B.C.A.A.S. BOARD MEETING MINUTES
March 27, 2003
President Ron Kunkel called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. In attendance were Ron Kunkel, Paul Becker, Linda Sensenig, Barry Shupp, Ryan Hannahoe, Melody Gardner and Barb Geigle. For the Secretary’s report, Barb requested the status of the dues increase, as Linda was unable to attend the March general meeting to give her report. Linda stated that a dues increase wouldn’t be necessary unless we decide to buy the trailer without fundraising. For the Treasurer’s report, Linda gave a balance of $8343.82.Old Business: Anniversary Banquet arrangements were discussed. Ron and Ryan will arrange John Dobson’s air travel. He is now scheduled to arrive on Monday, October 13 and depart Sunday, October 19. As he is coming in two days earlier, plans need to be made for Tuesday and Wednesday to keep him occupied. Ryan is going to check with the Harrisburg Club to see if they want Dobson as they have meetings on Tuesday. Barb suggested that perhaps Dobson could fly directly to Harrisburg on Monday, if they do want him. Ryan may also check with the Chesmont and Delaware Valley Clubs. Banquet tickets will be $35. Mike Bashore will print them and they will go on sale in June or July. Checks should be sent directly to Linda, who will then mail the tickets. A cash bar will cost $25 for set up and then $10 per hour. Melody will need to rent a helium tank to fill the balloons. The Uptown Buffet was selected for the menu, but substitutions can be made. Ron will draft a letter to invite other clubs and email it to Barb, who will look up club addresses and mail the letters. A suggestion was made that a program on the history of the club be put together. Linda is going to check her files to see if she has anything from the early years. She noted that she had given Dave Brown the old Pegasus issues, which she would like back so she can reuse the old Mythology of the Stars articles. Ron will contact Dave. Ron, Melody, Ryan and Linda will work together to put together a power point program, if enough material is available, or a poster board.
Barb will order two pairs of Bushnell binoculars from amazon.com, at $31.49 each. They are 10x50 binoculars, and there is no shipping or tax. Ron thanked Mike Bashore (not present) and Ryan for their work for the Science Fair. Linda mailed new member packets to the six winners.
New Business: There are now two gates at the Flying Field. One has a key lock and their other has a combination lock. Ron has the combination and a key; he will get six keys made. Ron noted that the Flying Club requested a letter on club stationery that includes a hold harmless agreement for the club and the farmer who owns the field. They also requested a donation to help cover some of the cost of maintaining the field. Ron will draft the letter and email it to Barb, who will put in on the letterhead and send it back to Ron for mailing. He will include a check for a $100 donation.
The Messier Marathon scheduled for this weekend is rescheduled for Saturday, April 5 due to weather. Ron will send email notifications. Ron will give a talk on the Milky Way to cub scouts at St. Ignatius church on April 4. This will be a talk only. They want an observing only night also. Melody will try to schedule it for April 11/12, April 25/26 or June 20/21. Earth Day is April 27. Melody already sent in the paperwork, but hasn’t received anything back yet. There will be an astronomy talk and observing at Blue Ball Elementary School on May 23/24 at 7:30. Melody will get directions. There will also be a talk and observing for Girl Scouts at Camp Wood Haven on June 6/7. Ron will provide a talk for Girl Scouts at Penn Laurel Cam during the week of July 21. Ron will confirm the date. Melody sent an email to her contact at Blue Marsh, but has not received a response yet. She will also call Cumru Township. However, this is the guy who cancelled the star watch at Stoudt’s Ferry Playground at the last minute. Dave Brown needs to give us the dates for his programs at Nolde Forest. Ron will send an email to Mike Bashore for the confirmed events.
An informal club watch will be held at sunrise on May 7 for Mercury’s transit across the sun at the Flying Field. Ron Kunkel stated that he received a thank you letter from Linda regarding the Outdoor Expo. He also noted that Susan Stein, from the Reading Eagle, has interviewed him over the phone. He also gave her Dave Brown’s phone number. Linda Sensenig noted that she has a club video on the universe that was narrated by William Shatner. She will give it to Melody to include in the Library.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Geigle, Secretary