With Feb. being elections, I think it is time to discuss and seriously revisit
some topics, instead of half-assing them like we have been. (I'm guilty here!)
I've been thinking about the appointments, primarily. So here's a tome I typed
up instead of doing my homework ;)
Outreach Planning/Organization:
* We need a private, centralized calendar online for those with outreach
permissions to access. All proposed events are posted on the calendar. Whomever
can be the point of contact (lead) for an event types in their name so everyone
knows it is covered. The lead then takes over organizing the specific event.
* Outreach leads: Open position to any club member that has attended at least
two outreach events.
* Moongazing coordinator: monthly moongazing/sidewalk astronomy point of
contact person/organizer. They choose location, set up signs (which the club
already has), advertise on FB/website/mailing list, and makes sure at least one
scope will be there.
* YAA/JAA coordinator. I got this for now.
* Single point of contact for outreach for the public. The coordinator. Debbie
has been doing this but I think she would like to step down. Main job should be
putting events on a calendar and recruiting leads to take over each event.
* One person needs to volunteer to organize outreach materials into two easy to
grab and set up totes.
* DSN manager: This person will check in with the outreach calendar monthly and
make sure DSN is up to date. I propose combining this with the ALCor position.
This basically means I'm volunteering for now...
* Media contact: I believe this was appointed to Mary Singer last year. I
haven't seen Mary since, so not sure this was an effective choice. Ideally, our
media contact will be an ACTIVE member that is also willing to attend events,
post SAS events on the plethora of community calendars out there, and possibly
even contact the press when the SAS is doing something interesting.
Other appointments:
* ATM coordinator
* Editor
* Website guru
*Equipment manager (combine with library, or even get rid of the library...)
* Observing list contact
* Refreshments fairy
* Library program liaison
* others I am forgetting?
Two other things I think the board really needs to consider so that the board
is actually more effective:
* A member survey. At the March meeting we should consider handing out a member
survey. Perhaps give an extra raffle ticket for a cool prize to every one that
turns it in. We can brainstorm and make it up ahead of time. The point of the
survey will be to see what the members really want to see in the club so that
the board can work to make it happen -- thus fostering more involvement from
the rest of the members hopefully.
* Choose one major annual goal for the club/board. Something concrete that
benefits the club & community at large. Then, set an action plan with an actual
timeline to achieve the goal. Visible action will get more members involved,
will lead to a more active membership, and will help bring new faces to
events/board meeting instead of the same 5-8 people doing everything. I propose
this is done at the March board meeting after we review member surveys.
* Time to update the website. This is 90% my fault....The YAA page is horribly
out of date. So is the page with the board and appointments, but we might as
well wait to update that until after elections. We may want to have a
discussion over any other pages we want to add. Most visitors to meetings find
us either via FB or the website, so we should probably address the website
stuff sooner rather than later.
Okay, I'm done (or am I? <insert evil laugh>)
-Jenny
