11/30/2005 SEDS-USA Exec Transcript
From SEDSWiki
[20:59] *** toddimus8 has joined the chat.
[21:00] FoxyBiter: Hey, I'll be checking in every once in awhile but I have an organic chem test tomorrow that needs some attending to... sorry :(
[21:00] FoxyBiter: i'll stay online and get transcript, etc
[21:00] Megha Sharma: cool, np
[21:01] Megha Sharma: well I am in a project meeting so I'll be leaving pretty soon
[21:01] toddimus8: yeah i also am doing like 2 reports at the same time
[21:01] FoxyBiter: hahaha, aren't we a sad bunch
[21:02] *** LIVe sKiiNG has joined the chat.
[21:02] Megha Sharma: I miss meetings on SEDS server n space alumni
[21:03] Megha Sharma: Aite, Emily isn't coming
[21:04] Megha Sharma: Matt isn't either
[21:04] Megha Sharma: josh will be late
[21:04] Megha Sharma: i dont know about Liz
[21:05] Megha Sharma: anyway we'll start the meeting
[21:05] Megha Sharma: well other than updates from each chapter, Advisory Board Discussion was my main agenda
[21:07] Megha Sharma: basically, there has been a serious discussion going on since the conf, at http://forums.seds.org/showthread.php?t=600&page=2
[21:07] *** Emily has joined the chat.
[21:08] Megha Sharma: so my aim tonite is to chalk out the basic framework for the advisory board and put it up on wiki as well as the seds forum to continue further discussion
[21:08] Megha Sharma: basically the goal is to have a full-fledged board before the end of the yyear
[21:09] Megha Sharma: so for those of u who have updates, pl. go rite ahead
[21:09] Megha Sharma: as always in the order of imp., Emily do u want to go first
[21:10] Emily: sure
[21:10] Emily: the newsletter is put together, i just need to spend probably two hours editing it
[21:11] Megha Sharma: did Kirk send u the article?
[21:11] Emily: yes
[21:11] Megha Sharma: good
[21:11] Megha Sharma: great job on the newsletter Emily
[21:11] Emily: i'll send the finished product to ryan before midnight and he will put it on the website tomorrow morning
[21:12] Emily: i'll send out an email to chapters to look at it tomorrow
[21:12] Emily: thats all ive got
[21:12] *** Josh Nelson (Arizona) has joined the chat.
[21:12] Megha Sharma: cool
[21:12] Josh Nelson (Arizona): yo
[21:12] Megha Sharma: now ryan, are u all set with the website suff?
[21:13] Megha Sharma: for the newsletter at least
[21:13] rmmlg08: yes, it will go under seds.org/nova.php
[21:13] rmmlg08: I just need to upload it
[21:14] Megha Sharma: awesome
[21:15] Megha Sharma: Emily, do u have anything else u need or are u all set?
[21:15] Emily: im done
[21:16] Megha Sharma: ok cool
[21:16] Megha Sharma: Ryan, any updates or plans for next week
[21:17] rmmlg08: there was one thing that I need to present to the group
[21:18] rmmlg08: for most organizations' websites, there is a main page (for publicity and the default one that outsiders would go to) and there is another that insiders would use as their home page
[21:18] rmmlg08: so it seems to me that seds.org should be an explanation of what seds is, how to join, etc
[21:18] rmmlg08: and a subpage should be what seds.org main page is now
[21:19] rmmlg08: and I would like comments on this suggestion
[21:19] Josh Nelson (Arizona): actually...
[21:19] Josh Nelson (Arizona): the SEDS info page could serve similarly
[21:19] Josh Nelson (Arizona): http://www.seds.org/seds/
[21:19] Josh Nelson (Arizona): but we will need to update it
[21:19] rmmlg08: right, but should that be what people see when they first get to seds.org
[21:19] rmmlg08: instead of the current base hompage
[21:20] Josh Nelson (Arizona): hmmm
[21:20] Emily: i agree
[21:20] Josh Nelson (Arizona): it is an interesting idea, but we should add on a little blurb for recent events / announcements
[21:20] rmmlg08: definitely
[21:20] Emily: right
[21:20] rmmlg08: what we are doing is the most important pr thing there
[21:21] Emily: the first page should be info pertinant to outsiders
[21:21] toddimus8: yeah and some cool space pics
[21:21] Megha Sharma: yep
[21:22] Megha Sharma: todd chuck the yellow, I can hardly see u
[21:22] toddimus8: im in yellow?
[21:22] Emily: on mine josh is in yellow
[21:22] rmmlg08: not on mine
[21:22] Megha Sharma: something like that
[21:22] JenJaina: He can't control it, AIM does it automatically
[21:23] rmmlg08: any other comments?
[21:23] LIVe sKiiNG: i like it
[21:23] FoxyBiter: maybe the headings on the toolbar could be changed to have subheadings as well (on the website I mean) because its difficult to find what ones looking for. or even a site map?
[21:23] rmmlg08: yeah, I plan on going through those
[21:23] FoxyBiter: nice
[21:23] rmmlg08: I don't much like them either
[21:24] rmmlg08: one other thing: some of the toolbar links lead to things such as "join seds"
[21:24] rmmlg08: I would presume that the content of that page falls under say chapter expansion
[21:24] Megha Sharma: Ryan get in touch with Alex Rechenmacher, he made this really good seds page, may be u can use his to start with
[21:24] toddimus8: another thing, kinda unrelated, i find it hard to find stuff on wiki without a direct link
[21:25] Josh Nelson (Arizona): well thats kinda the point to the seds wiki
[21:25] Josh Nelson (Arizona): that they are only for people directly involved
[21:25] Josh Nelson (Arizona): otherwise we will have outside people editing the pages
[21:25] Megha Sharma: yes
[21:25] Emily: but we need to be able to get to stuff easily
[21:25] Josh Nelson (Arizona): if you are involved in the project/area
[21:26] Josh Nelson (Arizona): you will have the link
[21:26] Emily: cant stuff be protected
[21:26] Megha Sharma: just wiki.org has everything listed....what exactly are we talking about here?
[21:26] rmmlg08: not on a wiki, right
[21:26] Megha Sharma: yes actually, it can be protected
[21:26] toddimus8: yeah, sorry didnt me to change the topic
[21:27] Megha Sharma: i mean seds.wiki
[21:27] Megha Sharma: I have to ask Chris how to do it, he told me that it can be protected
[21:27] rmmlg08: I'm sure there's something in the documentation
[21:27] Megha Sharma: Todd, Emily what kinda of stuff is hard to find?
[21:28] Emily: seds wiki itself
[21:29] toddimus8: well from the main wiki page, stuff like the discussions on new exec structure, spacegen, etc
[21:29] toddimus8: but like you said maybe its suposed to be like that
[21:29] FoxyBiter: i'm looking into re-organizing the wiki
[21:29] FoxyBiter: i could definitely use suggestions as well as ryan's help
[21:30] Emily: really no one who isnt in seds is gonna care enough to mess with it, and if it really became a problem, it coud be protected anyway
[21:30] rmmlg08: if we could get a list of the topics most needed, we can put links to those on the main wiki page
[21:30] Josh Nelson (Arizona): seds wiki is linked right off the main SEDS webpage
[21:30] Josh Nelson (Arizona): emily
[21:31] Megha Sharma: OK...well we will look into it..we can actually use the same concept and layout as for SEDS.org so members dont get confused
[21:31] Emily: right
[21:31] Emily: it be nice to get to it from the wiki page too
[21:31] rmmlg08: get to what?
[21:32] Josh Nelson (Arizona): ummm and about sed.org
[21:32] Josh Nelson (Arizona): when is it going to be revamped?
[21:32] Emily: like if i go to wikipedia.org, i could type in seds and there'd be an article about us
[21:32] rmmlg08: that can be arranged
[21:32] FoxyBiter: that is arranged
[21:32] FoxyBiter: type in seds on wiki and theres an article about us
[21:33] Emily: really?
[21:33] rmmlg08: I just treid (like 5 s ago)
[21:33] JenJaina: On en.wikipedia.org?
[21:33] JenJaina: Yeah, I didn
[21:33] JenJaina: 't get anything
[21:33] FoxyBiter: no way?
[21:33] FoxyBiter: hold a sec
[21:34] FoxyBiter: holy cow, you're right. i thought that was dealt with
[21:34] FoxyBiter: one sec
[21:34] Josh Nelson (Arizona): hmm
[21:34] Emily: I thought I could find something there to put in the newsletter, but theres nothing
[21:34] Josh Nelson (Arizona): well that we can do
[21:34] Josh Nelson (Arizona): honostly it isnt as important as some of this other stuff
[21:35] Josh Nelson (Arizona): this is really a 'for fun' thing
[21:35] Josh Nelson (Arizona): to get seds on the main wiki
[21:35] Megha Sharma: the most imp. thing is overhauling the seds.org, coz thats where most visitors will be going and also because wiki is a piece of cake to organise as compared to seds.org
[21:35] FoxyBiter: ok, you're right, we call it a wiki put its not linked to the main page, and i thought it was.
[21:35] FoxyBiter: yes, true that
[21:36] Megha Sharma: so just replicate seds.org on wiki..but eliminating stuff we might now need
[21:36] Megha Sharma: ie just keep the members' relevant stuff
[21:36] Josh Nelson (Arizona): what do you mean 'replicate seds.org' on the wiki?
[21:36] Megha Sharma: I mean the format and lay-out
[21:37] Josh Nelson (Arizona): i thought we were going to get those revamped. Thats what Alex was working on earlier, since hte main page right now is not well organized/looke horrible
[21:37] Josh Nelson (Arizona): looked*
[21:38] Megha Sharma: yep
[21:38] Josh Nelson (Arizona): So what is the ETA / is it actually being worked on
[21:39] Josh Nelson (Arizona): because honostly the wiki is barely used
[21:39] Josh Nelson (Arizona): seds.org is used
[21:39] Josh Nelson (Arizona): so shouldnt we be discussing what we wanted done instead of worrying about specific links being a little hard to find?
[21:39] rmmlg08: well, I was going to put priority on seds.org, then get to the wiki
[21:39] Josh Nelson (Arizona): exactly
[21:40] Megha Sharma: yes
[21:40] Josh Nelson (Arizona): btw, uk seds has a nice page
[21:40] Josh Nelson (Arizona): http://www.uk.seds.org/
[21:40] rmmlg08: yeah
[21:40] rmmlg08: that's pretty much what I was thinking for a main page
[21:41] Megha Sharma: Guys, have to step out for a bit, the GE folks are staring at me, lol....will be back soon. Todd, after Website stuff, pl start the advisory board dis. will join soon
[21:41] Josh Nelson (Arizona): yeah take a look at what Alex was working on, he had something nice made earlier
[21:42] Megha Sharma: is it OK?
[21:42] Megha Sharma: Todd can u pl. take over for a few?
[21:43] rmmlg08: where is the thing Alex was working on
[21:43] toddimus8: yea, sorry
[21:43] Josh Nelson (Arizona): Dunno right now, you will have to e-mail him about it
[21:43] rmmlg08: fair enough
[21:44] toddimus8: alright anything else website related?
[21:45] rmmlg08: so I guess the only other thing from me was the side pages that needed updating: just let me know about things that fall under your positions
[21:45] rmmlg08: like join seds-chapter expansion
[21:45] rmmlg08: but that's just an example
[21:45] rmmlg08: I guess I'll send out e-mails
[21:46] toddimus8: sounds good
[21:46] rmmlg08: but that's it from me
[21:46] toddimus8: alright
[21:46] toddimus8: so on to the advisory board discussion...
[21:46] toddimus8: the link again is http://forums.seds.org/showthread.php?t=600&page=2
[21:47] toddimus8: the list of suggested members is on there
[21:48] Megha Sharma: thanks TOdd, will be back soon
[21:48] toddimus8: ok, no problem
[21:48] toddimus8: so what we need to duscuss i suppose is the requirements to be on the advisory board, and the role of the board
[21:49] toddimus8: thoughts?
[21:50] Josh Nelson (Arizona): Role of the board is the big one.
[21:50] toddimus8: requirements would include being a seds alum, etc
[21:50] JenJaina: Since it was proposed that half of the board be composed of alumni, I was wondering if we have an alumni database? Names, contact info, etc?
[21:51] rmmlg08: we have a database of members (it has a few alums on it) so I am guessing it is grossly incomplete
[21:51] toddimus8: yeah most likely
[21:51] Emily: cant we send out an email and just ask who wants to be on it
[21:51] Josh Nelson (Arizona): we dont want random people
[21:52] FoxyBiter: haha. then we'd have to reject people
[21:52] Emily: like to seds exec or something
[21:52] toddimus8: yeah, its more like we choose who gets to be on it
[21:52] FoxyBiter: its better to run after ones we definitely like
[21:52] Josh Nelson (Arizona): It has been proposed that we have 2-3 people come up with a list of appropiate canidates
[21:52] toddimus8: i think the list kirk came up with is good
[21:52] Josh Nelson (Arizona): (I think Josh Neubert and Kirk vollenteered to do this)
[21:52] Josh Nelson (Arizona): yeah
[21:52] Josh Nelson (Arizona): agreed
[21:52] Josh Nelson (Arizona): Does everyone know of this list Todd is talking about?
[21:53] rmmlg08: it's under the link he IM'ed us
[21:53] Josh Nelson (Arizona): yup
[21:53] Josh Nelson (Arizona): it is
[21:54] toddimus8: so what are some thoughts on the role of the board?
[21:54] toddimus8: other than general advice
[21:54] Megha Sharma: ok back
[21:54] Josh Nelson (Arizona): Selection of SEDS National project proposals
[21:54] Megha Sharma: Grumpy propulsion engineers
[21:55] Josh Nelson (Arizona): Since there will be limited space on the Zero-G flights, and rocket launches (eventually). We were going to have the Alumni board vote on what proposals should go through
[21:55] Megha Sharma: Ok
[21:55] Josh Nelson (Arizona): Least that is one role we have proposed
[21:56] Megha Sharma: well I am preparing the list of SEDS alumni which will be up soon
[21:56] Megha Sharma: but wat I need to ask you guys is how much power should the advisory board have
[21:56] Emily: only advising power
[21:56] toddimus8: yeah
[21:57] Josh Nelson (Arizona): agreed
[21:57] Josh Nelson (Arizona): they can make 'recomendations'
[21:57] toddimus8: its not like they're going to come out and make decision on stuff on their own, its more like we go to them for advice, judging things, etc
[21:57] Josh Nelson (Arizona): but no binding decisions
[21:57] JenJaina: Isn't deciding proposals a decision?
[21:57] JenJaina: Could the Exec board veto that?
[21:57] Josh Nelson (Arizona): Under special circumstances of course they could
[21:58] Emily: yeah, they should just make recommendations that we vote on
[21:58] Josh Nelson (Arizona): it is just so we have an impartial selection process
[21:58] JenJaina: Gotcha
[21:58] Megha Sharma: yes, I want the Exec to keep the ultimate veot power to make crucial decisions
[21:58] Josh Nelson (Arizona): if there are circumstances that require it, we could of course override any recomendations they make
[21:58] Megha Sharma: veto*
[21:58] Emily: most organizations have advisors give advice, which is followed unless the execs really object, but formally they dont vote on anything
[21:59] Megha Sharma: OK.....1. so their role is limited to making recommendations
[21:59] Emily: yes
[21:59] Josh Nelson (Arizona): well they can make whatever recomendations theyw ant
[21:59] Josh Nelson (Arizona): but those recomendations are not binding
[21:59] Emily: right
[22:00] rmmlg08: do the members of the advising board remain year to year
[22:00] rmmlg08: it seems that would impact their role
[22:01] Emily: i think we should have max of a couple of years, but we should expect them to stay at least one
[22:02] Josh Nelson (Arizona): We dont want to have to keep re-making hte board every year
[22:02] Josh Nelson (Arizona): how about 2 years?
[22:02] Josh Nelson (Arizona): They can of course drop out when they wish, as they are doing this as a favor to us
[22:02] toddimus8: i think the board should alays have a few of the previous exec people on it
[22:02] Josh Nelson (Arizona): definetly
[22:02] Megha Sharma: 2. what is a good number-like 10?
[22:03] Megha Sharma: and 2 years is a good tenure, i agree with that
[22:03] Josh Nelson (Arizona): 10 is good I would think.
[22:03] Josh Nelson (Arizona): but that should be a soft limit
[22:03] toddimus8: yeah thats plenty
[22:03] Emily: well, just something like every 2 years we evaluate if we want new people or not
[22:04] Josh Nelson (Arizona): yeah that works
[22:04] Emily: we could let them have more than one term if they do a good job
[22:04] Megha Sharma: yep, and the exec decides that since they will be the ppl working closely with them
[22:04] toddimus8: yeah and what about people like peter and bob, they are kind of like permanent members of the advisory board
[22:05] Megha Sharma: so I suggest that exec overrides the decisions of COC on advisory board matters
[22:05] Josh Nelson (Arizona): What was CoC decision?
[22:05] Emily: i like
[22:05] Emily: could it be like we can override CoC but if two thirds want something they can override us
[22:06] Megha Sharma: in case of any recommendations coming from Advisory board..that COC wants and Exec does not
[22:06] Josh Nelson (Arizona): CoC ALWAYS has the power to override anything we do
[22:06] Emily: cuz its kinda bad if they all want something and we can just veto
[22:06] Josh Nelson (Arizona): we have no control over that
[22:06] Emily: over what
[22:06] Josh Nelson (Arizona): anything
[22:06] Josh Nelson (Arizona): a 3/4 vote of CoC can override any Exec board decision
[22:07] Emily: good
[22:07] Josh Nelson (Arizona): there needs to be a check and balance. If we decide "Oh Exec board should get paid" etc
[22:07] Megha Sharma: well coz most of the time, its the exec baord that will be working with the advisory council....and COC usually does not take that much interest..as has been seen in the past
[22:08] Josh Nelson (Arizona): But what exact decision are you talking about us overriding?
[22:09] Josh Nelson (Arizona): Is there something specific right now that CoC has done that you are asking us to override?
[22:09] Emily: who you asking
[22:09] Megha Sharma: no
[22:10] Megha Sharma: I am going to write up the advisory board bye-laws.....so I need to be clear what we want....althouh that will all be critiqued and edited
[22:11] Megha Sharma: not Bye-laws really...just the frame work
[22:11] Megha Sharma: so we have a base to start a solid dis. on the forums and on wiki
[22:11] Josh Nelson (Arizona): yeah def
[22:11] Megha Sharma: so do u get why i am asking all these specific ques and suggestions
[22:12] Megha Sharma: so do most of u agree that 3/4ths of COC yay can override an Exec nay?
[22:12] Emily: yes
[22:12] Josh Nelson (Arizona): well we have no control of that
[22:12] Megha Sharma: or vice-versa?
[22:13] Josh Nelson (Arizona): that is in the bylaws
[22:13] Josh Nelson (Arizona): and yes I agree to that
[22:13] Emily: its a little high
[22:13] Megha Sharma: Ok...works fine...I am open to anything...actually the best that is for all chapters and members
[22:13] Emily: but ok
[22:13] Megha Sharma: should be lower?
[22:14] Emily: no lower than 2/3
[22:14] Emily: we can leave it tho
[22:14] Josh Nelson (Arizona): right now lets leave it
[22:14] Josh Nelson (Arizona): as it is what is in the bylaws
[22:14] Josh Nelson (Arizona): for overriding of decisions
[22:14] Josh Nelson (Arizona): simpler to have one limit for everything
[22:14] toddimus8: yeah
[22:16] Megha Sharma: Ok next ques....is there a certain limit we want to propose for the composition of advisory board....like 2/3s alumni n 1/3 others(just an example
[22:17] Josh Nelson (Arizona): 1/2 and 1/2 would be good... Not sure if we could find enough active alumns at present to do it
[22:17] Josh Nelson (Arizona): it is definetly going to fluctuate with time
[22:17] Megha Sharma: yea, and thats why the ques is whether we even need to enforce a limit like that....or rather keep it open
[22:18] JenJaina: Maybe have a minimum of alumni?
[22:18] Emily: we could aim for half alumni, half space industry people, but the alumni will probably be more willing to do it anyway, so they might end up with a higher ratio
[22:18] JenJaina: Like minimum 1/3
[22:18] Emily: good idea
[22:18] rmmlg08: that would be good
[22:18] Josh Nelson (Arizona): sounds good
[22:19] Josh Nelson (Arizona): I agree with a minimum limit on alumni
[22:19] toddimus8: yeh sounds good
[22:19] Megha Sharma: so at 1/3 of the board should be SEDS alumni
[22:19] Josh Nelson (Arizona): at least
[22:20] Megha Sharma: ok...coool
[22:20] Megha Sharma: their duties....do we expect them to have like may be monthly-meetings with the Exec Board?
[22:20] Josh Nelson (Arizona): monthly? I dont think we will have enough for them monthly
[22:20] Josh Nelson (Arizona): do you guys?
[22:21] Megha Sharma: nah....just open idea
[22:21] LIVe sKiiNG: no, maybe more like 4 times a year
[22:21] JenJaina: No ... maybe like four a year unless there's some big thing
[22:21] JenJaina: Yeah
[22:21] Megha Sharma: OK 4 goes....
[22:21] Josh Nelson (Arizona): 4 regular meetings :-)
[22:21] Josh Nelson (Arizona): good
[22:22] Megha Sharma: well looks like most ppl need to get going
[22:22] Megha Sharma: so waht I will do is draft up something very basic for discussion
[22:22] Megha Sharma: then u guys add/comment/edit/suggest on that
[22:23] Megha Sharma: sounds good?
[22:23] JenJaina: Yep
[22:23] Megha Sharma: I dont want to hold u guys long
[22:23] Josh Nelson (Arizona): Any other officer reports up?
[22:23] toddimus8: yeah sounds good
[22:23] Megha Sharma: Josh...only urs
[22:24] Megha Sharma: I will continue to talk to u guys individually
[22:24] Josh Nelson (Arizona): No real update, Kirk and I are discussing our proposed schedules. By next week we should have a DEFINITE flight date locked in.
[22:24] Megha Sharma: OK......
[22:24] Megha Sharma: well we need to let the chapters know all that
[22:24] Josh Nelson (Arizona): will have a big update next week hopefully.
[22:24] Josh Nelson (Arizona): yup
[22:25] Megha Sharma: ok Josh I'll talk to u about it later
[22:25] Josh Nelson (Arizona): aye
[22:25] Megha Sharma: aite guys, does nayone have anything to add?
[22:25] toddimus8: nope
[22:25] JenJaina: No
[22:26] Megha Sharma: its the yes's that take time, nos should come quicker than this guys, lol
[22:26] Megha Sharma: ok so meetings officially over
