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CFAS Monthly Board Meeting Minutes

CFAS Monthly Board Meeting Minutes

January 19, 2005


Attendees:

Paul Kronenwetter

Robert Vogel

Walt Hamler

Ray Jones

Francisco Gonzalez

Tony Urzi

David Furrow

Alan Hoffberg

Tom Chitty

Derek Demeter


Larry Lurie


Guests: (None)


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

The meeting was called to order at 6:59pm


  1. Secretary's Report

A request was made for comments and changes to the December board meeting minutes. Several updates were processed via email before the final version was reviewed. Alan made a motion to approve the minutes as amended via email. Francisco seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.


  1. Treasurer's Report

Alan explained the treasurer's report and reviewed the current investment policy. Different investment options were briefly discussed in preparation for the time that the organization has investment funds to balance the conservative debit instruments we currently hold.

Alan also reminded us that all receipts and invoices should be submitted to him by the end of the month in which the purchase was made to avoid non-reimbursement of that item. Also, in order for purchases to be tax-exempt you must use cash or a CFAS check.

Walt motioned to approve the treasurer's report. Paul seconded. The report was accepted unanimously.


  1. Agenda Items

    1. Astrofest 2006

      1. Will be held at the Chiefland Astronomy Village

      2. March 31 and April 1

      3. CFAS will collect the Chiefland $5 / night observing fee.

      4. CFAS will also collect the Chiefland $5 / night RV hookup fee.

      5. The same catering company will be used.

      6. Paul will create the registration form once the Chiefland charging rules are understood.

    2. Dark Sky Event at Harmony. April 1st, 2006

      1. Walt gave the board some background on the Dark Sky Festival.

      2. Walt received an email today explaining that the event will be held instead on November 11th, following Osceola County's outdoor activity event.

    3. Equipment needs for the Ocala site

      1. Ray found a potential Port-a-potty for use at the Ocala site.

      2. The board also discussed power requirements at the Ocala site. The current generator is quite loud and uncomfortable to listen to. Walt found a small 1850W generator that is much quieter and easier to handle. This would allow the board, should it choose to do so, sell the larger generator and trailer.

      3. Ray suggested the board purchase the port-a-potty and tent for use at Ocala.

      4. Walt suggested the board try to sell the generator and trailer.

      5. Francisco motioned to sell the current generator and purchase the smaller generator to replace it. Tony seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

      6. Ray motioned to purchase the proposed port-a-potty and tent combination. Tom seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

    4. Harmony Viewing

      1. Road construction has begun. Only the old observing site is available now. The only usable observing site will accommodate 10 people comfortably.

    5. Seminole County Regional Science Fair, February 18th, 2006 (Judges)

      1. Information on what we would be judging will not be released until January 20th. Walt will provide information when it becomes available.


  1. Committee Reports

    1. Membership -

      1. New Members for December:

        1. Debbie Frank

        2. Nathan Owen

        3. Connie Ettelson

        4. Peter Gilbert

        5. Mike Pendley

        6. Kris Schave

        7. Greg Shalstrom

        8. Sharon E. & Michael Davis

        9. Miguel A. Ramos


      1. Ray moved to accept these membership applications, Tom seconded this motion. The board voted to accept the membership applications from the above families.


    1. Programs

      1. February (OSC)

        • Dr. Campins


    1. DSAC/Library

      1. Walt and Derek presented ideas for a “Dark Horizon” exhibit. The idea was well received. The next step is to start developing the exhibit.

      2. Derek is planning to join the SCC Health and Safety committee to provide insight on lighting changes that might be made.

      3. Walt made contact with the Mayor of Winter Springs and provided him with information on full-cutoff lights.


    1. Publicity

      1. Need to re-order T-shirts. Sales have been going well. We're out of XL, 2XL, and Medium. No action was taken.

      2. David brought up an offer by Yahoo to place our logo on merchandise. The board discussed concerns over the quality of the items produced. No action was taken.


    1. Orlando Science Center

      1. Email from Dale Rodgers – Gee Whizdom Program

        1. Gee Whizdom is a new program that instructs older volunteers how to tell stories and helps them to embellish “canned” stories with their own experiences.


    1. Board Members at Large

      1. No members have contacted BMALs this month.

      2. Francisco contacted one of the members and provided feedback that the website doesn't have some information such as what's “up” in the sky for a given month. Tom agreed to provide some additional information to Paul for the site.

      3. The member also suggested a “how-to” or “why” question and answer period during the general meeting.

      4. David brought up the problem of removing former members from the CFAS-FL Yahoo group. The board decided to collect more information before trying to address this problem again.


    1. Observing

      1. Monthly Observing Plans

        1. February plans will be published soon.


    1. Education and Outreach

      1. Wiregrass Prairie, January 21st, 2006

      2. Ocala Observing, January 28th, 2006

        1. Both Friday and Saturday are available for each month if the weather is poor so that the day can be switched if desired.

      3. Todd Parker Observing Program, February 4th, 2006

      4. Lockhart Elementary, February 9th, 2006 at 7:00-8:30pm

      5. Todd Parker received a request from the Boy Scouts on February 11th, 2006.

      6. Tom received a request from Odyssey Middle school for an observing session on either March 21st or March 28th.


      1. Harmony Site

        1. No discussion.


      1. SCC Star Range

        1. No discussion.


    1. Robinson

      1. No money will be spent to repair the Robinson Observatory.

      2. Observing nights will be outside telescope use.

      3. Robinson information will be removed from the website.

      4. Ray briefly outlined the university's plans for the observatory.

      5. The TEC-140, eyepieces and other CFAS equipment at the Robinson observatory has been transferred to one of the board members for storage.


    1. Astrolog Editor

      1. The next deadline is Friday March 10th.


    1. Scientific Committee

      1. Inactive


    1. NASA Night Sky Network

      1. Teleconference is on January 31st. Assembling a Jigsaw Puzzle picture of the universe.

      2. Orion Nebula Unveiled information on the NNSN site has been made available.

      3. A new toolkit “Telescopes on the Universe” has arrived.


    1. Webmaster

      1. SCC information will be removed from the website. The information will still be available, should observing at the site resume.

      2. Robinson information will also be removed in the same manner.


  1. Old Business

    1. No old business was discussed.


  1. New Business

    1. No new business was brought forward.


  1. Motion to Adjourn

    1. Paul motioned to adjourn the meeting, Francisco seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:08pm.


/s/ Paul Kronenwetter – CFAS Secretary