The Denver Astronomical Society
³One Mile Nearer the Stars²
www.denverastrosociety.org
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Friday, May 3, 2002

Meeting called to order at 8:10 p.m..
Secretary Ron Pearson on excused absence.
Executive Board member Steve Solon, Acting Recorder.

Steve Solon read the minutes of the April, 2002 Board meeting; they were approved as read with minor corrections.

Larry reported on the Open House cleaning of the 20-inch Alvan Clark telescope at Chamberlin Observatory, restoring it to beautiful condition.

TREASURER: 
Letter from Robert Clark indicating a large piece of optical glass available for sale to the Society if there is interest.
Had a catalogue for ³Project Star², a childrens program of introductory astronomy.
The Antique Telescope Society will hold itıs annual meeting in Dublin, Ireland from September 20-25. Treasurer Chuck Carlson will attend at Dan Wrayıs expense.
Motion made to, again, donate $100.00 to Dunston Middle School for their annual ³National Science Olympiad.² -- motion passed.
Expense for new name tags for current new Board members discussed.

VICE-PRESIDENT:
No report pending discussion of new business.

ED KLINE DARK-SITE COMMITTEE:
June 1 set for staking and forming of proposed new concrete pads pending leveling by bobcat.
Larry will submit papers for proper construction and electrical permits on May 5 or 6.
Funding discussed for Dark Site observatory project slated for 2003.

LIST SERVE:
No report

PUBLIC EVENTS:
Damaged Public Night slide programs have been restored (kudos to Bill Ormsby.)
Decision made to reveal the ³ Mystery Astronomer² and purchase something for the Society from S&S Optika with the indicated prize money.


NEWSLETTER:
Patti reported that paper costs for printing the ³Observer² have risen -- necessary to consider options for glossy paper @ $294.36 for the printing or matte finish for $49.00 less -- decision made to go with matte finish. Folding and stapling now costing  $60.00 -- Board decision to accept new expenses.
Discussion to impose a $25.00 charge for non-members to post a ³For Sale² ad in the newsletter.
³AD² award packet will go Larry and Carla for distribution.

OLD BUSINESS:
Public Night reservations -- Larry met with Sheila - discussion handed down to Todd as to whether the Driscoll Center would continue to handle reservations for DAS Public Night, but Board feels the decision had already been made by this point, to the negative. Sending the letter proposed by the Board would have no effect. A decision                   was made to hire a private company to handle reservations. Larry had investigated several firms for this service.
Motion made to raise Public Night fee from $2.00 and $1.00 (adults and children) to  $3.00 and $2.00 - monies to help defray new costs of private reservation company -- passed.
The DAS expressed interest in assisting the Antique Telescope Society with reservations, observatory operation, etc..
It was noted that over the course of time, several eyepieces and a binocular are missing -- discussion on expenditures to replace them.

NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion of ³Lady Astronomerıs Night², a get-together for the Societyıs women astronomers for fun and discussion at a local restaurant.
Vice-President Carla Swartz furthered discussion on the ³DAS Membership Prize Drawing² program to encourage increased participation in Society out-reach programs. Funding the prize program would require $120.00 annually -- motion to  fund the advertising and ensuing prizes passed.


Meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m..
Minutes approved as read, June 14, 2002 
Steve Solon, Acting Recorder 
Ron Pearson, Secretary, DAS, Inc.