CFAS Monthly Board Meeting Minutes
CFAS Monthly Board Meeting Minutes
February 18th, 2004
Board members present:
Ray Jones
Frank Sperl
Jean Bassick
Paul Kronenwetter
David Furrow
Frank Gutowski
Laurence Lurie
Pat Weeks
Walt Hamler
Guests present:
Michael Liguori
Greg Golgowski
Ray Jones called the February meeting to order at 7:15 PM at Dan’s Family restaurant.
Old business:
Greg Golgowski, our Harmony liaison, discussed the status of the planned observatory at Harmony and requested CFAS guidance on observatory designs. A meeting was planned for the March viewing to discuss specifics.
The board discussed the status of Astrofest 2004. Paul Kronenwetter confirmed that the lunch plans for the BBQ were on track and progressing. David Furrow stated that he would put a registration announcement out on the Yahoo group site. Ray Jones asked that if anyone was interested in donating a door prize for the drawing that they contact Larry Lurie.
New business:
Greg Golgowski discussed Harmony’s plans for Astronomy Day on April 24th and invited CFAS to participate in the events. He asked if CFAS would be willing to do a presentation and perhaps donate a door prize for the event. The board supported the idea of helping with the event and would discuss the door prize request at the next meeting.
Ray Jones introduced Frank Gutowski and stated that Frank was interested in serving as Membership Chairman. Larry Lurie made a motion to accept Frank Gutowski as the new Membership Chairman. Pat Weeks seconded the motion and the motions was approved by the board.
Ray Jones introduced Michael Liguori and stated that Michael had expressed an interest in serving as the Science Committee Chairman. Ray and the rest of the board members discussed the role with Michael and asked that he let the board know if he was interested in the position.
Ray announced that as a member of the NASA Night Sky Network (NNSN) that CFAS was obligated to provide 5 presentations on NNSN topics each year to remain a qualified member. He also stated that Paul Kronenwetter would now be the NNSN primary contact.
Secretary:
Walt Hamler made a motion to accept the December 2003 and January 2004 board meeting minutes. Pat Weeks seconded the motion and the board approved.
Treasurer:
In Alan Hoffberg’s absence Ray Jones presented the Treasurers report. David Furrow made a motion to accept the report, it was seconded by Frank Sperl, and approved by the board.
Membership:
Jean Bassick presented new CFAS members to be approved by the board. The motion was seconded and approved by the board.
Ray Jones announced that a member had approached him regarding a membership credit for a general meeting presentation that they had given during the previous year. The membership credit rules had changed in the intervening time and the member asked if they would be give the full year’s credit as under the old rules. Larry Lurie made a motion to give the member a 1-year membership credit. The board discussed the motion and if it should apply. The motion was seconded by Pat Weeks and voted on by the board. The motion carried with 6 members for the motion and 1 against.
Programs:
Ray announced that the “Constellation of the Month” presentation that is given each month at the general meeting was being replaced with a presentation of upcoming astronomical events given by Laurent Pellerin.
Pat Weeks announced that Dr. Laura Woodney would give the March presentation and that the April presentation would be on magnetism.
Publicity:
No report from the publicity committee.
Orlando Science Center:
Larry Lurie stated that the OSC was trying to arrange a meeting to discuss the docent program.
BMAL:
Paul Kronenwetter and Frank Sperl announced that the membership survey showed a desire for more “How To” presentations at the general meeting.
Observing:
Ray stated that he was trying to find a inexpensive travel trailer to hold and transport the CFAS electric generator.
Walt Hamler announced that Princeton Elementary school would be having a night viewing and that dinner would be provided to volunteers that participated.
Walt stated that a beginning observing class is to be presented at the Astrofest event and that Steve Neal would probably give a presentation on the Messier marathon at Astrofest.
Robinson Committee:
Ray Jones stated that Dr. Laura Woodney is the new observatory director at UCF and that he would be meeting with her to discuss the future direction of the UCF observatory.
Ray also announced that UCF would be purchasing various portable telescopes for their labs and visitor viewing nights. He also stated that the UCF engineering department was making very good progress in upgrading the electronics of the Tinsley telscope.
DSAC:
No report from DSAC.
Science Committee:
The science committee chair remains open.
Astrolog Committee:
The Astrolog committee chair remains open.
Librarian:
Ray displayed a set of DVD’s that had been purchased for the CFAS library.
A motion to adjourn was made at 9:00pm, it was seconded, and the meeting adjourned