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Thanks, Dave, for five great years!
After five very successful years at the helm of TVS, Dave Anderson is retiring to allow himself more time at the eyepiece. We cannot begin to count the hours Dave has devoted to the club, but it must be somewhere in the thousands. Graciously, he has agreed to continue as a TVS director, our awards coordinator, and the compiler of "What's Up."
At the November general meeting, Chuck Grant and the "Star Party" were unanimously elected. Chuck is our new president, and serving with him as vice president is Gary Steinhour, a member who joined in 2000. Together, Chuck and Gary bring a new perspective to club business and activities. Please look for the January edition of Prime Focus to provide more detail on upcoming changes.
On page 2, you will see the four executive officers -- Chuck and Gary as well as treasurer Mike Anderson and secretary Maggie Halberg -- the 2001 directors, and many appointees. Feel free to contact any club leader with your ideas or concerns about TVS. Planning meetings are open to all club members, and the year's dates are shown on page 5.
A few significant volunteer positions remain vacant, and the board asks active members to consider donating a few hours of time a month to help with these club responsibilities. Specifically, TVS seeks two program coordinators to help us secure speakers a couple of months in advance of each general meeting. The hope is to divide this task between two observers with slightly different astronomical interests, so that we can represent all club members when setting topics for the general meetings.
Additionally, Chuck has suggested that a "greeter" meet new members and first-time visitors at the door on general meeting nights. The greeter would personally introduce him/herself to the newcomer, and introduce that individual to other members of the club. Of course, this also can be a shared pleasure and we invite any interested member to serve ad hoc when the urge strikes. A slightly more formal position has also been proposed to help new members and visitors. This person would do a 30-day follow up to answer
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observing questions, and to help the newbie become more familiar with TVS and amateur astronomy. If you are interested in one of these TVS positions, contact Chuck or any officer or director.
Monthly discussion meeting proposed
Chuck suggests that we hold an informal discussion meeting each month, for the purpose of providing a forum on our personal observing experiences. No program would be planned, rather all members are invited to bring observing logs, questions, accessories, and the like. He proposes the Sundays between the general meeting and the planning meetings, with a venue at Pizza Fresh Pizza in Livermore. (See address on page 3.) The time is set as 2 p.m., and non-members are welcome to attend.
The club will not devote any funds or resources to these meetings, unless we vote at a later time to do so. Bring $7 or $8 if you plan to enjoy the pizza lunch special during this meeting. The first meeting is set for January 28, 2001.
Observing site etiquette reminder
Hidden Hill Observatory is a TVS building set on private property that is a working cattle ranch. DO NOT provide the address or information to non-members or to those members who have not received an orientation from the observatory director. A recent unpleasant incident in the middle of the night caused the ranch owners to remove an intruder who had been directed to the observatory by a member.
We cannot state strongly enough the importance of protecting this site if we wish to continue to enjoy its dark skies. All members are eligible to apply for an observing hill key, and will be given a briefing and directions once they have met with the director and paid the key deposit. Any member found to be providing unauthorized access to the site or providing outsiders with location information will be stripped of his or her TVS membership and all rights to the observing hill.
If you have questions about our rights to use Hidden Hill, please refer to the etiquette information sheet you received with your key, or contact Chuck to discuss your plans. Our continued ability to enjoy the observatory depends on the diligent protection we provide for Hidden Hill.
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