MSRAL Business Meeting Minutes
from Cook Feldman, Secreatay/Treasurer
The 2008 convention of the Mid-States Region was held at the St.
Charles Community College in Cottleville, Missouri on Saturday,
June 21. Our host club was the Astronomical Society of Eastern
Missouri. Jim Roe acted as Chairman and Wayne Clarke was the
Vice Chair. Jim called the business meeting to order at 8:01 a.m.
After a short welcome by Jim, Secretary/Treasurer Gary Pittman read the minutes of the 2007 business
meeting. Steve Sands moved to accept the minutes as read and a second came from Cook Feldman. 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 Steve
Sands with a second from Jerry Kelley. The vote was taken and the report was approved.

Jim Roe gave a short report as Regional Representative.

Tom Martinez, the region Historian/Webmaster asked for photos and reports on club activities to be
included on the web site and in the history books.

Gary Pittman took the roll call of member clubs to find that only seven MSRAL clubs were represented. A
representative of each club gave a short report on their club activities.

Jim opened the nominations to the office of Secretary/Treasurer. Jim Small nominated Cook Feldman. Bob
Judd was there to second the nomination. A motion to close the nominations was brought forth by Jim Trull
and Jerry Kelley chose to second the motion. A vote was taken and the nominations were closed. The vote
was then taken and Cook Feldman was approved for the position of Secretary/Treasurer.

Jim Roe opened the nominations to the position of Regional Representative. This position has a term of
three years. Jim Roe nominated Jerry Kelley. Steve Sands moved to second the nomination. Clark Van
Scoyk made a motion to close the nominations and Jerry Loethen came forth with a second. The vote was
taken and the nominations were closed. A vote was taken to approve the nominee and it passed
unanimously. Jerry Kelley will be the Region Representative for the next three years.

A request for volunteers to host the 2009 convention fell on a quiet audience. After a lengthy silence it was
apparent that no club was willing to expend the energy to keep Mid-States conventions going. Facing the
possibility of another year without a convention Jim Roe volunteered The Astronomical Society of Eastern
Missouri to host the convention again. It's a sad day when a small club in the region has to host a convention
two years in a row in order to keep the region functioning. Hopefully a different club will step forward to
shoulder the burden for the 2010 convention.

Jim Roe volunteered to Chair the 2009 convention so Linda Pittman officially nominated him. Carroll Iorg
seconded the nomination. Tom Martinez moved to close the nominations and Betty Iorg came forth with a
second. The vote was taken and the nominations closed. A vote to approve Jim as Chairman of the 2009
conventions was taken and Jim was approved.

Jim Roe opened nominations for Vice Chair. George Allen nominated Wayne Clark and JoDee Allen
seconded the nomination. A motion to close the nominations was heard from Steve Sands with a second
from Jim Small. 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 2009 convention.

OLD BUSINESS
(none)

NEW BUSINESS
Jim Roe asked for a motion to renew Mid-States membership in the International Dark Sky Association at a
cost of $250. Jerry Loethen made the motion with a second from Steve Sands. A vote was taken and the
motion to renew membership at a cost of $250 was approved.

Cook Feldman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Steve Sands seconded the motion. Approval came
at 9:13 a.m.