RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes

April 28 2023

Co-chair Naveen Malik hosted the meeting in-person at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, as well as virtually using the Zoom platform.

18 RAC participants in-person. Zoom and Facebook attendance was not recorded.

Presentation: “Where Are All the Aliens” by RAC Co-chair Michael Keefe and ALCOR Doug Lively.

Business

Milestones by co-chair Naveen Malik

  • Frank Westmorland shared that he volunteered for 3 Statewide Star Party events.
  • Naveen Malik also volunteered for 3 Statewide Star Party events.
  • Jason Young shared that he is getting back into observing using a 10″ Dobsonian telescope.
  • and more …

ALCOR Report by ALCOR Doug Lively

  • Awardee could not attend tonight. Award will be issued at the next indoor meeting.

Outreach Committee Update by Matt Lochansky

Outreach report (past events):

    • March 29 – The Willard Rooftop
    • April 1 – UNC Science Expo at Morehead Planetarium
    • April 14 – State of the Sciences at NCSU Hunt Library
    • April 15 – Bentonville in Bloom
    • April 21/22 – Statewide Star Party
      • Friday April 21:
        • Imagination Station (RAC will only send 2 telescopes here)
        • White Deer Park
        • Prairie Ridge
      • Saturday April 23:
        • Three Bears Acres
    • April 22 – Triangle SciTech Expo

All First Friday Under the Stars with TLC events in 2023 will be held at Three Bear Acres, until further notice.

The observing committee is looking for volunteers to coordinate events and assist at events with or without a telescope. To join the committee send a blank email to [email protected]. Any club member is welcome, regardless of experience level. To volunteer for an event, register via the RAC Calendar.

Treasurers Report by co-chair Naveen Malik

Membership – 443 total

  • 271 single memberships
  • 101 family memberships with 71 secondary members

Balances:

  • Business checking: $745.85
  • Savings: $25,741.58
  • Special purpose checking: $8.00

Officer Nominations by co-chair Naveen Malik

  • Officer ballot must be presented by the May 26 indoor meeting.
  • Officer vote to be held at the June 9 indoor meeting.
  • Officer nominations open for Co-chair (3), Secretary (1), and Treasurer (1).
  • Anastasia Vail nominated Mike Keefe for Co-chair, seconded by Matt Lochansky.
  • Doug Lively nominated Naveen Malik for Co-chair, seconded by Anastasia Vail.
  • Doug Lively nominated Anastasia Vail for Co-chair, seconded by Mike Keefe.
  • Doug Lively nominated Steve Izzo for Treasurer, seconded by Anastasia Vail.

Upcoming Club Events by Matt Lochansky

  • May 5 – First Fridays Under the Stars with TLC at Three Bears Acres
  • May 6 – NCMA Family Campout Stargazing
  • May 12 – RACOBS
  • May 13 – Binocular Astronomy Class
  • May 18 – Science Cafe – topic “Living on the Moon”
  • May 18 – Imaging meeting
  • May 20 – Skywatching at Dorothea Dix – volunteers (telescopes and floaters) needed
  • May 26 – Indoor meeting
  • May 31 – The Willard Rooftop

RGAS Meeting – Sammy’s Tap & Grill, 2235 Avent Ferry Rd., Raleigh NC 27606 – 919-755-3880

  • 13 people attended