Minutes
Attendees: Andrew Collins, Eric Grieve, Kevin Pretorius, Chris Reed, John Rees, Roberta Smyth, Danny Thomas
Apologies: Steve Baker
Open actions from last meeting
- Alternative to Alice Holt with greater flexibility on dates, e.g. Bordon.
Action: Explore possibility of Bordon/Crondall site(s) – AC
- GDPR Policy and Procedures Manual
Action: Final version to be completed by AC and published on the FAS website – AC/DT.
- FAS Shopping list
Action: Purchase 40-45mm eyepiece for Observatory – EG. – On hold
- Re-introduce the Welcome Pack for members – AC
Action: Refresh Welcome Pack. – AC
Action: Welcome Pack to be available to members via download from hidden website.page – DT
5. Additional helpers for Observing at AH to be notified – KP
Action: Ruth MacDowall available to assist but Peter Dobson not available this winter. – Comolete
6. Introduce half time exit at Alice Holt – KP
Action: This was implemented on Sunday 24th February and worked well. – Complete
7. Beginners observing sessions at ACC. – JR
Action: Agreed with ACC, code for gate supplied, 24 hours’ notice required. – Complete
Topics for discussion
- Health and Safety
No issues reported.
- Observing events – SB
Action: Schedule of observing events on Facebook – KP
Action: Facebook link on newsletter – CR
Action: Telescopes to be available for observing at ACC after monthly meeting – KP to email SB
Action: Observing night hosts to remind members 1 week before events – All
Action: Red lights (DT) and signs (KP) to mark parking areas and observing areas.
- Observing calendar – hosts for April and May
|
Date |
Primary / Backup | Host |
| 30/31 March 2019 | Primary | SB/? |
| 6/7 April 2019 | Backup | RS/? |
| 27/28 April 2019 | Primary | KP/? |
| 4/5 May 2019 | Backup | CR/? |
- Change newsletter to quarterly to coincide with Steve Wodbridge’s Sky Notes and lighten the work load – CR.
Action: Agreed – Complete
- Review PLI whether FAS supplied PLI provides sufficient cover – DT
Action: Investigate whether mains powered equipment requires PAC testing – DT
Action: Risk Assessment should include supply of gloves for litter picking – Complete
Action: Forward Observatory Risk Assessment Checklist to KP – EG
Action: Review Risk Assessment Checklist – KP
Action: Risk Assessment Checklist to be completed for each observing event (All), scanned and stored in Dropbox. – CR
- Organise visit(s) to Sir William Churchill Planetarium, fund via society or members contributions
Action: Members to fund visits. – Complete
Action: Contact Laurence Anslow to establish possible dates, costs and maximum numbers – KP
- Thirty members have not renewed in 2019 – is there something we should do? – RS
KP analysed the members who have not renewed and it appears that most joined within the last 2 or 3 years. To improve membership retention by.
Action: Greater mix of speakers plus some practical demonstrations – KP
Action: Club nights at ACC with beginner sessions after talks – KP
Action: Club nights published in newsletter perhaps also on Facebook – KP
Action: Spring Star Party at ACC in April to view Mars and Orion – SB
Action: Autumn Star Party at ACC in September to view Jupiter and Saturn – SB
- Requests to Federation of Astronomical Societies to publicise events. – JR
Action: FAS emails to be reviewed and if appropriate forwarded to members. – DT/JR
Any Other Business and venue for next meeting on 3rd June 2019
- An ETX125 telescope on an alt-az mount has been gifted to the Society – DT.
- Review constitution and circulate to committee with recommendations – AC.
- 3rd June meeting to be hosted by Eric Grieve.