RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes
April 22 2022
Co-chairperson Anastasia Vail hosted the meeting using the Zoom platform.
26 participants
Presentation: “Mobile Machines on Mars!” by Ken Brandt.
Lecture summary: We will hear the latest updates about robots currently exploring Mars as well as an
overview of the Martian “big picture!”
Speaker: Ken Brandt is director of the Robeson Planetarium and Science Center, a NASA/JPL Solar
System Ambassador, and was recently appointed to the board of directors of the North Carolina
Association for Scholastic Activities.
Business
RAC Announcements by co-chairperson Anastasia Vail
Upcoming meetings and events:
- May 13 – RAC Meeting: Indoors at NC Museum of Natural Sciences. More details will be announced.
- May 19 – Imaging Meeting
- May 27 – RAC Observing Session (RACOBS)
Elections are coming up for co-chair (3), secretary, and treasurer positions. Call for nominations starts now, or you can email [email protected]. Position descriptions can be provided. Nominations will close at the May indoor meeting. On-line voting will be provided in addition to in-person voting at the June 10 indoor meeting. Online voting concludes on June 9 and results will be announced after in-person voting at the June 10 indoor meeting.
Steve Izzo nominated Naveen Malik for co-chair. Seconded. Doug Lively nominated Mike Keefe for co-chair. Seconded. Mike Keefe nominated Steve Izzo for treasurer. Mike Keefe nominated Steve Blake for secretary. Seconded. Barton Meeks nominated Anastasia Vail fo co-chair. Seconded.
Other committees (outreach, webmaster, etc.) need volunteers. Reach out to [email protected] if interested.
ALCOR Update by ALCOR Doug Lively
Email Doug for helpful links to get started with AL observing programs. Observing program awards should be issued at the May indoor meeting. Jim Michnowicz received the sunspot award.
Outreach Committee Update by Anastasia Vail and Doug Lively
Upcoming outreach events
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- May 6 – First Fridays Under the Stars with Triangle Land Conservancy at Williamson Preserve. This will be a recurring event every month.
- May 15 – Skywatching at Dix for Lunar Eclipse (9:30pm-Midnight). A telescope clinic will be held from 7:00 – 8:00PM prior to the event to help anyone with equipment issues and questions.
- June 15 – Stars for Ft. Bragg
- August 28 – Skywatching at NC Museum of Art
Treasurer’s Report by Steve Izzo
Membership – 378 total (109 emails removed – inactive members)
- 254 single memberships
- 73 family memberships with 73 secondary members (51 registered)
Balances
- Business checking: $ 1055.56
- Savings: $ 23063.90
- Special purpose checking: $ 58.05
