Minutes
Attendees: AC, EG, KP, CR, JR, RS, DT
Actions from last meeting
2. Speaker programme
Action: Confirm August speaker – KP – complete
Action: Confirm October speaker – KP – outstanding
3. ACC’s current position and applicable COVID rules
Action: Contact ACC for meeting room use guidelines – this has been delayed until after the new rules are announced on 19th July – JR
4. Result of Zoom 3G/4G hotspot communications test
Action: Check 3G/4G coverage at ACC – DT – satisfactory results – complete
6. ACC double booked for 10th August
Action: Possibly use ACC on 17th August for trial meeting, testing communications links and meeting procedures (seating, entry and exit, toilets, bar, etc.)
Agenda
1. Current COVID status – KP
It appears that the government will ease COVID restrictions on 19th July
- No restrictions on number of people in a meeting
- All business fully open
- No rules on face masks or 1m separation
- Possibly no quarantine for double vaccinated travellers
- People to take personal responsibility for face masks and social distancing
- The aim being to build up herd immunity before winter aggravates the situation.
2. What should FAS do?
- Individual members choice as to whether to attend meetings or continue with Zoom.
- 13th July meeting via Zoom only
- 10th August meeting via Zoom only
- 17th August trial meeting at ACC – possibly
- 13th September meeting at ACC and via Zoom – possibly
3. Options
Technical mini trial on 17th August with up to 30 attendees to
- Check entry, exit, toilet, sanitising and seating procedures.
- Test ability to host remote speakers at ACC – KP to present from home via Zoom.
- Test ability to broadcast meeting from ACC to members via Zoom – AC/DT
First meeting on 14th September with up to 30 members?
4. Possible problems with broadcasting meetings
- Possible technical issues with internet access at ACC
- Possible ITR (Intellectual Property Rights) infringements when broadcasting talks
Any Other Business
1. Refreshments at ACC
Joy Shenton has resigned from tea making duties. Lynne Watson is happy to continue but needs an apprentice.
2. PLI (Public Liability Insurance) issues – JR
The PLI requires clarification of liability exemptions relating to claims arising from activities involving “cables and wires”. Re-assurance only provided that the implied context is that of extreme sports activities such as climbing, hang wires etc. Given that our cover is based upon generic insurance language, our suggestion that clarification be sought was resisted. In consultation with Danny, we have accepted that FAS do hold out the policy to be suitable for the purposes of Astronomical Societies and having flagged our concerns have decided to leave matters with FAS as they are.
Action: Contact other societies who have arranged independent cover to determine their considerations (believed to be cover for the personal liability of officials) and consequent decision. – DT/JR