Executive Committee Teleconference 2000 April 26

9:00 p.m. to 11:20 p.m. EDT.

Participants: Chuck Allen, President; Bob Gent, Vice-president; Terry Mann, Secretary; Jackie Beucher, Treasurer; Janet Stevens, Executive Secretary; Matt Ganis, League Webmaster.

Minutes:

(1) REFLECTOR editor vacancy:

The Executive Committee agreed on several actions to find an editor for the REFLECTOR. First, Chuck Allen will send a letter to all ALCORs and League Newsletter editors asking for someone to serve in this position. In addition, we will run requests in the REFLECTOR and an Ad in "Sky and Telescope" magazine. The deadline for the S&T Ads is April 28.

(2) ALCON '03 with AAVSO (Janet Mattei)

The Executive Committee would like to host a joint conference with AAVSO on the East Coast in 2003. Janet Mattei may be traveling, so we should contact Elizabeth Wagen at AAVSO headquarters for a reply.

(3) Regional convention and election status; replacement of regional officers.

The NE Region will hold a meeting and elections during Stellafane 2000. Maryann Arrien, past president of the Springfield Telescope Makers, has agreed to serve as interim Regional Rep until elections are held. The Great Lakes Region needs immediate action. Chuck Allen will take action as appropriate, including appointing interim officers, during NIAG 2000. All other regions have been holding meetings and elections as required by League bylaws.

(4) Ventura and Salt Lake Convention Agreements:

These agreements are signed, and Chuck Allen will send copies of the convention agreements to the VP.

(5) Mark Ross (Iceland) volunteer offer:

Chuck Allen will send contact information to Bob Gent. Bob will discuss possible League duties with Mark. Snail mail could be slow with Mark being stationed in Iceland.

(6) Horkheimer expenses from ALCON '98

Bushnell Telescopes agreed to host Story Musgrave for the convention. Unfortunately, the convention committee never received this funding. Chuck will send details to Jackie Beucher, who will discuss the sponsorship with Darin Stephens. The EC voted to split the $500 travel expenses for Jack Horkheimer with the ALCON 98 committee.

(7) Proposed Webmaster award (Frederick Barrett):

Closed pending a future proposal to be presented to the EC.

(8) Withdrawal of proposed Variable Star Club (Joe Van Poucker):

Action closed based upon exchanges of e-mail between past president, Barry Beaman and others.

(9) Apr. 27 meeting with eHobbies.com (John Sallot)

Chuck will provide additional details after meeting is held.

(10) Amateur Scientist on CD-Rom - advertising space (Sheldon Greaves)

EC voted for no action at this time.

(11) Save Our Schools campaign (Austin Deacey):

Bob Gent agreed to send the American Astronomical Society Position paper to Chuck Allen. A League position will be presented and discussed at the Council meeting in Ventura.

(12) AL Observers Award (for completing 10 Observe programs):

No further action. It was deemed possible overkill to give an award for winning awards.

(12a.) Replacement of Kathy Machin:

Scott Kranz, President of ASKC, has agreed to take Kathy's place as Messier, Sunspotter, and Meteor Award coordinator. The EC voted unanimously to accept Scott as the new coordinator. Scott can be reached at s.kranz1@comcast.net or at 106 Darrowby Drive, Raymore, Missouri 64083.

(13) AAAA use of astroleague.com:

Chuck will offer to buy this from Ed Flaspoehler for the price originally paid.

(14) Additional dues charges for rapidly growing clubs (AAAA):

The EC voted to establish formal policy on this. Any club that gains 25 or more members in a single quarter will pay supplemental dues payment to the League Treasurer.

(15) Selling REFLECTOR:

The subscription price for the Reflector is raised to $8 per year. This will be published in the REFLECTOR and on the League web pages. A formal discussion will be held at the Council meeting at ALCON 2000 in Ventura.

(16) TAC-AL proposal for clubs not in League:

Item closed.

(17) MAL Committee formation:

The workload of administering the MAL program is heavy. The EC agreed that a committee should be formed. The MAL handbook needs much support to finish on schedule. Matt Ganis announced that he would prepare and distribute a new MAL newsletter. The first issue will go out in June 2000.

(18) MAL distribution item for year 2:

The EC voted to approve giving the Herschel 400 manual to second year MALs. Chuck Allen will contact Marion at League Sales to see if there are sufficient numbers to do this. If not, EC authorized Chuck to send Universe sampler instead.

(19) Printing of MAL-ordered items:

EC authorized giving League stickers to new MALs. Other actions were covered in above discussions.

(20) On line credit card MAL membership status:

This is already operational. Four or five electronic MALs have already been accepted.

(21) AAS poster paper presentation (Michael Richmond):

Chuck will consider developing a League poster to be displayed at the AAS meeting in Rochester next June.

(22) Purchase of display boards and use of professional artist:

The EC voted to give Chuck the OK to look at the posters and make a selection. Chuck will send his selection to the League Trustees for consideration of funding.

(23) Dues increase:

Bob Gent will prepare a proposal to be given at the League's Executive Council meeting in Ventura, next July. A dues increase for clubs may be required to help pay to establish a new League National Office. Chuck suggested that we also consider asking for grants. It is also possible that the new MAL dues will help fund a national office.

(24) Recruitment of League members as temporary employee:

It would be beneficial if the first League employee were a former volunteer of the League.

(25) Filling the Executive Secretary position (2001-04):

This position needs to be filled, and it is considerable work. Chuck has already announced this in his president's notes.

(26) Janet's offer to continue doing database:

The League needs to consider hiring Janet to help in this position.

(27) 2001 convention:

"The EC authorized League VP, Bob Gent, and ALCON 2001 Chair, Frank Moon, to sign the contract with the Holiday Inn including rental payment for the main conference area and vendor areas. This contact is now signed and the League treasurer has written a check for $1,500 to Holiday Inn, Frederick, MD to be used as a deposit for ALCON 2001."