2008 January 15 SEDS-USA Exec Transcript

From SEDSWiki

SEDS-USA Executive Board Meeting, January 15, 2008
Time: 9:00pm EST
Location: AOL Instant Messenger
Attendance: Joshua Nelson, Kelly Mann, Darrell Cain, Ryan McLinko, James Welch, HaoQi Li, Joshua Sosa, Brian Young

[19:05] Jedi8798: evening all
[19:05] Jedi8798: sorry for being all of 3 minutes
late
[19:06] *** KellyMann10 has been invited to the group
chat.
[19:06] *** KellyMann10 has joined the chat.
[19:06] Jedi8798: (anyone here?)
[19:06] DarrellDCain: yes
[19:06] KellyMann10: Hi everyone
[19:06] DarrellDCain: was going to crack a joke
[19:06] Jedi8798: lol
[19:06] DarrellDCain: but decided instead to let you
moderate the meeting
[19:06] Jedi8798: thanks for sparing us ;-)
[19:07] Jedi8798: Anyway, dont have a long agenda
today. Several brief items on my front:
[19:08] *** Your previous message has not been sent.
Reason: Maximum length (232) exceeded. You can recall
the last message typed with Ctrl-Up or Up, depending
on settings.
[19:08] Jedi8798: BAH damn message size limit
[19:08] Jedi8798: 1) the NSS has sent me a copy of
their Space Settlement calander for this year, and are
asking for permission to put our conference in it, as
well as
[19:08] Jedi8798: asking us if we would be interested
in sending out purchasing info to our
chapters/membership
[19:09] Jedi8798: Now while this is a pretty basic
question, it sets precedence
[19:09] Jedi8798: so I wanted to hear your opinions,
should we allow affiliates such as the NSS, AAS, etc..
to inform our members of opportunities to buy items in
support of their organizations?
[19:09] rmmlg08: about not being allowed to publicize
stuff?
[19:10] rmmlg08: although I think we may be able to
separate corporate publicity from partner publicit
[19:10] RolandBolser: I think so
[19:10] Jedi8798: if we should allow people to
publicize these things to our membership, and if so,
shal we limit it to our sponsors/affiliates, or what
[19:10] rmmlg08: we should continue to at least limit
to sponsors/affiliates I think
[19:11] RolandBolser: well, they provide support and
money so I think that's fair to let them have a chance
to advertise to us
[19:11] KellyMann10: I think it sounds good
[19:12] Jedi8798: agreed
[19:12] DarrellDCain: I think its fine
[19:12] KellyMann10: do we have anything that we
could do the same with?
[19:12] KellyMann10: like the NSS has their calander
[19:12] Jedi8798: Not at this point, but if we do, I'm
sure George and the NSS would be fine spreading the
word
[19:12] DarrellDCain: is NSS offering a discount as
well to our members
[19:12] RolandBolser: alright, I ahve to go, I'm goign
to keep this ofr the transcript
[19:12] DarrellDCain: for membership
[19:13] rmmlg08: I beleive that remains
[19:13] Jedi8798: NSS publishes these things barely at
profit
[19:13] DarrellDCain: no..not necessarily asking for a
discount
[19:13] rmmlg08: (the membership discount)
[19:13] Jedi8798: ah k
[19:13] Jedi8798: yeah
[19:13] DarrellDCain: just saying...if they're
offering it at a discount to normal selling
[19:13] Jedi8798: one sec
[19:13] DarrellDCain: it's a benefit to us
[19:13] Jedi8798: pulling out the letter
[19:14] DarrellDCain: and we can sell it as that
[19:14] Jedi8798: if they get a total order of 1020
(between us and all of their membership)
[19:14] Jedi8798: the calanders would come to about $5
each cost to us
[19:14] Jedi8798: and then could be sold up to $10-12
[19:14] rmmlg08: oh, well that's pretty trivial
[19:14] Jedi8798: to our membership
[19:14] rmmlg08: (ie discount wouldn't mean much)
[19:14] Jedi8798: yeah
[19:15] Jedi8798: though that pricing is only if they
breach the 1000 mark
[19:15] Jedi8798: if its lower, the price goes up a
bunch
[19:15] Jedi8798: how about this
[19:16] Jedi8798: I'll forward their message to the
chapter leadership
[19:16] Jedi8798: and let them decide on a chapter by
chapter basis
[19:16] rmmlg08: that seems reasonable
[19:16] KellyMann10: sounds good
[19:16] Jedi8798: cool beans
[19:17] Jedi8798: second item I had: the Mars Phoenix
lander landing is coming up in a few months (May 25th)
and I was wondering what you guys thought about having
a SEDS podcast/videocast off of the SEDS server
[19:17] Jedi8798: with SEDS students conducting
interviews live with members of the flight crew, etc..
[19:18] Jedi8798: I've talked with some of the
computer folk down here at LPL, and they say that
there shouldnt be any bandwith issues, and that the
new SEDS server is easily up to the job
[19:18] rmmlg08: cool
[19:19] hydrogenlithium: how do you plan to have the
interview taking place?
[19:19] Jedi8798: this is still competely preliminary
[19:19] Jedi8798: but I would like to possibly have a
video tour of the facilities here at the UofA, the
SoC, mission control, etc..
[19:19] KellyMann10: sounds really cool
[19:20] Jedi8798: and pod casts or video feeds of
interviews 1on1 with the science staff and engineers,
done infront of the Mars Pit and testing area
[19:20] Jedi8798: I'm not sure how many of you are
aware of this, but SEDS.org used to be THE site for
information on NASA missions, space images, etc..
[19:21] Jedi8798: while this wont get us to our former
glory, I think its something people might be
interested in
[19:21] Jedi8798: do you guys think people would
listen/watch?
[19:21] DarrellDCain: as long as we advertise it right
[19:21] hydrogenlithium: yeah
[19:21] Jedi8798: or would it turn out dismal
viewership like our simulcasting the conference
speakers?
[19:21] Jedi8798: yeah
[19:21] hydrogenlithium: btw, a good place is the
http://www.seds.org/messier/
[19:22] hydrogenlithium: i know a lot of amateur
astronomers go there
[19:22] Jedi8798: yeah
[19:22] Jedi8798: if you're into astronomy, be sure to
check out that link ;-)
[19:22] hydrogenlithium: it's the first link that
comes up if you google "messier"
[19:22] Jedi8798: I was going to that site long before
I knew what SEDS was :-)
[19:22] hydrogenlithium: me too
[19:23] Jedi8798: Ok, so all in favor of using SEDS
National resources (the server) to support a
pod/videocast covering the Mars Phoenix lander?
[19:23] Jedi8798: Aye/Nay/Abstain please
[19:23] rmmlg08: i
[19:23] hydrogenlithium: aye
[19:23] DarrellDCain: aye
[19:23] evilmonkeynorm: aye
[19:23] Jedi8798: Kelly and Jake are afk
[19:24] Jedi8798: so they abstain
[19:24] Jedi8798: motion carries
[19:24] Jedi8798: if any of you are interested in
getting involved with this, developing web content,
updating stuff, or interviewing scientists from your
school involved with the mission
[19:24] Jedi8798: be sure to let me know
[19:24] Jedi8798: if this is successful, we should
expand it out to cover more missions in the future
[19:25] hydrogenlithium: :)
[19:25] Jedi8798: Next meeting item: Ryan wanted to
talk about Goddard Symposium
[19:25] rmmlg08: so I got an email from Kirk re the
AAS Goddard Symposium this mar 5-6
[19:25] rmmlg08: which would in any regard be a pretty
good conference
[19:26] rmmlg08: but he also mentioned that he was
looking into setting up some stuff for seds members
there
[19:26] *** Nyeerrmm has been invited to the group
chat.
[19:26] rmmlg08: such as manybe some tours, meeting
with BoA, exec meeting
[19:26] rmmlg08: etc
[19:26] rmmlg08: and wanted to know if this would be
something we'd be interested in
[19:26] DarrellDCain: location?
[19:26] Jedi8798: as in meeting with the AAS BoA /
Exec?
[19:26] rmmlg08: dc
[19:27] Jedi8798: or them meeting with ours?
[19:27] rmmlg08: as in with a number of ours that will
likely be there
[19:27] DarrellDCain: falls about halfway in between
start of term and finals
[19:27] rmmlg08: right
[19:27] rmmlg08: which is the primary concern
[19:27] rmmlg08: isdc is obviously a lot easier
[19:27] hydrogenlithium: do we have any active members
close to the conference?
[19:27] rmmlg08: define close
[19:28] rmmlg08: in the immediate area, appx none
[19:28] hydrogenlithium: that they can go
[19:28] rmmlg08: in the closeness of us (ma) or so
[19:28] rmmlg08: a fair number
[19:28] DarrellDCain: the only DC chapter is
unaffiliated with us
[19:28] hydrogenlithium: like anybody from university
of washington
[19:28] hydrogenlithium: ?
[19:28] DarrellDCain: UW is actually in Washington
[19:28] DarrellDCain: Seattle
[19:28] Jedi8798: Washington state
[19:28] hydrogenlithium: oh right
[19:29] rmmlg08: given the position in term that this
is, I doubt we will be able to rally too much interest
[19:29] DarrellDCain: they're also practically dead
[19:29] DarrellDCain: for now at least
[19:29] hydrogenlithium: well there is the high school
20 minutes away
[19:29] rmmlg08: but wanted to get a feel from you
guys before they put any significant effort for us
[19:29] hydrogenlithium: the high school that just
joined seds
[19:29] rmmlg08: (they have a meeting on fri)
[19:29] Jedi8798: yeah
[19:30] DarrellDCain: it's also a Tues-Thursday
[19:30] rmmlg08: oh, didn't notice that
[19:30] Jedi8798: If you want to send out a brief poll
of interest
[19:30] Jedi8798: and then see if there is anyone
interested,
[19:30] DarrellDCain: I'd like to send people
[19:30] Jedi8798: might be able to arrange something
small but worthwhile for those able to attend
[19:30] rmmlg08: we'll at least get some people I
think
[19:30] DarrellDCain: but unfortunately we're students
[19:31] DarrellDCain: hmm
[19:31] DarrellDCain: I can include it in a message to
chapters as well
[19:31] rmmlg08: but as to whether they should arrange
much for us is more of the pressing question
[19:31] hydrogenlithium: some colleges might have
spring break during that time
[19:31] rmmlg08: but I can check on that to the lists
[19:31] DarrellDCain: unless we have people willing to
go
[19:32] DarrellDCain: I wouldn't press for something
now
[19:32] rmmlg08: (well, I have something else I may
need to send out anyway in the next couple of days)
[19:32] rmmlg08: (also from kirk re the aas mag
submissions)
[19:32] rmmlg08: due on jan 24
[19:33] rmmlg08: may just tag those along as aas stuff
[19:33] rmmlg08: but back tothe point
[19:33] rmmlg08: is there interest in any of you guys
in attending
[19:33] rmmlg08: (interest=interest/ability)
[19:33] Jedi8798: Dont think I'll be able to make it.
[19:33] DarrellDCain: nope
[19:34] hydrogenlithium: if we attend we have to pay
for our own travels, right?
[19:34] DarrellDCain: not for lack of interest
[19:34] rmmlg08: more than likely
[19:34] rmmlg08: unless you can convence spacegrant to
help you out
[19:34] rmmlg08: or potentially other funding sources
[19:34] *** Nyeerrmm has joined the chat.
[19:34] Nyeerrmm: hey guys, sorry im late, i was
having dinner with some people and i lost track of the
time
[19:35] rmmlg08: (we were just talking about goddard
symposium)
[19:35] rmmlg08: and kirk was offering to help make
some seds stuff there for us
[19:36] rmmlg08: problem is it is march 4-6
[19:36] Jedi8798: Ok
[19:36] rmmlg08: ie middle of a week
[19:36] Jedi8798: so Darrel and HaoQi, you'll help
Ryan spread word of this?
[19:36] DarrellDCain: yep
[19:36] hydrogenlithium: how?
[19:37] Jedi8798: And if there is sufficient interest
for some reason, Ryan you'll see about arranging
something?
[19:37] DarrellDCain: I'll include how in my update
[19:37] Jedi8798: HaoQi you mentioned a specific high
school in the area
[19:37] rmmlg08: yep
[19:37] hydrogenlithium: oh yeah
[19:37] hydrogenlithium: yeah
[19:37] Jedi8798: I assumed from the mention you knew
someone there
[19:37] Jedi8798: etc..
[19:37] hydrogenlithium: mhm
[19:37] rmmlg08: well, if you can try to ping someone
there
[19:37] rmmlg08: that would be great
[19:38] hydrogenlithium: ok
[19:38] Jedi8798: K
[19:39] Jedi8798: Moving on, any other important
updates?
[19:39] Jedi8798: Darrell, we have CoC coming up, hows
that going?
[19:39] DarrellDCain: alright
[19:39] DarrellDCain: we currently have 9 chapter
reps, promises of two more, and 8 unknown chapters
[19:40] DarrellDCain: Four chapters have been
confirmed dead
[19:40] DarrellDCain: Council of chapter meeting will
be jan. 30th, 9:30 pm EST
[19:40] Jedi8798: ouch
[19:40] DarrellDCain: meh...our current chapters are
pretty strong
[19:40] DarrellDCain: which is a good thing
[19:40] hydrogenlithium: the dead chapters ... should
I try to revive them?
[19:41] Jedi8798: definetly
[19:41] DarrellDCain: alright, then I will get a list
of dead chapters to haoqi
[19:41] hydrogenlithium: thank you
[19:41] DarrellDCain: anyways...all future CoC dates
will be declared before the first CoC meeting
[19:42] DarrellDCain: I will be sending a letter to
all CoC reps by the end of the week
[19:42] DarrellDCain: in that letter I will include
various chapter decisions and updates that we'd like
[19:42] DarrellDCain: for example the
[19:42] DarrellDCain: AAS conference
[19:42] DarrellDCain: I will then be collecting
chapter updates in the next two weeks
[19:43] DarrellDCain: if you have something you'd like
chapters to know please let me know
[19:43] DarrellDCain: I will be updating the chapter
list document on google
[19:43] DarrellDCain: with new contacts
[19:43] evilmonkeynorm: can we get reps and presidents
(at least) to register accounts on the website?
[19:43] DarrellDCain: on Friday, please look over it
then and let me know if you know contacts for unknown
chapter
[19:44] DarrellDCain: yes...I can add that
[19:44] DarrellDCain: please send me the instructions
[19:44] DarrellDCain: that should be it
[19:44] Jedi8798: Maybe we should put another few
colums on the list for 'additional contacts'
[19:44] Jedi8798: especially for the chapters you are
having trouble with?
[19:45] DarrellDCain: sure
[19:45] Jedi8798: Any questions for Darrell?
[19:45] Jedi8798: Oh, one thing Darrell
[19:46] Jedi8798: have you reps from every chapter
represented here?
[19:46] Jedi8798: by the exec board that is
[19:46] DarrellDCain: one sec
[19:46] DarrellDCain: Cornell is currently not a
chapter
[19:46] DarrellDCain: I have not collected high school
reps
[19:47] Jedi8798: k, should send them an invite as
well
[19:48] DarrellDCain: alright
[19:48] DarrellDCain: I need a list from kelly of
active high school chapters
[19:48] Jedi8798: getting them working with SEDS
National now, while they're in High School, will
motivate them to generate chapters when they get to
college
[19:48] DarrellDCain: true
[19:48] Jedi8798: If there are no more questions for
Darrell, Brian has an update on the lapel pins
[19:48] KellyMann10: i can get you that list tomorow
Darrell
[19:49] Nyeerrmm: everything is all set for the pins
right now, we just have to pay them
[19:49] Nyeerrmm: since Ryan's been told that we need
to do everything by check, but the company accepts
only credit/debit cards i'm going to put it on my
credit card and have ryan reimburse me
[19:50] Nyeerrmm: unfortunately it'll be a few more
days till the checks get in, but as soon as its done
we'll make the purchase
[19:50] Nyeerrmm: so, within three weeks we'll have it
[19:50] Nyeerrmm: a bit longer than we wanted, but the
financial stuff has been slowing things down
[19:50] Jedi8798: sounds good. You're having them
delivered to your chapters address?
[19:51] Nyeerrmm: yeah, that seems like the easiest
route... is there something else you think would work
better?
[19:51] Jedi8798: just checking
[19:52] Jedi8798: Please keep records for everyone who
buys pins, etc..
[19:52] Nyeerrmm: all right, will do
[19:52] Jedi8798: and arrange with Ryan to be able to
deposit the money, etc..
[19:52] Nyeerrmm: k
[19:53] Jedi8798: Ok, any other important updates?
[19:53] hydrogenlithium: Eh
[19:53] hydrogenlithium: Brown University
[19:54] hydrogenlithium: Has it ever been in SEDS?
[19:54] Jedi8798: yes I believe it was
[19:54] Jedi8798: a while back
[19:54] Jedi8798: like, circa late 1980s early 90s
[19:54] hydrogenlithium: I emailed Jonathan Zucker
because his email was is on the website
[19:54] hydrogenlithium: but he might not check that
email anymore
[19:54] hydrogenlithium: so does anyone know any
current contacts?
[19:55] hydrogenlithium: meh
[19:55] Jedi8798: not off the top of my head
[19:55] Jedi8798: you might want to email someone at
their physics or engineering program
[19:55] hydrogenlithium: good idea
[19:55] Jedi8798: and ask them if they know of any
enteprising young students
[19:56] Jedi8798: who might be interested in heading
up a chapter
[19:56] rmmlg08: there is a list of those on the wiki
[19:56] rmmlg08: (ie eng depts)
[19:56] rmmlg08: although some may be outdated, it's
worth a shot
[19:56] hydrogenlithium: I should do the same with VT
too
[19:57] hydrogenlithium: because the guy who showed
interest will be away for a semester
[19:57] Nyeerrmm: did the contact i sent you not work
out?
[19:57] Nyeerrmm: ah
[19:57] hydrogenlithium: it did
[19:57] hydrogenlithium: I also need to concentrate on
finding schools near Texas A&M
[19:58] Nyeerrmm: UT used to have a chapter, i think
madhi graduated... let me know what help you need
[19:58] hydrogenlithium: UT?
[19:58] Nyeerrmm: university of texas
[19:58] hydrogenlithium: oh I see
[19:59] hydrogenlithium: do you know any current
potential students?
[19:59] DarrellDCain: I was trying to contact UT
[19:59] DarrellDCain: no response yet
[19:59] Nyeerrmm: not really, i'll ask around and see
if anyone has any good contacts
[19:59] Nyeerrmm: theres also one guy... ill have to
find his contact info... at UT-Arlington that everyone
seems to know and i think might work out with some
prodding
[19:59] hydrogenlithium: thanks
[19:59] hydrogenlithium: ok
[19:59] hydrogenlithium: Darrell what have you tried
[20:00] hydrogenlithium: (so I don't have to repeat
the process)
[20:00] DarrellDCain: just an email to the email
provided on the google doc
[20:00] DarrellDCain: and then a followup email
[20:03] hydrogenlithium: hello?
[20:03] rmmlg08: ack
[20:03] Jedi8798: lol
[20:03] Jedi8798: Ok all,
[20:03] Jedi8798: I dont have anything more
[20:04] Jedi8798: so since everyone is starting school
this week or next, and whatnot
[20:04] Jedi8798: lets call it a meeting at that
[20:04] Jedi8798: next week we'll have a full roll
call of updates
[20:04] Jedi8798: so be ready to report progress,
problems, etc..
[20:04] Jedi8798: Meeting over
[20:04] Jedi8798: transcript ended
2007-2008 SEDS-USA Meetings
Exec Board Minutes: