CFAS Monthly Board Meeting Minutes
CFAS Monthly Board Meeting Minutes
October 15th, 2003
Board members present:
Ray Jones
Joseph Strait
Frank Sperl
Paul Kronenwetter
David Furrow
Laurence Lurie
Pat Weeks
Jean Bassick
Ray Jones, as newly elected President, called the October meeting to order at 7:00 PM at Dan’s Family restaurant.
Ray thanked last year’s team and expressed his appreciation for their efforts in making major improvements to CFAS.
He further stated: “I welcome the chance to lead CFAS this upcoming year, and am very pleased with the new officers and committee chairman. I look forward to working with each of you to sustain CFAS at its present high level of activity and service. My main effort this year is to ensure that the many new initiatives become fully integrated within the organization. I believe that this can only be achieved through greater participation by the membership. To this end I will be recommending some reorganization of committees so that more members can be involved, and that individual work loads can be reduced. I urge each of us to remember this is a volunteer organization, and our work on the board should be a source of enjoyment and pride.”
Ray stated that he would like to create a new committee that would be responsible for the society’s commitments with Robinson Observatory and to serve as a liaison with UCF. Ray proposed that the Rules be changed to incorporate this plus additional duties for the Vice President. Pat Weeks made a motion to accept the proposed Rule changes as submitted by the president, it was seconded by Joseph Strait, and approved by the Board. (Copy attached).
Ray announced the following proposed committee chairs for the coming year:
Observing – Walt Hamler,
Robinson – Ray Jones,
Membership – Jean Bassick,
Publicity – Joseph Strait,
Orlando Science Center - Laurence Lurie,
Dark Sky – Laurent Pellerin,
Education and Education Outreach Subcommittee– Todd Parker
Laurence Lurie made motion to accept the above committee members and it was seconded and approved by the Board.
Ray reported that the treasurer could not be present, but had submitted his report to the board. Committee chairs were reminded that budgets were due to the Treasurer by the next board meeting in order to prepare next year’s budget for the December general meeting.
Ray proposed changes to the Society’s Bylaws. The changes would remove section 16 of the Bylaws that pertains to affiliate clubs. CFAS has no affiliate clubs currently and no plans to support them in the future. The section can be re-written and re-added later if necessary.
Walt Hamler made a motion to approve the proposed Bylaw changes; it was seconded and approved by the Board. (Copy attached)
Pat Weeks asked what constitutes an honorary member. It was clarified as someone who makes a significant contribution to CFAS or the Astronomy field in general. Honorary membership is for a term of 1 year.
A final vote to approve the Rules and Bylaws will be held at the next General Meeting.
Secretary’s Report: It was moved and seconded to accept the CFAS Monthly Board meeting minutes from the September 17th, 2003 meeting.
Membership Committee: Jean Bassick announced that Karen Boukather had applied for membership. The Board voted for approving her request.
Programs: Pat Weeks said that Gil Gagne would present a program on amateur telescope making at the November General Meeting.
Pat Weeks volunteered to bring snacks for the November meeting.
Joseph Strait volunteered to bring snacks for the January meeting.
DSAC: No report from the Dark Skies Committee.
Publicity Committee: Joe Strait developed a brochure to give to members and beginning amateurs and presented it to the group. Walt Hamler asked about the costs and was quoted a price by Joe. Laurence Lurie made a motion to authorize Joe to create the brochures after the final draft was sent to Board members.
OSC Committee: Larry Lurie reminded everyone that the next OSC meeting is in March 2004. Ray added that more CFAS volunteers are needed to support OSC and to encourage the general membership to help where they can.
BMAL: Frank Sperl presented a survey that he had prepared to poll the general membership. The survey is intended to help the Board prepare tailored programs, select dark viewing sites, and other purposes. Paul Kronenwetter will put a copy on the web for members to download.
Observing: Walt Hamler passed out the proposed 2004 viewing schedule.
Walt mentioned that CFAS support for public events at the Robinson Observatory would not be needed during the summer or during school vacations.
Frank Sperl brought up and the Board discussed the need to keep TNC as a regular viewing site now that the Harmony site was being used. Frank Sperl made a motion to discontinue TNC as an officially sponsored CFAS viewing site. The motion was seconded and the Board approved.
Walt discussed the scope of the responsibilities of the Education committee and stated that smaller groups such as Girl Scout troops and small clubs were not large enough to support individual presentations. It was decided to continue presenting such requests to the general membership to see if there was interest in fulfilling the request by individual members but not to support these requests at the committee level.
Walt announced that Phil Reed could help with coordinating viewing events at the Harmony site. David Furrow agreed to talk with Phil and work together to set-up the next Harmony viewing.
Joseph Strait agreed to write a letter requested by the Harmony Institute that gives the advantages of having dark skies for all people.
Ray stated that he would work with Alan Hoffberg to move budgeted funds in order to purchase a laser collimator for the Robinson telescope.
New Business: Frank Sperl mentioned the CFAS should support a $500 scholarship at UCF. Ray added that CFAS also needs to find a way to help support SCC, such as helping the planetarium. Ray suggested that CFAS could use some of the investment interest to help with supporting both universities. Frank Sperl made a motion to create an adhoc committee to identify ways of helping UCF and SCC. It was seconded by Joe Strait and approved by the Board.
Board meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.