CFAS Monthly Board Meeting Minutes

These corrections were made to the February minutes:

• Members approved at the February meeting:

• Membership renewal rates are $35 for Regular and $50 for Patron.

• Some other minor corrections (spelling, grammatical, date, etc...) will also be made.

Walt moved to accept and Dave seconded. Corrected minutes were unanimously approved.

Andy Williams has formally resigned as secretary for personal reasons.

Funds received and disbursed to Chiefland Astronomy Village were discussed. Treasurer’s report was discussed briefly. Larry moved to approve the treasurer’s report, Frank seconded. The report was unanimously approved.

Agenda Items:

Astrofest

Astrofest was a great success with very dark skies well into the mornings.

Statistics: 51 attendees, 41 lunches were served.

Items to Improve for next year

• Ladies port-a-potty should be specially marked.

• On-site facilities should be marked CAV members only.

• More signs to direct people to the event should be placed.

• The board will consider alternate means for food next year.

The board agreed that the next Astrofest should be held at Chiefland unless a better location is available.

Harmony Dark Sky

The Harmony Dark Sky Event will be held on April 9^th. Robert Vogel will be coordinating activity for that night.

Members are encouraged to bring scopes and assist.

Partial Solar Eclipse

On April 8^th Robinson observatory will hold a solar observing event before and after the eclipse. Eclipse maximum will be at 3:50pm. Members are encouraged to assist if possible.

General Meeting Details

Discussion on meeting time for the general meetings to be held at 7:00pm instead of 7:30pm. The general meeting will be held at the SCC Planetarium.

There appears to be a different set of people attending OSC vs. SCC. The board considered more of a 50%/50% split between the two. Walt proposed that the schedule alternate between the two locations, except where special situations cause a change. The rotation will start with April at SCC, May at OSC, etc... Tom seconded. The board passed the motion, eight in favor, two opposed.

Ray suggested that we better advertise for the SCC Planetarium during meetings and on our electronic media outlets.

A member of the gun range adjacent to the SCC range offered their range for use. Walt however noted that if the SCC range is in use for night training, the spot lights will be on.

No additional news on the Harmony Observatory. Ray will contact them to renew contact.

Membership:

No new members to approve for March.

Ray proposed that Laurent Pellerin be granted an honorary membership due to the presentations he performs for us throughout the year. Larry made the motion and Dave seconded. The motion was carried unanimously.

Ray requested that the board members volunteer to call a set delinquent members to remind them to renew. Ray will take the list of non-renewed 2004 members and distribute lists to the board members.

Larry requested a letter / form for one year's free CFAS membership for the OSC Astronomy Day drawing. Ray will generate this letter.

Programs:

Program for April meeting will be an Introduction to the Night Sky Network – Black Hole Survival Toolkit by Paul Kronenwetter. Walt will do a constellation of the month.

David requested a speaker from a national speakers from 2005 World Physics year organization. He's not heard from them at this point.

Ray will do the constellation of the month for May. Tom will do June.

Publicity:

Tony is working on the Harmony Dark Sky Festival and Astronomy Day.

Orlando Science Center:

More volunteers are needed for OSC's Astronomy Day event.

BMAL:

No membership issues to report

Night Sky Network:

No report

Observing:

Walt has a request from a librarian from an Orlando school for us to hold an event in June.

There is an event at Princeton Elementary on Sat. April 2 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm.

Walt will be contacting Geneva wilderness area again responding to a request for a program in April.

Ray & Walt will do a program at Herndon library program on April 14^th

Frank mentioned that CFAS assisted UCF at Robinson with an Eola Middle School program with an attendance of about 150 students.

Education/Outreach:

Beginner class at Astrofest was a success as was the Astrophotography lecture.

DSAC:

No report.

The light meter for DSAC will not be recalibrated until an enthusiastic chairperson for DSAC is identified.

Science Committee:

No report

Astrolog Committee:

Tom reminded the board that this Friday is the deadline for the April-May-June edition.

Librarian:

Hunter will be leading a team of volunteers to inventory the collection this weekend.

No new business.

A motion to adjourn was made at 20:45. It was seconded and the meeting was adjourned.