2023 Kickoff Meeting
Meeting Minutes
Thanks to all who attended this year’s kick off meeting at the Clifton Park - Halfmoon Town Library!
Agenda
- Giveway - 4 rockets and engines
- Elect officers for 2023
- Equipment review
- “State of the purse” report from the Treasurer
- Proposed launch schedule
- Website Status & Feedback
Follow-up Actions
- (Mark + Ray) Coordinate website changes, training, and transition
- (Alex) Follow up with Jeff on equipment needs for this year (free NAR $250 grant)
- (Alex) Get in touch with Washington County Fairgrounds about contract and scheduled dates for this year.
- (Vince) Look into the firehouse room to see if it’s available for a possible build session in August.
- (Mark) Look into other locations for possible build session in August
- (Jeff) Renew NAR charter and insurance
Minutes
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Officer elections
President: Alex DeMarco Vice-President: Bob Drosdick Senior Adviser: Jeff Vincent Treasurer: Ray Bedard Member-At-Large: Vince Secretary (incl. website): Mark Strasser Photographer and Associate Website Editor: Ray Bedard
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Review of equipment purchased last year
Equipment purchase last year: Stop watches, rail launch system, possibly altimeter purchased with NAR grant. Alex will follow up with Jeff on needs for this year.
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State of the Purse
Enough money is held in the checking/savings to cover the NAR insurance deductible as of this year. Dues will be kept the same price.
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Proposed launch schedule
Saturdays 1-5 pm are still good schedule-wise. Jeff needs some help this year - please speak with Jeff if you would like to be in charge of equipment setup for one month. Dates are not yet final - they require negotiation with the Washington County Fairgrounds.
Sport Launch Dates — May 13, 20 June 17, 24 July 8, 15 Aug - (no launches) Sep 16, 23 Oct 14, 21
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Website Status and Feedback
Current website uses
namecheap
for $15 / year. Hosting servicehostinger
is $34 for 3 years and expires in 2024. SSL certificate must be updated by June 4.New proposed website design looks good. The big benefit is mobile view. Suggested changes: include photo counts, add vendors section, post changes/news for go-no decisions.
A major concern was to minimize cost ($5/month is too high unless dues are raised). Mark will cover expenses of the new site for this year while we work out the best low-cost option.
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Miscellaneous Discussion
There was discussion of a build event / get-together in August. Location and time TBD. Vince will check on the firehouse room to see if it’s available - it’s been previously used for these kind of events.
Discussion of designating a special month as “Newcomer’s Launch” to encourage new members prompted a discussion about the Washington County Fairground requirement that all attendees must be members. For now, there’s no resolution on this item.