Astronomy in the Inland Northwest

AL Business Meeting - July 17, 1999

The annual business meeting of the Astronomical League was held during ASTROCON 99, on Saturday morning, July 17, 1999, at 11:00 AM, on the campus of Eastern Washington State University in Cheney, WA.

The reading of the minutes of the past meeting were suspended by vote of the attendees at the meeting, as moved by Bert Stevens.

Executive Secretary Janet Stevens reported that she and Bert are moving from Chicago, IL to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Her e-mail address with not change, but her new address is 5675 Real Del Norte, Las Cruces, NM 88012. (505) 382-9131.

The Astronomical League is growing. There are approximately 1,500 new members of the Astronomical League since last summer, and 10 new societies. Even though we have lost a few big clubs, and some who have been with the AL for a long time, we are still showing a net gain in membership. New clubs are finding the observing awards, the quality of the REFLECTOR newsletter, and the availability of inexpensive insurance as major reasons for joining the League. Because of this growth, the work of the Executive Secretary is almost a full time job. Janet will need to make use of the services of part time temporary help for some projects during the next year.

I. Reporting the Results of the Council Meeting

President Chuck Allen reported that there are many changes afoot in the Astronomical League, as enumerated in his report to the membership on the 13 hour Council Meeting held earlier in the week.

1. Astronomical League Sales is very profitable. AL Sales will be continue to expand and be improved with new online capability to take credit cards over the Internet.

2. The League is planning on establishing a new national office in Las Cruces, NM.

3. Sky Publishing Corporation has expressed interest in sponsoring ASTROCON 2000 in Ventura, CA, hosted by the Ventura Astronomical Society.

4. The League is expanding its Membership-at-Large program. New members will be attracted to the program through increased advertising. Because of this, we are preparing for rapid growth in the Astronomical League, which already has in excess of 17,000 members. Meade Instruments Corporation has already begun distributing flyers advertising the AL and its MAL program to each of its telescope customers. This is a potential exposure of the AL to over 100,000 people in one year. 20,000 flyers have already been distributed, and we are expecting an expansion of membership over the Christmas Season, due to increased sales by Meade. With online credit card capability, already being developed by AL Sales, we will be able to accept membership in the new MAL program over the Internet. This is expected to create a significant increase in members. Because of this growth, it will be necessary to add new services and features to the existing MAL program to make it more attractive, and a good value.

5. The Astronomical League Council voted to donate $1000 to the Stellafane Legal Defense Fund, to combat the building of a prison within 4 miles of the Stellafane site. The AL is the first organization to donate money this way.

6. Council has authorized the REFLECTOR editor to receive a 15 percent commission on all ad revenue received.

7. The League is now authorized to accept memberships from clubs and societies in foreign countries, thus making the Astronomical League an international organization.

8. The AL will make an effort to increase publicity of all AL generated Awards in both the AL and other media. This includes press releases to major astronomy publications, recipient local newspapers, and both in the REFLECTOR and the AL Web Page.

9. The Council voted to change the by-laws affecting the Trust Fund, so that Trust Fund interest be used by Council for specified projects within one year after the end of the fiscal year, before it is rolled permanently into the principle. There is $65,000 in the Trust Fund at this time.

10. Four new honorary members have been named to the Astronomical League because of their significant contribution to the AL and its programs:

- Jack Horkheimer, Star Gazer program on PBS
- Jim Fox, Past President of the Astronomical League
- Dr. Frank Bash, Director of McDonald Observatory
- John Dieble, president of Meade Instruments Corporation.

11. All Regions of the Astronomical League will be assisted to conduct elections of officers by this time next year. Some regions have not had functional officers for several years.

12. Council will ask the regions for help in controlling financial accountability and reporting to the IRS, and for access to all accounts held in the name of the Astronomical League.

13. In convention agreements, for all future conventions, the Astronomical League will be added as named insurer.

14. Only one proxy per person can be assigned at Council Meetings, and proxies cannot be assigned to third parties.

15. The Astronomical League Treasurer will now be bonded to protect the treasury, and provide assurance to regional treasurers.

16. The Executive Committee will continue exploring ways to acquire insurance for the Astronomical League, itself.

17. The Consumer Products Committee has been disbanded. Not only has this committee been non-functional for many years, but its activities could be cause for a possible lawsuit against the League.

18. Current members of the Membership-at-Large program will be grandfathered at the $10 rate, for members as of March 31, 1999.

II. Discussion to Increase Dues

There was a discussion in the Council Meeting about the necessity for a dues increase this year. However, it was finally felt that a dues increase was not needed at this time to cover need income, since we are expecting an increase in revenue from current sources, increased MAL membership, and sponsorships. The last dues increase was in 1996, when dues were raised from $1.95 to $3.00 per member.

III. Elections

The elections this year resulted in the uncontested re-election of AL Secretary Terry Mann. 108 clubs, 10 Patron members, and 172 MALs voted in the election. There was one abstention due to the uncontested nature of the election.

IV. Treasurer’s Report

AL Treasurer Jackie Wade has been tracking and preparing detailed reports of all AL financial affairs. Jackie was presented the Omega Centauri Award from the Texas Star Party for her work with the AL Treasury, chairmanship of the Kansas City AL Convention in 1994, and her activities with MSRAL and ASKC.

The current status of all AL accounts is as follows:

V. Future conventions

Future Conventions are scheduled as follows:

2000 in Ventura, CA
2001 in Fredericksberg, MD
2002 in Salt Lake City, UT

The Ventura Astronomical Society is proud to be the sponsor of ASTROCON 2000. Sky Publishing Corporation has committed to be a title sponsor of the convention. Participating organizations will be the Astronomical League, the Association fo Lunar and Planetary Observers, the International Dark Sky Association, SARA, and SETI.

The location of the convention will be the Holiday Inn Beach Resort in Ventura, CA, with a room price of under $100 per night. Planned events incluce: Star-B-Que, openings for 80 speakers and presentations, tours to Griffith Observatory, Mt. Wilson Observatory,, and JPL Pasedena, discount tickets to Disneyland and other area theme parks, a star party at Mt. Pinos. Confirmed speakers at this time include Tony and Daphne Hallas, Andre Borman, consultant to Star Trek, Dr. Tim Hunter, Dib Macholz, Ed Krupps, and Richard Berry. The ASTROCON 2000 web site it http://www.vcas,org/astrocon

VI. Meade Telescope Auction

At the end of the business meeting, Vice President Bob Gent auctioned off a Meade LX200 8-inch telescope, with a retail value of $2800. Meade Instruments Corporation donated this telescope to be auctioned off to help pay for the printing and distribution of MAL flyers. Bob Gent made an opening bid of $1500. The closing bid was $2000, made by Dave and Julia Bachtell of Burlington, IA

VII. Galaxy Cluster Observing Program

At the end of the Business Meeting, a second Council Meeting was called to discuss a new observing program proposed by Robert McGowan and Dale Fenske of the Rose City Astronomers in Portland Oregon. Richard Berry encouraged Robert and Dale to develop this program for the League. The new Galaxy Cluster Observing Program will consist of a list of 100 galaxy clusters based on a list originally compiled by Hickson, including such items as Stephan’s Quintet. The final book will be ready for publication in 6-8 months, and will include finder charts based on the Palomar Sky Survey.

The final price of the book will be $10, similar to the Herschel II book now being sold. Since the book will cost only $6.00 to produce, this is a $4.00 profit to the AL. The authors have agreed to pass the copyright to the AL. The main selling point of such a book, in addition to its function as an observing manual, would be as a reference book for observing or studying galaxy clusters. As such, it might be of interest to a wide range of people, not just observers, similar to the Herschel II manual.

A wide range of observing programs enhances the image of the Astronomical League, not only to beginners in astronomy, but also to advanced amateurs. Council voted to fund this program.

Ed Flaspoehler
Vice-President, AAAA