RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes

May 26 2023

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

18 RAC participants attended in-person, 17 attended via Zoom and 8 attended via Facebook.

Presentation: “Astrophotography: Solar System & Deep Sky Objects” by RAC Co-chair Naveen Malik.

Business

Milestones by co-chair Naveen Malik

  • Frank Westmorland shared that he has created more 16″x20″ image panels.

Club Elections by co-chair Naveen Malik

  • 5 open positions: Co-chair (3), Treasurer, Secretary
  • Current nominations:
    • Co-chairs: Anastasia Vail, Mike Keefe, Naveen Malik
    • Treasure: Steve Izzo
    • Secretary: none
  • Nominations due by the next meeting (June 9). Election to be held at our July 28 meeting.

ALCOR Report by ALCOR Doug Lively

  • Ron Monti received three levels of outreach awards.

Outreach Committee Update by co-chair Naveen Malik

Outreach report (past events):

    • May 5 – First Fridays Under the Stars with TLC at Three Bear Acres [Canceled]
    • May 6 – NCMA Family Campout Stargazing
    • May 18 – NCMNS Science Cafe
    • May 20 – Skywatching at Dorothea Dix Park [Canceled]

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 – 453 total

  • 279 single memberships
  • 102 family memberships with 72 secondary members

Balances:

  • Business checking: $996.56
  • Savings: $25,376.69
  • Special purpose checking: $0.44

Notable expenses:

  • Storage fee: $184.29

Loaner Telescopes by Rob Parsons

  • A larger storage space was rented at lower cost.
  • 19 active telescope
  • Bringing 2 (maybe 3) new telescopes into the loaner pool.

Education Committee by co-chair Naveen Malik

  • Eyepiece Cleaning Clinic: June 10, 1:00-2:30PM at the Cherry Building at Dorothea Dix Park

Imaging Group by co-chair Naveen Malik

  • Q3 Imaging Challenge – Globular Clusters
  • Imaging hybrid meeting – July 13

Travel & Social Committee by co-chair Anastasia Vail

  • 2024 Eclipse Trip interest form
    • Looking at sites in Texas and Arkansas
    • Have until Wednesday May 31 to complete form

Upcoming Club Events by co-chair Naveen Malik

  • May 31 – The Willard Rooftop
  • June 2 – First Fridays Under the Stars with TLC at Three Bear Acres
  • June 9 – Indoor Meeting – topic TBA
  • June 15 – Imaging Meeting
  • June 23 – RACOBS
  • June 28 – The Willard Rooftop

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