Hi Ryan, Yes, paying for parking could be an impediment for some so hopefully we can avoid that somehow. Moving the meeting start time to 8:30 did get mentioned but was not well received. In fact meetings were recently moved up from 7:30 to 7:00 because so many members wanted to start early. Would you be willing to look into the SLCC option and report on what you find at tomorrow's board meeting? As for the museum (Rio Tinto), they really like working with SLAS and have said before that meetings there could be a possibility. And they do have two rooms that could easily accommodate SLAS and parking there is free. If I remember correctly part of the reason meetings were moved to Wednesdays was because Wednesdays are the only days the museum is open late (until 9) and we might one day want to move up there. Maybe that time is now. patrick On 09 Sep 2014, at 01:19, Ryan Simpkins <astro@ryansimpkins.com> wrote:
Having to pay for parking, even if it is only $2, might be confusing for new members and other visitors. It may also send the wrong message given the countless empty stalls in that lot after 6pm. Is there a downside to pushing the meeting start time to 8pm?
For alternative options... The SLCC South City campus has a new expansion that is especially nice. The Redwood campus has facilities for large groups and often hosts conferences. Could one of these spaces work? Lastly, the SLCC Miller campus has facilities for rent to any group (if free accommodations can not be obtained). 45 could be seated for $120 for half a day. 90 can be seated for $185. It includes LCD projector, etc. To go from $0 to $1300/year for meeting space would probably be quite the shock to the budget.
Another option might be the Rio Tinto center that houses the Natural History Museum of Utah. I understand we already have contacts with them. It may be worth asking. A third option is possibly Wheeler Farm. I am not sure they have the required facilities to host groups, however.
-Ryan