I am no longer a member of SAC, but I see a great opportunity here. Back in 2000 Alex Filippenko made a great 16 DVD course in astronomy for The Teaching Company. I have a copy of that course. I'm pretty sure that there must be hundreds of individuals in Arizona that also have a copy and I'll bet each and everyone of those individuals would be happy to pay to see a lecture by Prof. Filippenko. I know I would. That course has been updated twice since 2000. I'll also bet that the Teaching Company would be more than happy to alert everyone in Arizona that has purchased the $800 course,or any of their related courses, with the date and time of the event. They send me an email once a month alerting me to events that will take place in the next month that is related to any course I have purchased. This wouldn't hurt the membership of either SAC or EVAC, and no one would think anything about an admission fee to see such an accomplished speaker. Go to www.teach12.com to review the course. I have the latest set of lessons and if someone is willing to sign in blood, I'll let you review them at your leisure. Glen Walker I'm sure that there are numerous ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rick Tejera" <saguaroastro@xxxxxxx> To: <sac-board@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 8:12 PM Subject: [sac-board] Re: Joint SAC/EVAC guest speaker... Chris, Sounds like a good Idea to me. Your plan of attack sounds well thought out. I'd certainly be wiling to travel to See any of the listed speakers, and would also be in favor of changing the meeting dates to suit availability. Clear Skies Rick Tejera Editor SACnews, Public Outreach Coordinator Saguaro Astronomy Club Phoenix, Arizona www.saguaroastro.org saguaroastro@xxxxxxx -----Original Message----- From: sac-board-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sac-board-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Chris Hanrahan Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 20:03 To: [Sac-Board] Subject: [sac-board] Joint SAC/EVAC guest speaker... Board Members, I'd like to bring you all up on an informal meeting held last night. Attendees were Wayne Thomas (VP, EVAC & SAC member), Tom & Jennifer Polakis (SAC members & gracious hosts) and myself. The main topic of discussion was a possible SAC/EVAC joint meeting with a higher-caliber guest speaker. What follows is a brief layout of our discussions. Prospective speakers (off the top of our heads): Sue French - advanced amateur astronomy, writer Alex Fillipenko - UC Berkeley cosmologist Caroline Shoemaker - comet & asteroid hunter Story Musgrave - former NASA astronaut Wendy Freedman - astronomer Caroline Porco - Cassini Imaging lead Others to be determined as we move forward/if needed Estimated number of attendees: Possibly 75 to 100. We did discuss having the public attend assuming we have a public venue. Possible month/day/date: Stick to a Friday if at all possible; exact Friday most likely will be determined by speaker's availability Wayne and I both have September and October open (plus it's easier to get someone to come to the Valley when it's not 110° outside) Possible Location: AZ Science Center - planetarium Grand Canyon Univ. (possibly the large lecture hall SAC has used before) Gilbert - possibly the Library where EVAC holds their meetings Other locations to be discussed as we move forward Until we meet again: Wayne - contact Mike George, AZ Sci Center to find out if they would be willing to allow us to hold the event there Jennifer (volunteered) - write to Story Musgrave and Sue French (for starters) to see if either would be available for a Sept or Oct date Chris - update SAC Board members and pose questions (see below) The questions I have for the Board are as follows: 1) If SAC is interested in providing financial assistance to support this endeavour, how much "support" is the Club willing to provide given our financial situation? Mr. Thomas has proposed a sizable sum (< $500) to the EVAC Board (to date unapproved). Let me say there are still numerous unknowns and the speaker will have to be negotiated with, based on their needs. Tom and Jenn have offered up their home if we have a guest willing to stay at the Polakis home. Discussions were had regarding airline tickets, lodging, meals, etc. All were aware that we are trying to get the best person possible and spend the least amount of money. 2) How does SAC feel about possibly having the meeting moved to a non-full moon Friday, if necessary? 3) Would SAC members be willing to attend another venue if necessary? Honestly, I'm looking for guidance here from our senior members. My gutt tells me that an annoucement should be made to the club informing all members of this proposed event, thereby obtaining the Club's general pulse regarding questions 2 and 3 above directly. Obviously, the Board should discuss the proposed financial support off-line from the club, proposing a sum to be voted on by all members later. Clearly, I wanted to bring this entire scenario up with the Board, first and foremost. As always, your input is greatly appreciated and respected. Regards, Chris Hanrahan (humble) VP Saguaro Astronomy Club 623.455.9836 home 602.694.1396 wireless