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Board_200506

CFAS Monthly Board Meeting Minutes

June 16, 2005

Attendees:

Paul Kronenwetter

Francisco Gonzalez

David Furrow

Ray Jones

Tony Urzi

Tom Chitty

Frank Sperl

Guests: None

President's Call to order. Welcoming remarks.

Meeting was called to order at 19:01
Secretary's Report

Request was made for comments and changes to the May board meeting minutes sent via email prior to the meeting. No additional changes were suggested. Dave moved to accept the minutes as distributed, Tom Seconded. The May minutes were approved unanimously.
Treasurer's Report

Ray briefly reviewed the summary report. Membership renewals are still short of our goal for the year. We also haven't spent as much as budgeted. Paul proposed to accept the treasurer's report. Ray moved to accept the motion, Dave seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Items
1. Special Impact viewing – So far there's been no interest from the scientific community.
2. Robinson Observatory status – Dome is completely out of commission. A repair outing to the telescope will be made at 8am on Saturday the 18^th.
3. Astronomy course DVD – Great Courses Astronomy on sale and may be a beneficial addition to the library. Ray will investigate and possibly purchase. ~$150.
4. Request for CFAS Sun telescope – Ray suggested CFAS might be interested in obtaining a solar 'scope. Paul suggested that we might be able to get it donated or at a discount. The board asks Walt to investigate an appropriate solar telescope and report back with suggestions and potential costs. Potential capability would be to mount on an existing telescope such as the TEC-140 or a member's telescope.
Committee Reports
1. Membership
  - New Members for June: Jack Nolin, Rick Whalen, Richard White, Richard Hansen, Kenneth Harpster. The vote to approve membership for the new members passed with 0 No votes and 6 Yes votes: (All board members present voted to approve)
2. Programs
  - June: Constellation of the month : (Tom Chitty)
  - July: CCD imaging: Alan Chen
  - October: Derek Demeter will give a planetarium show on mis-guided astronomy.
  - November: Gadget night
3. DSAC/Library
  - Ray has requested a program by DSAC be presented before the end of the year. Perhaps Mr. Vogel will be willing to do this.
  - Harmony's new ordinance is being sent to Ray so that the proper award can be presented.
4. Observing
  - Ray will ask Walt to generate information about unlisted loaner telescopes for the website. The TEC-140 and Meade 12” should also be included, even though they're not strictly loaner telescopes.
5. Education and Outreach
  - Presentation and view at the Geneva Wilderness site was attended by 5 people. Tom & Tony presented Introduction to Astronomy and it was well received.
6. Robinson
  - Training will not be held until after the dome has been fully repaired.
  - The company who manufactured the dome is sending the correct springs to us.
7. Astrolog Editor
  - Ray reminded the board that Astrolog inputs are due to Tom immediately.
8. NASA Night Sky Network
  - Paul will write an article expressing concern over CFAS's lack of participation in the network.
9. Webmaster
  - The loaner telescopes page was restored from the original site once Ray realized it was missing.
  - Links to member websites will be restored.
  - Send web statistics to Ray & Tom.
Old Business
1. Orlando Museum of Art - Frank suggested that the display should be opened up to non-members with CFAS participation in the organization and presentation of the exhibit. The board agreed that this is a good idea.
New Business
1. Frank made a motion to purchase the eyepiece from the Harmony Foundation for use with the TEC-140 for $100. David proposed the motion, Francisco seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Frank made a motion to start a 50/50 raffle at general membership meetings. The motion was tabled pending BMAL polling of the membership.
3. Cosmos/1 launch on June 21^st
Motion to Adjourn

Ray motioned to adjourn the meeting, Francisco seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 20:27.