Dudley Observatory Board of Trustees
Dudley Board Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2008

Members present: Harvey Patashnick, Sam Wait, Janie Schwab, Lucy Comly, Jim Comly, Jean Sheviak, Ellen Fladger, Sue French, Alan French, Vince Amodeo, Cherrice Traver, Roy Anderson, and Bob Ward.

Members absent: Dan Wulff, Becky Koopmann, Brian Mercy, Steve Russo, Heidi Newberg, Mary Crone Odekon, Ray Bogucki.
 
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM. Approval of the minutes of October 15, 2007, was moved (Jim Comly) and seconded (Jean Sheviak) with the change that Sam Wait did not meet with Vince Amodeo prior to his election to the Board.

Old Business
Two new Board members were introduced: Vince Amodeo, a science teacher at Albany High School, and Robert Ward, Director of Fiscal Studies, Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government.

Sam Wait noted a modification that is needed to the January 22, 2007, minutes. At that Board meeting a motion was approved reappointing Sue French to the Board for a four year term.

Janie Schwab presented the Executive Director’s report. Income matched expenses for the November gala. A lecture by the novelist Dava Sobel was co-sponsored with Union College prior to the gala. Contributions have increased; several were matched by GE. Dudley’s Brashear lens has been cleaned and refurbished by the L-3 Brashear Company in Pittsburgh, PA. The photographic lens portion is temporarily on loan to the company for display. Ron Barnell, and Janie visited Dr. Mike Merilan at SUNY Oneonta which has the largest telescope in NY State. He would like to collaborate with Dudley on programs. The Dent clock was refurbished by John Metcalfe, horologist in NY City, with the aid of a gift. The pendulum was found and returned by the NY State Museum. An award of $10,000 has been made by the Bender Scientific Fund for the support of the Rising Star program. The Rising Stars have been invited to participate in a pre-program event at the August 22 performance of the “The Planets” by the Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC.

Sam Wait, reporting for the Nominating Committee, nominated Alan French for Vice President, Mary Odekon for Secretary, and James Comly for Treasurer with Robert Ward as assistant treasurer. The slate was accepted. Harvey nominated and Jim seconded the motion that Sam Wait serve as President. He agreed to do so for one year. The motion was carried.

Ellen Fladger  reported for the Library Committee that there were two applicants for the Pollock Award.  An award was made to Craig Waff for studies of Mitchell lectures; Waff is an unaffiliated researcher. Ellen will talk further with him to be certain there are no conflicts of interest.

Alan French, reporting for the Education Committee, plans to meet with Jeff McLellan from the Capital Area School Development Association regarding the Summer Youth program. Vince Amodeo will be included in the discussions.

Jim Comly gave the Financial Committee report reviewing expenses to date. He presented an update on the Schenectady Museum Science Center. Noting that Dudley has spent several years looking for new space and that Metroplex recommended the Schenectady Museum, the Board should consider a role in the Tech Valley Science Center. The two letters from Dudley from last summer and fall have not been answered. Kerry Orlyk, Executive Director of the Museum, said a response is being drafted. Their Executive Committee will meet tomorrow to discuss an ex officio Board position for Dudley. Since a consensus of the Dudley Board is sought in order to continue discussions with the Museum, Harvey said that would be appropriate if such discussions are based on our earlier letters offering to serve as hired consultants to manage their observatory.

New Business
Cherrice Traver reported on a meeting at Union College with two physics faculty members (Scott LaBrake and Becky Koopmann), the Dean of the Faculty, herself and Ellen Fladger to explore ways that Dudley could help Union and vice versa. Union could assist Dudley by providing access to the telescope which could be named for Ralph Alpher. Union would train Dudley on its use; Union students would retain priority use. Additionally, Dudley could do a summer program at Union’s community center on Nott Street. Union could also provide venues for evening lectures. Dudley could provide maintenance funds for the telescope and could fund student summer research or travel. The Community Center provides opportunities for outreach. When asked whether Dudley would broaden its educational programs to other areas of science, the answer was affirmative. Areas could include astrophysics, geophysics, and planetary biology. It was noted that the Union committee was very enthusiastic about this cooperative venture and Ainlay had approved their report. Space is limited for Dudley relocation to a College site; however, an expansion of the Science and Engineering programs is being considered. Harvey noted that Dudley wants to reinforce the connections with Union. Cherrice noted that Ainlay sees Nott Terrace as an education corridor (the new graduate school building will be located there) and that the City perimeter may offer opportunities for relocation.

Alan French noted that Landis Arboretum would like us to have an observatory at Landis. Harvey stated that such an observatory would have to be accessible to the public and more centrally located. There have been very preliminary discussions with the Pine Bush Conservancy.

Janie Schwab noted that the Dudley committees need to have their functions and responsibilities defined. She proposed a group to define what we need for Board committees, what their roles would be, who would chair them and how to involve more people. Some areas not currently covered are long range planning, events, publicity and development. Sam Wait, Jim Comly, Lucy Comly, Alan French and Vince Amodeo were appointed to the group to identify the committees needed and their charges. Janie will send out the 2005 long range plan.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Lucy T. Comly, Executive Secretary