B.C.A.A.S. BOARD MEETING MINUTES

January 23, 2003

The meeting was called to order by President Ron Kunkel at 7:08 PM. In attendance were Ron Kunkel, Paul Becker, Mike Bashore, Melody Gardner, Linda Sensenig, Clarence Sensenig, Ryan Hannahoe, Barry Shupp, Michel Ramsey and Barb Geigle.

It was approved that Ron would purchase Telrad finders and plastic storage containers for the Portaball telescopes and accessories. He will also be making solar filters from some leftover filter material he has. Ron reviewed all the accessories that go with the Unitron. As the components had been separated and stored at various locations, there is a much more complete set than was previously realized. It was decided that for now, we would keep the Unitron and its accessories and try to use them at some of our upcoming events.

There was discussion regarding the museum’s decision to charge a fee for our usual planetarium show in April. In the past, the show was free, but now we will be charged $5 for adults and $3 for children. It was decided that we would plan on having the show this year.

Details for the anniversary banquet were reviewed. Mr. Dobson will arrive Wednesday afternoon and leave on Sunday morning. Ron and Ryan will make his travel arrangements. The cost for his travel expenses and fee will be $800 - $900. He will stay with Dave Brown. On Thursday he will be with Pete Detterline at Kutztown (we will receive $50 from Pete). On Friday we will have a star party at the Berks Heritage Center. Linda has paid the $200 deposit for Chef Alan’s. We will have a buffet that will cost approximately $14 per person. The menu has not yet been determined. There will be a charge of $75 to have a cash bar for 5 hours. Melody has already gotten some decorations, and we expect to spend approximately $100 total for decorations. Barb expects to spend approximately $200 for mailing expenses to contact vendors for door prizes. It was decided that the ticket price would be $35.

Michel Ramsey described the Astronomical League/IDA Winter Star Watching Project, where observations of the Pleiades are requested for the months of February and March. Mike Bashore will put this information on the website, with a link to the Astronomical League’s observation chart for members to print out.

Suggestions for changes to the members meeting agenda were discussed. Ryan is going to look into other possible locations to have our meetings. Ron noted that the problem we had with the December meeting shouldn’t happen again, as he will be sending an email confirmation of our meeting dates to the museum about a week before the meetings. Ron proposed having a "Gadget of the Month" section. Michel will demonstrate her solar telescope in February, and Barb will review the Meade Electronic Eyepiece in March. Barry is willing to discuss cameras.

After researching LCD projectors, Ron recommended a Toshiba projector that would meet the club’s needs at a reasonable price. It was approved that this would be brought up at the February General Meeting for approval. The trailer project has been put on hold, as there are details that need to be worked out before a trailer can be purchased.

Linda will present a proposal to increase club dues at the February meeting.

Mike Bashore reviewed the award packets for the annual Science Fair that will be held the week of March 17. Prizes include the book "Advanced Skywatching", a family membership to BCAAS, and a certificate. Ryan is going to check into telescope time. It was approved that plaques will be purchased for the certificates. Ryan will get the plaques.

We will have public star watches at the Berks Heritage Center on May 9, with a rain date of May 10, and October 17, with no rain date. We will also have a star watch on Thursday, May 15, to coincide with the full lunar eclipse. This will also be our Astronomy Day event. There will also be a star watch with total lunar eclipse on November 8 at the Heritage Center. Paul suggested that we have a binocular raffle at each Heritage Center star watch. This will be brought up at the next Board meeting.

Finally, Ryan mentioned that the Astronomical League is requesting a $100 donation from each club to help with rebuilding the 6 observatories that were destroyed in the wildfires in Australia.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Geigle, Secretary

 

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