Dudley Observatory Board of Trustees
Semiannual Board Meeting
Jan 12, 2005
Schenectady Museum
Schenectady, New York 12308

Present: Trustees Carroll, Comly L., Comly J.,  Fladger, Fleischer, Koopmann, Roberge, Schwab, Wait, Wulff , and acting secretary Wise

1. The minutes of the meeting of 28 June 2004 were read and approved

2. Schwab gave the Report of Executive Director. Work on archives, Fall, 2004,  events, collaborations with other institutions, and staff changes were discussed. Details are in the written report.

3. Roberge reported on behalf of the Executive Committee. Meetings  regarding the possible suitability of candidates for a  future Dudley site, and ongoing regular meetings of President and Executive Director, were discussed. Details are in the written report.

Motion: George Wise is appointed Senior Research Associate, Dudley Observatory. Seconded and approved.
 

4. Fladger reported on behalf of the Library, Archives and History Committee. Fladger and Schwab met with Susan D’Entremont of CDLC to discuss the archives. D’Entremont was very complimentary on the archives’ arrangement and condition. A part time archivist Gretchen Koerpel, has been hired to come in periodically and update the archives. It would be a good idea to have the Dudley Rare Books appraised.

5. Roberge reported on behalf of the Research Grants Committee. The Pollock Award Committee received seven applications, and chose as the winner Drs. Paolantonio, Incico, and Morgan of the Universities of Cordoba and Mexico City for their project, “American Astronomers’ Cooperation in the Establishment and Development of the National Observatory of Cordoba, Argentina.” The committee has decided not to offer the Fullam Award in 2005. Details are in the written report.
6. Schwab reported for the Education and Grants Committee. Topics included the Hessberg Campership (applications due Feb 15), The Spenser Award (will not be offered this year), a proposed Student Research Award, the Rising Star Internships (a $2000 grant from the American Physical Society was received) and ongoing efforts on teacher assistance and education. Details are in the written report.
7. Carroll presented the Final Report of the Long Range Planning Committee. The written report contains the full text of that Final Report. Discussion included the feasibility of a name change, and the nature of the next steps to be taken.

Motion: the Board accepts the Final Report of the Long Range Planning Committee and endorses it as a guideline for future action. Seconded and approved.

8. Wait reported for the Nominating Committee

Motion: That Ralph Alpher be appointed Trustee Emeritus of the Dudley Observatory. Seconded and approved.

Motion: That John Delano, Michael Clarke, Mary Kosky, Philip Kosky, and Harvey Patashnick be appointed to four-year terms as Trustees of the Dudley Observatory. Seconded and approved .

Motion: That Wayne Roberge be elected President, John Delano be elected Vice-President, Tom D’Andrea be elected Secretary, and James Comly be elected Treasurer of the Dudley Observatory. Seconded and approved .
 

9. Comly reported for the finance committee. He noted that the current fiscal year’s expenditures were well below budget, and reviewed financial projections. 

Motion: To approve the audit report for FY 2003-2004 Seconded and approved..

Motion: To approve transfer of $151,000 from endowment funds to operating funds for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004. Seconded and approved.

Motion: To approve a budget deficit for FY 2004-2005 of $132,534, to come from endowment funds.  Seconded and approved.

Motion: To permit the Executive Director to sign for any investment account held by the Dudley Observatory.  Seconded and approved.

10. Old/New Business. Policy regarding the search for candidate future sites was discussed. It was the sense of the Board that the President and Executive Director will mobilize participation as needed to address such possibilities as they arise. 

11. The meeting adjourned at 9:00

Respectfully submitted,
      George Wise, Acting Secretary