Category: Meeting Minutes

Twenty members and guests braved a cold, rainy night to attend the first CAAS meeting of 2007. The clubhouse was warm and welcoming, though, filled with the aroma of vegetable soup and other delicious goodies.

Presentation

Don Lewis opened the meeting at 6:56 p.m. with a presentation entitled “Beginner’s Guide to Imaging the Heavensâ€?, in which he provided an overview of astronomical imaging – from webcam-assisted solar system work to capturing long-exposure images of deep sky objects. Don discussed hardware options along with a generous helping of tips-n-tricks and a hearty dose of encouragement for the aspiring imager.

For those who may wish to review the material or pursue the topic further, Don will be making this presentation available in its entirety once the website is fully operational.

Business Meeting

President Rocky Togni began the business meeting at 7:50, welcoming all to CAAS.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Pat Morris gave the financial report and reminded everyone that membership dues are now due. This will provide a much-needed boost for our most-humble bank balance.

WEBSITE – The club expressed heartfelt gratitude for Jim’s and Chris’s willingness to take on the project of rebuilding of the website after it was disabled recently by an unscrupulous hacker.

Jim said that we are now using a server in the U.S. (as opposed to Asia), and have switched the content management system from the open-sourced Geeklog to WordPress, which is more secure. This is, of course, a learning curve, and it will take time to get everything back in order. Jim said that the photo galleries will be restored as soon as it is possible to do so.

Chris Lasley pays for the CAAS web server space annually, and this generous gift is appreciated very much. The question was asked if the recent server and software changes will generate added costs, and it was determined that (hopefully) they will not.

NEWSLETTER – Rocky mentioned that the first issue of the newly re-instated CAAS Observer turned out beautifully, and thanked Jim for his work on it. A separate email list is being put together for those who may not be on the CAAS email list but who would like to receive the newsletter. There are already several names added. If anyone would like to be added, or knows of someone who would, just email Rocky and let him know.

Submissions are now being accepted for the February issue of the Observer – all articles and items of interest are welcome!

WORK PARTY – Rocky reminded everyone that the work party is now slated for next Saturday, Jan 20^th, at noon. Hopefully the weather will be cooperative, and the needed projects can be completed.

BOY SCOUTS – We have been contacted by Jon Norcross requesting a presentation next Saturday evening at BSA Troop 770’s campout at Pinnacle. Rocky, Bill Sanders, and the Edwards plan to attend – any others who would like to are welcome.

Rocky has researched the Boy Scouts’ merit badge requirements, and we hope to have several opportunities throughout the year to help scouts earn their astronomy badge. Rocky suggested this website for further research: http://www.meritbadge.com

Sandy asked if the scout outings are reportable to the Night Sky Network, and Jim stated that yes, they are, however, in order to count toward the five qualifying outreach events, we must use the NSN materials.

FRENCH CAMP – Sandy mentioned that the French Camp / Mid-South Stargaze is coming up April 11-14^th this year.

PAYPAL – Stacy noted that she is still planning to research what is required in setting up a non-profit status Paypal account. We hope to have a link on the website soon for ease in paying annual dues and making generous spontaneous donations. J

IDA – Jim noted that the International Dark Sky Association (http://www.darksky.org/ ) has a reduced membership fee of $50 for “smallâ€? clubs, and suggested that CAAS may well fit into this category.

The evening’s lock & key adventures were discussed, and the meeting was adjourned. Pat went on a determined hunt and soon found an extra key, thus providing a temporary remedy to our situation.

This evening’s guests included Doug Nelson of LR (now a new member) and Kay and John Thomas from Mountain View. The Thomases brought two telescopes, and club members enjoyed helping them collimate and learn how to use the equipment following the meeting.

Respectfully submitted by CAAS Secretary Stacy Edwards.

The 2006 CAAS Annual Meeting was held at the home of John and Carol Reed. As this was simply an excuse to have a season related potluck, we were not sticklers for parliamentary rules. Perhaps 25 members and family were in attendance.The major order of business was the election of officers and board members.

The election results are as follows:

• President: Rocky Togni
• Vice President: Don Ferren
• Treasurer: Pat Morris
• Secretary: Stacy Edwards
• Favorite Food Network Host: Rachael Ray
• Immediate Past President: Stacy Edwards
• Board Member: Carl Freyaldenhoven
• Board Member: John Reed
• Board Member: Don Lewis
• Board Member: Jim Dixon

After the elections, Pat gave the treasurer’s report.

Stacy has scheduled a work party for the afternoon of the next regular meeting weather permitting. The work to be done includes the perennial fighting back of the forest and also the installation of a security door in the front building to isolate the equipment storage area from the public access area. The work party is to start around noon on Saturday, January 13th. Be sure to confirm the work party before heading out.

Finally, I’d like to wish David Reynolds good luck in his move to Boston. David has been an active member of CAAS for a long time and we will miss him.

Submitted by your departing secretary, Jim Dixon.

Meeting Minutes President Stacy Edwards called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. There were approximately 25 members and visitors in attendance.

Old Business:

Stacy thanked Andy Reed for his donation of a new projector. She then thanked Allen Lee for his proposed gift of a storage building as covered in the minutes from the previous board meeting.

Treasurer’s Report:

Pat Morris gave the treasurer’s report.

New Business:

Carver Magnet Middle School is coming to CAAS on November 14 and 21 for a private star party. They will arrive between 6:45 and 7:00 so CAAS members who wish to help need to be there before then.

On November 18, CAAS will have a “Meteors and Marshmallows” event at the CAAS property to watch the Leonid Meteor shower.

On December 1, the Arkansas/Oklahoma Astronomical Society will be hosting a Christmas dinner. For more information, visit their site at www.aoas.org.

John Reed has volunteered his home to host our Annual Meeting and Potluck on December 9 at 7:00 PM. Thank you, John.

It is time for nominations once again. Your Nominating Committee has worked tirelessly to find someone (some would say anyone) who would be able to serve in 2007. Thankfully, we were able to put together a first rate roster for officers and board members. They are as follows:

• President – Rocky Togni.
• Vice-President – Bullwinkle Ferren (aka Don).
• Treasurer – Pat Morris (thank you once again for taking this job Pat).
• Secretary – Stacy Edwards.
• Board members – Don Lewis, John Reed, Carl Freyaldenhoven, and Jim Dixon.

There were no other nominations from the floor. If there are none before the Annual Meeting then the candidates above will be elected automatically.

Don Lewis handed out finder charts for Comet Swan.

There was no presentation this evening so that we could go out and play.

We adjourned at 7:20 PM.

Submitted by Jim Dixon