General Assembly Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm by President Joyce Lynch.  The minutes of the June 2012 General Meeting were projected on the screens and approved as displayed.

There was one visitor, Chris Lewis, who introduced himself and Member Services Chairman Tim Brown explained to him and all those present the various activities available to club members.

Dawn Davies, Outreach Chair, announced two upcoming events: Austin Under the Stars will be on July 28, and the next public star party will be July 21.

Jack Estes, ALCOR, presented some AL awards to members:  Mike Krzywonski has earned the Honorary Messier Award and the Basic Outreach Award, and Joyce Lynch has earned the Stellar Outreach Award.

Unfinished Business: the membership had two proposed Bylaws amendments to vote on: The first proposes to establish a student membership classification, with annual dues of $15.00.  After brief discussion, the proposal passed with a total of 18 votes, counting absentee votes. The second proposes to allow proration of dues for new members, to be changed by vote of the Executive Committee.  After discussion, that proposal passed with a total of 18 votes, counting absentee ballots.  With the absentee ballots, there was a quorum of votes.

There was no new business nor any further business, so Vice-President Ron Carman presented the program, a DVD  on “The Electromagnetic Spectrum”.

Respectfully submitted,

Ronald R. Carman

Acting Secretary

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Joyce Lynch. A quorum was present. There were 24 individuals in attendance.

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: Bob Kerris, Abe Krell, Jigar Chhatbar, Paul Rix.

Motion to approve minutes was made by Jim Spigelmire, seconded by Tim Brown.

Officer and Chair reports:

- Communications: No report

- Member services: Practical astronomy meetings will hopefully start up again in July or August.  They are held in the ETC building at 6:30 prior to the main meetings.  Feel free to let us know about any ideas you may have about activities you might be interested in.

- Outreach:  Member star party the 16^th, public star party the 23^rd. The summer AUTS event is July 28^th.  Thanks to everyone who came to help out with the Venus transit event.

- IDA: Austin has a new lighting ordinance.  Read the article in the Statesman.  If there’s anything you’d like to do to help out, let Steve know.

New business:  None

Announcements: None

Presentation:  Tim Brown – Starring the Sun

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

MINUTES FROM GA MEETING 5.11.12

The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m. by President Joyce Lynch. A quorum was present. There were 25 individuals in attendance.

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: Ty Yun, Erika Rix.

Motion to approve minutes was made by Jim Spigelmire, seconded by Ron Carman.

Officer and Chair reports:

- Communications: We are still looking for a newsletter editor.

- Outreach: 5-12 Public Star Party at COE, 5-18 & 19 CTSP (members only), CTSP Friday will be potluck; there will be BBQ on Saturday (reservations should be made online by Tuesday.  Giddens elementary school on the 16^th, Blanco State Park the 18^th. We will have a Venus transit event at UT June 5^th (Tuesday) on the 17^th floor roof of RLM, and the summer AUTS event is July 28^th.

- Jack Estes (ALCOR) presented Phil Schmidt with the Stellar and Master Outreach Awards and the Lunar Club Award.  Mark Florian was presented with the Globular Cluster Club Award.

New business; Phil Schmidt still has some eclipse/Venus transit observing glasses for sale ($2 each).  Torvald from the Austin Planetarium has a bond proposal in the works for the City of Austin.  Over 600 jobs would be created for the Austin area. The bond task force will meet at 6:00 pm this coming Thursday, probably at city hall (information will be posted on the AP’s Facebook page).  There is a developer (KUD International) very interested in building the science center, which would also include a residential tower, an observation deck, and a meeting area.  This is an unsolicited proposal to the State of Texas.  The board is very interested in the proposal, and final approval could happen by September. 

Presentation:  Austin Planetarium’s mobile dome.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned to view the dome at 8:15 p.m.

MINUTES FROM GA MEETING 4.13.12

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Joyce Lynch. A quorum was present. There were 25 individuals in attendance.

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: The Romos, Charles Stark, Jimmy Carlton, Ty Young, Wilson Gonzalez

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

Officer and Chair reports:

- Treasurer: Monthly treasury report is posted online.  The telescope loaner program is still going well, and there are only two people remaining on the list.  If you are interested in signing up to borrow a telescope for 4 months, let Mark Lyon know.

- Outreach: 5-6 Stargazing at Wild Basin, 5-12 Public Star Party at COE, 5-18 & 19 CTSP (members only), CTSP Friday will be potluck; there will be BBQ on Saturday.  More information will be coming soon.  We will have a Venus transit event here at UT in June.  We are also still working on getting a date for the summer AUTS event.

- Elections- The slate from the nominating committee is as follows: Joyce Lynch, President; Ron Carman, VP; Lauren Rogers, secretary; Mark Lyon, treasurer; Dawn Davies, outreach; Tim Brown, member services; Darin Koch, equipment; Jim Spigelmire, communications; Members at Large, Mike Krzywonski, Vic Ellisor and Terry Phillips.  Additional nominations were solicited from the floor, but there were none. As all positions were unopposed in the election, the slate is approved.

- Jack Estes (ALCOR) presented Dawn Davies with the outreach and stellar outreach awards, and Lauren Rogers with the Universe Sampler award.

Next month’s meeting will be at Wild Basin.

Presentation:  Bill Spizzirri – “The Observatories of Mauna Kea”

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Joyce Lynch. A quorum was present. There were 19 individuals in attendance.

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: Crystal Bosbach

Motion to approve minutes was made by Dawn Davies, seconded by Steve Bosbach.

Officer and Chair reports:

- Outreach: 3/16 Laura’s Library, 3/17 Members Only at COE, 3/23 Lockhart State Park, 3/24 Shepherd of the Hills (indoor event), 3/24 Public Star Party at COE, 3/30 Moonlighting at Wild Basin, 4/4 Pflugerville MS, 4/12 Kathy Caraway Elementary, 4/14 Public Star Party at COE, 4/21 Members Only at COE

- IDA, Steve Bosbach: Big Bend National Park has been named an official Dark Sky Site.  Hopefully this will start a trend with state parks as well.

- Nominating committee: Ana Chandler, Michelle Harvey, and Laura Hitt have put together the slate for elections coming up April 13th.  Ballots will go out in March.  You can still self-nominate or nominate others up until right before the election.

- Jack Estes (ALCOR) presented Steve Bosbach with the Herschel 400 award.  He is only the second AAS member presented with this award.

No new business.

Presentation:  Terry Phillips, Websites and software to help you learn the night sky

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

MINUTES FROM GA MEETING 2.11.12

The meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by President Joyce Lynch. A quorum was present. There were 76 individuals in attendance.

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: John Erickson, Candace, Joy, Stephanie, Doug Knight and his wife, Rolando Romo.

Motion to approve minutes was made by Dave Clark, seconded by Tim Brown.

Officer and Chair reports:

- Treasurer: We are now just under $32,000, following our sale of excess equipment

- Outreach: February: 2/11 Blanco state park, 13^th Pflugerville MS, 15^th Lamar MS, 17^th Wild Basin, 18^th members only star party at COE, 25^th public star party at COE.  AUTS will be the 10^th of March at St. Stephen’s Episcopal. There will be a special screening of “The City Dark” and the Austin Planetarium will be at AUTS. Outreach events are always available on the website.  Members who log on also have access to forums online.

- Member services, Communications, Equipment: No report

New business:

- Dave Clark, former ALCOR representative presented Jack Estes with the Master Observer AL Award.  To qualify for the Master Observer award, you must complete 10 other AL observing awards, including the Messier Club, the Binocular Messier, the Lunar Club, the Double Star Club, and the Herschel 400 Club.  Jack also completed the Sunspotters, Caldwell, Urban, Globular Cluster, and Planetary Nebula Clubs.  Congrats, Jack!

- Vic Ellisor: We have sold quite a bit of old, excess equipment in order to raise money to purchase a solar scope for use with outreach, education, and for member checkout.  We have raised about $5000 through our sales. Vic made a motion to research and purchase the solar scope, not spending more than the $5000 we have raised; Tim Brown seconds the motion.  The motion passes.

- Mark Florian was presented with an outreach award.

- Nominating committee: Ana Chandler, Michelle Harvey, and Laura Hitt are helping to put together the slate for elections coming up in April.  Ballots will go out in March.  You can self-nominate or nominate others.  You can let any of them know through the Yahoo group if you have any input. 

- Mike Albrecht, AAS member, is a member of the Texas Solar Energy Society.  If you are interested in being involved, please look up the program online.

- March 3^rd, there will be a pass of the ISS over this area.  The AAS and the San Antonio astronomical society are going to attempt to flash the ISS.  Details are still being worked out, but more information will follow.

Presentation:  Dr. Don Olson and Russell Doescher – Texas State University “Did the Moon sink the Titanic?” The April issue of Sky and Telescope magazine will feature an article on this topic.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

MINUTES FROM GA MEETING 1.13.12

The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. by President Joyce Lynch. A quorum was present. There were 40 individuals in attendance.

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: Dave Rainwater, Laurie Merlino, Barb Stewart, Joe McEvoy, Travis Lingenfelder, Sandy Taberson, Ed Spulzeri, Amanda Dawson, Darryl and Stephanie.

Motion to approve minutes was made by Jim Linn, seconded by Terry Phillips.

Officer and Chair reports:

- Treasurer, Member services, Communications, Equipment: No report

- Outreach: Public star party tomorrow night (1/14) at COE, Canyon Creek Elementarywill have a star party on Wednesday the 18th; the 27^th at Running Brushy Middle School.

New business:

- We were a sponsor of the El Dorado Star Party.  We received ~$660 in profits.  Usually, we give half back to the ESP to plan next year’s party.  It is the recommendation of the EC that we do it again this year.  Ron Carman so moves.  Phil Schmidt seconds.  The motion passes.

- We will need a nominating committee for the upcoming elections in April.  Anyone who is interested in serving should see Joyce.

Presentation:  Dr. Chris Sneden, faculty member in the department of astronomy at UT, “Gold! Silver! Platinum! And Ytterbium?  How We Really Know that Stars Make the Elements.”

Recommended books: Nature’s Building Blocks, an a-z guide to the elements, by John Emsley also The Elements of Murder by the same author.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

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

ALCOR: Jack Estes presented Lauren Rogers with her Messier Club award, and Dave Clark presented Jack Estes with his Planetary Nebula award.

Outreach: Dawn Davies presented Jim Lynch with a certificate and t-shirt for his work with outreach.  Mark Florian was also mentioned as a recipient of the outreach award, but he was not present to receive his award.

Phil Schmidt, John Huntsberger & Terry Phillip's daughters entertained with wonderful music.  Thanks to everyone who helped to plan this wonderful event!

MINUTES FROM GA MEETING 11.11.11

The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. by President Joyce Lynch. A quorum was present. There were 23 individuals in attendance.

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: Jim Sheets, Alan and Carina Caruth, Jason Colera, Robert Flores and his daughter.

Motion to approve minutes was made by Jim Spigelmire, seconded by Tim Brown.

Officer and Chair reports:

Treasurer: Mark Lyon – We are still floating around $25,000.  We are over +$4000 on sales of old equipment for use toward a new solar scope.  The scope loaner program will be kicking off next week.

Outreach: Events will be listed on the website, but here is what is currently on the agenda for November: 13^th Wild Basin, 14^th Scout Night at Bridge Point Elementary, 17^th at Summit Elementary, 19^th Public party at COE and a second star party at Blanco State Park, 26^th Members Only at COE.  Our new banner has arrived! 

Presentation of AL awards: Lauren Rogers for Northern Skies Constellations and Phil Schmidt for Outreach.

The holiday party this year is a potluck; sign up on the Evite for what you’re bringing.  There will be no white elephant gift exchange this year, but we will have a pub style trivia quiz.

Presentation:  Video, part II – The City Dark (84 minutes) It is 6 chapters. We watched the first 3 last month; this is the conclusion of the video.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

MINUTES FROM GA MEETING 10.14.11

The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m. by President Joyce Lynch. A quorum was present. There were 31 individuals in attendance.

Member Services: Jim Linn

The following were introduced as new members, returning members and visitors: Jana Lee Contreras and her friend McAnn, Bob Frinzell and Myra, Allen Carue, Jessica,

Monthly star party at Mansfield Dam will be 10/28.  Information will be sent out on the Yahoo group.  Go to groups.yahoo.com and search for the AAS.

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

Officer and Chair reports:

Communications: Jim Spigelmire

We’re working on bringing the Yahoo groups to forums on the websites for special interests, geographical, etc.  We are also looking to load photos and other documents to the website. 

Outreach: Events will be listed on the website, but here is what is currently on the agenda for October.

20^th star party at Mills Elementary School, 21^st, Planetarium Night in Manor, 22^nd Members Only party at COE, 29^th public star party at COE.

Equipment:  Mark Lyon for Darron Spohn

Scope loaner program – Goal is to put easy to learn and use scopes with “newer” members so they can start observing.  Scopes may be loaned for 4-6 months with an option to buy; collateral will be required, and mentoring will be available through the Member Services committee.  Scope will come with eyepieces, a finder, atlas, moon filter, planisphere, Messier book, and a red flashlight.  (Total cost: $800).  This is an expenditure over $500 to start the program, but we will get the scopes paid for through the sale of some old equipment.  The net cost to the club is $0.  Jim Spigelmire moves to authorize the initial expenditure to start the program, seconded by Terry Phillips.  Motion passes.

Old business: Proposal for contributing to the Austin Planetarium at the corporate membership level. 

Jim Spigelmire: We have an opportunity to help; education and bringing astronomy to the public is in our bylaws.  We can’t do it ourselves except on dark clear nights.  The Planetarium and their equipment are another possible way we can work with the public.  Once the facility is built, it could be a future meeting place for us.  Many people likely wonder why the city’s astronomical club do not support the Planetarium financially.  $1000 a year is a reasonable expense.

Steve Bosbach: This could be done at an individual.  Is a corporate membership reasonable for a non-profit?  Are there any other levels available?  This is too much money for one expenditure.

Dawn Davies: We have access to their mobile planetarium twice a year.  We attend events with them but do not service their events.  Our financial help would send thousands of school children through the mobile planetarium. There is an individual, a family, and a corporate level membership only.  It also allows us with additional advertisement through their events.  We have had a discussion with the planetarium about creating another membership level, but that is not going to happen at this time.

Mark Lyon: Having 16% of our annual budget committed to this is high.  We could give them $200 from our funds and put a “donate to” button on our website, and once we get $1000, then we could write a check for the membership.

Mark Florian: The membership is $1000 per year?  Yes, but we are only committed to this one year if the vote passes, and we can reexamine each year to decide if we wish to continue the corporate membership?

Joyce Lynch: We are talking 16% of our budget, not 16% of our bank account (which is considerably more).

Motion on the floor: Club to make entire $1000 donation.  13 for, 7 opposed.  The motion passes.

New business:

Jim Spigelmire: We should consider also donations to other astronomy-friendly organizations.  We could do this through the website.  We don’t need to move or vote now, but just think about it. Mark Lyon: We support the Dark Sky Association currently.  Joyce Lynch: Steve Bosbach is our new Dark Sky Association representative.

Steve and Joyce Barrett: We lost our home in the Bastrop fire.  The club has not only offered to help us in a lot of ways but also gave us a donation of financial support.  We were very touched; thank you so much!

Presentation:  Video – The City Dark (84 minutes) It is 6 chapters.

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