When going with electronic payments was first suggested for SLAS a few years back I was sure it would not fly. Knowing how cheap we amateur astronomers are I was certain folks would continue to pay with paper rather than pay the extra 92 cents that PayPal charges. Confession: The first year it was offered I still paid with a check. But boy was I wrong. Even some of the less computer savvy members paid online. And now, for the first time in SLAS history we've just completed an entire month where all money coming in to SLAS was electronic. Not a single paper check or germ infested currency to be seen. So now I'm wondering, who was it that first suggested SLAS start offering online payments? That name needs to go into the SLAS history document*. And while I'm at it, who was the person who first suggested making SPOC's Refractor House a roll off dome? I still remember the meeting where it was suggested (held at the Lakepoint Flying J restaurant) and the initial giggles at the thought and then the dawning that "hey, that could work". So, who suggested electronic payments and who suggested a roll-off dome? Curious minds (and the SLAS history document) want to know. Clear skies, patrick * http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/slas/SLASPAST.PDF
Patrick, If I am not mistaking, the suggestion of on-line slas payment was made at our board meeting and I don't know if it was me or Bob Moore that came up with the suggestion but I knew that it would be overwhelmingly utilized. As far as the slide off dome, I don't know. Thanks Rodger Fry (happily past pres) -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 2:59 PM To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Who suggested it? When going with electronic payments was first suggested for SLAS a few years back I was sure it would not fly. Knowing how cheap we amateur astronomers are I was certain folks would continue to pay with paper rather than pay the extra 92 cents that PayPal charges. Confession: The first year it was offered I still paid with a check. But boy was I wrong. Even some of the less computer savvy members paid online. And now, for the first time in SLAS history we've just completed an entire month where all money coming in to SLAS was electronic. Not a single paper check or germ infested currency to be seen. So now I'm wondering, who was it that first suggested SLAS start offering online payments? That name needs to go into the SLAS history document*. And while I'm at it, who was the person who first suggested making SPOC's Refractor House a roll off dome? I still remember the meeting where it was suggested (held at the Lakepoint Flying J restaurant) and the initial giggles at the thought and then the dawning that "hey, that could work". So, who suggested electronic payments and who suggested a roll-off dome? Curious minds (and the SLAS history document) want to know. Clear skies, patrick * http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/slas/SLASPAST.PDF _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
Hi Rodger, I just emailed all the board members from back when we started accepting online payments (including you) asking the same question. I do remember the meeting (and I also remember opposing the idea thinking it would not fly <insert embarrassed grimace here>). And I do seem to remember it was you. But let's see if anyone else can shed more light on the question. Cheers, patrick On 02 Jan 2012, at 15:29, Rodger C. Fry wrote:
If I am not mistaking, the suggestion of on-line slas payment was made at our board meeting and I don't know if it was me or Bob Moore that came up with the suggestion but I knew that it would be overwhelmingly utilized.
I'm happy that the online payments are still running smoothly. I know that I was one of the first ones (if not the first) to try and get the board to start using online payments several years before we actually did. The idea was not initially well favored until late 2007. I do know that I was the first to actually pay online on 3/31/2008 3:47:42 AM for my annual dues. Kim Hyatt may have been the one that mentioned the roll off roof idea with the old dome. If it wasn't him then maybe he knows. Ken -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 2:59 PM To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Who suggested it? When going with electronic payments was first suggested for SLAS a few years back I was sure it would not fly. Knowing how cheap we amateur astronomers are I was certain folks would continue to pay with paper rather than pay the extra 92 cents that PayPal charges. Confession: The first year it was offered I still paid with a check. But boy was I wrong. Even some of the less computer savvy members paid online. And now, for the first time in SLAS history we've just completed an entire month where all money coming in to SLAS was electronic. Not a single paper check or germ infested currency to be seen. So now I'm wondering, who was it that first suggested SLAS start offering online payments? That name needs to go into the SLAS history document*. And while I'm at it, who was the person who first suggested making SPOC's Refractor House a roll off dome? I still remember the meeting where it was suggested (held at the Lakepoint Flying J restaurant) and the initial giggles at the thought and then the dawning that "hey, that could work". So, who suggested electronic payments and who suggested a roll-off dome? Curious minds (and the SLAS history document) want to know. Clear skies, patrick * http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/slas/SLASPAST.PDF _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
There is a mention of the online dues in the January/February 2003 Nova in the 11/26/2002 board meeting. http://slas.us/Nova/2003/nova01022003.htm Ken -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Ken Warner Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 3:42 PM To: 'Utah Astronomy' Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Who suggested it? I'm happy that the online payments are still running smoothly. I know that I was one of the first ones (if not the first) to try and get the board to start using online payments several years before we actually did. The idea was not initially well favored until late 2007. I do know that I was the first to actually pay online on 3/31/2008 3:47:42 AM for my annual dues. Kim Hyatt may have been the one that mentioned the roll off roof idea with the old dome. If it wasn't him then maybe he knows. Ken -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 2:59 PM To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Who suggested it? When going with electronic payments was first suggested for SLAS a few years back I was sure it would not fly. Knowing how cheap we amateur astronomers are I was certain folks would continue to pay with paper rather than pay the extra 92 cents that PayPal charges. Confession: The first year it was offered I still paid with a check. But boy was I wrong. Even some of the less computer savvy members paid online. And now, for the first time in SLAS history we've just completed an entire month where all money coming in to SLAS was electronic. Not a single paper check or germ infested currency to be seen. So now I'm wondering, who was it that first suggested SLAS start offering online payments? That name needs to go into the SLAS history document*. And while I'm at it, who was the person who first suggested making SPOC's Refractor House a roll off dome? I still remember the meeting where it was suggested (held at the Lakepoint Flying J restaurant) and the initial giggles at the thought and then the dawning that "hey, that could work". So, who suggested electronic payments and who suggested a roll-off dome? Curious minds (and the SLAS history document) want to know. Clear skies, patrick * http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/slas/SLASPAST.PDF _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
I do online payments often, but I am now highly motivated to send my next dues payment as either a paper check or germ-infested currency. I see nothing lauditory in the idea of on-line payments. Don't pat yourselves on the back too hard. Harrumph.
Dear Harrumph, Not to worry. Non-electronic means of payment are sure to be accepted by SLAS for quite some time. I've a feeling that if any SLAS board tried to do away with accepting non-electronic payments the resultant fracas would make the Post Office Box Meeting look like polite conversation. But how fun that your comment would appear here the same day as this comic in today's paper: http://www.seattlepi.com/comics-and-games/fun/Pardon_My_Planet/2012-02-01/ BTW, I went back and looked at the SLAS deposits starting in 2008 when SLAS first started accepting electronic payment and was surprised to find that last month was not the first "electronic only" month after all. There were two others and one where non-electronic outnumbered electronic. Grins, patrick p.s. Caution, the following will be found by most to be extremely boring: Monthly ratio of electronic payments to non-electronic since SLAS made the electronic option available: 24-1 (2008 April) 18-13 17-7 18-6 14-4 28-17 10-4 3-0 13-4 16-4 19-5 14-8 19-4 16-5 22-6 21-8 14-5 16-2 33-1 5-2 11-7 19-1 13-3 17-6 17-5 16-8 20-6 11-7 15-6 8-0 30-4 7-14 6-1 24-3 19-9 17-11 15-8 19-9 21-5 16-4 18-8 24-2 20-9 6-3 22-0 (2011 December) On 02 Jan 2012, at 17:44, Chuck Hards wrote:
I do online payments often, but I am now highly motivated to send my next dues payment as either a paper check or germ-infested currency.
I see nothing lauditory in the idea of on-line payments. Don't pat yourselves on the back too hard.
Harrumph.
Ah, thanks for citing the minutes. You definitely get the credit for first suggesting it. But I specifically remember a board meeting where someone finally made the official motion and argued for it in discussion. Bill Kennedy? Rodger Fry? All future SLAS Sec/Treas are going to want to know that name because Ken and that person made the Sec/Treas position much easier to handle. patrick On 02 Jan 2012, at 15:41, Ken Warner wrote:
I'm happy that the online payments are still running smoothly. I know that I was one of the first ones (if not the first) to try and get the board to start using online payments several years before we actually did. The idea was not initially well favored until late 2007. I do know that I was the first to actually pay online on 3/31/2008 3:47:42 AM for my annual dues.
Kim Hyatt may have been the one that mentioned the roll off roof idea with the old dome. If it wasn't him then maybe he knows.
Ken
I think it was Bill Kennedy. Anyway it did always seem that all the checks I had from members contained a lot of info identity thieves would like to have.
SLAS may regret getting rid of the PO Box, it was cheap and we did not need to worry about changes of address. Keeping a consistent address is at least more professional. Erik Ah, thanks for citing the minutes. You definitely get the credit for
first suggesting it.
But I specifically remember a board meeting where someone finally made the official motion and argued for it in discussion.
Bill Kennedy? Rodger Fry?
All future SLAS Sec/Treas are going to want to know that name because Ken and that person made the Sec/Treas position much easier to handle.
patrick
On 02 Jan 2012, at 15:41, Ken Warner wrote:
I'm happy that the online payments are still running smoothly. I know that I was one of the first ones (if not the first) to try and get the board to start using online payments several years before we actually did. The idea was not initially well favored until late 2007. I do know that I was the first to actually pay online on 3/31/2008 3:47:42 AM for my annual dues.
Kim Hyatt may have been the one that mentioned the roll off roof idea with the old dome. If it wasn't him then maybe he knows.
Ken
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I brought this over from the meteorite list in case anyone happens to be outside! Anyone have any thoughts on where and when would be the best to observe this? ???Lakeside looking to the northeast after midnight??? -Barrett Space Weather News for Jan. 3, 2012 http://spaceweather.com FIRST METEOR SHOWER OF 2012: The annual Quadrantid meteor shower peaks on Wednesday morning, Jan. 4th, when Earth passes through a narrow stream of debris from a comet thought to have broken apart some 500 years ago. The shower is expected to be strong (as many as 100 meteors per hour), but elusive, with a peak that lasts no longer than a couple of hours. The shower's radiant near Polaris favors observers in the northern hemisphere. Images, live audio from a meteor radar, and more information are available on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.
I plan to watch starting at about 5 am, an hour before work. Note that the peak for this shower could be only a couple of hours, and shower members are generally dim. Get a photo of a shower member and you will be a member of a small fraternity. Moonset isn't optimal for SLC, in relation to the predicted peak window. Good luck!
I'm heading out to Lakeside around 11pm. Planning to stay all night. I went out Sunday about 3 am and enjoyed a couple hours of freezing my butt off before I packed up around sunrise. As I drove out, I enjoyed a lovely view of Mercury, which I'd never seen in the am before. I was too cold to stop and set the telescope back up. Tonight's meteor opportunity gives me an excuse to check out Mercury again. One of the great features of the terrain out there is that it blocks the rising sun for quite a while, giving the viewer ample time to enjoy Mercury. As usual, and I know it's late notice, but anyone who'd like to ride along is welcome. (801) 897-9075. I am LEAVING Sugarhouse at 11pm. On Tue, Jan 3, 2012 at 4:50 PM, Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> wrote:
I plan to watch starting at about 5 am, an hour before work. Note that the peak for this shower could be only a couple of hours, and shower members are generally dim. Get a photo of a shower member and you will be a member of a small fraternity. Moonset isn't optimal for SLC, in relation to the predicted peak window.
Good luck! _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
-- Chrismo I fix things, all kinds of things... Club Allure Sandy, UT (801) 897-9075
Well Chuck, you were right about them being hard to photograph... out of 39 exposures, I think I caught 1 fading tail. Every time I moved the camera, they started coming from somewhere else. Had a good time in the company of Barrett though, and we did see alot of often short but bright white streaks. On Tue, Jan 3, 2012 at 4:50 PM, Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> wrote:
I plan to watch starting at about 5 am, an hour before work. Note that the peak for this shower could be only a couple of hours, and shower members are generally dim. Get a photo of a shower member and you will be a member of a small fraternity. Moonset isn't optimal for SLC, in relation to the predicted peak window.
Good luck! _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
-- Chrismo I fix things, all kinds of things... (801) 897-9075
And here it is... https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3072449089627.2162149.1215656729&t... On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 9:08 AM, Chrismo <djchrismo@gmail.com> wrote:
Well Chuck, you were right about them being hard to photograph... out of 39 exposures, I think I caught 1 fading tail. Every time I moved the camera, they started coming from somewhere else. Had a good time in the company of Barrett though, and we did see alot of often short but bright white streaks.
On Tue, Jan 3, 2012 at 4:50 PM, Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> wrote:
I plan to watch starting at about 5 am, an hour before work. Note that the peak for this shower could be only a couple of hours, and shower members are generally dim. Get a photo of a shower member and you will be a member of a small fraternity. Moonset isn't optimal for SLC, in relation to the predicted peak window.
Good luck! _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
-- Chrismo I fix things, all kinds of things...
(801) 897-9075
I'm glad you nailed one, Chris. I went onto the front porch a couple of times before dawn this morning and didn't see any meteors. -- jb ________________________________ From: Chrismo <djchrismo@gmail.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 4, 2012 7:14 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Meteor Shower Alert! And here it is... https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3072449089627.2162149.1215656729&t... On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 9:08 AM, Chrismo <djchrismo@gmail.com> wrote:
Well Chuck, you were right about them being hard to photograph... out of 39 exposures, I think I caught 1 fading tail. Every time I moved the camera, they started coming from somewhere else. Had a good time in the company of Barrett though, and we did see alot of often short but bright white streaks.
On Tue, Jan 3, 2012 at 4:50 PM, Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> wrote:
I plan to watch starting at about 5 am, an hour before work. Note that the peak for this shower could be only a couple of hours, and shower members are generally dim. Get a photo of a shower member and you will be a member of a small fraternity. Moonset isn't optimal for SLC, in relation to the predicted peak window.
Good luck! _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
-- Chrismo I fix things, all kinds of things...
(801) 897-9075
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
Chris and I were out there for about 7 hours or so. We saw several "good ones" and a bunch of smaller ones. The most impressive one I saw skipped over the atmosphere and went light-dark-light-dark-light-dark three times. That's the first time I saw one do that, so I guess that made the night worth it. ONE note that I will add here.... I'll damn sure dress warmer next time! -Barrett -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Joe Bauman Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 7:25 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Meteor Shower Alert! I'm glad you nailed one, Chris. I went onto the front porch a couple of times before dawn this morning and didn't see any meteors. -- jb ________________________________ From: Chrismo <djchrismo@gmail.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 4, 2012 7:14 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Meteor Shower Alert! And here it is... https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3072449089627.2162149.1215656729&t ype=1&l=8e688842bc On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 9:08 AM, Chrismo <djchrismo@gmail.com> wrote:
Well Chuck, you were right about them being hard to photograph... out of 39 exposures, I think I caught 1 fading tail. Every time I moved the camera, they started coming from somewhere else. Had a good time in the company of Barrett though, and we did see alot of often short but bright white streaks.
On Tue, Jan 3, 2012 at 4:50 PM, Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> wrote:
I plan to watch starting at about 5 am, an hour before work. Note that the peak for this shower could be only a couple of hours, and shower members are generally dim. Get a photo of a shower member and you will be a member of a small fraternity. Moonset isn't optimal for SLC, in relation to the predicted peak window.
Good luck! _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
-- Chrismo I fix things, all kinds of things...
(801) 897-9075
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
ya it was cold out there for sure, which is why I generally limit myself to summertime astronomy. I didn't see that skipper that Barrett described, as usual I was busy moving the camera to what looked like the next 'ideal' position. On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 7:32 PM, Barrett <BarrettWF@comcast.net> wrote:
Chris and I were out there for about 7 hours or so. We saw several "good ones" and a bunch of smaller ones. The most impressive one I saw skipped over the atmosphere and went light-dark-light-dark-light-dark three times. That's the first time I saw one do that, so I guess that made the night worth it. ONE note that I will add here.... I'll damn sure dress warmer next time! -Barrett
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Joe Bauman Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 7:25 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Meteor Shower Alert!
I'm glad you nailed one, Chris. I went onto the front porch a couple of times before dawn this morning and didn't see any meteors. -- jb
________________________________ From: Chrismo <djchrismo@gmail.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 4, 2012 7:14 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Meteor Shower Alert!
And here it is...
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3072449089627.2162149.1215656729&t ype=1&l=8e688842bc
On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 9:08 AM, Chrismo <djchrismo@gmail.com> wrote:
Well Chuck, you were right about them being hard to photograph... out of 39 exposures, I think I caught 1 fading tail. Every time I moved the camera, they started coming from somewhere else. Had a good time in the company of Barrett though, and we did see alot of often short but bright white streaks.
On Tue, Jan 3, 2012 at 4:50 PM, Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> wrote:
I plan to watch starting at about 5 am, an hour before work. Note that the peak for this shower could be only a couple of hours, and shower members are generally dim. Get a photo of a shower member and you will be a member of a small fraternity. Moonset isn't optimal for SLC, in relation to the predicted peak window.
Good luck! _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
-- Chrismo I fix things, all kinds of things...
(801) 897-9075
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
-- Chrismo I fix things, all kinds of things... Club Allure Sandy, UT (801) 897-9075
participants (8)
-
Barrett -
Chrismo -
Chuck Hards -
erikhansen＠thebluezone.net -
Joe Bauman -
Ken Warner -
Patrick Wiggins -
Rodger C. Fry