EMDSO Business Meeting Minutes 12/19/09

Meeting convened by President Rick Schwentker at 7:30 PM at Ray Mueller’s house in Krakow, MO.

Present were Rick Schwentker, Pat McDonald, Joe Parish, Dennis Borgman, Paul Chambers, Rachel Chambers, Anna Gacich, Ray Mueller

Ray Mueller read the minutes from the last meeting and they were accepted.

Treasurer Pat McDonald reported that $791.27 existed in the club treasury.  New member Anna Gacich paid her dues which brought the treasury to $815.27. 

OLD Business:

By-Laws and State Status:  Jerry was suppose to have the by-laws but wasn’t able to attend the meeting.  Joe Parish said that they were listed on the old website so Rick called member Al Walters to see if he could transfer the by-laws to Dennis Borgman by email.  Some technical difficulties prevented his transmission so Al said he would send the files to either Joe Bougeno or Dennis Borgman.  Ray will try to follow up on the status later.  The club wants to review the By-Laws to insure the group practices and the laws are in concert with each other. 

Business Meetings:  The group agreed that a one hour business meeting should precede our viewing sessions once per month on the third Saturday of each month.  The meeting start time would be adjusted according to where the meeting and viewing sites were scheduled.

Refurbishing Club Scopes:  Jerry brought a 10” Dobsonian to Ray’s for general clean up.  The optical mirrors are a bit dirty, the rear of the sonna tube is a bit damaged and the base can use some cleaning, sanding and repainting.  Ray hasn’t been able to perform repairs as yet.

New Haven Observatory: Any corrections will probably be postponed until early spring when the steel beam will be adjusted.  This has to be done before the undergrowth, spiders, snakes and other varmints become active.  Joe Parish is performing some minor maintenance on the 6” refractor used as the finder scope to the main 30” scope.  Dale Helling sent Rick $200.00 for additional rock for the upper parking lot at the top.

ECC Observatory:  As of this time it is not known if Jerry has brought the shutter spring back to the observatory, nor is there any report on whether the college has repaired the electrical problems inside the building.

EMDSO Logo: The only LOGO offered for the group was the one Ray sent in.  The following corrections to the LOGO were requested:

1.      Add Warren County to the symbol

2.      Do not use the star studded background

3.      Position stars where EMDSO related observatories are located

4.      Make EMDSO letters larger for easier viewing

5.      Make EMDSO letters light color on same color background as the counties.

Adjustments to the LOGO have been made with two options for group consideration which follows these minutes below.

Website Communications:  Dennis Borgman demonstrated the communication capability of the “YAHOO Groups” open forum type communication media.  Dennis said he could set up the YAHOO Group for EMDSO with two or more Moderators.  The moderators would add and subtract members to the group so unauthorized input to the sessions can be prevented.  People not admitted to the group will be able to read the members communication statements but would not be able to enter into group discussions.  Joe Parish motioned that Dennis should take steps to set up the EMDSO communication group.  Rick seconded the motion and the group unanimously passed the motion.

NEW Business:

On-Line Membership:  Ray will begin developing an On-Line membership form for the EMDSO website.

Sensitivity Courses for EMDSO Members:  Ray brought up the possibility for members of EMDSO to take sexual harassment or sensitivity courses since we interface with the public at dark locations.  Rick Paul and Rachel stated that the Washington School system is actively involved in these sessions and Paul indicated that the police force in St. Louis County is also active in this type of training.  The purpose for this training is to protect members of the group from law suits that may occur from people who may misinterpret an action from a member attempting to help a person view the sky.  

Paul checked the internet for DVD type training and found courses starting around $700.00.

Rick, Rachel and Paul said they would check with the Washington school administration to see if they can loan a DVD program to us.  Anna Gacich said that the Archdiocese sometimes sponsors programs at local catholic schools and perhaps we could tap into one of their sessions.  Rick suggested that ECC may be able to sponsor us in a program since we conduct sessions on their property. 

More will be discussed on this issue in coming meetings.

Ray motioned to adjourn the meeting and the meeting was adjourned at 9:02 PM.