[sac-board] Re: SAC 2002 Budget and 2003 Recommendations

Howdy folks;

I am not going to be able to attend the June meeting, I will be on an Alaska 
cruise with my beautiful wife.  Sorry, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

I have several things to say concerning this most recent conversation.

1.  I don't think we need to raise the dues, let's generate new members and 
make certain that the old members renew their dues at he beginning of each 
year.  Change the club rules so that the dues are not diminished until April or 
May and then only a 25% drop, so that people will not be motivated to cheat the 
club by waiting for some mid-year reduction in the dues.

2.  Let's get on with creating and getting distributed a club flyer so that 
people can be informed about the club.  We can get them distributed to Mr. 
Telescope, the Arizona Science Center, local bookstores.....maybe a few others 
that I can't think of right now.  Also, make certain that the flyers are 
available for public viewing nights, those are also interested folks.

3.  I think that the availability of the Porta-Potties at Sentinel-Schwaar and 
Messier Marathon is an excellent use of club funds and needs to be continued.  
It makes a big difference in the convenience for those big star parties.

4. Let's get with the people who are insisting on a paper newsletter and see 
why they want a one.  If they are not computer users, then that is a good 
reason.  If they just need some training about using their computer to download 
and read the newsletter, then let's make certain that they receive that 
training.  If they are getting a paper newsletter just because they don't want 
to download and printout their own, I think a gentle conversation about using 
the electronic newsletter and printing out their own might steer them to 
reducing the load on the newsletter editor.  

5.  I agree with Thad, let's create some other method for getting the 
newsletter out than having the ATM or deep sky groups take their precious time 
to fold and staple newsletters.

6.  Get all the "stuff" that the club has acquired over the last two years and 
see what we can sell off.  There is no reason for this club to own large 
amounts of real property.  Virtually all the club members have their own 
telescopes, eyepieces and star charts and very few people make use of the club 
library that I know of.  Let's make a future meeting date a Swap Meet, and 
rather than have Show and Tell portion, we will have a short business meeting 
and then a long break before the speaker.  The long break will allow members, 
and others, to look over what we have to sell.  Also allow members to show up 
and sell any of their used equipment or books.

7.  As the club's web site manager...if any of you have ideas about how the web 
site can be updated to appeal to more members and attract new members, please 
let me know.  

stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx
Author:  Deep Sky Observing--The Astronomical Tourist
Saguaro Astronomy Club web site:
www.saguaroastro.org

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