| Attendees: | KP, PH, NT, DT, DH |
| Apologies: | AC |
| Minutes: | KP |
Items
Website Security (DT)
Danny noted that we are subject to continuous hacking attempts, but none have been successful.
Dual Microphone (KP)
Action KP: Get Microphone working
David offered to help but there’s never any free time before the meeting.This will probably need to be resolved outside of a meeting.
Lunt Solar Telescope (KP)
The Lunt Telescope is now fully working but should be insured for breakage and theft before offering this for hire. It was (previously) agreed that the costs of the insurance should be offset by charging members a hire fee.
Action KP: to explore insurance options.
Danny has (previously) clarified that Fed AS insurance does not cover property, but if we wished to use their broker we would need to approach through Fed AS.
Alexander Observatory (DT)
Light pollution and high trees at the observatory.
Action AC: To contact Rushmoor Borough Council to see if they will address this.
No update on this, and Andrew is no longer available.
The dome at the Aldershot Observatory no longer rotates all the way around.
Action AC/DT: Meet with Grainger to consider repairs to the Dome (we cannot make any ourselves).
Danny advised that both he and Andrew had invited Grainger to come and see the Observatory, but with no success to date. This matter seems to have gone quiet.
Summer Fete (KP)
Kevin declared an interest in running one or more of these events again next year and asked for some budget to be reserved for attendance fees.
Telescope Library (KP/DT)
Danny reported that he had recently examined the Coronado. It was in a similar condition to the Lunt (as was) – we can see sunspots, but not surface detail. It would be interesting to swap out the diagonal with a working one, but a request to members didn’t furnish one.
It was considered not worth spending as much on repairing this second solar scope, but it is still a useful solar scope for seeing sunspots. We might make use of this at a public fete next year.
Kevin confirmed that we have about 25-30 scopes in our library, but they are seldom used by any members. The committee agreed that we should attempt to downsize our collection. Telescopes deemed to be of little value to the society should be either offered to members, sold, or dumped.
Action All: Review the telescopes in their possession – pass any disposal recommendations to Kevin, who will review in the context of our overall collection.
Action KP: Consider how we might raise the visibility and utilisation of our telescope library.
Recurring Items
Finance (PH)
Peter reported on the state of FAS finances (see next page), which were slightly better than previously forecast, with an end-year balance likely to be around £2400 – only slightly down on our opening position of £2700. The main contributions were lower than expected speaker fees and insurance payments.
A discussion followed on whether to raise subscriptions this year as previously planned and announced at last year’s AGM. Our financial plan at that time was to limit the increase in subscriptions last year, and instead to run down our assets. We did not expect to fully recover our costs this year, and that is indeed the current end of year position.
This is of course, not a sustainable long-term path, and we’d prefer to build our reserves rather than let them fall further. Therefore, in anticipation of potential increased speaker fees, outreach costs, accommodation and insurance costs in 2026, the consensus was that we should continue as planned, and set the standard, single adult membership fee at £25 p.a. from 1st February. The committee considers this still represents excellent value for money.
Kevin proposed we might save further costs by giving up our Zoom subscription, offering the free use of his MS Teams subscription in its place. This was agreed and welcomed.
Action: KP to look up the renewal date of our Zoom account and to cancel our subscription.
Action: DT To submit charges for website to Peter (same figure as last year)
[Accounts redacted so not to give scammers information about finances]
Observing (NT – optional)
Nigel expressed some disappointment about the continued low level of interest in the observing sessions, particularly given the extra sessions he’s laid on, and his efforts to promote these evenings. We still only have perhaps 3 or 4 people coming along.
In exploring options possibly to open on any clear night, Nigel explained that whilst our arrangements with Waverley allow us to attend at very short notice, it would always need to be a committee member hosting the event as we have health and safety matters and contractual obligations to concern ourselves with.
The committee acknowledged that observing nights would be discontinued if we lack a new committee member in place to run these.
Outreach (AC)
Our outreach activities for this season have come to a halt since Andrew is no longer available to organise these. Kevin has fielded a number of enquiries requesting outreach support and has turned them down – albeit usually with some alternate suggestions.
Kevin advised that the South Downs National Park has been in contact, advising that they are organising a public observing night in mid-February and would be pleased if we could collaborate with them. Kevin has expressed interest but cautioned on the number of volunteers we might muster. When announced at our November meeting the response was ‘muted’, but he remained optimistic we could build some enthusiasm as it became more real.
Nigel agreed to help support/lead our efforts here, possibly instead of one or more of our regular observing nights.
Kevin asked about setting up an out-of-office message on our outreach emails and/or webpages to advise email enquirers of our current status on Outreach.
Action KP: to draft an out-of-office Outreach message, Danny to set up.
Membership (DH)
David reported we currently have 77 memberships and 91 members on MemberMojo – a very similar number to last year. Kevin clarified that 4 of those members were admin accounts, so we have 87 true members
SAGAS (DT)
Danny remains as webmaster but has resigned as Secretary. Danny shared our success and lessons learned with the Lunt.
Federation of Astronomy Societies AGM (KP)
Kevin reported briefly that Jenny Shipway is engaged in setting up an international organisation to link together peer ‘federation’ organisations internationally, with a view to collaborating on projects. Steve Tonkin is trialling a dark sky monitor with a view to perhaps making these available to societies around the country to get good data on dark sky quality, with which to lobby for government action.
(FedAS AGM minutes are now available)
AGM
Kevin reminded everyone that we need to prepare our committee member reports.
Action All: Prepare annual reports for AGM
Kevin confirmed that Lynne Watson is already organising the Xmas buffet and has asked for help and donations (of food). She has a list to coordinate contributions (to avoid duplication) and she thinks she likely has enough profit from the tea room to cover her expenses.
Peter offered to get chocolates for Lynne and Robert in the tea room and for Gos behind the bar. Kevin offered to get something for Chris for writing the newsletter.