Trustee Meeting Report

Prime Focus is Now Available on the Web!


Beginning this month, Prime Focus will be  only a click away.  At the June meeting, John Dowell suggested moving the newsletter into the information age!  Thanks to John's and Doug Carroll's help, we have found a way that is easy to publish the Prime Focus to the web and that is easy for the members to access it there.  Thanks to the FWAS Egroup, we have tested a few alternatives, and have determined the following is the best method for access and distribution:


Here's how it will work.

  • You select whether you prefer to get the newsletter on line or continue receiving the printed version.
  • If you select online, you will get an email notifying you of it's availability and giving you a hyperlink to click to it.
  • The web page will look just like the paper copy--only better (see below)!
  • The current edition will only be accessible through the hyperlink. When the next edition comes out, the previous one will be posted on the website.

Why should you switch?
  • You'll help save the rain forest!
  • You'll get full color pictures, text, etc
  • You'll get live hyperlinks within the document
  • You'll get access to it about 3 days before the snailmail versions arrive
  • You'll save the club about 85 cents per mailing, so we can spend it on equipment or other needs instead.

Try it out right now.  This month you can test it by going to
FortWorthAstro.com/PrimeFocus/0108

Send me an email to
Steven.W.Gray@Home.com
to switch to on-line!

The FWAS trustees met Thursday, July 12, 2001, and made the following decisions:

  1. FWAS now has a trustee (Barry Lieb) in charge of the maintenance.  This means if anyone has problems with an instrument, they should contact Barry. His name and phone number, e-mail, etc. will be posted in the log book.
  2. We have a trustee "work" schedule.  This is now going to be expanded to mean these trustees are responsible for the site for their assigned month.
                   August -- Harry Bearman/Ron DiIulio

                   Sept     -- Preston Starr/ Jay Hornsby
                   Oct       -- Michael Daniel/ George Parker
                    Nov     -- Tom Moore/Barry Lieb
                    Dec     -- Tres Ross/ Sallie Teames

Ideally, these trustees will also be at the site for 3rd quarter observing to assist new members, etc.

  1. It is very important that the assigned trustees complete their work for their assigned month.  The trustees agreed that the leaseholder will now be paid $50 each time he has to mow because a trustee fell down on the job.
  2. We recommended the E-Newsletter be sent using the "link" method to those members who want to receive it that way.  This will begin this as soon as feasible
  3. Doug Carroll is the new webmaster.
  4. We are going to have membership cards.  If the one I just designed is acceptable to Harry, we will issue them ASAP as people renew.  Skywatch Products has offered a discount to FWAS members for accessories, so a card is a must now.
  5. Harry is also putting together a for sale "new member kit". More on this later.  We are thinking in terms of a red flashlight, a planisphere, the "Getting Started" pamphlet from Sky Publishing, a moon map, and other items.  A primary concern is what the target price should be, like possibly $25 (or more?).  Please send suggestions to Harry Bearman.
  6. We have ordered replacement focusers for the 3 Meades which need them.
  7. We elected Harry Bearman and Steve Gray associate trustees.  Congratulations!
  8. We elected Ron DiIulio Vice Chairman and Becky Nordeen as Chairman.
  9. Ron McDaniel resigned as a Trustee.....work is overtaking him.  Thanks Ron for all your service to FWAS!
  10. Nov 3 will be another Moonlight Madness Picnic.  The June one was a big success--everybody plan to attend!  This one will include an auction of donated and consignment items.  For consignments, the club will take a 5% commission.  Contact Steve Gray if you want to put something in the auction.
  11. Decided to buy 2 more or the metal/plastic picnic tables.  They hold up very well, and you can see them in the dark!

Well, that's all folks.
Becky Nordeen