13
Oct-06 13
Nov-06 12
Dec-06 16
Jan-07 16
Feb-07 25
Mar-07 23
Apr-07 11
May-07 24
Jun-07 57
Jul-07 22
Aug-07 28
Sep-07 15
Oct-07 13
Nov-07 3
more than 13 months 7
complementary 31
expiring 21
paid(current) 285
email delivery 25
Labels Generated 304
S&T Members 190
New Members since last meeting 7
current + complementary 316
Rob Hawley
From north at znet.com Wed Oct 4 17:46:09 2006
From: north at znet.com (Dave North)
Date: Wed Oct 4 17:46:15 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] We need to proceed with liability insurance
In-Reply-To: <4521D214.7080108@aenet.net>
References: <02e501c6e49a$869228e0$0300a8c0@robathome> <451F7A01.4020802@aenet.net> <451FE2F4.7010302@resource-intl.com> <4520C109.8040207@aenet.net>
<45212F71.80006@resource-intl.com> <4521D214.7080108@aenet.net>
Message-ID:
Gary Mitchell wrote:
> ...that second one runs the database! That's not someone you want to
> lose.
Oh heck, if that's the issue, I'll take it back for half the price of
the insurance... okay, just kidding.
Dave
From mark.wagner at resource-intl.com Wed Oct 4 17:48:22 2006
From: mark.wagner at resource-intl.com (Mark Wagner)
Date: Wed Oct 4 17:48:36 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] We need to proceed with liability insurance
In-Reply-To:
References: <02e501c6e49a$869228e0$0300a8c0@robathome> <451F7A01.4020802@aenet.net> <451FE2F4.7010302@resource-intl.com> <4520C109.8040207@aenet.net>
<45212F71.80006@resource-intl.com> <4521D214.7080108@aenet.net>
Message-ID: <3212.75.22.183.38.1160009302.squirrel@webmail4.pair.com>
Dave North wrote:
> Gary Mitchell wrote:
>
>> ...that second one runs the database! That's not someone you want to
>> lose.
>
> Oh heck, if that's the issue, I'll take it back for half the price of
> the insurance... okay, just kidding.
>
I bet they could get you for the monthy steak dinner....
From robhawley at earthlink.net Wed Oct 4 18:50:30 2006
From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley)
Date: Wed Oct 4 18:50:25 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Director's Insurance
Message-ID: <001d01c6e820$a42d0850$0300a8c0@robathome>
Just so it does not surprise anyone. I plan to continue to abstain from
voting and will not be speaking in favor of the resolution.
At this point Mark has convinced me there is a conflict of interest between
my personal interests and my duties as a board member.
Rob Hawley
From mark.wagner at resource-intl.com Wed Oct 4 20:30:09 2006
From: mark.wagner at resource-intl.com (Mark Wagner)
Date: Wed Oct 4 20:53:53 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Director's Insurance
In-Reply-To: <001d01c6e820$a42d0850$0300a8c0@robathome>
References: <001d01c6e820$a42d0850$0300a8c0@robathome>
Message-ID: <1137.75.22.183.38.1160019009.squirrel@webmail8.pair.com>
I don't recall that.... huh...
Rob Hawley wrote:
> Just so it does not surprise anyone. I plan to continue to abstain from
> voting and will not be speaking in favor of the resolution.
>
> At this point Mark has convinced me there is a conflict of interest
> between
> my personal interests and my duties as a board member.
>
>
> Rob Hawley
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> SJAABoard mailing list
> SJAABoard@sjaa.net
> http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard
>
From mark.wagner at resource-intl.com Thu Oct 5 09:24:03 2006
From: mark.wagner at resource-intl.com (Mark Wagner)
Date: Thu Oct 5 09:24:19 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Director's Insurance
In-Reply-To: <001d01c6e820$a42d0850$0300a8c0@robathome>
References: <001d01c6e820$a42d0850$0300a8c0@robathome>
Message-ID: <452531A3.5070800@resource-intl.com>
//Gary Mitchell wrote://
> However, we've already had one director resign over this and another threatening to. And that second one runs the database! That's not
> someone you want to lose.
Yes, I've seen directors resign before over insurance matters. And the
club survived (and flourished). The club is an interesting "living"
entity. Even when things look difficult, it finds ways to survive and
grow. There have been many many many directors over the years, the club
survives the turnover.
Running the database is not really a concern. That is something that a
volunteer could do for the club, without being a director. A bit of a
digression here: Is the database proprietary? If so, that could
eventually be a problem.
Bear with me here... here is why board members should be concerned about
acquiring D&O insurance...
1. The insurance is purported to essentially cover directors/officers
from suing each other. That is an almost zero risk in something as
benign as an astronomy club, and the cost is high. And the club already
has an insurance policy...
2. Each time the insurance premium comes due, essentially in
perpetuity, each subsequent board will have to decide whether to renew.
This expense will fall on the club, and (most likely) not one on
generous individual.
3. SJAA boards will (likely) not be comprised of attorneys or actuaries
familiar with the risks and appropriate reasons for such insurance.
Over time, this discussion and the reasons now for and against D&O
insurance now being discussed will be lost, forgotten, whatever.... and
those subsequent boards will have to go through all this again! The
difference being, they will *have* the expense of the insurance and the
question will be the risk of discontinuing it. That being the case, it
is much more likely they will feel compelled to continue it if and until
they can understand what it actually does and does not truly provide,
expending the time and money to understand it, as well as pay the annual
premiums!. And again, driving the point home, one individual is
unlikely to fund such insurance in perpetuity. And further, if this is
to make only a couple people feel comfortable with being on the board...
I think the tiny possible advantages are quickly negated.
4. Acquiring the insurance may, and I stress *may* as I don't know, put
the club in a position where is it necessitates that it always continue
the coverage, as it could indicate to an opposing counsel that the club
at some point felt there was a risk at not having it!
The SJAA has never been sued, and I am unaware of other astronomy clubs
being sued, regardless of the suggestion that "hush" clauses may (or may
not, we don't know!) have been placed on speculated settlements. Steak
(or fish) dinners would be a better expenditure for the club.
Mark
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaaboard/attachments/20061005/70f523fe/attachment.html
From jvn at svpal.org Fri Oct 6 14:37:09 2006
From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland)
Date: Fri Oct 6 14:41:19 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] School star party status
References: <44FF6EC5.5E91@svpal.org>
Message-ID: <4526CC85.7A3F@svpal.org>
Hi, All,
It seems a bit peculiar that I've been at this computer for so much
time, with few OHHs and AHHHs to pay me back. But as you see below,
the rewards will come.
Provisional dates are usually dates that have been requested but not
agreed upon by all people at the school. But this month, all the
provisionals are rain dates.
The reason I discourage pre-scheduling rain dates is that, if the
primary date is a success, there may be too little time to assign the
alternate to another school. I try to put the alternate at least a
month from the primary. In this list, the nearest is 4 weeks.
Events conducted in Aug: 1
Events conducted in Sep: 1
Firm Provisional
Oct 5 0
Nov 9 0
Dec 0 2 rain dates
Jan 4 1 rain date
Feb 1 1 rain date
Mar 4 0
Apr 0 1 rain date
Clear Skies!
--
Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association
JVN's web site
From wb6yru at aenet.net Sat Oct 7 15:10:44 2006
From: wb6yru at aenet.net (Gary Mitchell)
Date: Sat Oct 7 15:09:00 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Treasurer's report, board meeting Oct. 7, 2006
Message-ID: <452825E4.7070006@aenet.net>
Treasurer's report for the board of directors meeting 10/7/2006
ACCOUNTS AS OF 10/7/2006:
CD 1 5,076.34
CD 2 5,167.51
CD 3 5,000.00
Checking 3,003.97
Observatory Fund 3,100.51
PayPal 19.12
Savings 403.55
Petty Cash 72.70
------------
OVERALL TOTAL 21,843.70
Note: CD 3 is new, purchased 10/2/2006, (from checking). Current yield
is 4.7 percent for 1 yr CD.
* * * * *
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE.
$600 annual premium.
The offer is supposed to expire on 10/6/2006
There has been much discussion on the board?s remailer, which I won?t
repeat here. Bottom line: I don?t think we need it, the coverage is
too narrow for the cost. I think some people are way over estimating
the actual risk that this covers.
Rob e-mailed several items, one of which described insurance as being
"available" if it costs less that five percent of our annual budget.
If we don't count the money we take in and pay out for subscriptions
to S&T and the auction transactions, five percent of our budget last
year was around $300. We're already spending $1140 for general
liability.
However, if it will hold the board together, I?m willing for the club
to get this insurance. One director has already resigned and another
suggested he will resign or not run for re-election over this.
* * * * *
CALSTAR
checking account
Valley Catering, travel cost -250.00
Valley Catering, deposit -300.00
Rob Hawley, payment to caterer -1,724.00
copies for Calstar -23.61
Payments from individuals 571.00
Checking subtotal -1,726.61
Paypal account
Payments from individuals 1,387.00
PayPal transaction fees -51.61
Paypal subtotal 1,335.39
CalStar TOTAL: -391.22
We should get that $300 deposit back, in which case the overall
total is -91.22
From pkohlmil at best.com Sat Oct 14 01:14:32 2006
From: pkohlmil at best.com (Paul Kohlmiller)
Date: Sat Oct 14 01:15:00 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] November Ephemeris Proofread
Message-ID: <000601c6ef68$ca57d970$0800a8c0@PKHPXPP>
The November issue of the Ephemeris is available for proofing. Please find it at:
http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/0611/EphNov06.pdf
We tried reading this on 3 different computers and it worked on 2 of them (all using the same browser). Let me know if you have any problems and, if so, let me know which level of Adobe Acrobat you are using.
This issue of the Ephemeris will be sent to the printer late Sunday night.
Paul and Mary Kohlmiller
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaaboard/attachments/20061014/356cee52/attachment.html
From jvn at svpal.org Sat Oct 14 01:54:13 2006
From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland)
Date: Sat Oct 14 01:55:06 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] November Ephemeris Proofread
References: <000601c6ef68$ca57d970$0800a8c0@PKHPXPP>
Message-ID: <4530A5B5.6077@svpal.org>
Paul Kohlmiller wrote:
>
> The November issue of the Ephemeris is available for
> proofing. Please find it at:
> http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/0611/EphNov06.pdf
> We tried reading this on 3 different computers and it worked on 2 of
> them (all using the same browser).
Hi, Paul,
I had no trouble using Acrobat version 4.0.
Calendar material looks good.
There is a wrong word in Gary's article on the Fall Swap, where he
discusses the voluntary donation. He says:
"Obviously this has to be on the honor system, or conscious
system...."
The word presumably should be "conscience".
--
Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association
JVN's web site
From pkohlmil at best.com Sat Oct 14 11:09:34 2006
From: pkohlmil at best.com (Paul Kohlmiller)
Date: Sat Oct 14 11:09:57 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] November Ephemeris Proofread
In-Reply-To: <4530A5B5.6077@svpal.org>
References: <000601c6ef68$ca57d970$0800a8c0@PKHPXPP> <4530A5B5.6077@svpal.org>
Message-ID: <001d01c6efbb$e7a08f60$b6e1ae20$@com>
Good catch, thanks. If you had no trouble on Acrobat 4, that's great. PK
-----Original Message-----
From: sjaaboard-bounces@sjaa.net [mailto:sjaaboard-bounces@sjaa.net] On
Behalf Of Jim Van Nuland
Sent: Saturday, October 14, 2006 1:54 AM
To: Business list for SJAA board of directors and members
Subject: Re: [SJAABoard] November Ephemeris Proofread
Paul Kohlmiller wrote:
>
> The November issue of the Ephemeris is available for
> proofing. Please find it at:
> http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/0611/EphNov06.pdf
> We tried reading this on 3 different computers and it worked on 2 of
> them (all using the same browser).
Hi, Paul,
I had no trouble using Acrobat version 4.0.
Calendar material looks good.
There is a wrong word in Gary's article on the Fall Swap, where he
discusses the voluntary donation. He says:
"Obviously this has to be on the honor system, or conscious
system...."
The word presumably should be "conscience".
--
Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association
JVN's web site
_______________________________________________
SJAABoard mailing list
SJAABoard@sjaa.net
http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard
From wb6yru at aenet.net Sun Oct 15 00:11:53 2006
From: wb6yru at aenet.net (Gary Mitchell)
Date: Sun Oct 15 00:09:16 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] November Ephemeris Proofread
In-Reply-To: <4530A5B5.6077@svpal.org>
References: <000601c6ef68$ca57d970$0800a8c0@PKHPXPP> <4530A5B5.6077@svpal.org>
Message-ID: <4531DF39.9030703@aenet.net>
Jim Van Nuland wrote:
> Paul Kohlmiller wrote:
>
>>The November issue of the Ephemeris is available for
>>proofing. Please find it at:
>
>
>>http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/0611/EphNov06.pdf
>
>
>>We tried reading this on 3 different computers and it worked on 2 of
>>them (all using the same browser).
>
>
> Hi, Paul,
>
> I had no trouble using Acrobat version 4.0.
>
> Calendar material looks good.
>
> There is a wrong word in Gary's article on the Fall Swap, where he
> discusses the voluntary donation. He says:
>
> "Obviously this has to be on the honor system, or conscious
> system...."
>
> The word presumably should be "conscience".
Thanks for catching that, Jim.
Gary
From wb6yru at aenet.net Wed Oct 18 16:58:47 2006
From: wb6yru at aenet.net (Gary Mitchell)
Date: Wed Oct 18 18:12:17 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] about SJAA getting sued
Message-ID: <4536BFB7.7070409@aenet.net>
We've been wringing our hands lately over insurance and the possibility of
getting sued. I mentioned knowing of only one other club that got sued,
(NARCC, an amateur radio repeater coordinator--a rather hard headed lot).
I just got a little more info about that suit:
There was a dispute between NARCC and another club about getting a repeater
coordinated. They couldn't settle it themselves, so the other club sued
NARCC. NARCC got a lawyer to handle it pro-bono (probably a member). Their
only real cost was petty cash amounts. The lawsuit was not for money, but
to force NARCC to handle the coordination differently.
I have had some dealings with NARCC myself and it was an infuriating
experience. Those guys are stubborn, bureaucratic, and egotistical. The
SJAA bears no resemblance.
So, I really don't think the SJAA has anything to worry about, except
possibly one of those people specifically looking to sue for money, (like
that hot coffee suit against McDonnald's). And they're not likely to go
after a little astronomy club, it'd be a big company with deep pockets.
Gary
From craigus at rocketmail.com Wed Oct 18 20:35:25 2006
From: craigus at rocketmail.com (Craig Scull)
Date: Wed Oct 18 20:35:43 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] October 7 , 2006 - Draft SJAA Board Meeting Minutes
Message-ID: <20061019033526.22049.qmail@web54514.mail.yahoo.com>
September minutes were approved by a motion from Mike - with the note that Ben's affiliation be changed from Pinnacles to West Valley College - and seconded by
Rich. No one abstained.
Corrected text is as follows...
-------------------------------------
Loaner scope program
-------------------------------------
Ben of **West Valley College** wants to borrow a few telescopes.
==========================================================
October 7, 2006 - SJAA Board Meeting Minutes - Craig Scull
==========================================================
-------------------------------------
Members present
-------------------------------------
*-Mike Koop
*-Rob Hawley
*-Rich Neuschaefer
*-Gary Mitchell
*-Lee Hoglan
*-Gordon Reade
*-Craig Scull
*-Dave Smith
-------------------------------------
Treasurer's report
-------------------------------------
ACCOUNTS AS OF 10/7/2006:
CD 1 5,076.34
CD 2 5,167.51
CD 3 5,000.00
Checking 3,003.97
Observatory Fund 3,100.51
PayPal 19.12
Savings 403.55
Petty Cash 72.70
------------
OVERALL TOTAL 21,843.70
Note: CD 3 is new, purchased 10/2/2006, (from checking). Current yield
is 4.7 percent for 1 yr CD.
* * * * *
CALSTAR
checking account
Valley Catering, travel cost -250.00
Valley Catering, deposit -300.00
Rob Hawley, payment to caterer -1,724.00
copies for Calstar -23.61
Payments from individuals 571.00
Checking subtotal -1,726.61
Paypal account
Payments from individuals 1,387.00
PayPal transaction fees -51.61
Paypal subtotal 1,335.39
CalStar TOTAL: -391.22
We should get that $300 deposit back, in which case the overall
total is -91.22
* * * * *
Will get 15 fewer RASC handbooks because had some left over last time. 60 books, 75 calendars
-------------------------------------
Membership report
-------------------------------------
Only the current numbers this month
Last SJAA Meeting 9/9/2006
Report Date 10/4/2006
Number of members whose membership expires in which month
Aug-06 8
Sep-06 13
Oct-06 13
Nov-06 12
Dec-06 16
Jan-07 16
Feb-07 25
Mar-07 23
Apr-07 11
May-07 24
Jun-07 57
Jul-07 22
Aug-07 28
Sep-07 15
Oct-07 13
Nov-07 3
more than 13 months 7
complementary 31
expiring 21
paid(current) 285
email delivery 25
Labels Generated 304
S&T Members 190
New Members since last meeting 7
current + complementary 316
-------------------------------------
Loaner scope program
-------------------------------------
Mike still trying to get 3 scopes to loan to Benjamin Mendolson for his camping trip this weekend at Pinnacles.
Not much happening otherwise in terms of demand for new scopes.
-------------------------------------
Observational astronomy class
-------------------------------------
Jim Albers will do class this Fri on observing satellites and rocket launches. Looking to get someone to do an astrophotography talk after that. December will be the what's up in the sky class.
-------------------------------------
ATM Class
-------------------------------------
Newsletter and TAC posting about putting class on hold for a while. Refer people to Chabot class.
-------------------------------------
General Meeting Programs
-------------------------------------
Nov, Dec (1/2 talk) and Jan programs are scheduled. Lee Hoglan will come prepared as a backup speaker in Dec.
-------------------------------------
Houge Park
-------------------------------------
Last star party one was fogged out. A class showed up. Saw a foggy moon and Albireo.
Akana's sketching class went well.
City mtg on 30th. Some discussion of square dance club renting building. Ping pong club may want to paint building. SJAA would be willing to maintain inside of building. SJAA would paint safety stripes on curbs.
It sounds like no changes will go into place until 2008.
-------------------------------------
School star parties
-------------------------------------
Jim sent report. There are some starting this month.
-------------------------------------
Observatory committee
-------------------------------------
Bob is doing private star party in October. Everything is on hold until next early summer. He is willing to do another round of star parties to further cultivate the reputation of the site to attract people who want to do hardscaping (observatories) which would make him more interested in donating the land to the club.
-------------------------------------
Calendar
-------------------------------------
Swap coming up on 5th.
-------------------------------------
Special AANC Mtg
-------------------------------------
Starting to gear up for next Astrocon. Will be up at college of San Mateo planetarium.
-------------------------------------
Mercury Transit Event
-------------------------------------
Starts around 11'ish AM and ends around 5pm'ish on Wed Nov 8th. SJAA will set up at Houge Park. Rich will set up.
Would invite general public via the fellow from TV that has been calling us. Will add to calendar. Akana is writing about this event in her shallow sky report.
-------------------------------------
Ephemeris Distribution for Nov.
-------------------------------------
All taken care of.
-------------------------------------
Percentage of San Jose Members
-------------------------------------
Some issue around calculation of members from San Jose.
Need 51% of members from San Jose or else we need to pay $30/hr to city. Currently our membership is just above 51%.
-------------------------------------
Fall Swap Nov 5th
-------------------------------------
Gary put together article for next Ephemeris. Will keep same rules as before.
Change wording from "commission" to "donation" and let people adjust recommended percentage on the fly in the program.
For people that don't have a business license we need to collect the information that the board of equalization requires.
-------------------------------------
Coyote Park Improvements
-------------------------------------
Chad the park ranger said that they are building an amphitheater to support public programs. Mike suggested that it be built in such a way as to support star parties.
If we were signed to a list as "volunteers" for the events then we would be covered under the park's insurance.
-------------------------------------
Directors Liability Insurance
-------------------------------------
Insurance policy coverage we were quoted does not cover most of the things we would want coverd, such as injury, bodily harm, sexual misconduct.
Because we are not paid board members we are covered by the California board of conduct covering volunteers.
Mike passed a motion that the current directors insurance be accepted. No one voted in favor. Everyone voted against the motion. There were no abstaintions.
Idea was discussed of a red lighted sign that informed the public of the things to be careful of at a star party. The wording could be as simple as "Courtesy star party. Free for the public. Please walk with care to avoid possible injury."
-------------------------------------
Calstar Debrief
-------------------------------------
Gary passes a motion that Calstar be a "dark sky party" with rules that are appropriate to ensure this.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:58pm
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaaboard/attachments/20061018/be16129b/attachment.html
From jvn at svpal.org Thu Oct 19 16:21:45 2006
From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland)
Date: Thu Oct 19 16:23:20 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Labeling party, 8:30 Thursday evening
Message-ID: <45380889.1832@svpal.org>
Hi, All (those near Houge Park),
Mike has the new Ephemerides, fresh from the printer and ready for
labeling and maybe sealing. I'll bring the strapping tape and a pair of
hands.
It'd be helpful to have another person or two to get it done more
quickly. Note the starting time: 8:30, an hour later than the Class or
ATM.
Thanks much!
--
Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association
JVN's web site
From wb6yru at aenet.net Thu Oct 19 20:32:43 2006
From: wb6yru at aenet.net (Gary Mitchell)
Date: Thu Oct 19 23:45:20 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] October 7 , 2006 - Draft SJAA Board Meeting Minutes
In-Reply-To: <20061019033526.22049.qmail@web54514.mail.yahoo.com>
References: <20061019033526.22049.qmail@web54514.mail.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <4538435B.5030205@aenet.net>
Craig Scull wrote:
> -------------------------------------
> Calstar Debrief
> -------------------------------------
> Gary passes a motion that Calstar be a "dark sky party" with rules that are appropriate to ensure this.
>
> The meeting was adjourned at 7:58pm
I just made the motion, I can't pass it.
What happened with the vote?
Gary
From koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net Sun Oct 22 14:08:27 2006
From: koopm at koopm.best.vwh.net (Michael Koop)
Date: Sun Oct 22 14:08:30 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Ephemeris Mail Test #3
Message-ID: <20061022150624.R60054@koopm.best.vwh.net>
Just posted to SJAA Announce about the Ephemeris Bulk Mail Test #3.
Please post to this list when you recieved your newsletter.
Hats off to the USPS. 10 Hour delivery. Awsome!
From wb6yru at aenet.net Sun Oct 22 16:18:48 2006
From: wb6yru at aenet.net (Gary Mitchell)
Date: Sun Oct 22 16:16:34 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Oct Ephemeris mailing
Message-ID: <453BFC58.7020003@aenet.net>
If we're still keeping track of this... My Ephemeris arrived Saturday,
Oct. 21. The zip here is 95124.
That was pretty quick this time. We here in the 95124 zip usually get
it later than most.
Gary
From jvn at svpal.org Sun Oct 22 16:15:56 2006
From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland)
Date: Sun Oct 22 16:18:52 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Re: [SJAA-announce] Ephemeris Mail Test #3
References: <20061022150247.D60054@koopm.best.vwh.net>
Message-ID: <453BFBAC.326B@svpal.org>
Michael Koop wrote:
> The November Ephemeris was mailed on Friday Morning, 10/20. We are
> continuing our test of changes to the Ephemeris mailing process. This
> months experiment is sealing the newsletter with a sticker on top. IT
> WORKED! I got my Ephemeris the earliest ever, only 10 hours later. I also
> saw Barcodes added to the bottom of the newsletter, confirming that the
> newsletter can now use some of the post office automation equipment.
Mine arrived Oct.21, about noon, in 95124
> If your newsletter was damaged in anyway, let us know that also.
Looks the same as the previous one.
--
Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association
JVN's web site
From pkohlmil at best.com Sun Oct 22 16:38:28 2006
From: pkohlmil at best.com (Paul Kohlmiller)
Date: Sun Oct 22 16:38:18 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Ephemeris Mail Test #3
References: <20061022150624.R60054@koopm.best.vwh.net>
Message-ID: <00d601c6f633$2e2a7fe0$0400a8c0@eclipsys.lan>
Received Ephemeris on Saturday, 10/21 in zipcode 95020. The sticker makes
the pages stick together after breaking the seal but it's hard to argue
against success.
PK
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Koop"
To:
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 2:08 PM
Subject: [SJAABoard] Ephemeris Mail Test #3
> Just posted to SJAA Announce about the Ephemeris Bulk Mail Test #3.
> Please post to this list when you recieved your newsletter.
> Hats off to the USPS. 10 Hour delivery. Awsome!
>
> _______________________________________________
> SJAABoard mailing list
> SJAABoard@sjaa.net
> http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard
From wb6yru at aenet.net Sun Oct 22 16:47:37 2006
From: wb6yru at aenet.net (Gary Mitchell)
Date: Sun Oct 22 16:44:27 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Ephemeris Mail Test #3
In-Reply-To: <20061022150624.R60054@koopm.best.vwh.net>
References: <20061022150624.R60054@koopm.best.vwh.net>
Message-ID: <453C0319.40508@aenet.net>
Michael Koop wrote:
> Just posted to SJAA Announce about the Ephemeris Bulk Mail Test #3.
> Please post to this list when you recieved your newsletter.
That shouldn't be sent to the announce list. Very few of us need
to know the results.
Gary
From craigus at rocketmail.com Sun Oct 22 19:35:01 2006
From: craigus at rocketmail.com (Craig Scull)
Date: Sun Oct 22 19:35:08 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] October 7 , 2006 - Draft SJAA Board Meeting Minutes
In-Reply-To: <4538435B.5030205@aenet.net>
Message-ID: <20061023023502.21252.qmail@web54508.mail.yahoo.com>
We all approved it. There were no abstaintions. I will note this in the minutes.
Gary Mitchell wrote:
Craig Scull wrote:
> -------------------------------------
> Calstar Debrief
> -------------------------------------
> Gary passes a motion that Calstar be a "dark sky party" with rules that are appropriate to ensure this.
>
> The meeting was adjourned at 7:58pm
I just made the motion, I can't pass it.
What happened with the vote?
Gary
_______________________________________________
SJAABoard mailing list
SJAABoard@sjaa.net
http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaaboard/attachments/20061022/a31b6977/attachment.html
From robhawley at earthlink.net Fri Oct 27 12:36:37 2006
From: robhawley at earthlink.net (Rob Hawley)
Date: Fri Oct 27 12:36:42 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] October 7 , 2006 - Draft SJAA Board Meeting Minutes
In-Reply-To: <20061023023502.21252.qmail@web54508.mail.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <012601c6f9ff$39381030$0300a8c0@robathome>
That is what I remember. My recollection is that we dithered around until
the meeting ended. I planned to ask that CalStar be moved to the top of next
week's agenda so we could finish.
Rob Hawley
________________________________
From: sjaaboard-bounces@sjaa.net [mailto:sjaaboard-bounces@sjaa.net]
On Behalf Of Craig Scull
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 7:35 PM
To: Business list for SJAA board of directors and members
Subject: Re: [SJAABoard] October 7 , 2006 - Draft SJAA Board Meeting
Minutes
We all approved it. There were no abstaintions. I will note this in
the minutes.
Gary Mitchell wrote:
Craig Scull wrote:
> -------------------------------------
> Calstar Debrief
> -------------------------------------
> Gary passes a motion that Calstar be a "dark sky party"
with rules that are appropriate to ensure this.
>
> The meeting was adjourned at 7:58pm
I just made the motion, I can't pass it.
What happened with the vote?
Gary
_______________________________________________
SJAABoard mailing list
SJAABoard@sjaa.net
http://www.sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard
From jvn at svpal.org Fri Oct 27 15:25:16 2006
From: jvn at svpal.org (Jim Van Nuland)
Date: Fri Oct 27 15:27:19 2006
Subject: [SJAABoard] Re: School star party statistics
References: <44FF6EC5.5E91@svpal.org> <4526CC85.7A3F@svpal.org>
Message-ID: <4542874C.6A8B@svpal.org>
Hi, All,
Here are the tallies as of Oct.27, for the school star party program.
It's been a busy month scheduling events.
Events conducted in Aug: 1
Events conducted in Sep: 1
Events conducted in Oct: 2 with 2 to go
Firm Provisional, explanation
Nov 12 0
Dec 0 3 (2 rain dates, one pending)
Jan 5 1 rain date
Feb 4 1 pending
Mar 5 0
Apr 0 1 rain date
Nov 1 0 (next school year)
Clear Skies!
--
Jim Van Nuland, San Jose (California) Astronomical Association
JVN's web site