Ron read the minutes of the Dec. board meeting. They were approved as read.

DU Report:
Dave Trott reported that observatory keys were reissued with no problems. He and Dr. Stencel are very impressed with Ron Mickle’s management of the certification program and all who have passed recently. Complemented Dave Shouldice on his summary of Chamberlin history. And he is very supportive of architect’s letter and support of the Restoration & Maint. Comm. Carla had a question on parking passes. Dave will look into charges, doesnt know about further DU support. Question on $1 charge collection –whether to turn over after each open house. It was decided could keep the funds in a separate lock box to be picked up. VP Frank Mancini raised a question about a possible issue that taking in the funds could put the DAS close or over the IRS requirements for reporting a 990 form of $25K per year.

Treasurer’s Report:
Chuck distributed a monthly balance sheet and a financial statement. The financial statement was reviewed with re to increasing expenses for postage, newsletter and A.L. There was discussion of the A.L. dues increase and whether we need to raise dues to cover. $35 was a suggested amount and a suggestion was made to have a senior rate. It has been 6yrs. Since last dues increase. Motion was made to increase dues to $35 per year; was amended to also increase the Associates dues to $12 per year. Motion passed unamnimously. There was discussion of to when to make the increase effective. Motion was made to take effect at the end of the 2nd Quarter – July 1st. Motion passed.

VP Report:
Frank announced Dr. Dick McCray, member of National Academy of Sciences will speak at Jan. meeting and Dr. Doug Duncan will be banquet speaker. Dr. John Bally will speak a the April meeting. At the Feb. Open House there will be students from the gifted program of Willow Creek Elem. There will be 40-50 coming and will set up in a separate area of the park.

Pres. Report:
Carla reported we had received a donation of $100 for the restoration fund and had one earlier this year. Frank explained both were ‘spur of the moment’ donations. Motion was made to give Mr. Richard Schultz a complementary 1 year membership passed. There was a question about cost of printing DMNS info on information cards and the delay caused by lack of coordination from DMNS. Carla reported the cards cost 4 cents per copy and it is 1 cent to print on back. Carla reported a Legacy 2000 student from Adams Co. is looking for a ‘shadowing experience’ at Ball or Lockheed. Star Parties coming up include Sheridan M.S. science fair, Feb. 3, Majestic View Nature Center Feb. 24th. Carla said she can’t make the Feb. eboard meeting. Chuck noted he will also be gone.

VanNattan-Hansen Fund:
Carla reported Dave Larson will not be able to continue to head the committee and is turning the files over to Ivan Geisler. She distributed a fund balance sheet from Dave.

ListServ:
Greg has a request from a person in Nepal to join the yahoogroup which is limited to DAS members. After discussion it was decided to reply with a polite decline. There was a report that a google search for DAS comes up with a porno site on the first hit. Will notify Google of the problem.

Newsletter:
Pat will correct the PDF files that created problems with downloading for Mac users. He announced the deadline is Feb. 15th. Dave Shouldice has volunteered to write a monthly article on Chamberlin history.

Public Night:
Dave’s history talking points have been distributed to operators. Dr. Stencel has suggested making a pamphlet out it. Dave would like to just expand it through the newsletter articles. There was a PN meeting, 21 attended, 15 operator’s are certified, 5 new are in training. Feb. 7th will be a training session for PN operator’s so don’t go in cold turkey on their first PN.

PN Equipment proposal: 40mm eyepiece, visual back for SCT, 4 eyepiece set, color correction filter for the 20inch. Motion to approve request passed.

EKDSS:
Got several Co. regs to meet for spring, including, 6”gravel for fire truck access, anchoring the building, fire extinquishers, safety lighting, exit signs. There is a working budget of $6,016, approximately $2700 in donations in 2003.

Old Business:
Signage for charging the $1 open house is needed. Age 5 and under will not be charged.

New Business:
Sandy announced the A.L. national meeting in Oakland, many national societies meeting together. There are two new A.L. observing programs.

Carla had info on a new NASA Night Sky Network. Carla is willing to be coordinator. Motion to join was approved. Nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov

PN issue: should we have a senior discount for PN? Motion for discount for 65 and over and students did not pass.

DAS member Keith Pool presented an offer to build an Astro-Systems Telekit at cost for $1500 for the DAS 17.5” Dob scope. There was discussion on use of the scope at DSS or Open Houses and condition of the scope. The board thanked Keith for his offer but declined. The scope is fully functional as is.

A motion was made to send $20 dues to the Western Amateur astronomers. Motion passed.

Carla received a letter from member Dan Cidello re possibility of having sign language interpreter at meetings. Carla will put a request in the newsletter and announce at the meeting to see if someone in membership can help.

Sandy Shaw raised the Transit of Venus in June and asked if any thoughts about sponsoring a trip or webcast for members. Discussion was for possible informal members to go to a site in Kansas or Ok.

The question of need for a Feb. eboard meeting was discussed as Chuck and Carla can’t make scheduled date. Carla said would poll the board at next reg. Meeting in Feb.

Meeting adjourned at 10:50pm

Minutes approved with minor corrections
March 5, 2004 Eboard Meeting.
Ron Pearson, Secretary, DAS, Inc.Ron Pearson, Secretary DAS