[Sjaa-board] June 7 2009 - SJAA FINAL Board Meeting Minutes

[Greg Claytor]

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June 7 2009 - SJAA Board Meeting Minutes
- Greg Claytor
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Members present
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Robert Armstrong - Treasurer
Greg Claytor - Secretary
Lee Hoglan
Rich Neuschaefer - President
Rod Norden
Gordon Reade
Kevin Roberts - absent
Mark Wagner

Robert Armstrong, Greg Claytor, Lee Hoglan, Rich Neuschaefer, Rod Norden, Gordon Reade and Mark Wagner were present.  Kevin Roberts was absent.  Notice was received prior to absence.

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Meeting Called to Order - Rich Neuschaefer
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Meeting called to order at or about 6:42pm

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Review May Meeting Minutes
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May minutes will be reviewed in July due to secretary not getting the minutes to the board until an hour before the June meeting.

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Treasurer's report - Robert Armstrong
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Robert submitted and presented account summaries to the board.  Detail can be viewed at SJAA.net under Board mailing list archives.

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Beginner's Astronomy Class - Rod Norden/Gordon Reade
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Rod expanded on a new class format which would review seasonal constellations, describe the mythology and would be followed by a outside session where the instructor would use a green laser pointer to point out where the constellations are in the sky.  He went on to suggest that the class would then move back indoors to review deep sky objects viewable in those constellations through a telescope.  Then the class would move back outside to find them through scopes.

Gordon then added that he would like to put together a class about the history of the telescope and possibly Fermi's paradox.  He later committed to lead the June 12th beginner's class.

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Observatory Fund - 
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Rich reiterated that it doesn't make sense for the SJAA to have its own observatory as the FPO has one and others are available throughout the Bay Area.  He mentioned that this sentiment was shared by others he's had discussions with.  Greg mentioned that he had not gotten the requirements for nor place the ad in the San Jose Mercury News providing public notice of the clubs intention to divert observatory funds to other programs and projects as yet to be determined.

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School Star Party Program - Gordon Reade
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Gordon mentioned that the school star party schedule is winding down with schools closing for summer.  Rich mentioned that he had volunteered to help out at the Tech museum.  It was chaos.  Current school Star Party information is available at SJAA.net and can be viewed here: http://sjaa.net/school/current.htm#free

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Membership - Mark Wagner
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Mark mentioned that membership had dropped by 16 members.  He went on to mention that he'd sent out reminders and several people had responded immediately. Overall membership is stable.  Membership detail can be viewed at SJAA.net under Board mailing list archives.

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Loaner Program - Lee Hoglan
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Lee handed out a report detailing the SJAA telescope loaner inventory.  He mentioned that several have been on extended loan and suggested we contact persons in possession of those scopes and get them back.  It was then suggested we'd need a place to put them.  Rich asked the board to tour the storage room in the front of building one.  It was determined that it was adequate and secure enough to store SJAA loaner scopes.

Lee also mentioned there are three SCTs in "available" inventory, but that they may be superfluous as we have many more out on loan.  It was discussed that we'll allow them to go out on loan, but sell them at auction next year.  He went on to mention that there were several incomplete scopes as well and it was decided they too will be held onto for the 2010 auction. 

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Coverage for Upcoming Events
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Coverage for upcoming activities was discussed.  Coverage was assigned and no activities were left without coverage.

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Hogue/ PRN
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Mark stated that the City is close to putting the contract into our hands.  Robert is addressing the TB testing problem with the city at the state level.

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By-Law Changes - Robert Armstrong
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Deferred until next month.

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AANC - Mark Wagner
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Mark mentioned he's drafted a letter to the AANC concerning a Grant to the SJAA for CALStar '09 insurance and will send it tonight via email as the AANC is meeting tomorrow.

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Ephemeris as Electronic by Default - Mark Wagner
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Mark said the mailing of the newsletter is the single biggest club expense representing several thousand dollars a year.  He suggested this money could be better spent on loaner scopes or other programs.  There was discussion about whether to charge members extra to deliver the newsletter via USPS or charge less to those choosing electronic delivery.  

Rich made a motion to keep membership at $20.00 for those choosing to continue receiving the ephemeris via USPS and to reduce membership by $1.00 to $19.00 for those choosing electronic delivery.  Mark seconded the motion.  Discussion ensued and the motion rescinded.

Rich made a new motion that we change the delivery of the Ephemeris to electronic by default.  Mark seconded.  The motion was unanimous.  There were no abstentions or oppositions.

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Meeting Adjourned - Rich 
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Rich motioned to adjourn the meeting at or about 8:00.  Mark Seconded.  Motion carried unanimously.  There were no abstentions or oppositions.
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