RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes

May 24, 2024

 

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

26 meeting participants attended in-person, 10 attended via Zoom.

Presentation: “Catching a Gravitional Wave” given by RAC member Ron Monti

We learned more about gravitational waves, which are caused by the collision of two black holes or other cataclysmic astronomical events. Ron explained how the LIGO observatory can detect these incredibly small (only one thousandth the width of a proton) waves and learn from them. He also discussed future programs that are being in place to gather more data from these waves, and how that can help us discover our universe.

Business: Presented by Co-Chair Naveen Malik 

Member Milestones:

Club members discussed their experiences viewing and capturing the Aurora Borealis. What an impressive experience!

Outreach Report: given by Outreach Chair Steven Blake

Event updates:

  • April 13 – FL Galaxy Nights (Sumter, SC)
  • April 24 – The Willard
  • April 25 – Githens Middle School STEAM Night
  • April 27 – Astro On Tap (Weather delay, moved to June 29)
  • Masy 3 – First Friday with TLC- cancelled due to weather
  • May 8-12 – RACATOA at Staunton River State Park
  • May 11 – Artspace Galactic Family Day
  • May 16 – Imaging Meeting (Images of the Aurora)
  • May 17 – Praire Ridge Ecostation Star Party (postponed)

Upcoming Events:

  • June 7 – First Fridays with TLC at 3BA
  • June 15 – RAC Class- Getting started with the Astronomical League (Education Committee)
  • June 19 – The Willard Rooftop (Raleigh)
  • June 20 – Imagine Meeting
  • June 28 – RAC Meeting at NCMNS
  • June 29 – Astronomy on Tap Star Party (Cameron)
  • July 5 – First Fridays with TLC at 3BA

RAC Officer Election on June 28, 2024 at the Indoor Meeting

The Nomination Ballot is now open

Current RAC Officers:

  • Co-chair Naveen Malik – running
  • Co-chair Dana Bostic – running
  • Co-chair Anastasia Vail – not running
  • Treasurer Steven Izzo – running
  • Secretary Susan. Herring- running

If you would like to nominate someone for an officer position please submit their name to one of the Co-Chairs to be added to the ballot.

 

Treasurer Report:

 

  • Single memberships: 299
  • Family Memberships;
    • 114 Primary
    • 85 secondary
  • Total memberships; 498

Financials:

  • Checking: $1201.77
  • Saving: $27,659.57
  • Special Purpose: $0.59

Proposed Yearly RAC Budget:

Income

  • Membership Fee

Membership (Expense)

  • MembershipWorks
  • Stripe Fee
  • Groups.io
  • AL membership

General (Expense)

  • USPS Box
  • Storage Unit
  • Web Hosting
  • Zoom
  • Google Drive
  • Hover (domains)
  • Insurance
  • Miscellaneous

Committees (Expense)

  • Committee: Loaner Program
  • Committee: Outreach
  • Committee: Astronomical League
  • Committee: Webmaster
  • Committee: Imaging
  • Committee: Key Holder
  • Committee: Social Media
  • Committee: Audio/Visual
  • Committee: Education

Club Activities (Expense)

  • RACOBS
  • RAC Picnic
  • Indoor Meetings
  • Astronomy Days:
    • AP
    • Food
    • Printouts
  • Future: Star Parties

Proposed Budget:

  • is revenue neutral (2024 net annual income: $80.75)
  • will be shared to club for review for review and feedback
  • tags existing cash (Savings) as reserve fund
  • will be used by officers moving forward
  • will be voted on annually by members assuming constitution & by-law changes are approved
Constitution and By-Laws:
  • new proposed revisions for member review
  • no vote scheduled
  • pending member feedback

Announcement email to be emailed out after meeting with links to:

  • current documents
  • updated documents
  • summary of changes
  • and proposed budget

Constitution:

Summary of changes:

  • Update territorial limits for members from “City of Raleigh or surrounding communities” to “United States of America and its territories”
  • Remove dual membership types, replace with single membership type
    • members have one vote and may hold office if other criteria are met.
    • immediate family members are eligible for Club benefits.
  • members 15 years old and under must be accompanied by a chaperone at least 18 years old at RAC events
  • Treasurer duties include presenting an annual budget each May with a goal of ratification each June
  • The Executive Committee may accept officer nominations that do not meet all prerequisites and present the nomination to members as a part of the officer election process.

By-Laws:

Summary of Changes:

  • Expenditures are managed against an annual budget that is approved by members. Note: General Policies v1.3 states that the Executive Committee votes on any expenses more than $150 over any approved budget.

Astronomical League Report: by ALCor Dean Herring

April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse Silver Awards:

  • Dana Bostic
  • Susan Herring
  • Dean Herring
  • Nathan Raynor
  • Samantha Pickard
  • Blair Groden
  • Ed Barrows
  • Doug Lively
  • Annelies Gentile – Outreach Award – (Certificate and Pin)
  • Susan Herring – Stellar Outreach Award – (Certificate)
  • Dean Herring – Stellar Outreach Award – (Certificate
  • Dean Herring – Two in View Observing Program – (Certificate and Pin)

Loaner Scope Report:

  • All Meade ETX telescopes have issues  and are currently not available
  • Donation Received: Orion Starmax 90n EQ (3.5″ Maksutov)

Available for Loan:

  • 1- Cassagrain (8 checked out)
  • 1- Dobsonian  (9 checked out)
  • 1-Refractor    (1 checked out)
  • 0- Maksutovs (0 checked out)
  • 1-  Reflector     (2 checked out)
  • 3-Binoculars    (1checked out)

N0 new updates from the following committees:

  • Webmaster
  • Key Holders
  • Imaging
  • Social Media
  • A/V committee

Social gathering at Sammy’s immediately following the meeting

 

All  First Friday Under the Stars with TLC events in 2024 will be held at Three Bear Acres