General Assembly Minutes

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: none

Minutes were approved as read by Joyce.

Officer and Chair reports:

- Treasurer: We have just under $32,000 now, and we’re just getting ready so send our check to the AL.

- Communications: none

- Member services: Members only night tomorrow at COE

- Equipment: We are looking into getting our own internet connection at COE rather than waiting for the resort.

- Outreach: Next Saturday the 18th, we have an event 3:30-7:30 at the galaxy highland theater for the opening of Star Trek.  Wild Basin the 19th.  June 1^st public night at COE.  June-15^th AUTS at St. Stephens

- IDA: none

- ALCor: none 

New business: Joyce presented EC members vacating their positions with certificates.

Announcements: none

Presentations: Phil Schmidt’s engineering students – The Improved Observing Chair

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

MINUTES FROM GA MEETING 4.12.13

The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m. by President Joyce Lynch. A quorum was present. There were 33 individuals in attendance.

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: Roy, Erica, Rob, Holly, Jim

Minutes were approved as shown. 

Officer and Chair reports:

- Treasurer: none 

- Communications: none

- Member services: none 

- Equipment: none

- Outreach: April – 13^th Public party at COE, 17^th - Astronomy night at St. Edwards, 26^th- Moonlighting at Wild Basin.  May – 2^nd Mills Elementary School, 5^th – Austin Mini Maker Faire. June-15^th AUTS at St. Stephens, 25^th or 27^th – Goddard School 

- IDA: none

- ALCor: none

New business: Election of officers

The entire slate of officers recommended by the nominating committee was approved.

Announcements: The meeting next month is at Wild Basin. 

Presentation: Dawn Davies - Constellations

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: Stephan, Emily (UT students)

Motion to approve minutes was made by Tim Brown, seconded by Mike Krzywonski

Officer and Chair reports:

- Treasurer: We have about $33,000; let Mark know if you are interested in joining.  Stay tuned for more info about the solar scope loaning program.

- Communications: The files section of the website should be available soon, so various materials/presentations will be available then. 

- Member services: The first Friday of each month are our Dam Star Parties.  Announcements (and weather cancellations) will be made in advance.  Messier marathon for tomorrow is cancelled, but we’re going to try again on the 16^th. We are going to award certificates for achievements in the marathon. Erika has some sketching templates available for it as well.

- Equipment: There are some new lights for the path at COE.  Phil Schmidt stated that we should have lights to point out the exit for public nights. 

- Outreach: March- SXSW with UT tonight and tomorrow night, March 23^rd is Earth Hour (7-10pm at city hall); April -Meridian Charter 6th, Public party at COE 13; AUTS June 15^th at St. Stephens (backup date the 29^th).  Merchandise forms will hopefully be available this week on the website.

- IDA: no report

- ALCor: John Huntsberger earned his Messier certificate.

New business: none 

Announcements:

CTSP is the April 5-7 event at COE.  We will be rededicating the Ealing telescope as the Larry Forrest telescope.  We will also be dedicating a new observatory/telescopes donated by member Fred Ruof.  If you are coming to the BBQ on Saturday evening, you will be able pay on the website.

Presentation:  Kim Van Camp – “Life and Accomplishments of William Herschel”

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

MINUTES FROM GA MEETING 2.8.13

The meeting was called to order at 7:45 p.m. by President Joyce Lynch. A quorum was present. There were 42 individuals in attendance.

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: Tom and Kathy, Steve Hill, Sarah, Tara

Motion to approve minutes was made by Mike Krzywonski, seconded by Mark Lyon

Officer and Chair reports:

- Treasurer: We have roughly $32,000.  Anyone wanting to join can see Mark after the meeting.

- Member services: We will have another dam star parting coming up and more practical astronomy meetings coming up.  If you have any topics you’d like to know more about for the practical astronomy meetings, let Tim know. Next month is March, and we are planning to have a Messier marathon. We will have it at the private star party on the 9^th, and we will have a backup date for the 16^th as well.

- Communications: The new Facebook group is going well.  It is not meant to replace the Yahoo! group, but it will help us to reach a wider group of people, so thanks to Tara for helping to get this going. 

- Equipment: none

- Outreach: February- 9th at Blanco State Park (rain or shine), Barton Hills the 15th, Meridian Charter the 23^rd, Deer Creek 26^th. March- 2^nd COE public party, 3^rd at Wild Basin. 8-10^th at SXSW with UT, March 23^rd is Earth Hour, and we will be working with the planetarium people and Steve Bosbach (our IDA representative) on that event.

- IDA: Steve is presenting tonight, and will speak later.

- ALCor: Alan Carruth earned his binocular Messier certificate.

New business: Loaner scope program- Mark Lyon made a motion to buy two additional scopes (up to $1200 each) to add to our loaner program.  Ron Carman seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Announcements:

--A form will be on the website in about another week or so regarding our new merchandise. We will place orders biannually.  Prices may vary some based on order numbers. 

--The nominating committee (Jim Linn, Ross Clark, and Alan Carruth) will be collecting information on those interested in running for office.  The slate must be set by the March meeting, and the election will be at the April meeting. 

--CTSP is the April 5-7 event at COE.  We will be rededicating the Ealing telescope as the Larry Forrest telescope.  We will also be dedicating a new observatory/telescopes donated by member Fred Ruof. 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

MINUTES FROM GA MEETING 1.11.13

The meeting was called to order at 7:36 p.m. by President Joyce Lynch. A quorum was present. There were 42 individuals in attendance.

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: Roger, Holly Prosser, Meredith Gray, Don and June Miles, Burton Anderson, David, Brian, and Brian 

Motion to approve minutes was made by Jim Spigelmire, seconded by Mark Lyon

Officer and Chair reports:

- Treasurer: I am the person to take your money, and also the person to talk to if you are interested in a loaner scope.  I also have two RASC handbooks left over from 2012 last year; $5- See Mark if you are interested.

- Member services: We’re going to have a meeting, and I‘ll put a notice out soon.  We are trying to come up with things club members would like to do. 

- Communications: no update, but we may have big news next month.  Check out austinastro.org for all kinds of things we have on the website. 

- Equipment: no report 

- Outreach: January events: Lockhart state park the 18^th, Allison Elementary the 24^th, Jan 27 Wild Basin moonlighting, Jan 31 Great Oaks Elementary. February events: Feb 1 COE Public Star Party.  The new outreach event protocol is that you will be provided a point of contact if you are interested in participating.  March 23^rd is Earth Hour, and we will be working with the planetarium people and Steve Bosbach (our IDA representative) on that event.  We are looking at April for the spring AUTS.

- ALCor: no report

- IDA: no report, but Steve will be doing the program next month 

New business: none

Announcements: none 

Presentation:  Jesse Huth, student at Texas A&M, on his studies and work at the A&M observatory.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m.

There were over 50 members in attendance at the holiday party.

Phil Schmidt & John Huntsberger (The Visual Binaries) entertained with wonderful music.  Thanks to everyone who helped to plan this wonderful event!

The meeting was called to order at 7:42 p.m. by President Joyce Lynch. A quorum was present. There were 28 individuals in attendance.

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: Earl Alexander, Marsha McGinnis, Preston Hubert, Adrian, Marvin Johnson, Mark Nelson (Dawn’s dad), Tony Muller

Motion to approve minutes was made by Mike Krzywonski, seconded by Jim Spigelmire

Officer and Chair reports:

- Treasurer: If you haven’t paid your dues, it is time!

- Equipment: Darin is at COE this evening, but we are working on the lighting at the observatory site concerning safety measures. 

- Outreach: November events: Nov 10 Members-Only Star Party, Nov 11 Stargazing at Wild Basin, Nov 15 Pond Springs Elementary, Nov 17 COE Public Star Party. December events: Dec 5 Fulmore Middle school, Dec 07 Lockhart State Park, Dec 08 Members-Only Star Party, Dec 14 Austin Astronomical Society's Holiday Party (please RSVP to the evite, and see Dawn if you didn’t get one; the party is pot-luck at Wild Basin), Dec 15 COE Public Star Party, Dec 18 Spring Hill Elementary.  January events: Jan 5^th COE Public Star Party, Jan 27 Wild Basin moonlighting, Jan 31 Great Oaks Elementary. February events: Feb 2 COE Public Star Party, Feb 7 Wild Basin star party, Feb 26 Deer Creek Elementary.

- Member services: We’ve started the dam star parties again (first Friday of every month, weather permitting), and we are planning additional social opportunities.  There is a member services committee form you can fill out online, and we’ll be sending out some email messages as well. Thanks to Erika for tonight’s practical astronomy presentation.

- Communications: no update, but we may have big news next month.

- ALCor: no report

- IDA: Steve Bosbach is at the IDA conference this week.  He is making a report about the work he is doing with the state parks in efforts to make them dark sky sites.

New business: Torvald Hessel and Lucia are here from the Austin Planetarium.  AAS had a fundraiser as a memorial for Larry Forrest and raised $2830.75 for the planetarium.  The AP are presenting to the NASA grant consortium next week.

New merchandise: hooded sweatshirts, polo shirts and t-shirts, stainless steel water bottles, 6 pack coolers.  Hopefully a form will be online for taking orders within the next week.  RASC book orders can also be placed on the website; orders need to be placed by the first week in December.

Announcements: none

Presentation:  Erika Rix- Astronomical Sketching

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m.

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Joyce Lynch. A quorum was present. There were 21 individuals in attendance.

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: Marvin Johnson, Dharini, Joyce Kraft

Motion to approve minutes was made by Kelley Knight, seconded by Dawn Davies

Officer and Chair reports:

- Treasurer: For the monthly report, see the newsletter.  Make sure you have renewed your membership; membership dues were due Sept 1.

- Equipment: Darin purchased a 52” screen (with smoke screen) for the observatory to use with outreach.  They will install it tomorrow.

- Outreach: CenTex scout event was last week. Tomorrow is the McKinney Falls star party (if the skies are clear).  Westwood High School is next week.   Next month: Wild Basin the 11^th, Pond Springs Elementary the 15^th, public night the 17^th.  Holiday party 12/14, potluck at Wild Basin.

- Member services: We had our first meeting last week.  We would like to have more practical astronomy meetings and also workshop oriented meetings before the members only nights.  Hopefully the dam star parties will be up and going again soon.

- Communications: We will have a member services page up on the website now.  Check here for information about events.  Reimer Ranch will have another observing location set up soon, by around the first of the year.

- ALCor:  Erika Rix has earned her Outreach award.  Erika will be doing our program next month about astronomical sketching.

- IDA: none

New business: none

Announcements: We are winding up the fundraising campaign for the Planetarium.  We will continue to accept donations, but we will be stopping the formal fundraising for the Larry Forrest drive.  As of this afternoon, we have raised $2900.  Torvald Hessel announced that when they start building the planetarium, Larry’s ashes will be contained in the cornerstone.

Presentation:  Paul Wieland- “Crossing the Threshold: The Case for the Increased Exploration of Space”  His Book: Crossing the Threshold.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

MINUTES FROM GA MEETING 9.14.12

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Joyce Lynch. A quorum was present. There were 32 individuals in attendance.

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: Bruce Nailer, Paula Jakobs

Motion to approve minutes was made by Mike Krzywonski, seconded by Tim Brown.

Officer and Chair reports:

- Treasurer: The new membership year started September 1.  Please go to the website to renew.  If you would prefer to send a check to the P.O. box, that option is still available.  People who have not renewed will start being taken off the list in a couple months.  Magazine subscriptions no longer go through the AAS, but you can still renew on the website.

- Communications: We hope you’re enjoying the new newsletter.  If you have information you’d like to share, please contact Erika Rix.

- Member services: The newly forming member services committee will be meeting week after next.  If you would like to be involved or have any ideas, contact Tim via email.

- Equipment: We are looking to purchase a large flat-screen TV for the observatory to use on cloudy nights or when there are long lines.  The COE resort who sends us many of our visitors on public nights is helping us to raise money for this.   Sharleen Forrest sent the AAS a $500 check in memory of Larry, and she wants it to be used for equipment.  The remaining amount, if any, would come from the AAS budget.

- Outreach: Women in science afternoon at the Wildflower center on the 23rd, the 28^th is the next Wild Basin event, and the 6^th of October is CenTex (with an emphasis on scouting).  The evening of the 6^th will also include a dedication of the new building and scopes from Fred Ruof and a renaming of the Ealing scope, should the motion to occur later in the meeting pass.

- ALCor: Erika Rix has earned the outreach award, and Lauren Rogers has submitted her binocular Messier AL observations. 

- IDA: We have been coordinating with other IDA members and presented to some members of Texas Parks and Wildlife.  They will be able to take lighting surveys, make recommendations, and hopefully be able to start these parks on the track for certification as a “Dark Sky Park.”  We’re concentrating on four near Austin now, then would like to branch out.  Texas does not have any parks with this designation at this time.   

New business: Renaming of the Ealing telescope.  There has been a recommendation that the Ealing be renamed in Larry Forrest’s memory. Ron Carman made the motion, and it was seconded by Steve Bosbach.  Larry specifically asked that the observatory not be named for him but was OK with the scope’s name being changed for him.  The person who donated the Ealing has asked specifically to remain anonymous and does not want the scope named for them. Larry was instrumental in getting the scope refurbished for the AAS, getting the observatory built, and getting the Ealing set up.  The motion carried.

Announcements: Last year the AAS donated $1000 (for a corporate membership) to the Austin Planetarium out of our budget to support their efforts.  It was not a unanimous vote.  This year, the EC has tried to find a way to make it possible to continue to contribute without taking such a large amount from the general fund.  The EC will set up a fund to allow members who wish to contribute in the name of the AAS to do so without taking money from the general fund.  There has also been an offer from a group of anonymous AAS members who are willing to match donations given to this fund, up to $1000. "Kelley Knight made a motion to collect donations from club members toward a $1000 corporate membership in the Austin Planetarium in memory of Larry Forrest, with the funds raised by the October 12 GA meeting, up to $1000, to be matched by anonymous donors." Steve Bosbach suggested that the fund drive be called the Larry Forrest Memorial Fund Drive.  The drive would run for one month.  Don Behrman seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Presentation:  Taylor Chonis- “Instrumentation for HETDEX (Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy experiment): How to Discover One Million Galaxies in 150 Nights”

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m.

MINUTES FROM GA MEETING 8.10.12

The meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by President Joyce Lynch. A quorum was present. There were 31 individuals in attendance.

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: James Hall, David Ault, Kerry Johnson, Bob Kerris

Motion to approve minutes was made by Jim Spigelmire, seconded by Dawn Davies.

Officer and Chair reports:

- Treasurer: The membership renewal period is going on now (all member renewals are due 9-1-12). The software for renewing online is going really well, and 90% or more of renewals occur online.  Magazine renewals can also be done online. 

- Communications: Jim Spigelmire recognized Erika Rix for her work on the new newsletter.  Some changes are coming to the website, but we will discuss that next week.

- Member services: none

- Equipment: Work party tomorrow (painting especially, and A/C installation in the shed) at the EEO tomorrow starting around 11:00am.  Darin will have refreshments.  He also has cards for those who have recently completed observatory training.

- Outreach: Public party is tomorrow, 8-11, members only next week, 8-18.  Moonlighting at Wild Basin is next Friday.  September 8 is the public star party for next month.  AUTS went really well, and thanks to all who came out.  Merchandise is coming back.  We’re still getting some pricing, but tshirts, polos, hoodies, bumper stickers, water bottles, coolers, and tattoos will be available.  The COE resort will also carry some EEO logo merchandise, with new logo designed by Erika Rix.

- IDA: none

New business: Budget proposal.  Planetarium corporate membership decision has not yet been made yet for this year.  Sale of excess equipment, purchase of the solar scope, and miscellaneous donations/gift line items from last year were out of the ordinary, but all other lines are relatively consistent with last year’s budget items.  The EC can approve additional items for less than $500; anything more would come to the GA for a vote.  Jim Spigelmire moves to approve budget as is, seconded by Dawn Davies. Motion carried unanimously. 

Announcements: None

Presentation:  Jim Spigelmire, David Ault, Bob Van Gulick - Astrophotography

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.