RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes
December 13, 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.
Upcoming Events:
- Dec 18 : The Willard
- Jan 4 : St. Giles Starry Night Party
Tonight’s Presentation:
2024 Imaging Showcase
RAC’s Chris Cole led the club’s imaging group in sharing some of their astrophotography pursuits and accomplishments from throughout 2024. For about an hour we were treated to a great slide show of images from the talented members of our club.
The December meeting will be posted to RAC’s YouTube channel.
Astronomy Days 2025: Solar System Missions!
Special Guest:
Vickie Kloeris – The Space Chef
- February 1 and 2 10a-5p
- RAC will have 8 exhibits
- We are seeking volunteers for 6 of these
Astronomy Days **Exhibits:
- RAC Table- need 3 volunteers
- Telescopes on Display- need 4 volunteers
- Astrophotography- need 3 volunteers
- Solar Observing- need 4 volunteers
- Exoplanets- need 2 volunteers
- Finding the North Star- need 2 volunteers
- Astronomy with Binoculars
- If Earth Were the Size of the Daily Planet…
**Exhibit descriptions will be posted on Discord and Groups.io/Email
Exhibit Volunteering:
- Three shifts:
- 9:30am-11:30am
- 11:30am-2:30pm
- 2:30pm-5:30pm
- You DO NOT have to be an astronomy expert!!
- Volunteer 2 shifts and get a free meal.
Business:
Current Officers & Committee Chairs
Co-Chairs: Naveen Malik, Dana Bostic & Anastasia Vail
Treasurer: Steve Izzo
Secretary: Susan Herring
Committee Chairs:
ALCOR: Dean Herring
Outreach: Steven Blake
Webmaster: Barton Meeks
Loaner Scopes: Rob Parsons
Key Holders: Naveen Malik
Education: Anastasia Vail,
Social Media: Anastasia Vail
Imaging: Chris Cole
A/V: Naveen Malik
Reports:
Membership Update:
- Membership Constitutional change accepted July 26, 2024.
- https://raleighastro.org/club-policies/
- 13 years minimum age, 15 or younger must be accompanied by chaperone
- member has one vote, receives club benefits, can hold office
- additional vote is granted to an immediate family member who meets membership eligibility requirements
- family members eligible for club benefits
- New “RAC Membership” is live for new members.
- Fee: $25
- Can add 4 additional family members.
- Old “Single Membership” and “Family Membership” disabled.
- Existing membership renewal will transition to the new “RAC Membership” for 2025.
- Renewal start December 2, 2024.
Treasurer’s Report: Steven Izzo
Membership:
- RAC Memberships: 466
- Administration: 1
- Cancelled: 26
Financials:
Financials
- Checking: $1,254.91
- Savings: $24,263.29
- Special Purpose: $0.67
Astronomical League Awards: Dean Herring
nothing to report
Outreach Report: Steve Blake
- Nov 9 : TechnoQuest (Girl Scouts)
- Nov 23 : Prairie Ridge Ecostation
- Dec 4 : STEM Night; Apex Friendship ES
- Dec 6 : First Fridays with TLC at 3BA
Upcoming Events:
- Dec 18 : The Willard
- Jan 4 : Starry Night Party
Loaner Scope Report: Rob Parsons
Raffle (Dec 7): Orion ShortTube 4.5”
Equatorial Reflector Telescope at
“Equatorial Mounts for Beginners”
class
Add: Celestron Nexstar 130GT
Reflector Telescope
WIP: Procedure for pair of club members to check-out the BIG telescopes.
Scopes
Cassagrains: 6 out / 2 available/ 2 in for repair
Dobsonians: 8 out / 3 available
Maksutovs: 2 out / 0 available
Refractors: 1 out / 1 available
Reflectors: 3 out / 1 available
Binoculars: 3 out / 1 available
Imaging Meeting & Report:
no report
No Reports:
- A/V
- Keyholder
- Social Media
- Webmaster Team
Education Committee Report: Anastasia Vail
UPCOMING CLASSES: Cherry Building at Dix
- January 11, 2025 TBA 1:00-3:00PM
After meeting Social:
Sammy’s
All First Friday Under the Stars with TLC events in 2024 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.
