ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING
ALCON 2001
Fredrick, Maryland
July 24, 2001

Call to Order: The 55th Astronomical League Council meeting was called to order at 9:12 a.m.

Council members present and proxies: President, Chuck Allen; Vice President, Bob Gent; Secretary, Terry Mann; Executive Secretary, Janet Stevens; Treasurer,Joanne Hailey;

Bob Gent, proxy for Louis Binder, SWRAL Rep.;
Marion Bachtell, League Sales, proxy for Amelia Goldberg, SWRAL Chair.
Julia Bachtell, proxy for Katrina DeWitt, NCRAL Chair.;
Mike Benson, SERAL Chair; proxy for Phil Sacco, SERAL Rep.;
Tim Hunter, WRAL Rep; proxy for Wayne Johnson, WRAL Chair.;
Dave Bachtell, NCRAL Rep.;
Terry Mann, proxy for Ginny Kramer, MARS Rep.;
Bert Stevens, proxy for Mike Flick, GLRAL Rep.;
Sandy Sanders,MERAL Chair, proxy for, Thomas Traub, MERAL Rep.;
Carroll Iorg; proxy for Kathy Machin, MSRAL Rep.;
Maryann Arrien, NERAL Chair.;
Patrick Carr, MSRAL Chair.;
Chuck Allen, proxy for Ron Whitehead, GLRAL Chair.;
Vic Winter, REFLECTOR editor;
Jen Winter, Reflector editor;
Jerry Sherlin, MARS Chair.;
Ryan Hannahoe, Chair YAC;
Jackie Beucher, Trust Fund Trustee;
Orville Brettman, ISS-AT Project Manager;
Berry Beaman, ASP Liaison;
Doc Kinne, NERAL Rep.;
Mark Cugenty.

Council members or proxies should be present. According to Bylaws III.4. two-fifths (2/5ths) of the members of Executive Council constitute a quorum and a quorum was present. For the first time at a League council meeting, no person was permitted to vote more than one proxy. In addition, no blank proxies were accepted or voted.

Minutes:
The motion to approve the 2000 minutes and dispense with reading was made by Dave Bachtell and seconded by and Mike Benson. The motion passed.

Executive Committee Reports:

President: Chuck Allen spoke of a new project, the ISS-AT. This joint project will involve Boeing, NASA, and the Astronomical League. The goal is to put an amateur telescope on the International Space Station. He thanked the project manager, Orville Brettman for heading this project. He congratulated REFLECTOR editors, Jen and Vic Winter on a job well done. The REFLECTOR continues to grow at a fantastic pace. League Sales has increased about two and a half times in the last year, thanks to Marion Bachtell's incredible work. Ryan Hannahoe is chairing the Youth Activities Committee. The last time someone held this position was in 1964. Ryan has done a great job on the website and his Virtual Telescope Program. NASA is interested with helping to support our national convention. We are very excited to see this interest. The ISS-AT project will keep us in contact with NASA regularly. Jackie Beucher will be setting up our National office in Kansas City by the year's end. Our Organization is growing very fast and our projects also support the need of this office.

Vice-President: Bob Gent, welcomed everyone to the convention. He thanked Frank Moon, Ryan
Hannahoe and Sandy Sanders for all of their hard work. He also spoke of the importance of the national office which will house all of the Leagues records and be a central point for all League contact. Bob mentioned he needs help with all award programs since he will be leaving for Italy shortly. The President and Vice President offices will be open for nominations at the beginning of the year. Next years convention will be held at Salt Lake City, Utah. We are still looking for a location for 2003. Next year will be the first year for the Horkheimer Imaging Award. This will include all photos, drawings or CCD images of any Solar System objects. Joanne Carman gave an update on the 2002 Convention. The convention last year showed a loss; the EC approved helping the situation by donating a $1,000.00 check and waived dues for one year for the Ventura club. This would cover about half of their loss. Dave Bachtell moved to approve this decision. Patrick Carr seconded. The motion passed.

Secretary: Terry Mann reported the Secretary's office is running smoothly. Her term will be ending in September; she thanked everyone for the support she received during her term.

Treasurer: Joanne Hailey stated Fiscal Year end bills should be paid by June 15th. Regional reports are due by August 31st from all Regions. IRS Form 990 is due November 15th. The balance in League checking as of June 30, 2001 is $30,960.07. The balance in the League Money Market Account as of June is $34,506.32

Executive Secretary: Janet Stevens reported the League is still growing. We have around 18,000 members. She also requested an increase in budget to pay for the shipment of League materials to Kansas City.

Webmaster: Bert Stevens will be resigning as webmaster in December. He has received many responses for this position. Bert is giving us his recommendations for the next webmaster. He has added an e-mail newsletter that is sent once or twice a month depending on the amount of information he has. He feels the budget will need to be increased a little for the new webmaster.

League Sales: Marion Bachtell has moved League Sales onto another level. Sales have increased about two and a half times what they were last year. She is trying to stabilize the inventory by next year. This could help to free up some of the sales money a little sooner. Beginner items are selling best. She is continuing to check into new items in this area and other areas. The Teachers and Math manuals will need to be reprinted next spring. Marion is receiving most of the orders on-line.

REFLECTOR: Jen and Vic Winter reported that they will be looking for new advertisers and looking at new rates for the ads. They are now having the printing done in Kansas City at a better price. Everyone in the League needs to think about how the Reflector is used as the League's voice and how that reflects on us. Electronic submissions will be greatly appreciated. Submission guidelines will be done on the website as soon as possible. They want positive reviews in terms of products and books.

Youth Activities Committee: Ryan Hannahoe is Chairing this committee. He is very involved with getting as many youth into this hobby as possible. He has created a website with much information. There are quite a few youth speakers presenting talks at this convention. Ryan is checking into publishing a book titled "The Sky's the Limit". It will be a guide for beginners. Ginny Kramer will oversee the Youth MAL Program. Tim Hunter motioned that Article 1, Section 1, paragraph g read as follows: Young Astronomers- any person under the age of 19 years may become a Youth Member-at-Large (Y-MAL). Julia Bachtell seconded the motion. Bob Gent motioned to approve changing the wording on Article 1, Section 2, paragraph g to Young Astronomers will have the following additional privileges: Young Astronomers will receive a discount on regular membership rates through the Y-MAL program with full voting privileges and discounts on other products as recommended by the Youth Activities Committee (YAC) and approved by Council. Y-MAL members will be eligible for various youth in astronomy programs provided by YAC." Sandy Sanders seconded it. Bob Gent motioned to approve a Youth MAL Membership for young astronomer's 19 years and under for $20.00 per member, with full voting privileges It was seconded by Dave Bachtell. Tim Hunter made the motion that all League Officers must be 21 years of age. Mike Benson seconded it. Tim Hunter motioned to increase funding for YAC an additional $1,300.00 for the coming fiscal year. Additional funding will also be looked at next year. Doc Kinne seconded this motion. A motion was made by Doc Kinne to fund $500.00 for the development of the beginner's guide and to investigate possible outside funding for the project. It was seconded by Sandy Sanders. All motions passed.

Publications Committee: Willmann -Bell gave their permission to use the Mega Star maps in the Galaxy Cluster Observe Program.

"Observe" Committees:

Mike Benson:
Arp Peculiar Galaxy Club, 29 Awards have been given this year.
The Urban Club, 26 awards have been given this year.
Binocular Messier Club, has given out 37 awards this year.
Deep Sky Binocular Messier Club, has given out 10 awards this year.
Southern Skies Binocular Club gave 5 awards this year.
Double Star Club, gave 28 awards this year.
Master's Observer's Award, The number 1 award went to Jonathan Casselman. Two more awards will be handed out shortly.

Steve Bygren:
Earth Orbiting Satellite Observers Club, 1 award given this year.

Brenda Branchett:
Herschel Club, has given a total of 19 awards this year.

Candace Pratt:
Herschel II Club, gave 9 awards this year.

Amelia Goldberg:
Universe Sampler, has given out 8 awards this year.

Scott Kranz:
Sunspotter Observing Club, has given a total of 11 awards this year.
Meteor Club, gave 10 awards this year.
Messier Club, gave 120 awards this year.

Paul Castle:
Planetary Club, has given a total of 10 awards this year.

Steve Nathan:
Lunar Club gave 52 awards this year.

Sue Rose:
The Caldwell program is just starting. A video was shown featuring Sir Patrick Moore explaining how the Caldwell List came about.

Awards and Recognition's

The Astronomical League Award: None presented this year.

The President's Award: The Astronomical League Award went to Janet and Bert Stevens for their many years of service. They both have seen many changes in the League. Their dedication is greatly appreciated

The Leslie Peltier: The 2001 Leslie Peltier Award was presented to Richard Berry.

The Bob Wright Service Award was presented to Orville Brettman. Orville will be the Project Manager for the International Space Station-Amateur Telescope. He is also a past President of the League.

NYAA: Susannah Lazar won first place for The National Young Astronomer Award. She is a home School senior in Baton, Rouge, Louisiana. Brinda Thomas won second place, Brinda's project was Multifractal Properties of the Solar Wind Magnetosphere System. Meade Instruments Corporation continues to provide generous support to NYAA. Again this year, they presented a 10-inch LX-200 telescope to the first place winner and an ETX-125 with tripod and computer to the second place winner. The University of Texas also presented two lifetime passes to the McDonald Observatory to the first and second place winners. The International Dark Sky Association presented a complimentary membership to all NYAA finalists.

The Jack Horkheimer Award was presented to Ryan Hannahoe. Ryan received a check for $1,000.00 and an award plaque. Ryan also Chairs the Youth Activities Committee.

The Mabel Sterns Award: Was presented to Michael Mills. Michael is a member of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club in Alexandria, Virginia. NOVAC is one of the largest clubs in the League.

Nominating Committee: The offices of Executive Secretary and Secretary will be open September of 2001. Jackie Beucher and Marion Bachtell are running unopposed, respectively. The count was unanimous for each. Jackie (Executive Secretary) and Marion (Secretary) will take office in September. The offices of Vice President and President will be open in 2002.

Regional Reports: Most of the Regions sent reports as to their status. We hope that all of our regions send reports next year.

Book Service: The book service does not require money at this time.

IDA: IDA is doing very well. They have new light pollution laws in ten states. Their membership continues to grow.

Future Conventions:

2002 - Salt Lake City, UT: Joanne Carmen gave a 2002 update, the University of Utah, is the location for this ASTROCON. The Union building at University of Utah will be used for housing or hotel rooms near campus are available. Residential halls all have A/C. this housing is part of the Olympic Village. Dates are July 31-August 3, 2002.

2003- We are still looking for a location to host ALCON 2003.

Trust Fund Report: Bert Stevens reported Frank Roldan's term will expire this year. Frank was willing to accept this position again if needed. Janet Stevens motioned to close nominations. Tim Hunter seconded it. Frank was re-elected for the 2001-2006 term. There was no silent auction held this year. There will be one next year and they will need donations. The Trust Fund continues to grow through both donations and returns on investments. The ALTF ending balance is $76, 520.22

ISS-AT: Orville Brettman is the Project Manager. He reports he has formed a committee of people to chair different parts of this project. Richard Berry will be writing proposals for the ISS-AT. Orville and Richard will be contacting Boeing and NASA very soon to discuss the project. A logo will be voted on and franchised the same way as the Olympics logo has been.
The first ISS-AT meeting will happen on Wednesday July 25, 2001. Berry Beaman reported he has spoken to the people at ASP and AAVSO. Both organizations are very interested and want more information. Bert Stevens mentioned that the Trust Fund interest might be considered as part of the funding for this project. Janet Stevens motioned to request the use of the interest from the Trust Fund from this year and next to help fund the ISS-AT project. Bob Gent seconded. The motion passed. Dave Bachtell motioned to make the ISS-AT a full service committee. Jerry Sherlin seconded. The motion passed. Tim Hunter motioned to continue funding to the requested $7,500.00 amount. With approximately $4,500.00 coming from the Trust Fund, the League would budget not over $3,000.00 for the ISS-AT project. Julia Bachtell seconded. The motion passed.

ASP Liaison (Barry Beaman): Barry reported that ASP has created some test kits for teachers and amateurs astronomers, to aid in teaching astronomy. Mike Bennett has developed 10 different kits. These are being tested now with feedback expected from the participants. The Amateur Astronomer Outreach Ambassadors continues to grow. This program helps to bring astronomy to the public. It is a great teaching source.

Professional-Amateur Collaboration: There seems to be some problem areas at this time. The AAS and the working groups are looking into these areas. When solved they will continue on.

Regional Financial Accountability Committee: Kathy Machin and two other Regional Chairs will look into the Regional Club By-Laws to see what happens to club funds if a club is dissolved. Sandy Sanders and Dave Bachtell volunteered to help Kathy. Joanne has received most of the signature cards from the Regions.

Program Materials: Nothing is going on in this committee. Tim Hunter motioned to disband this committee and entertain a proposal next year about a possible replacement. Jerry Sherlin seconded the motion. The motion passed.

National Office: Jackie Beucher is looking for an office in Kansas City. She believes she will be able to rent a nice office for $1,000.00 to $1,400.00 per month. She will need about $9,000.00 this year and around $3,000.00 more to start up the office. She will place a wish list in the November REFLECTOR for items she is looking for. Sandy Sanders motioned to establish a one time capital champaign to raise money to establish a national office for the November REFLECTOR. Tim Hunter seconded the motion. The motion passed 12-8. Tim Hunter motioned to approve a line item for the office in the budget. Bob Gent seconded it. The motion passed 17-3. Julia Bachtell made a motion to not have a lease over three years long and not to exceed $1,000.00 per month. Tim Hunter seconded it. The motion passed 17-3.

MAL: The MAL program has had a successful year. Currently there are 359 MAL's (not including Charter MAL's). There has been $4,500.00 transferred to the Leagues general treasury. Jerry Sherlin would like to see an MAL column in the REFLECTOR. This committee needs a Chair and an editor if they decide to start a newsletter.

Lialibity Insurance: after much discussion, Tim Hunter made a motion to table the discussion until
we have some questions answered. Dave Bachtell seconded the motion. The motion passed. Chuck Allen will try to have answers by the Business Meeting. If we have answers by then we will open up the discussion.

Honarary Member Nominations: This year's nominations are: Sir Patrick Moore, Professor Robert Stencel, Dr. David Crawford and Walter Haas. Julia Bachtell motioned to recognize these individual as honarary members. Tim Hunter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Membership List exchange with Orion: Caroll Iorg made a motion to sell the list for seven cents a name to Orion for one time use. Dave Bachtell seconded. The motion passed.

New Observe Programs:

Smythe Observe Award: Bert Stevens motioned to approve this observing award. Dave Bachtell seconded the motion. The motion failed.

Southern Skies Telescope Observe Award: Vic Winter made a motion to approve this observing award. Tim Hunter seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Year in Space: Tim Hunter made the motion to let the EC make the decision on the year in space offer. Sandy Sanders seconded the motion. The motion passed.

By-Laws change: Bert Stevens motioned to eliminate the second sentence in Article VII, Section I in the Activities and Services Sections. Tim Hunter seconded. The motion passed.

Salt Lake Astronomical Society: They would like to make a one-time change to the convention agreement they want a 70/20/10 split. It was brought up that clubs should know up front that they could lose money also. After much discussion Tim Hunter motioned to leave the agreement as it is and have the Salt Lake Astronomical Society discuss this with the MARS region. Dave Bachtell seconded the motion. The motion passed. Tim Hunter made the motion to table the discussion of changing the split until next year. Julia Bachtell seconded. The motion passed.

Budget: Tim Hunter made a motion to approve the proposed budget with a $7,925.00 deficit. Bob Gent seconded the motion. There was much discussion on the fact that we were approving a deficit budget. It was pointed out that there are a number of committee's and projects every year that do not spend their budgeted amounts and that we do have those moneys (unspent in past years) as a cushion. The Treasurer and Executive Committee will watch this very closely. The motion passed 18-2.

Adjournment: A motion was made by Bert Stevens and seconded by Caroll Iorg to adjourn the meeting at 11:17 p.m. The motion passed.

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