August 2009 Board meeting

RAS Board Meeting August 17, 2009

 Attendees:

  • Jim Browder, President
  • Gary Cowardin, Vice President
  • Jim Blowers, Treasurer
  • Chris McCann, Secretary
  • John Barnett, Observatory Director
  • Preston Kirby
  • Bill Jeffries
  • Jeff Pike 

Treasurer’s report given by Jim Blowers.

Balance Summary:

  • General Fund:                $7150.85
  • Observatory Fund:           $198.28
  • TOTAL:                         $7349.13
  • Checking Account:        $2327.47
  • Savings Account:           $2857.22
  • Certificate of Deposit:    $2164.44
  • Pay Pal Acct:                          0.00
  • TOTAL:                          $7349.13

Treasurer’s report approved by board.

 
Observatory Report:

  • John Barnett reported that grass  cutting is going well, and gave a general reminder of the maintenance schedule (grass cutting, …) duties through October, 2009.
  • John reported that a section of the fence is still falling down and allows entrance into the RAS Observatory property.  John will attempt to meet with the RAS legal authority and our Chesterfield political authority. He has been in conversation with Reverend Wilson about the common fence that is between the shopping center and all adjacent properties.  According to arrangements made long ago, the shopping center is responsible for repairing the fence.
  • Three (3) formal training classes will be planned in late October for new staff members.  Classes will cover the overall set-up and history, a telescope demo (securing the telescope), and finding objects with the telescope.
  •  There was a concern about the observatory funds falling off in the budget.
  • He was interested in looking into the use of solar panels for some of the electrical power. 

 

New Business:

  • Concerned about the new website to be used by RAS, including login for editing, brightness of screen if it was to used during night observing (consider dark background).  Preston Kirby made a motion to conditionally accept the new RAS website, with a provision to go back to the old one in a year if necessary.  Passed with 1 abstention.
  • Brief discussion about the loaning of RAS telescopes to club members.  It was strongly suggested that contracts need to be written and signed by both parties, for reasons of tracking the location of RAS equipment.
  • Concerns over the use of the new Yahoo blog site, separate from the new RAS webpage.  Result:  traffic is low, so blog site will be discontinued.  It was decided that future RAS communications (webpages) will not be separate from the website, but will be developed “through” the RAS website.
  • RAS 60th anniversary:  Suggestion made for a full catered picnic and observation activities to be held at the Boy Scout camp in Maidens.  Most members felt as if the observatory activity would keep spouses away.  The board decided to consider having a similar event as the 50th anniversary at Embassy Suites.  A decision was made for Preston to research what was available at area hotels and meeting facilities.  Instead of having the celebration close to the actual October 15 anniversary, the dinner can be held at a local establishment in early December and will replace our standard December party.  Possible speaker candidate (Kathy Thornton) was mentioned.  There was an idea to get original RAS documents and photos, and have them on display at the dinner. 
  • Jim Browder reminded us about the website called Café Press, where items with the RAS logo are for sale. 
  • Jeff Pike volunteered to be the Chairman of the 2010 RAS Board Nomination Committee.  He will be assisted by Chris McCann.

 

 

Next Board meeting will be Monday, November 16th, 2009 at Extra Billy’s at 7pm.  If you want to come early for dinner, come by at 6pm.

 

  • Meeting was adjourned at 8:31pm.