Minutes of IFAS General Meeting September 26th 2009

Minutes of IFAS Geeral Meeting
September 26th 2009

LOCATION
Ballyvaughan Coast Hotel, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare during the Burren Star Party

PRESENT
Bernie Foley – DAS
Deirdre Kelleghan – IAS
Dave McDonald – MAC
Seanie Morris – MAC
Terry Moseley – IAA
Ronan Newman – GAC
Michael O'Connell – MAC
John O'Mahony – SAC
Neil Patterson – NIASS
Michael Scully – KAC

ACCOUNTS & FINANCES
-Bernie provided a breakdown of income and expenditure to date in her Treasurer's Report. A balance of €862.93 exists.
-Google Ads have generated €50 so far, which will be given to Darragh Sherwin to cover hosting costs.
-Annual IFAS Subscription to remain at €20 per club in light of the healthy finances.
IYA 2009 fund money is still due to IFAS from Mike Redfern for expenses incurred.

INSURANCE RENEWAL
-The cost per club for the coming 09/10 year is €108.50, spread between 8 member clubs. This is also due immediately.

IYA 2009
-Out of the €1,800 fund alllocated to IFAS for promoting IYA 2009 among the clubs, receipts to the value of €1,038 have been submitted. This leaves almost €760 available between the member clubs to use for e.g. Galilean Nights 2009 (see further) or to buy extra equipment like binoculars etc.
-Deirdre has been trying to contact Mike Redfern of NUIG and head of the Irish Node, who has announced his retirement recently, to get word on the reimbursement of receipts submitted. This MAY be left till the end of the year, but as yet is unknown.
-100 Hours of Astronomy proved extremely successful around the country. It was proposed that individual clubs should nominate a Rcorder of Events-type person to record, document, and photograph club's events, making documenting the events easier for Deirdre for submission to the IYA Council.

GALILEAN NIGHTS 2009
-Another international endeavour taking place on the nights of October 22nd to 24th (Thurs to Sat). Clubs are encouraged to do anything they like to promote this event, the best being similar to 100 Hours of Astronomy in April.
(Terry Moseley had to leave for a prior engagement at this time)

ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
-Aimed for Saturday November 1st 2009, this will be an IFAS hosted event with expenses shared among the attendees.
-A venue is to be announced, however, given the spread of interest throughout the country from individuals on the IFAs forums, a survey will be taken to see where most will travel from. In the meantime, proposed venues to work out costs include venues in Tullamore, Portlaoise, and Dunsink.

IFAS OUTREACH
-Seanie proposed that the IFAS Podcast may be resurrected in order to further promote IFAS through audio monthly segments. This was proposed in addition to the news that Deirdre has been ask by community station Phoenix FM in Dublin 15 for a monthly audio piece, and has asked for input from fellow IFAS members (not council-specific). It will rely on volunteers to make and submit audio pieces if available, or text for production, to continue the monthly effort.
-Seanie also brought up the idea of refreshing the Handbook Challenges, and it was mentioned that there may be the addition of a Lunar 100 by Trevor Donoghue in Kerry AC. -The Handbooks have proven to be a valuable aide to IFAS site visitors with thousands of downloads since their launch in 2006.
(Neil Patterson had to leave for a prior engagement at this time)
-The website is maintaing a very high profile. Stats show an average of 34,000 page loads every month. A new version of Fireboard is expected in the New Year with bug fixes and other built-in additions currently not available in the existing version e.g. a polling system.

IFAS ASTROPHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
-Dave proposed the addition of this to the IFAS site. However, it was done during the first year of operation (during 2006/07) but was not continued, probably due to an oversight by Seanie, the competition administrator. It will be thus done for 2009 in January 2010.
-It was mentioned that perhaps the (once-mentioned) construction of an IFAS calendar use the previous 12 monthly winning pictures. Food for thought in the near future.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
-It was the end of Michael's 3rd year as IFAS Chairperson. He was congratulated for his efforts during his time. He decided to not run for another committee position for the coming season.
-Elections by show of hands as follows

Name /// Position '09 /// Proposed & Elected '10
Michael O'Connell /// Chairperson /// Dave McDonald
Dave McDonald /// Vice Chairperson // Deirdre Kelleghan
Seanie Morris /// Secretary /// Seanie Morris
Bernie Foley /// Treasurer /// Bernie Foley
Deirdre Kelleghan /// Outreach/PRO /// Deirdre Kelleghan


AOB
-Best Wishes were extended to John O'Mahony as SAC Rep to Shannonside Astronomy Club on its Burren Star Party by the IFAS Council present.


MEETING CONCLUDED
-Seanie Morris,
IFAS Secretary