Board Meeting - 9/3/2008
BATTLE POINT ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION
MINUTES of
BOARD MEETING of SEPTEMBER 3, 2008
Time 19:13 -- Convened Board Meeting
President Harry Colvin, as presiding Officer, convened the BPAA Board Meeting at 19:15 on September 3, 2008.
Other Board Members Present were:
Mike Browning, Vice President
Frank Schroer, Treasurer
Russell M. Heglund, Secretary
Nels Johansen, Facilities Officer
Steve Ruhl, Education Officer
Malcolm Saunders, Chief Astronomer
The Bylaws require five Board Members be present to constitute a quorum, therefore a quorum was present.
No visitors were present.
Time 19:14 -- Previous Board Minutes
Minutes of July 2, 2008 Board Meeting were read by R. Heglund, Secretary.
H. Colvin moved/M. Saunders seconded to approve the minutes as read. Motion passed by Board.
Time 19:19 -- Presidents Report
H. Colvin reports: The 4th of July was a huge success for BPAA. We now have to raise $50,000 of matching funds for our grant.
Time 19:21 -- Treasurer Report (see attached report)
F. Schroer reports: The attached report is of July 31, 2008 .
M. Saunders: We were talking about getting an outside person to consult with about the books........has that happened yet?
F. Schroer: It has not happened yet.
S. Ruhl moved/H. Colvin seconded. That the Treasurer Report be accepted. Motion passed.
Time 19:25 -- Membership Report (see attached report)
F. Schroer reports: We had 12 new memberships in July and 4 in August. Total memberships to-date is 97. The online system is operating....a person can renew online, by credit card.
New Member contacts will be done as follows:
N. Johansen will contact Sheffield and Evans.
S. Ruhl will contact Elizabeth Vroom.
H. Colvin will contact Bently.
Time 19:37 -- Vice Presidents Report (see attached report)
M. Browning reports: The Bainbridge Island Park Dept says we should go with the holding Tank. It would take $8000.00 to set up. I think we could raise about $5000.00 from our membership towards the matching funds.
I talked to a founder of a "public available" remote telescope facility, already set-up. I asked if we could buy a telescope that they then run for us.......he was receptive to that idea. I am looking for approval to persue this idea. I will send-out links to the Board members to look-over.
Islandwood will auction an BPAA provided Planetarium Show per our offer.
I would like Board approval to persue creating an "astronomy curriculum", with Islandwood assistance, by myself, S. Ruhl, and F. Schroer.
Consensus of the Board: Yes, go ahead and create an Islandwood oriented curriculum.
Time 20:30 -- Secretary Report
R. Heglund reports: I attended the Mount Bachelor Star Party in Oregon.....along with BPAA members: Paul Below, Kathy Koehler, Dave & Ann Warman, and my wife Jody. We had excellent clear skys.....but got very windy & cold the last couple days.
Time 20:33 -- Facility Report
N. Johansen reports: I repaired the Dome (replaced rotten wood) with M. Saunders help. Still need to repair the slot. I redid the Observatory Front Door.....resanded and restained the wood and cleaned the brass. Looks good now.
Time 20:37 -- Chief Astronomer Report
M. Saunders reports: Doug Tanaka says the 20" DOB is just about done. I will be doing the wiring.
The Dome control is still hard-wired. The pier mount that was in the furnace room has been sold and delivered. I received a call about a telescope to be donated. I am not sure what type it is, yet.
Time 20:46 -- Education Officer Report (see attached report)
S. Ruhl reports: We did MD Association at Miracle Camp in Port Orchard on July 21st.....about 100 kids came through the dome. We supported the Museum of Flight's ACE camps on July 24th and August 21st.....each camp had 15 to 18 campers and several counselors.
Time 20:49 -- New Business
H. Colvin reports: PAWS asked for a BPAA donation for auction......
Board Consensus: We will offer a "free" membership.
M. Saunders: I would like to start Planetarium Shows/Star Partys at 6pm, rather than earlier (during winter months).
H. Colvin: We should consult with Paul and Kathy about changing the time.
Art Project (Sundial):
R. Heglund reports: I have been re-contacted by a Port Orchard artist that is very interested in doing it. I have met with Bill Baran-Mickle, who is experienced in art projects. He has offered to give us info to get the project going. He put together a two page outline of how to proceed (see attached) and promised to give me a copy of a "contract" developed for a similar project.
He asked if we would like to designate a single artist to develop it.....or do an "open art call" for artists to submit proposals.
Board Consensus: Like to see several artist ideas......probably use "open art call".
H. Colvin: I will be gone for two weeks......don't know when "Big Picture" dedication will happen.
M. Saunders: The person who won BPAA Star Party at the Rotary Auction called, asking to set-up a date.
I showed David Fong (of Olympic College) how to run the Ritchie Telescope.....he wants to bring his students (to the Observatory). Doug Olsen, (Bainbridge School Science Teacher), requested an local astronomer for Science Day presentation. He also wants to make the community more aware of the BPAA Observatory.
H. Colvin: Time to renew International Dark Sky membership.
Board consensus: Renew the IDS membership for $50.00
F. Shroer: On Sept 8th, "One Call For All" has requested us to be on-site to hand out brochures, etc... about our organization.
Time 21:16 -- Adjournment
S. Ruhl moved/N. Johansen seconded, to Adjourn the meeting. Motion Passed.
Minutes taken on September 3, 2008 by Russell M. Heglund, Secretary
Minutes approved by the BPAA Board on __________________
Attested by: