Minutes of the Fifth Annual Membership Meeting 28 March 1999, Little Ferry NJ
Call to Order
The meeting was convened at 1306 hours EST, at SETI League Headquarters, 433 Liberty Street, Little Ferry NJ, by Executive Director Dr. H. Paul Shuch. Twenty-five SETI League members present, out of a total membership of 1010.
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 1998 Membership Meeting
The Minutes of the 1998 Membership Meeting were read by Secretary A. Heather Wood, 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 by Trustee Marty Schreiber, CPA, covering the calendar year
1998 - not audited; numbers rounded off to even thousands.
Income $167,000 (up from $140,000) - membership dues and contributions, donations, investment income.
Expenses $165,000 (up from $153,000 prior year).
Net earnings $2,000
End of 1998, balance in account was $40,000. Start of 1998 balance was $38,000.
This report was accepted by those present.
Nonprofit status: Initial IRS tax-exempt determination was for a five-year period. Figures are now being filed to secure permanent tax-exempt status.
Committee Reports
Hardware Committee
Report received from chairman Lee Kitchens:
Member Jeff Lichtman of Radio Astronomy Supplies, Roswell GA introduced their Seeker 2000 radio telescope system, price estimated at $1200 US.
Bob Grove of Grove Enterprises announced that their complete SETI system will be unveiled at the SARA Conference in July, at a price around $3000.
Both the above systems will be marketed with an included 1-year SETI League membership and Technical Manual.
A message of encouragement from Bob Grove was read to those in attendance.
Software Committee
Report received from co-chairs Dan Fox and Brian Adam:
Project Argus Observatory Operating System (PAOOS) software now in alpha testing, for expected release on 12 July 1999.
Projects now underway for various operating platforms, including DOS, Windows, and Linux.
Dr. Shuch demonstrated the SETI@home software, for which he is a beta tester. Release is scheduled for April 1999.
Internet Committee
Report received from chairman Bob Cutter:
Open email discussion list continues at around 200 subscribers.
Three closed email lists now operational for members, Argus stations, SETI League officials and volunteers.
The perpetration last October of a hoax over the open email list was discussed.
Finance Committee
Chair vacant. Report delivered by H. Paul Shuch:
1999 Annual Budget shows a $10,700 deficit. Cash reserves exist to withstand such deficit spending for only the next couple of years.
SETI League continues to operate at roughly one percent of the late NASA SETI budget.
Trustees are looking into:
E-commerce options
Affinity bank cards (though not yet enough members)
Special contribution received from Brian Earle and Pam Pinali, to subsidize membership dues for Regional Coordinators in developiong nations. Similar contributions from other members will be used for the stated purpose.
Membership Services Committee
Report received from chairman Amanda Baker:
Currently 1010 members in 52 countries and 49 of the 50 US States.
73 Project Argus stations now registered, in 15 countries and 15 US States.
Member #1,000, Dr. Paul Fisher, was introduced in abstentia.
Regional coordinators:
52 coordinators in 42 countries. Written annual reports received from seventeen Coordinators.
Three regional coordinators present at this meeting, from Eastern Australia, Southeastern US, and South Central US.
Coordinators have activated numerous regional SETI League websites in several languages.
Coordinator Noel Welstead (Eastern Australia) showed a videotape of a children's television show hi which he appeared, titled "Totally Wild." Eight hours of filming for a four-minute clip.
Optical SETI Committee
Report delivered by chairman Dr. Stuart Kingsley:
Optical SETI interest should cause membership numbers to swell in the coming years.
2001, the 40th anniversary of OSETI, will see the next Optical SETI Conference underwritten by SPIE.
Major upgrade in progress at Columbus Optical SETI Observatory. CW and short-pulse beacons will be detectable. Monochromatic receivers and fast pulse counters in the works.
SETI Institute and Planetary Society are now involved in OSETI projects.
Old Business
Trademarks
Report by Patent and Trademark Counsel Steve Carver, Esq.:
Final trademark registration for The SETI League logo and the name The SETI League has now been received.
Such intellectual property promises to have great value in the future, especially if and when contact is accomplished.
Carver was responsible for booking Dr. Shuch for several different radio appearances, on the Laura Lee, Sightings, and Art Bell shows, with lots of excitement and attention generated.
Awards Committee
Report received from chairman Dave Ocame:
Bruno award -- past recipients were identified.
Demographics of this year's Bruno nominees were read.
1999 Bruno Award presented to Noel Cedric Welstead, VK4AYW, volunteer Regional Coordinator for Eastern Australia.
Mr. Welstead accepted graciously, reporting on the importance of SETI Activities from the Southern hemisphere, where he noted that the Galactic Center never sets. He said "SETI is a very worthwhile pursuit, with really interesting people -- amateurs in the true sense. Professionals have to get paid to do the job. We do it because we love it."
New Business
Executive Director's Annual Report
Conference presentations: 13 in past year, including 5 Science Fiction conventions, 4 Ham Radio conferences, 2 University guest lectures, and 2 Professional Societies.
Publications: eight in the past year, including 4 magazine/journal articles, 3 Conference Proceedings contributions, and one textbook chapter contributed.
SearchLites: 4 more issues published in past year; up from six to eight pages per issue.
Election of Officers:
The memership recommended that the Board of Trustees retain the current slate of officers.
A question was raised as to whether a vacancy existed on the Board of Trustees. The pertinent section of the Bylaws was read, which indicated that there was not.
Good and Welfare
Dr Shuch thanked our many volunteers for their significant efforts in behalf of The SETI League.
Video clips of recent SETI League television coverage were shown.
Next Annual Membership Meeting has been scheduled for Sunday 26 March 2000 at 1300 hours EST.
President Richard Factor acknowledged the Executive Director's contributions, saying once again "Paul is perfect."
The members present joined Dr. Shuch in singing the latest SETI League song.
Adjournment
The Annual Membership Meeting was adjourned by the Executive Director at 1422 hours EST on 28 March 1999.
Respectfully submitted, A. Heather Wood, Secretary
