2007 February 20 SEDS-USA Exec Transcript

From SEDSWiki

BZWingZero (7:58:08 PM): Good evening everybody.
littleC3788 (7:58:23 PM): good evening
Jedi8798 (7:58:35 PM): evening
lizeeb3 (7:58:57 PM): Hello
lizeeb3 (8:01:57 PM): How is everyone doing on this lovely evening?
dandersonn43 (8:02:05 PM): Hello
Jedi8798 (8:02:29 PM): eh ok
BZWingZero (8:02:30 PM): Want to invite damion?
Jedi8798 (8:02:32 PM): bit chilly here
Nyeerrmm (8:02:37 PM): about the same
Nyeerrmm (8:02:45 PM): except starting to warm up and get humid
BZWingZero (8:02:46 PM): twas beautiful here today.
Nyeerrmm (8:02:52 PM): humidity is a pain
lizeeb3 (8:05:13 PM): Ok I guess we can get started
lizeeb3 (8:05:18 PM): and others can join as they come
lizeeb3 (8:05:43 PM): First of all, Josh was going to update us on the status of the special projects
Jedi8798 (8:06:10 PM): Allright, did Damion brief everyone last week on how the CoC went?
Viridis321 (8:06:21 PM): I sent out the transcript and a brief update
Viridis321 (8:06:39 PM): but I didn't make the E-board meeting last week
lizeeb3 (8:07:18 PM): Well you can tell us now
lizeeb3 (8:07:21 PM):  
Jedi8798 (8:07:35 PM): (I am, just keep writing too long of a message)
lizeeb3 (8:07:36 PM): for those that didn't read the transcript, I think it is important enough
Jedi8798 (8:07:48 PM): In that case will briefly summarize.... We had a highly sucessful CoC the week before last. Overviewed all of the projects with hte chapters, and mentioned to them that the 
Jedi8798 (8:07:51 PM): XPrize Cup is already doing a rocket competition which they invited us to join in on
Jedi8798 (8:08:12 PM): Despite it being very ambitious, 75-100 lbs to 20,000 feet, the chapters present were very enthusiastic
Jedi8798 (8:08:15 PM): and want to go for it
Jedi8798 (8:08:48 PM): After the meeting I also had a brainstorm, that right now the XPrize is requiring basically zilc for that 75 lb payload
Jedi8798 (8:08:58 PM): you can do a heck of alot with a 75 lb payload
BZWingZero (8:09:13 PM): You could almost fit me
Jedi8798 (8:09:21 PM): hmm
Jedi8798 (8:09:32 PM): I think PETA might have a problem if we start launching college students
Jedi8798 (8:09:40 PM): too much paperwork.
Jedi8798 (8:09:52 PM): so I am proposing we also have a payload competition to go along with the Rocket competition
Jedi8798 (8:09:57 PM): some chapters can build payloads
Jedi8798 (8:09:59 PM): some build rockets
Jedi8798 (8:10:07 PM): and they coordinate with eachother
Jedi8798 (8:10:28 PM): I've run the idea past Will and he is mentioning it to the other people in XCup
Jedi8798 (8:10:41 PM): Overall I'm pretty positive
Jedi8798 (8:10:58 PM): the downsides: this competition involves as many launches as possible within a given period of time
Jedi8798 (8:11:12 PM): and the rocket motors for this size range are a bitch to be certified for / buy
Jedi8798 (8:11:20 PM): so the prize will probally need to be pretty substansial
Jedi8798 (8:11:31 PM): questions so far before I go into fundraising?
BZWingZero (8:11:42 PM): Sounds like fun
lizeeb3 (8:12:37 PM): sounds good
Jedi8798 (8:12:44 PM): On the fundraising blitz, I just sent out a good 10-15 fundraising e-mails this weekend
Jedi8798 (8:13:06 PM): The space channel company, interplanetary or something like that, cant fund us directly
Jedi8798 (8:13:25 PM): but they are willing to give us a bonus/money for any of our members that subscribe to their service
Jedi8798 (8:14:46 PM): to quote him.... 
Jedi8798 (8:14:55 PM): "The arrangement would be that for either of the $10, $25, or $50  
SpaceChannel packages I offer,
Jedi8798 (8:15:03 PM): the customer would get SpaceFuel loyalty  
points.  On their account page they can simply click on a link to 
donate 
Jedi8798 (8:15:12 PM): those SpaceFuel points to SEDS (or any other group listed -- so far  
Space Frontier Foundation and Assoc. of Mars Explorers are listed), and  
every month I'd convert the points to cash and transfer the funds to  
SEDS. 
Jedi8798 (8:15:14 PM): "
Jedi8798 (8:15:37 PM): Do you guys think it is worth doing? / how would we advertise this? Perhaps a 'Support SEDS' page on the website?
rmmlg08 (8:15:50 PM): has this been eeffective for those other groups
Jedi8798 (8:16:04 PM): havent had a chance to talk to them yet
Jedi8798 (8:16:13 PM): I got this e-mail....literally an hour ago
BZWingZero (8:16:21 PM): Also, are we still trying to get non-profit at the national level?
SithLrdJohn (8:17:18 PM): The IRS has all the paperwork
Jedi8798 (8:17:19 PM): that would be a question from John, I hope we are
SithLrdJohn (8:17:34 PM): waiting for a reply
Viridis321 (8:18:57 PM): can chapters fall under that non-profit status umbrella?
Jedi8798 (8:19:09 PM): yeah
Viridis321 (8:19:15 PM): ok, cool
Jedi8798 (8:19:23 PM): if a national organization is 501c, the chapters are as well
BZWingZero (8:20:09 PM): We should see if there is a current/former SEDS member who knows the laws about it and could donate a few hours to make sure the paperworkis correct.
Jedi8798 (8:20:50 PM): Chris handled it last time i believe, but if the paperwork is already handled...
Jedi8798 (8:20:55 PM): / submitted
BZWingZero (8:21:03 PM): k
Jedi8798 (8:21:11 PM): any more questions for me?
lizeeb3 (8:21:21 PM): i have a question that came up at our chapter meeting on sunday regarding peter's offer to match $10,000
lizeeb3 (8:21:41 PM): can money that individual chapters raise contribute to that?
lizeeb3 (8:21:52 PM): Illinois is doing a lot of fundraising this semester
lizeeb3 (8:22:08 PM): any thoughts on local chapters helping with national fundraising?
Jedi8798 (8:22:08 PM): I think he meant it to be SEDS-USA
lizeeb3 (8:22:45 PM): ok
Jedi8798 (8:22:49 PM): people have mentioned that, and I have always given the same response, if chapters would like to help fund for the SEDS-USA chunk of these projects, they should get in contact with me
lizeeb3 (8:23:08 PM): i was thinking it might be difficult to divide the earnings between those that do and do not participate
Jedi8798 (8:23:12 PM): no one has to this day
lizeeb3 (8:23:25 PM): ok, well I can bring it up to our chapter president
Jedi8798 (8:23:26 PM): yeah easier to keep that to SEDS-USA
lizeeb3 (8:23:32 PM): he was the one that brought it up to me
Jedi8798 (8:23:42 PM): if we're going to do ANY of these projects we're going to need at least 10,000
Jedi8798 (8:23:49 PM): but whatever you guys want to do
lizeeb3 (8:24:33 PM): definitely let us know how we can help with fundraising
lizeeb3 (8:24:47 PM): the whole board needs to be involved if we want to get that $10,000
Jedi8798 (8:25:30 PM): does it? didnt know about that limit on it. 
Jedi8798 (8:25:37 PM): what other rules are on it?
lizeeb3 (8:25:47 PM): I just thought the cap was at 10,000
lizeeb3 (8:25:54 PM): i dont know of any other rules
Jedi8798 (8:26:04 PM): k
Jedi8798 (8:26:22 PM): oh, if you guys know any departments or local contacts I should approach, let me know
Jedi8798 (8:26:29 PM): or people you would like to approach locally
Jedi8798 (8:26:41 PM): I can give you summaries of the 'informal' e-mail I have been sending out locally
lizeeb3 (8:27:25 PM): ok that would be helpful
lizeeb3 (8:27:52 PM): I am glad this is moving along
lizeeb3 (8:27:59 PM): any other questions for Josh?
lizeeb3 (8:29:24 PM): if not, does anyone else have an update or news?
Nyeerrmm (8:29:53 PM): I have a couple of things
lizeeb3 (8:30:24 PM): ok go ahead
Nyeerrmm (8:30:27 PM): First, one of my friends who works for BEE, a small suborbital company has talked to me about working together to provide some internship opportunities
Nyeerrmm (8:31:38 PM): its still very informal, but I thought it would be something we're interested in
lizeeb3 (8:32:25 PM): what does BEE stand for?
Nyeerrmm (8:33:25 PM): actually I don't know... but they do small launches (around 20 lbs) and they're based out of colorado
Nyeerrmm (8:35:00 PM): I'll get more information from her next time she's online... she's in Ireland right now on study abroad so our schedules are kind of off
lizeeb3 (8:35:16 PM): ok just curious
lizeeb3 (8:35:33 PM): I think it is worthwhile to pursue though
Nyeerrmm (8:35:58 PM): And the other thing, I'm working on writing up a short proposal for student events at ISDC after a meeting we had here last week
Nyeerrmm (8:36:15 PM): I'll go ahead and email it out after the meeting if anyone's interested in it
Jedi8798 (8:36:25 PM): yeah sure
Jedi8798 (8:36:46 PM): speaking of, how many of us here are DEFINETLY planning on going to ISDC?
Nyeerrmm (8:36:54 PM): me
Jedi8798 (8:37:00 PM): would be nice if we could have an Exec Board meeting in person  
lizeeb3 (8:37:06 PM): me
Jedi8798 (8:37:07 PM): me
rmmlg08 (8:37:32 PM): would like to, but need beginning summer plans/travel to firm up
Jedi8798 (8:37:48 PM): cool. was just curious. continue Brian 
Jedi8798 (8:37:50 PM):  
Nyeerrmm (8:38:04 PM): that was about it, i was just wanting to give a heads up that im doing it
lizeeb3 (8:38:35 PM): cool
lizeeb3 (8:38:46 PM): other updates?
dandersonn43 (8:40:35 PM): Every week a SEDS chapter posts an update in the SEDS Eath blog. This week was SEDS USA.
lizeeb3 (8:41:53 PM): cool
lizeeb3 (8:42:01 PM): finally! lol
lizeeb3 (8:42:38 PM): alright, last call for updates
lizeeb3 (8:43:36 PM): Then the meeting is overlizeeb3 (8:43:50 PM): Talk to you guys next week!Jedi8798 (8:43:53 PM): later allBZWingZero (8:43:59 PM): gnight
dandersonn43 (8:44:10 PM): nIGHT
littleC3788 (8:44:15 PM): night