2009 March 2 SEDS-USA Exec Transcript
From SEDSWiki
| SEDS-USA Executive Board Meeting, March 2, 2009 |
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Time: 9:00pm EST
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Transcript
[18:31] Jedi8798: lets get started
[18:31] Jedi8798: First up, Keri B requested the floor to discuss the podcasts
[18:31] Jedi8798: Keri?
[18:31] aggieastronaut: ok
[18:32] aggieastronaut: so as you can tell, my march 1 deadline went and passed
[18:32] aggieastronaut: first thing is I'll need a few more scripts written, because one person who had 5 disappeared off the face of the earth
[18:32] aggieastronaut: I'm still waiting for scripts to come back reviewed (I only have one back out of a 7 or so completed scripts)
[18:33] aggieastronaut: so my revised plan is to film/edit a few as soon as possible, but rather than submit them publically, we send them to a few test classrooms and to professionals to review
[18:34] aggieastronaut: and once we get some critique, we polish them up and then submit those to the public
[18:34] aggieastronaut: definitely having a few polished ones up before mid-August so teachers can incorporate them into their lesson plans
[18:35] Jedi8798: Sounds good Keri. Any other feedback/input?
[18:35] VonBraunGuy: what scripts do you still need?
[18:36] aggieastronaut: I'm not at my normal computer, so I don't remember off the top of my head
[18:36] VonBraunGuy: ok
[18:36] VonBraunGuy: if you could send out an email about it later i'd volunteer to do one or two more
[18:36] aggieastronaut: but I think it's Jupiter, Mars, Pluto/KBOs, and a couple others
[18:36] aggieastronaut: yeah, sounds good
[18:37] rick12500: I'll try to get pluto done.
[18:37] aggieastronaut: oh, asteroids/comets too
[18:37] VonBraunGuy: i could do mars
[18:37] VonBraunGuy: given i'm reading the mars trilogy right now so it seems to be on my mind a lot
[18:38] Jedi8798: Just remember that Kim Stanley Robinson filled in some 'future science' in the books
[18:38] aggieastronaut: tee hee
[18:38] VonBraunGuy: lol
[18:39] aggieastronaut: I feel bad for missing my deadline, but there's not a whole lot I could do about it
[18:39] aggieastronaut: but I did get some helpful hints from people at the planetary society and from Levar Burton
[18:40] Jedi8798: good
[18:40] VonBraunGuy: nice
[18:40] Jedi8798: Anything else?
[18:40] aggieastronaut: and Phil Plait said he could probably edit our astronomy scripts when we get to that point
[18:40] VonBraunGuy: coolz
[18:41] Jedi8798: Allright. Rick's up next. SEDS Ad!
[18:41] rick12500: Okay
[18:42] rick12500: As of right now we have gotten about 686,000 views of the two ad versions combined.
[18:42] bsntmath: kewl
[18:42] rick12500: Or at least Facebook has put it on a page that many times.
[18:42] Jedi8798: How many clicks?
[18:42] rick12500: Of that, 170 people have clicked the ad.
[18:42] rick12500: Resulting in a current cost of $97.57
[18:43] rick12500: One of the issues I have had are the server's transition issues.
[18:43] rick12500: The server has been up and down and up and down.
[18:43] rick12500: Which means that whenever I spot that I have killed the ad, but I would estimate that up to 30 people ended up at a broken SEDS server.
[18:44] rick12500: Which is a bummer.
[18:44] Jedi8798: *nods* unfortunetly it couldnt have been avoided, had some DNS issues with the server that needed to be resolved.
[18:44] rick12500: I don't know if Zeke has any statistics on an uptick of SEDS website page views or an increase in e-mail list membership, but I have not gotten any messages from people interested in forming groups ... yet.
[18:45] rick12500: Sorry not Zeke, Josh.
[18:45] rick12500: Sorry, I am in the midst of Java programming.
[18:45] rick12500: Are there any thoughts about the ad from everyone?
[18:46] Jedi8798: I have access to the statistics
[18:46] Jedi8798: I'll check in a moment
[18:47] rick12500: Any other thoughts from people?
[18:48] aggieastronaut: I haven't seen one yet
[18:48] bsntmath: me too
[18:48] aggieastronaut: but I don't need so, I suppose
[18:48] Jedi8798: Yeah I havent seen it once either
[18:48] aggieastronaut: need to*
[18:48] rick12500: By the way, apparently the SFF has been advertising there too.
[18:48] rick12500: I saw an ad from them.
[18:48] aggieastronaut: yeah, I've seen those
[18:48] Jedi8798: but this is a bad sign, because it means we're not necessarily getting it out there to the potential SEDS people
[18:48] bsntmath: yeah
[18:48] shinigaminote: neither have i
[18:48] rick12500: Hmm.
[18:48] Jedi8798: Yeah I mentioned that when you first brought up the Ad. Whatever SFF is doing is VERY visible
[18:49] rick12500: That's interesting.
[18:49] aggieastronaut: well, do ya'll have SEDS listed in your profile?
[18:49] Jedi8798: I see it like 3 times a day
[18:49] Jedi8798: Ok.....
[18:49] Jedi8798: Actually... the analytics tell us nothing
[18:49] rick12500: I wonder if they are pointing directly at people with SEDS in their profile.
[18:49] aggieastronaut: maybe it won't show up to those who have SEDS in their profile
[18:49] aggieastronaut: lol
[18:49] rick12500: I didn't put in SEDS as a key term.
[18:49] bsntmath: ideally, u shouldn't necessarily have SEDS listed on ur profile to see the ad
[18:49] Jedi8798: on average we get about 100-200 people viewing the site in any given day
[18:50] aggieastronaut: what were your key terms?
[18:50] Jedi8798: on Feb 25 we hit a peak of 284 people
[18:50] bsntmath: though i have, and i still didnt see the ad
[18:51] Jedi8798: K, so are you suspending the ad effective when?
[18:51] rick12500: Probably tonight.
[18:51] rick12500: It should hit about $100 soon.
[18:52] Jedi8798: yeah lets cap it at $100 total
[18:52] Jedi8798: Talk to Finance about getting reimbursed?
[18:52] rick12500: The current keyword terms are (Astronomy, Astrophysics, cosmology, Cosmos, Education, exploration, International Club, Organization, Physics, Space, Space Travel, Stars)
[18:52] rick12500: I will talk to finance.
[18:53] Jedi8798: ouch thats a bit broad
[18:53] Jedi8798: hmmm
[18:53] bsntmath: we can come up with an more effective keyword list after some brainstorming
[18:53] rick12500: I worked on it with Josh Sosa.
[18:54] rick12500: He had most of the ideas.
[18:54] Jedi8798: k
[18:54] bsntmath: like "International Club" is sort of fuzzy
[18:54] rick12500: One of the things that I tried to use was keywords that their automatic system suggested.
[18:54] rick12500: Maybe that's a bad idea?
[18:55] rick12500: That's where International Club came from.
[18:55] Jedi8798: problem is that will send it out to people who have no interest in space exploration whatsoever
[18:55] Jedi8798: but you're the only one willing to set this up, so no criticism from me
[18:55] bsntmath: lol
[18:56] ByakkoReiKon: has joined the chat
[18:56] ByakkoReiKon: Am I finally in?
[18:56] Jedi8798: Yes
[18:56] Jedi8798: Ok, Publications is having trouble getting in
[18:56] Jedi8798: here's his report:
[18:56] Jedi8798: the only news i have to report is that here at UBSEDS we got the grant to buy the big printer
[18:57] ByakkoReiKon: AWESOME! five computers and three types of things later! & a narrowly escaped speeding ticket lol
[18:57] Jedi8798: to hopefully print out future editions of NOVA.... and that we got permission from SpaceX to use an image, and so the newsletter is currently circulating around their office
[18:57] Jedi8798: he'll have more next week on this and his plans
[18:57] Jedi8798: when he can finally get into the chat
[18:58] Jedi8798: Those were all of the major items I had for tonight. Does anyone else have anything to add?
[18:58] Jedi8798: Basant and Keri, any progress on Rockoon?
[18:58] bsntmath: not this week
[18:58] bsntmath: hopefully, i'll have some updates at the next meeting
[18:59] Jedi8798: k
[18:59] ByakkoReiKon: After having talked with the people who went to the Arizona Rocket Association launch (I site I had looked into earlier) it still looks like we're not going to find a place near enough to Tucson
[18:59] Jedi8798: k
[18:59] VonBraunGuy: anyone want an update with the CoC meeting?
[18:59] Jedi8798: ah yes
[18:59] Jedi8798: thanks
[18:59] Jedi8798: CoC Update!
[18:59] Jedi8798: Go!
[18:59] Jedi8798:
[18:59] VonBraunGuy: ok
[18:59] VonBraunGuy: i think the CoC meeting last week was quite productive
[19:00] VonBraunGuy: Keri and I requested that chapter reps email her their plans for projects and educational outreach
[19:00] VonBraunGuy: something Keri had already requested, but we'd receieved little response
[19:00] VonBraunGuy: but putting the word out at the CoC meeting seemed to help
[19:00] VonBraunGuy: i also mentioned the google earth SEDS map
[19:01] VonBraunGuy: and quickly got a number of requests and improvements emailed to me
[19:01] VonBraunGuy: and incorporated them into the map
[19:01] VonBraunGuy: as usual, there was also a set of executive board updates, particularly focusing on the new SEDS server
[19:02] VonBraunGuy: i'm also glad to announce that the University of Cincinnati was in attendance for the first time
[19:02] VonBraunGuy: incidentally I got an email earlier today from them requesting official documentation on their paying their SEDS dues
[19:02] VonBraunGuy: i just wanted to bring this up here to make sure the right people saw it
[19:02] VonBraunGuy: any questions about the CoC meeting?
[19:03] rick12500: Dues aren't due until November.
[19:03] ByakkoReiKon: aren't they a new chapter though?
[19:03] VonBraunGuy: did they pay their dues on time last november?
[19:04] VonBraunGuy: yeah, i brought it up since U of C is a new chapter
[19:04] rick12500: So when do we have them pay dues?
[19:04] ByakkoReiKon: the chapter expansion kit tells new chapters to collect and send in dues after the $25 dollar fees and forms are submitted
[19:05] rick12500: This is true.
[19:05] Jedi8798: This issue was debated last year, I forget what we came up with
[19:05] rick12500: I have generally be of the opinion that everyone should pay dues at the same time.
[19:05] ByakkoReiKon: well, that's what our expansion kit says
[19:05] Jedi8798: yeah
[19:05] ByakkoReiKon: unless you want to revise it again I'd say take the dues and write them a receipt
[19:06] Jedi8798: what we need to do
[19:06] Jedi8798: is specify which semester the dues are for
[19:06] VonBraunGuy: they seemed to indicate that they had paid their dues already
[19:06] Jedi8798: I think what we worked out in the past
[19:06] rick12500: Yeah, they told me they paid dues already.
[19:06] Jedi8798: is that the call for dues goes out before the academic semester
[19:06] rick12500: But I'm also discussing the general issue.
[19:07] Jedi8798: if they want benefits (like conference discounts, etc) from the current academic year
[19:07] VonBraunGuy: i agree that one constant time annually would be best
[19:07] Jedi8798: they need to pay dues during that academic year (or shortly before it)
[19:07] Jedi8798: and we defined 'anually' as in the academic year.
[19:07] rick12500: Even if the academic year is almost over?
[19:08] ByakkoReiKon: more than half of the semester is left
[19:08] Jedi8798: and the summer
[19:08] Jedi8798: where most of our benefits are
[19:08] ByakkoReiKon: I'd say that means that they should have to pay dues for this semester
[19:08] Jedi8798: NSS, New Space, etc...
[19:08] rick12500: So if they aren't going to NSS or NewSpace, then they don't need to pay until November?
[19:09] Jedi8798: They technically should pay dues at the beggining of the fall
[19:09] Jedi8798: the November deadline is just when we need them by for them to vote at Space Vision
[19:09] Jedi8798: and get the benefits there
[19:09] rick12500: Oh, right.
[19:09] rick12500: That's what I meant.
[19:10] rick12500: I just would personally prefer a KISS policy.
[19:10] Jedi8798: KISS?
[19:10] rick12500: But we can do whatever.
[19:10] rick12500: Keep it Simple Stupid.
[19:10] rick12500: or Stupid Simple lol
[19:10] Jedi8798: this is simpler
[19:10] ByakkoReiKon: I agree
[19:10] Jedi8798: otherwise if we mark 1 year from when they paid dues
[19:10] bsntmath: lol
[19:11] Jedi8798: we'd get into alot of spreadsheets,
[19:11] VonBraunGuy: yeah, makes sense
[19:11] Jedi8798: and asking for dues at different times
[19:11] Jedi8798: etc...
[19:11] VonBraunGuy: avoiding spreadsheets is a good idea where possible
[19:11] VonBraunGuy: fewer things to keep track of
[19:11] rick12500: But we are asking for dues at different times.
[19:11] Jedi8798: if they are just joining, then yes. if they want current academic year benefits
[19:11] Jedi8798: otherwise, they pay at the beggining of the next academic year like everyone else
[19:12] Jedi8798: if you have suggestions on how to change it
[19:12] Jedi8798: to make it simpler or easier
[19:12] Jedi8798: feel free to bring them up
[19:12] rick12500: Whatever.
[19:12] Jedi8798: Though that needs a CoC vote I believe
[19:12] VonBraunGuy: i think the way we do it now should work okay
[19:13] rick12500: I'll just have to tweak what I've been telling some groups.
[19:13] VonBraunGuy: but i could bring it up at the next CoC
[19:13] rick12500: Don't worry about it.
[19:13] Jedi8798: Now if we want to give them a partial dues system, where if they are a new chapter joining after January 1st, the dues are say, $15 for the REMAINDER of the Academic year. I'm ok with something like that.
[19:13] VonBraunGuy: might make sense
[19:14] shinigaminote: yeah that seems reasonable
[19:14] rick12500: Yeah.
[19:14] rick12500: My thought process is that it wasn't too big of an issue giving a group a slight freebee for joining us.
[19:15] rick12500: But a discount is good too.
[19:15] ByakkoReiKon: well, it might make some of the high schools more encouraged to join us
[19:15] aggieastronaut: I honestly think the freebee until the next time dues are due is the best
[19:15] ByakkoReiKon: I know that one of them was nervous about collecting the dues as they are lower income
[19:16] aggieastronaut: it lets clubs get organized and actually get money together before giving it to us
[19:16] ByakkoReiKon: we already ask for a $25 fee at the start
[19:17] ByakkoReiKon: so Keri B has a point
[19:17] Jedi8798: Only thing I am worried about is if we'd get people trying to get a free ride
[19:17] Jedi8798: joining just for one benefit, temporarily, without actually having a chapter, etc...
[19:17] ByakkoReiKon: I don't think the new chapter will have the devious plotting skills and patience for that
[19:18] VonBraunGuy: lol
[19:18] Jedi8798: not necessarily a chapter
[19:18] Jedi8798: but individuals
[19:18] ByakkoReiKon: they have to have a board of officers
[19:18] Jedi8798: also given there are two scholarships out there that require SEDS membership
[19:18] ByakkoReiKon: at least someone will stay interested
[19:18] Jedi8798: so
[19:18] ByakkoReiKon: so, it won't just be one person
[19:18] Jedi8798: we don't require a board, Chapter President, National Rep
[19:18] rick12500: One person could pay $25 too.
[19:18] Jedi8798: and advisor
[19:18] aggieastronaut: can't those scholarships then say be a member for a year?
[19:19] ByakkoReiKon: do you honestly think someone is going to get together a bunch of friends, write a constitution, and pass it through student council just for a scholarship Josh?
[19:19] aggieastronaut: 'cause then they would've had to pay the $25 between now and then
[19:19] Jedi8798: *shrugs* if you guys think I'm paranoid, thats fine
[19:20] Jedi8798: lets vote on it, then send it to CoC if approved here
[19:20] Jedi8798: since it is a change in policy on chapters dues
[19:20] aggieastronaut: to be honest, I didn't even know we had SEDS only scholarships
[19:20] Jedi8798: they need to approve that
[19:20] ByakkoReiKon: I don't think you're paranoid, I don't think you're considering everything or want a scholarship your self too bad
[19:20] Jedi8798: lol
[19:20] ByakkoReiKon: lol
[19:20] ByakkoReiKon:
[19:20] Jedi8798: a bit of an out of place accusation for a meeting
[19:20] Jedi8798: anyway
[19:21] ByakkoReiKon: was a joke, we are a student organization after all, I'm sorry if I actually offended you
[19:21] Jedi8798: All in favor of allowing chapters to have a 'freebie' period where if they are NEW, and join after Space Vision, they can be a chapter until the next academic year for free.
[19:21] ByakkoReiKon: aye
[19:21] aggieastronaut: aye!
[19:21] Jedi8798: Nay
[19:21] VonBraunGuy: aye
[19:21] bsntmath: no
[19:21] shinigaminote: abstain
[19:22] rick12500: aye
[19:22] shinigaminote: i think its a little risky
[19:23] rick12500: Ok, how many scholarships actually are based on SEDS membership Josh?
[19:23] Jedi8798: Motion carries
[19:23] Jedi8798: 4-2-1
[19:23] Jedi8798: 2
[19:23] Jedi8798: NSS and AAS both give ISU scholarships
[19:23] Jedi8798: with very strong bias towards SEDS members
[19:24] rick12500: But it is likely that they would have to show that they are active SEDS members. At least, I hope.
[19:24] Jedi8798: grant, please add that as an item to the CoC
[19:24] VonBraunGuy: will do
[19:24] Jedi8798: No, all they need to show is SEDS membership
[19:24] rick12500: Is there a way to prove that anyhow?
[19:24] Jedi8798: they can query with us and we can check
[19:24] VonBraunGuy: so is this an official change in policy or will the CoC decide that
[19:24] VonBraunGuy: ?
[19:24] aggieastronaut: our chapter keeps no record, so really, anyone could say they were a member of our chapter
[19:25] Jedi8798: this is an official change in policy for chapter dues
[19:25] VonBraunGuy: ok
[19:25] Jedi8798: so yes, CoC needs to approve this before it is official
[19:25] aggieastronaut: and unless they checked with us, no one would know
[19:25] Jedi8798: Any more items for tonight?
[19:26] rick12500: nope
[19:26] 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 |
