2009 January 26 SEDS-USA Exec Transcript
From SEDSWiki
| SEDS-USA Executive Board Meeting, January 26, 2009 |
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Time: 6:00pm MST
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Transcript
[18:49] Jedi8798: well lets get started
[18:49] VonBraunGuy: should we start a new room?
[18:49] VonBraunGuy: nvm
[18:49] Jedi8798: can get rick in whenever he gets back on
[18:49] Wemewaw27: hahaha
[18:50] Jedi8798: Ok, Keri Bean is unable to attend tonight due to a last minute conflict
[18:50] Jedi8798: Keri H, you wanted to discuss the Rockoon competition?
[18:50] Wemewaw27: Yes, I sat in on the UA rockoon competition meeting and they asked me to bring up some issues
[18:51] Wemewaw27: the biggest problems were where and when
[18:51] Wemewaw27: I've been talking to Basant and he thought that it would be great to pair it with the conference because then it would save the different chapters time and travel expenses
[18:51] Wemewaw27: so we looked up different places nearby
[18:51] missourian612: how many schools are currently signed up for this? and
furthermore how many have actually begun planning and such
[18:52] Jedi8798: a number are far past planning.
[18:52] missourian612: good!
[18:52] Jedi8798: The one problem with Tucson and Arizona in general
[18:52] Jedi8798: is that when I first tried to host it here
[18:52] Jedi8798: I received a very nasty email from the Tucson bomb squad
[18:52] bsntmath: what?
[18:53] Jedi8798: saying that rockets with more than 4 ounces of propellant would not be allowed in city limits etc...
[18:53] Wemewaw27: well, one thing we found together was in Rainbow Valley, Arizona
[18:53] missourian612: oh wow
[18:53] missourian612: do you have any contacts outside
[18:53] Wemewaw27: which is where they do many high altitude launches
[18:53] Jedi8798: Do you have a google map link? and how close to tucson?
[18:53] Wemewaw27: and have large facilities
[18:54] Wemewaw27: according to yahoo maps it's 2hrs and 45mins away
[18:54] rmmlg08: how about at a larger competition like LDRS or BALLS
[18:54] missourian612: Are there any NAR of Tripoli rocket clubs in the Tucson area?
[18:54] missourian612: both usually have FAA certified launch sites
[18:54] Jedi8798: problem is we're going WELL above where most of those rockets go
[18:55] Wemewaw27: check out rocketry planet, I'll give u a link in a second
[18:55] missourian612: "Southern Arizona Rocketry Association (SARA) #545
Stephen Lubliner
4801 N Vista DeLoma Segunda
Tucson AZ 85749
Phone : (520)296-1689
[18:55] missourian612: http://www.sararocketry.org/
[18:55] Jedi8798: The problem with those launch sites is the downrange
[18:56] missourian612: ohh yea
[18:56] Jedi8798: a rockoon falling from 100,000 feet
[18:56] missourian612: but they may have something.
[18:56] Jedi8798: goes helluva lot farther than one from 10,000 feet
[18:56] missourian612: right
[18:56] Jedi8798: can ask them. UofA SEDS also has some contacts there
[18:56] Jedi8798: they've been going to launches lately
[18:56] rmmlg08: in general, these have to be done in some boondock location in the west or, like, wallops
[18:56] rmmlg08: (these kinds of altitudes)
[18:56] Jedi8798: yeah
[18:57] Jedi8798: I did a preliminary calculation earlier
[18:57] missourian612: ok... i mean, even if they don't have anything, they might be able to point us in the right direction
[18:57] Jedi8798: then you also have to worry about fire danger in Arizona
[18:57] Wemewaw27: well, another presented idea was in White Sands (5hrs away)
[18:57] Jedi8798: which is VERY high most of the year
[18:57] Jedi8798: White Sands missile range charges
[18:58] Jedi8798: alot of money
[18:58] rmmlg08: how much is a lot
[18:58] Jedi8798: for anything bigger than Estes
[18:58] Jedi8798: Ryan to put it this way you have to pay the wages for the fire crew, recovery people, etc...
[18:58] bsntmath: depends on how much sponsorship money we raise
[18:58] Jedi8798: by default to 'use' the field
[18:58] Wemewaw27: is there any way they'd do some charity work with us, give us a discount at least?
[18:59] missourian612: wouldn't hurt to ask
[18:59] Jedi8798: I tried, they said that the only student stuff they do for free is the estes stuff with student groups
[18:59] Jedi8798: and that was using Josh Neuberts contacts
[18:59] missourian612: ok
[18:59] Jedi8798: from X Prize
[18:59] Jedi8798: I can find those contacts if you ask me later Basant
[19:00] bsntmath: yup, i surely need 'em
[19:00] Wemewaw27: what about just at a discount at white sands?
[19:01] Wemewaw27: another idea was with Aeropac in Nevada
[19:01] Wemewaw27: they launch their event June 21st and 22nd
[19:01] Jedi8798: another thing we tried was Spaceport America
[19:01] Jedi8798: they said they were interested
[19:01] Jedi8798: then stopped returning my calls
[19:01] Jedi8798: and now are hosting their own student competition of New MExico students
[19:02] missourian612: ugh
[19:02] missourian612: haha
[19:02] bsntmath: i see
[19:03] missourian612: well, i guess that is on the "to do" list then, right?
[19:03] Wemewaw27: is Aeropac too soon?
[19:04] Wemewaw27: would they work with us?
[19:04] Jedi8798: given we dont have prize money yet
[19:04] Jedi8798: dunno, tis Basant's ball right now
[19:04] bsntmath: well,
[19:04] missourian612: kk
[19:04] bsntmath: i'll be approaching potential sponsors/ launch sites this week
[19:05] bsntmath: my traget is to hold the contest at the same time as the conf
[19:05] bsntmath: if everything works out
[19:06] Jedi8798: if you need help with Tucson area sites let me know
[19:06] Jedi8798: some of the restrictions
[19:06] bsntmath: also, I'm gonna put an online shared task list/ pvt wiki or something
[19:06] Jedi8798: we cannot in any way shape or form land in Mexico
[19:06] missourian612: haha
[19:06] Wemewaw27: haha
[19:06] bsntmath: so that the exec board can track progress and chime in with ideas and suggestions
[19:06] bsntmath: lol
[19:07] Jedi8798: so they need to be a good distance north of Tucson
[19:07] Jedi8798: ok anything more for Basant?
[19:08] Jedi8798: k we'll skip Keri Bean's item for tonight
[19:08] Jedi8798: Any update on 501c3 status?
[19:09] shinigaminote: we are stilling waiting to here back from the irs
[19:09] missourian612: do we know the usual timeframe?
[19:09] missourian612: i assume its a long time
[19:09] shinigaminote: should be like another 10 to 15 days
[19:10] Jedi8798: k
[19:10] Jedi8798: Moving on then
[19:10] Jedi8798: so as you've all heard, we got another email from Jim Volp... And he decided to call me twice during a meeting tonight
[19:10] missourian612: oh wow
[19:11] bsntmath: lol
[19:11] Jedi8798: And I will take this time to remind you that he is fairly good about reading meeting transcripts so please remember you are on the record
[19:11] missourian612: any response?
[19:12] Jedi8798: Ryan and I decided that it is better to respond as a group than as individuals. The primary purpose of Jim's emailing all of us at once
asking for our individual opinions
[19:12] VonBraunGuy: i agree
[19:12] Jedi8798: is probably to find contradictions
[19:12] VonBraunGuy: show solidarity
[19:12] missourian612: i agree
[19:12] Wemewaw27: definitly
[19:13] Wemewaw27: did anyone answer him?
[19:13] Jedi8798: Now first issue, does anyone believe these emails warrant a response?
[19:13] Jedi8798: No we have not Keri.
[19:13] Jedi8798: given the first email was after our last meeting, and the
second shortly before this one
[19:14] Wemewaw27: Why don't we all send him the same email response back?
[19:15] VonBraunGuy: it may be our responses will embolden him
[19:15] Jedi8798: Keri, the purpose of this discussion is first to decide if we will email him at all
[19:15] Jedi8798: yeah
[19:15] Wemewaw27: sorry
[19:15] missourian612: My one suggestion I thought of is this: Is there any way we can (or has there been) discussion between SEDS groups of different countries? I was thinking maybe a yearly summit or something could be organized to help SEDS stay more in tuned on a world level?
[19:15] missourian612: I mean, has there been any talk of this happening with SEDS Spain, or any other SEDS?
[19:15] Jedi8798: the only other SEDS chapters in the world that currently exist
[19:15] Jedi8798: in any real sense
[19:15] Jedi8798: is SEDS UK and SEDS India
[19:16] Jedi8798: both whom have about 100 or less members
[19:16] missourian612: ah... i see
[19:16] Jedi8798: SEDS UK is indifferent on the situation, they have met Jim at the international conference and liked him there, but will be watching out for the situation we described
[19:16] Jedi8798: SEDS India sees nothing wrong with Jim from what I can tell
[19:17] VonBraunGuy: perhaps we should ignore him unless he tries to contact us further
[19:17] VonBraunGuy: and then reply to that as needed
[19:18] missourian612: I like that option. We are an organization of students. I felt it highly unprofessional to try to contact us each personally
[19:18] Jedi8798: Ah, one other point
[19:18] Wemewaw27: based on what you said about SEDS UK and SEDS India I would ignore him for a while but watch closely to see if he contacts other countries
[19:18] Jedi8798: actually scratch my next point
[19:19] Jedi8798: All in favor of not responding to Jim's emails at this point
in time.... (Aye/Nay/Abstain)
[19:19] Wemewaw27: aye
[19:19] missourian612: Nay until further notice/action from him
[19:20] shinigaminote: aye
[19:20] rmmlg08: i
[19:20] bsntmath: aye
[19:20] VonBraunGuy: aye
[19:22] Jedi8798: 5 in favor, 1 against, 1 abstain
[19:22] Jedi8798: motion carries, for now we will not respond to Jim's mass emails.
[19:22] Jedi8798: Keri, you had another item about Educational Materials fund?
[19:22] Wemewaw27: yep
[19:23] missourian612: oh woops! i thought that nay meant not respond... i'd like to change to aye
[19:23] missourian612: sorry
[19:24] Jedi8798: np
[19:24] Jedi8798: Keri go
[19:24] Wemewaw27: I've been compiling a list of resources that I would like to provide to educators and thought that if we put that as it's own fund it might be easier to contact large companies for donations. It is now the beginning of the year and so they will be more likely to donate
[19:24] Wemewaw27: I figured that if it is its own fund we don't have to specify exactly which items we are planning on making and distributing and that we could constantly add to it
[19:25] Wemewaw27: The list would include things like the other Keri's podcasts, periodic tables, rulers (from paper), maybe the before mentioned calendars, notebook paper with space pictures shadow printed on it
[19:26] Wemewaw27: we could even use the fund for things like travel expenses for college members to go a little further out to visit and work with other high schools
[19:26] Jedi8798: How much are you looking at dollar wise?
[19:26] Wemewaw27: I think that we should ask for a standard 1,000 donation from each company this year
[19:26] Jedi8798: ball park
[19:27] Jedi8798: I mean total
[19:27] Wemewaw27: but I'm completely flexible and open to advice on that figure
[19:27] Jedi8798: $1,000 is a big donation
[19:27] Jedi8798: most of the sponsors we're going at for the national conference we are trying to hit for $1,000
[19:27] rmmlg08: rly?
[19:27] Jedi8798: with the exception of the big guys
[19:27] Wemewaw27: Well, I figured that will the things I listed it will run $3000 for a year at most
[19:27] Jedi8798: big companies we're trying to tap for 5-10k each
[19:27] Jedi8798: smaller ones $1l
[19:28] Wemewaw27: maybe more around 4,000 for a year
[19:28] Wemewaw27: printing is 300 - 400, plus mailing fees
[19:28] Wemewaw27: travel fees and podcasts will be very small
[19:28] Jedi8798: So would you start fundraising for the fund now, with a goal of having hte money by the november conference?
[19:28] Wemewaw27: yes
[19:29] Wemewaw27: with every donation we would get that much work done immediately
[19:29] Jedi8798: so then you're not looking for a fund persay, but you're looking at having a stream of money
[19:29] Jedi8798: using as you get it
[19:30] Wemewaw27: I thought that something to go along with the donation we would also ask for picture to constantly be useed
[19:30] Wemewaw27: not entirely, I do plan to set up a fund to a limit of money and stay there each year, not being greedy
[19:30] Wemewaw27: though I find reaching out to schools important I realize that it might not be our biggest priority
[19:31] Wemewaw27: I would hope to have donations all in by the beginning of August if possible
[19:31] Wemewaw27: to leave room for the conference
[19:32] Wemewaw27: I kind of just wanted to open this whole topic up for discussion to get imput on good amounts for donations and the total fund, as well as to here the opinions on its importance
[19:32] Jedi8798: Opinions? Ryan you are the fundraising guru
[19:32] rmmlg08: well
[19:33] rmmlg08: for something of this magnitude, guessing around 1k each is in my opinion pretty reasonable
[19:33] rmmlg08: but you always want to give levels
[19:33] rmmlg08: with advertised gimmicks for each level
[19:33] missourian612: right
[19:34] rmmlg08: so maybe go for 500, 1k, 3k
[19:34] rmmlg08: give them cute names
[19:34] rmmlg08: put together a packet
[19:34] rmmlg08: and roll from there
[19:34] Jedi8798: I think it might be better to try and fundraise an individual project first, then if that is successful, try an educational fund. So you have something successful to show the sponsors for the fund. Such as the calendar
project. Get that funded and published once, and use that success to get the rest of it
[19:34] Wemewaw27: ok, mailing packets works better than emails?
[19:34] rmmlg08: one other key thing is that you should have a nice explicit budget
[19:35] rmmlg08: well, you want an email to get people interest
[19:35] rmmlg08: but once you have their interest, then they will want more info
[19:35] rmmlg08: so then you point them to the packet for that
[19:35] missourian612: right, and i feel like a paper back-up seems more legitimate...
[19:35] Wemewaw27: as for successful projects first, I have one problem like that
[19:36] Wemewaw27: I am sending out newsletters to hundreds (and hopefully thousands) of educators across the country
[19:36] Wemewaw27: It'd be nice to actually be able to give them something to make them see our legitimacy
[19:36] rmmlg08: this actually brings up another item I ran across specifically right before sv
[19:36] Wemewaw27: I don't mean to rush it, it's just that it seems like the natural order of things swings that way
[19:37] rmmlg08: seds needs a letterhead
[19:37] rmmlg08: and a ppt template
[19:38] Jedi8798: yeah
[19:38] Jedi8798: I want to ask will p how he does his
[19:38] Jedi8798: they turn out nice
[19:38] Wemewaw27: ummm...fund?....
[19:38] Jedi8798: but anyway, on the idea of the fund
[19:38] Jedi8798: Other opinions towards creating a set fund for the education projects
[19:39] missourian612: I can help with the ppt template or letterhead
[19:39] missourian612: i'll add it to the list of things
[19:39] missourian612: lol
[19:41] Jedi8798: ok if no more opinions on the fund...
[19:42] Jedi8798: All in favor of creating a special fund specifically for the education projects (Aye/Nay/Abstain)
[19:42] Wemewaw27: AYE
[19:42] shinigaminote: aye
[19:42] VonBraunGuy: aye
[19:42] Jedi8798: Nay
[19:42] missourian612: abstain
[19:42] rmmlg08: i
[19:42] bsntmath: aye
[19:42] Jedi8798: 5-1-1 the aye's have it
[19:43] Jedi8798: Ryan can you help Keri with ideas etc...?
[19:43] rmmlg08: sure
[19:43] Jedi8798: k
[19:43] rmmlg08: keri, just let me know what you need advice with
[19:43] Jedi8798: Any other points of business for the meeting tonight?
[19:43] Wemewaw27: sure, I'll b sending u an email tonight Ryan
[19:43] VonBraunGuy: are there any issues you would like me to bring up at this
week's CoC
[19:43] VonBraunGuy: as of right now there are no issues on the agenda
[19:44] Jedi8798: ah point....
[19:44] Jedi8798: hasn't been a busy January....
[19:44] VonBraunGuy: apparently not
[19:44] Jedi8798: any items you guys can think of that need to be discussed / voted on ?
[19:44] VonBraunGuy: none of the chapter reps have emailed me items either
[19:45] Jedi8798: I guess it will just be exec board updates then
[19:45] VonBraunGuy: short meeting
[19:45] Jedi8798: and the usual question and answer period afterward
[19:45] Jedi8798: yeah
[19:45] Jedi8798: well, advertise it as such. Short due to the beggining of the semester
[19:45] VonBraunGuy: yeah
[19:46] VonBraunGuy: also Keri B told me she will not be able to attend
[19:46] missourian612: um, i have something real quick
[19:46] Jedi8798: go ahead
[19:46] VonBraunGuy: are there any volunteers for exec board rep?
[19:46] Jedi8798: I can volunteer I guess
[19:46] missourian612: at CoC, could you just throw out there if anyone has really interesting stories they want to see on the newsletter?
[19:46] VonBraunGuy: ok, thanks
[19:46] missourian612: i've begun working on it
[19:46] VonBraunGuy: alright
[19:46] missourian612: and i think it'd be good to have a story or two from chapters
[19:46] Jedi8798: announcements like that should probably go to seds-chapters@seds.org
[19:47] Jedi8798: we dont want to clutter CoC with only announcements
[19:47] missourian612: kk, sounds good
[19:47] missourian612: thanks
[19:47] VonBraunGuy: ok
[19:47] Jedi8798: one thing darrell pushed for was to have CoC filled with actual debate and items to be discussed
[19:47] Jedi8798: which I believe was a good idea
[19:47] Jedi8798: if there is a general announcement it shoudl probably go to the listserv
[19:47] VonBraunGuy: makes sense
[19:47] missourian612: yup. i just wasnt sure. thanks
[19:48] rmmlg08: yeah, good luck getting them to debate though
[19:48] VonBraunGuy: lol
[19:48] Jedi8798: Grant also wanted to discuss the recent Economist editorial and if SEDS should post a reply
[19:48] Jedi8798: Grant?
[19:48] VonBraunGuy: just a quick thought
[19:48] VonBraunGuy: i saw this editorial earlier today in the most recent issue
of the economist: http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12972659
[19:49] VonBraunGuy: pretty much it's a (I believe) highly flawed piece that
states:
[19:49] VonBraunGuy: 1) there is no reason for manned space exploration
[19:49] VonBraunGuy: 2) Robotic missions are more effective than manned missions
[19:49] bsntmath: the economist is known for kind of flawed write-ups
[19:49] VonBraunGuy: 3) Space exploration is too costly to pursue at the levels we are currently doing it at
[19:49] VonBraunGuy: yeah
[19:50] VonBraunGuy: but they have very good analysis in many areas
[19:50] VonBraunGuy: i don't think there's any reason they should still have these stone age attitudes toward spaceflight
[19:50] VonBraunGuy: so i propose writing a brief response and sending it to them
[19:50] Jedi8798: I'd be interested in helping pen a letter to the editor
[19:50] missourian612: also, think about how much space flight and exploration has added to the economy in general!
[19:51] VonBraunGuy: i thought it would be good to send them a message as a unit
that we feeltheir view is flawed
[19:51] VonBraunGuy: i can email a rough draft i've written if you're interested
[19:52] Jedi8798: easier to post it on google documents
[19:52] Jedi8798: and send us all the invites
[19:52] Jedi8798: then we can edit as a group
[19:52] VonBraunGuy: alrighty
[19:52] VonBraunGuy: will do
[19:53] Jedi8798: All in favor of a response to the Economist written on behalf of the entire exec board?
[19:53] Jedi8798: a/n/a
[19:53] VonBraunGuy: aye
[19:53] bsntmath: aye
[19:53] rmmlg08: i
[19:53] Jedi8798: aye
[19:53] Wemewaw27: aye
[19:54] missourian612: aye
[19:54] shinigaminote: aye
[19:54] Jedi8798: 6-0-1 motion carries
[19:54] Jedi8798: throw it up on a google doc and send the invites
[19:54] Jedi8798: Anything further?
[19:55] Jedi8798: in that case meeting adjourned
| 2008-2009 SEDS-USA Meetings |
| Exec Board Minutes: 11/24 | 12/01 | 12/08 | 12/22 | 1/5 | 1/12 | 1/19 | 1/26 | 2/2 | 2/9 | 2/16 | 2/23 | 3/2 | 3/9 | 3/16 | 3/23 | 4/6 | 4/13 | 4/20 | 4/27 | 5/4 | 5/11 | 5/18 | 5/25 | 6/1 | 6/8 | 6/15 | 6/22 | 6/29 | 7/6 | 7/13 | 7/20 | 7/27 | 8/3 | 8/10 | 8/17 | 8/24 | 8/31 | 9/7 | 9/14 | 9/21 | 9/28 | 10/5 | 10/6* | 10/12 | 10/20 | 10/26 | 11/2 | 11/9 | 11/16 |
| Exec Board Transcripts: 11/24 | 12/01 | 12/08 | 12/22 | 1/5 | 1/12 | 1/19 | 1/26 | 2/2 | 2/9 | 2/16 | 2/23 | 3/2 | 3/9 | 3/16 | 3/23 | 4/6 | 4/13 | 4/20 | 4/27 | 5/4 | 5/11 | 5/18 | 5/25 | 6/1 | 6/8 | 6/15 | 6/22 | 6/29 | 7/6 | 7/13 | 7/20 | 7/27 | 8/3 | 8/10 | 8/17 | 8/24 | 8/31 | 9/7 | 9/14 | 9/21 | 9/28 | 10/5 | 10/6* | 10/12 | 10/20 | 10/26 | 11/2 | 11/9 | 11/16 |
| Council of Chapters Transcripts: 12/3 | 12/15 | 1/28 | 2/25 | 3/25 | 4/29 | 5/30 | 6/24 | 7/29 | 8/25 | 9/30 | 10/28 | 11/15 |
