2017 MAY Board Meeting
Attending: Jim Blowers, Matthew Roy, Mike Pitchford, Jim Browder, Mike Lico, John Raymond (Observatory Director, non board member), Ken Wilson, Tyler Hutchison, Madhup Rathi, Terry Barker
Secretary report: One member didn’t get his May Astronomy magazine. Report accepted.
Treasurer report: Accepted.
Observatory report: The tree on a power line has been removed by Dominion. John Barnett is planning some observatory sessions. John Raymond made a motion to budget $400 for a lawn mowing service for the summer months. Approved. There was a discussion about doing more at our meetings to promote observatory use.
Library report: No report.
Education report: We had good a Astronomy Day turnout and member participation. A suggestion was made to have a banner next year, and possibly a greeter with flyers to hand out. Possibly place an ad on NPR, and also possibly contact NPR about attending one of our skywatches. A suggestion was made to offer to set up telescopes for one of the local NPR station’s fund drives.
Mike Pitchford offered to donate a water bottle rocket launcher.
Ken Wilson and Ray Moody hosted a skywatch for Maggie Walker. They had about 6 attendees.
Jim Browder held a daytime presentation for Beulah Elementary. Terry Barker and Madhup Rathi helped Short Pump Middle with a skywatch. Terry led a Chesterfield County skywatch.
There was a discussion about reviving the “buddy” system for visitors at meetings.
New business: Jim Browder has created 501C3 paperwork. No decision has been made on a Bellmead sale. Mailchimp is working well for the web site, but some services are marking it as spam.
We are attempting to renew skywatches at Powhatan State Park. A possible new site is being explored at Leakes Mill Park in Goochland.
Next board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 28 (because of the eclipse on the 21st).
Meeting adjourned.