Minutes of SETI League 2009 Annual Membership Meeting

Membership Services Department

Minutes of the Fifteenth Annual Membership Meeting
19 April 2009, SETI League Headquarters, Little Ferry, NJ

Call to Order
The meeting was convened at 13:03 hours EDT, in the Library at SETI League Headquarters, Little Ferry NJ, by Executive Director Emeritus Dr. H. Paul Shuch (attending via telepresence). Three SETI League members in good standing present, along with one member of the press. Our Bylaws requiring one percent of the current membership to be in attendance for the conduct of SETI League business, the above represents a quorum.
Minutes of 2008 Membership Meeting
The Minutes of the 2008 Membership Meeting having been previously posted to The SETI League's World Wide Web site, a motion was passed to accept the minutes as published.
Treasurer's Report
Presented jointly by the Executive Director and the Secretary/Treasurer, covering the calendar year 2008 (as e-filed).
1. Revenues: Dues and Contributions $20,890, Interest Income $60, Total $20,950.
2. Expenses: Educational/Scientific Programs $18,201, Management/General $8,428, Fundraising $710, Total $27,339.
3. Revenues minus Expenses: ($6,389) [deficit].
4. End of 2008, SETI League account balances equalled $4,943. 2008 beginning net assets $11,332.
5. Current balance (cash on hand and owed) is approximately $3,129.
6. 2009 Budget: Projected Revenues $20,950, Program Expenses $18,000, Management/General Expenses $4,000, Fundraising Expenses $1,000, Projected deficit ($2,050), Projected Ending Balance $2,893.
7. This report was accepted by those present.
Executive Director's Report
The Executive Director's annual report of Program Service Accomplishments having been previously posted to The SETI League's World Wide Web site, a motion was passed to accept the report as published.
Committee Reports
EME Committee
Report by station trustee Richard Factor. Moonbounce antennas were destroyed by high winds over the past winter. Efforts are underway to develop and implement a more robust antenna design. Beacon remains off the air indefinitely.
Awards Committee
Awards Committee chairman David Ocame being absent, executive director H. Paul Shuch announced the 2009 Giordano Bruno Memorial Award winner as Dr. Jill Cornell Tarter, prominent radio astronomer and holder of the Bernard Oliver Chair for SETI at the SETI Institute. The winner of the 2009 Orville Greene Service Award is Prof. Alex Antonites, SETI League regional coordinator for South Africa.
Old Business
1. Very Small Array
  Executive Director Emeritus H. Paul Shuch reports that no further work was accomplished on this technical initiative in the past year, due to lack of funding.
2. Ostrich Farm Facility
  President Richard Factor reports that no further work was accomplished on this proposed new radio astronomy facility in the past year, due to lack of funding.
3. Mid-Year Renewal Letter
  Secretary/Treasurer Heather Wood last issued a mid-year letter in 2007, with good results. It was recommended that The SETI League resume issuing such mid-year appeals.
4. Annual Report
  The SETI League's 2008 Annual Report is available to members via the website, in Portable Document Format (PDF).
5. Volunteer Appreciation
  Gratis renewal for a period of one year was offered last year to our lapsed Committee Chairs and Regional Coordinators, conditioned upon their continued volunteer service. A motion was adopted to continue this program for the 2009 membership year.
New Business
1. SARA Proceedings
  For the past three years, in lieu of sponsoring a SETICon technical meeting, The SETI League assisted the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA), a SETI League affiliated society, in conducting its annual technical conference at NRAO Green Bank WV. The Executive Director Emeritus served as Editor of the Proceedings of those three conferences. Based upon past success, The SETI League will be assisting with this year's SARA Conference, and editing SARA's 2009 Proceedings as well.
2. Next Meeting
  The next Annual Meeting will be held at the same venue. The date of Sunday 18 April 2010 has been approved. The meeting will be at 1300 hours EDT, to be followed immediately by the Board of Trustees meeting. The date and time will be announced to the membership via the website and newsletter.
Good and Welfare
- A report on the status of ailing member Dr. Allen Tough was given by the Executive Director Emeritus. Concerns were expressed, and regards sent, by all present.
Adjournment
The Annual Membership Meeting was adjourned by the Executive Director Emeritus at 13:22 hours EDT on 19 April 2009. A Regular Board of Trustees meeting followed.
Business Transacted by Board of Trustees:
1. Quorum Call
  Trustees and Officers present: Richard Factor, A. Heather Wood, H. Paul Shuch (via telepresence)
  Trustees and Officers absent: Martin Schreiber
  A quorum is present.
2. Election of Officers
  The following slate of officers was retained for a one-year term:
  President - Richard Factor
  Secretary/Treasurer - A. Heather Wood
  Executive Director Emeritus - H. Paul Shuch, serving on a volunteer basis.
3. Registered Agent
  The New Jersey Division of Revenue requires that we designate a Registered Agent to execute certain state documents. Richard Factor was appointed to this post last year, and has agreed to continue serving in this capacity.
4. Personnel matters
  In executive session, the Board of Trustees voted to continue cost-sharing of Executive Director Emeritus' health insurance premiums, as an administrative expense, pending availability of funds and subject to periodic review. Dr. Shuch abstaining.
5. Affiliate Society recognition
  A motion was adopted to continue offering to members in good standing of the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA), a SETI League affiliated society, an extension through the end of 2009 on all new SETI League memberships secured during calender year 2009. In addition, SARA members joining The SETI League at the 2009 SARA Technical Conference will receive a free copy of Project Cyclops, while supplies last.
6. Advisory Board
  The President will establish a secure email alias, to permit the Executive Director Emeritus to communicate with Advisory Board members on an occasional basis.
7. Bank Fees
  Fees charged for our various bank accounts were reviewed. The Secretary/Treasurer will contact our financial institutions, in an effort to have those fees reduced.

Respectfully submitted, A. Heather Wood, Secretary

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