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Board_200505

CFAS Monthly Board Meeting Minutes

May 19, 2005


Attendees:

Ray Jones

Laurence Lurie

Frank Gutkowski

Walt Hamler

Paul Kronenwetter

Tony Urzi

Francisco Gonzales

Frank Sperl


Guests: None


  1. President's Call to order. Welcoming remarks.

    Meeting was called to order at 18:59

  2. Secretary's Report

    Request was made for comments and changes to the April board meeting minutes. Ray suggested a change via email to the item where Paul and Francisco were elected. Alan indicated he would send new membership information in an email. Those individuals are reflected in the corrected April minutes. No additional changes were suggested. Larry moved to accept the minutes as changed, Frank G. Seconded. The April minutes were approved unanimously.

  3. Treasurer's Report

    Ray briefly reviewed the summary report. Larry proposed to accept the treasurer's report. Walt moved to accept the motion, Frank S. seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

  4. Agenda Items

    1. UCF Scholarship information – No information was received from the University by the end of the term.

    2. Membership drive status – Two new members but no additional activities are planned.

    3. Sanford Viewing – First activity was less successful than we had hoped. The mosquitos were rampant and the location was not very active after dark. Solar viewing was discussed as a possible alternative as more people are typically present.

    4. Robinson Observatory status – The springs ordered were not the correct part. The shutters are still inoperable.

  5. Committee Reports

    1. Membership

      • New Members for May: Richard Hansen & Kenneth Harpster. The vote to approve membership for Richard and Kenneth passed with 0 No votes and 8 Yes votes: (All board members present voted to approve)

      • Review new member package. Frank Gutowski – Frank requested higher quality images of the loaner telescopes from each of the custodians to be included in the welcome letter.

    2. Programs

      • June: NASA Program at SCC. Mr. Thomas Howard Smith will speak to us regarding future NASA projects and payloads.

      • June: Constellation of the month : (Tom Chitty)

      • July: CCD imaging: Alan Chen

    3. DSAC/Library

      • How do we get started again? - Ray will plug DSAC more during the next meeting and.

      • New Harmony ordnance?

    4. Publicity – Nothing new.

      • Deep impact event will not be visible until the following evening.

      • Solar sail is due to be launched in the near future. This may make an interesting public event as the craft will be quite bright.

    5. Orlando Science Center

      • OSC again requested images of Frank's mirror grinding machine.

    6. Board Members at Large

      • Requested to talk to membership and get feedback regarding new time and place schedule.

    7. Observing

      • Lake Eola branch of the Orange county library system on June 17th

      • Walt received a proposal from the Club at Hammock Beach in Palm Coast to provide viewing opportunities at the resort four or five times during the summer. The board agreed that this is too far for members to drive and the return on invested time is too little for this particular location.

    8. Education and Outreach

      • Walt proposed that someone publish a group of double stars to find during the month as a way to better engage the membership in active observing.

    9. Robinson

      • UCF didn't pursue NASA grants as they were targeted more toward professional research uses rather than public outreach.

    10. Astrolog Editor

      • June 12th is the deadline for the next Astrolog edition.

    11. Scientific Committee

      • Program for 2005? - In search of a new chairperson. Jason Higley may be interested in taking that position.

      • Deep Impact Participation?

    12. NASA Night Sky Network

      • Received official Black Hole Survival Toolkit

    13. Webmaster

      • Received positive comments on new layout

      • Added photo gallery to new site

  6. Old Business

    1. 3 Lakes Wilderness Outing Area – No activity

    2. Harmony Observatory

    3. Orlando Museum of Art Program (Alan Hoffberg)

    4. Pictures for Harmony Club House

  7. New Business

    1. Viewing opportunities – South (Below Sebring) – Ray will investigate the land previously discussed to see if it's suitable for CFAS to use. The land in question is approximately 12000 acres.

  8. Motion to Adjourn

    Larry motioned to adjourn the meeting, Walt seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 20:27.