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MSRAL Business Meeting Minutes from Gary Pittman, Secreatay/Treasurer |
The 2007 convention of the Mid-States Region was scheduled to be held in Omaha, Nebraska on June 8th and 9th. The Omaha Astronomical Society was the hosting club with Al Dorn as convention Chair and Clark Chaney as Vice Chair. Approximately four weeks prior to start of the convention the Chair decided to cancel the convention because of light registration at that point. |
Secretary/Treasurer Gary Pittman put together a MSRAL business meeting that was held in Kansas City, Missouri at Royall Hall on the UMKC campus. The meeting was scheduled for August 25th at 2:00 p.m. He sent out invitations to each MSRAL club informing them of the upcoming meeting. On August 25th neither the region Chair or the Vice Chair attended the meeting so Gary Pittman as ranking elected officer officiated. Gary called the business meeting to order at 14:15 hours. After determining that a quorum was present the meeting proceeded. Gary read the minutes of the 2006 business meeting. Jim Roe made a motion to accept the minutes as read. A second was heard from Betty Iorg. The vote was taken and the minutes were approved. Gary then read the Treasurer's report. A motion to accept the Treasurer's report was heard from JoDee Allen with a second from Jim Roe. The vote was taken and the report was approved. Patrick Carr, our Mid-States Representative has tendered his resignation. Carroll Iorg, League Vice President gave a short report on the 2007 National Convention. League sales are now located at the League office in Kansas City, MO. Internet accessibility makes it easy for consumers to purchase League products on line and pay via credit card. This year's convention held in Portland, OR was a good one with attendees from Great Britain and Argentina. Carroll said it was unique in that the opening ceremonies included the flag and national anthem of each attending country. Tom Martinez, the region Historian/Webmaster was not present this year and no report was given. Gary Pittman took the roll call of member clubs. Only three MSRAL clubs were in attendance. A representative of each club gave a short report on their club activities. Gary opened the nominations to the office of Secretary/Treasurer. Jim Roe nominated Gary Pittman. Jerry Loethen came forth with a second. Gary stated that after 13 years he would like to pass the treasury along to someone new. After some discussion he agreed to accept the nomination for one more year only. Betty Iorg then made a motion to close the nominations which was seconded by Gil Machin. A vote was taken and the nominations were closed. A vote was then taken on the nominee and Gary was approved for another year. The Regional Representative has a term of three years. Patrick Carr was elected in 2005 so he would normally have one year remaining in his term. His resignation however leaves us with no Regional Representative. An election was held to replace Patrick for the remaining year in his term. Gary opened the nominations to the position of Regional Representative. George Allen nominated Jim Roe. A second was heard from Betty Iorg. Gil Machin made a motion to close the nominations and Wayne Clark seconded the motion. A vote was taken and approved closing the nominations. A vote was then taken and Jim Roe was approved for Regional Representative. The Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri volunteered last year to host the 2008 convention. Gary opened nominations for Regional Chair. Carroll Iorg nominated Jim Roe and a second was heard from Gil Machin. Kathy Machin moved to close the nominations with a second from Wayne Clark. The vote was taken and the nominations were closed. A vote on the nominee was taken and Jim Roe was approved as the Regional Chair for the 2008 Mid-States convention. Gary opened nominations for Vice Chair. Jim Roe nominated Wayne Clark and JoDee Allen seconded the nomination. A motion to close the nominations was heard from Carroll Iorg with a second from Jerry Loethen. The vote was taken and nominations were closed. A vote on the nominee was taken and Wayne Clark was approved as Vice Chair of the 2008 convention. No Mid-States club has stepped forward to host the 2009 convention. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Gary asked for a motion to renew Mid-States membership in the International Dark Sky Association. Linda Pittman made the motion with a second from Jim Roe. A vote was taken and the motion to renew membership at a cost of $250 was approved. Gary Pittman's request for further new business was met with silence. Gil Machin made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jim Roe seconded the motion. Approval came at 15:51 hours and the meeting was adjourned. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Officers attending the 2007 MSRAL business meeting: Jim Roe - Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri Jerry Loethen - St. Louis Astronomical Society Carroll Iorg - A.L. Vice President Gil Machin - Proxy for Astronomical Society of Kansas City President Gary Pittman - Mid-States Secretary/Treasurer |