Minutes of the 2023 SETI Virtual Membership Meeting Conducted online on 16 April 2023
Call to Order
The 2023 Membership Meeting was called to order by Executive Director Emeritus H. Paul Shuch, virtually (via the Zoom platform) at 13:00 hours EDT.
Quorum Call
Trustees and Officers present: A. Heather Wood, Richard Factor, H. Paul Shuch
Trustees and Officers absent: Martin Schreiber
Additional Members present: Jon Richards, Elisabeth Piotelat, Scott Carter, Allen Katz, Fred Erskine, Matthew Bajor
Guests present: Ken Miller
A quorum is present.
Minutes of 2022 Annual Membership Meeting
The Minutes of the 2022 Annual Meeting Meeting having been previously posted to The SETI League's World Wide Web site, a motion was passed to accept the minutes as submitted.
Treasurer's Report
Developed jointly by Dr. Shuch and Secretary/Treasurer Heather Wood, covering the calendar year 2022 (as e-filed).
Revenues: Dues and Contributions, $11,655; Interest Income $300; Total $11,955.
Expenses: Educational/Scientific Programs $8,070; Management/General $635; Fundraising $1,296; Total $10,001.
Revenues minus Expenses: $1,954.
End of 2022, SETI League account balances equalled $17,936. 2021 beginning net assets $15,982.
This report was accepted by those attending virtually
Executive Director's Report
During 2022, the Executive Director:
published four issues of SearchLites, the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc.
Attended the First Annual Penn State SETI Symposium, and (in his musical Dr. SETI persona) provided banquet entertainment.
performed 52 weekly updates of The SETI League website
posted 60 images, plus numerous links and comments, to The SETI League Facebook page
issued one press release
continued to serve as an Emeritus member of the International Academy of Astronautics SETI Committee
responded to a number of email and telephone inquiries from members and prospective members.
Committee Reports
Membership
Ms. Wood reports that two new members joined The SETI League since our last Annual Membership Meeting, and we have 73 Members in Good Standing at the time of this meeting.
OSETI Committee
Mr. Factor is coordinating with SETI Instutute personnel toward his goal of installing a laser detector on the roof of his Arizona home. However, this project has been delayed due to construction work currently underway on that residence.
Awards Committee
Absent an Awards Committee Chair, no websites received the SETI SuperStar award during the year 2022. There were no Giordano Bruno Awards or Orville N. Greene Awards presented for contributions during 2022. Nominations from members for all awards are solicited.
Old Business
Annual Report
Periodic financial updates have been posted to the Website, and published in SearchLites.
Web Server
Mr. Factor reports that the current server is functioning flawlessly, it is now ten years old, and cannot be expected to last forever. Thus, he has purchased a new server, to be installed when necessary.
Interstellar Beacon
Although the project was terminated in 2020, its website is still operational, and it continues to direct occasional queries and comments to project director Bill Kitchen. He gave a wrap-up report, and continues to see merit to the concept of transmitting Earth's archives into space.
Press List
Ms. Wood reports that no progress has been made on establishing an online press server, but she will continue to explore alternatives.
Telecommunications
SETI League headquarters remains unstaffed, with volunteers all working from home. Ms. Wood continues to receieve calls occasionally via cellphone. She reports that the organization's primary means of contact are now email and the Facebook page.
New Business
Election of Officers
The following slate of officers was retained for an additional one-year term:
President - Richard Factor, serving without compensation
Secretary/Treasurer - A. Heather Wood
Executive Director Emeritus - H. Paul Shuch, serving on a volunteer basis
Registered Agent - Anthony Agnello
Annual Budget
The draft 2023 Budget was presented to the Board for consideration.
Tax Return Filing
The Secretary/Treasurer reports that she was successful in eFiling our 2022 organizational tax return using the electronic Form 990N postcard, and having it timely accepted by the IRS.
Mid-Year Renewal Letter
Due to the pandemic-motivated one year extension of all memberships last year, no annual renewal letter was sent. One will be sent out during 2023.
New Jersey Charities Registration
Ms. Wood has submitted our annual New Jersey Charities registration forms and fees, which have been accepted.
Outreach
Special Projects Coordinator Scott Carter has proposed the SETI League develop a short documentary video for online dissemination, summarizing our mission and accomplishments. Ms. Wood has offered to seek advice from an intellectual property attorney with whom she is in contact, regarding acquiring rights to previously produced SETI League documentary content.
Next Meeting
Pending confirmation by Mr. Factor of the dates of other technical meetings, the next Annual Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Sunday 14 April 2024. The date has been verified as not in conflict with Easter or Passover. The meeting will once again be held virtually via Zoom. 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.
Advisory Board
The Executive Director Emeritus reported the recent passing of advisor Greg Bear. He thanks the remaining members of our Advisory Board for their many years of service.
Good and Welfare
The SETI League's Facebook page www.facebook.com/setileague has (as of this morning) attracted 1,566 "likes" and 1599 "follows" (each up 71 from last year), numerous member posts, and considerable discussion among members and nonmembers alike.
Adjournment
The 2023 SETI League Annual Meeting was adjourned by the Executive Director Emeritus at 13:32 hours EDT on 16 April 2023. The required annual Board of Trustees Meeting followed immediately.
Board of Trustees actions
The Board of Trustees Meeting was called to order by the Executive Director Emeritus.
The Board members present accepted all reports presented at the Annual Membership Meeting, and adopted the proposed 2022 Budget.
Personnel matters
The Executive Director Emeritus reviewed with the Board of Trustees the previously adopted terms for cost-sharing of his health insurance premiums, as a program expense, which will continue at last year's percentage, pending availability of funds and subject to periodic review.
The Meeting was adjourned at 13:36 hours EDT.
Members and guests in attendance were invited to remain online to continue informal discussions on the Zoom platform, which continued until 14:00 hours EDT.
Respectfully submitted by Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Executive Director Emeritus
