Annual Report 2011
Reports of the Kingston Centre Executive and Committee Chairs
| President | Secretary | Treasurer | Auditor | |
| Editor | Equipment Loan | Fall'N'Stars | KAON | |
| Website | NC Rep | |||
| Library | ||||
Agenda
AGM - RASC Kingston Centre, Saturday, November 12, 2011.
- Welcome
- Presentation of Agenda
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of minutes of the 2010 AGM
- Reading of annual reports
- President
- Secretary (report and approval to update at year end.)
- Treasurer
- Library
- National Council Representative
- Editor
- Centre Elections
- Secretary
- Librarian
- Editor
- National Council Representative
- Adjourn with thanks.
President
President's Report, 2011 - RASC Kingston Centre
...
Susan Gagnon,
President 2010-2011,
RASC Kingston Centre.
Vice-President
No report as this position was vacant.
Secretary
2011 Secretary's Report
WE CURRENTLY HAVE a total of 76 society members: 61 regular members, 1 youth member, 7 life members, 5 associate members, and 2 affiliate members.
For the first half of the year, meetings were held on the second Friday of the month in Stirling Hall, Queen's University. In the fall, we moved to the second Saturday of the month in Ellis Hall, Queen's University. The October meeting was held at the Kingston Public Library, Central Branch.
January 14: Member's Night and 50th Anniversary Celebration.
February 11: Professor Larry Widrow "The Tangled Past of the Andromeda and Triangulum Galaxies"
March 11: "All About Meteorites"
April 8: Larry Hum, "Total Solar Eclipse Trip to China in 2008"
SEPTEMBER 10: Member's Night featuring short presentations by Brian Hunter, Kevin Kell.
October 22: Brian Hunter "Telescope Seminar"
October 22: 50th Anniversary Banquet; Patrice Scattolin "Space Exploration From The Ground Up: With Reality And Fiction"
November 12: Annual General Meeting; Doug Angle "New Mexico Skies"
December 10: Member's Night with short presentations by Susan Gagnon, Kim Hay, and Kevin Kell, all relating to Variable Star Observing.
Kingston Centre members gave presentations at several area schools, local clubs, and offered public observing at the Charleston Lake Star Party. As well, a judge and a prize was contributed to the area Science Fair.
Public observing sessions were held at the Queen's University Observatory, in partnership with the Queen's University Physics Department.
The Fall 'N' Stars 2011 star party, hosted jointly with the RASC Belleville Centre, was once again a great experience for all who attended.
2012 EXECUTIVE
President: Susan Gagnon
Vice-President: Kim Hay
Secretary: Steve Hart
Treasurer: Kevin Kell
National Rep.: Brian Hunter
Librarian: David Maguire
Newsletter Editor: Walter MacDonald
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Hart
Secretary, RASC - Kingston Centre
This report was also published in Regulus, 2012 Feb, page 8.
Treasurer
Treasurer's Report 2010-2011
To be presented at the Centre's Annual General Meeting Saturday, November 12, 2011.
| KC Treasurers: | |
| Kevin Kell | 2010 Jan-present |
| vacant | 2009 Nov-2010 Jan |
| Kim Hay | 2008 Feb-2009 Nov |
| KC Auditors: | |
| Doug Angle | 2010/11 |
| Doug Angle | 2009/10 |
Our finances were audited by Doug Angle and his report is given below.
SUMMARY: Another quiet year for the Centre. Some one time expenses to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Centre including a large mailout to all members and a 50th Anniversary Dinner. Our membership level as of 2011 September 30 was 85, continuing to be the lowest in a decade. Total Income: $4331, Total Expenses: $3960, Net: $371.
RASC-KC Balance Sheet, Sep 30, 2011 ASSETS Banquet Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Fall'N'Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 649 General Operating Account . . . . . . . . . 8,445 Observatory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,079 Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 Special Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,500 TOTAL ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,174 LIABILITIES & EQUITY Opening Bal Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,114 Retained Earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,689 Net Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371 Total Equity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,174 TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY . . . . . . . . 26,174
INCOME NOTES: membership fees ($23) $1534+149+97=$1780 or 41% of revenue. Total donations this year were $380 and we raised another $65 for the banquet.
Fund balances at end of year: Banquet $0, Star party $649, Observatory $15079, Reserve $500, Special Projects $1500, General Operating $8445 for a total of $26174.
The Centre's $5 membership surcharge finally worked its way through the National system in the spring of 2011 but mysteriously reappeared in the summer, only to be removed again in early November. The 2010-2011 Balance Sheet is shown at left.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?
Until our activity level goes up, our expenditures will remain low and we will continue to aim for balanced budgets in the future. Investment returns should become significant with rising interest rates and more capital under investments. We have $20k invested in GIC's returning an average of 1% or $200. We will have to ramp up our charitable spending to not lose too much ground with the Canada Revenue Agency.
The 60cm Venor Telescope mirror is scheduled for a recoating this year at an estimated cost of around $1300. We will also be taking another attempt at looking for land to base it on as well as a base for an observing group.
Kevin Kell, RASC-KC Treasurer 2010-2011
This report was also published in Regulus, 2011 Nov, page 11.
Auditor
2011 NOVEMBER 3
I HAVE EXAMINED the financial records of the RASC Kingston Centre. The role of an auditor is not to check every transaction, but rather to sample transaction records sufficiently to ensure that proper record keeping and practices are in place.
I am happy to report that I've found the management of Centre finances to be accurate, orderly and responsible. Expenditures are properly recorded, and consistent with the goals of the society.
In last year's audit, I commented on the management of our fixed assets; the various telescopes and other equipment owned by the centre. I note that the financial records now include a complete inventory of these items, including records of acquisition and disposal where appropriate.
For most of the Centre's business, executive and other members often spend their own money, then look for reimbursement. Large amounts are approved in advance by the executive, while smaller amounts are managed from an approved budget. Those responsible for budget line items can, apparently, make spending decisions up to the limit of the budget. While I'm satisfied with this as an acceptable practice, I didn't find a record anywhere that this is actually the intention. I would suggest that at the next bylaw or procedure review, this part of the Centre's practices be more formally listed.
My thanks to the executive in general, and the treasurer in particular for their upstanding management of the Centre and its finances.
Doug Angle, Auditor
This report was also published in Regulus, 2011 Nov, page 11.
Editor
No report.
Astronomy Day / IYA 2009
This position was vacant, and no official KC Astronomy Day activities were held in 2011.
Equipment Loan
No report.
Kevin Kell, Loan Coordinator.
Fall'N'Stars
Report:
Regulus, 2011 Oct, page 6.
Kingston Astronomy Outreach Network (KAON)
Coordinator: Susan Gagnon
References:
Regulus, 2011 Mar, page 4 (2011 February 12 session)
Regulus, 2011 Aug, page 3 (2011 July 9 session)
Regulus, 2011 Nov, page 10 (2011 September 10 session)
Regulus, 2011 Dec, page 10 (2011 November 12 session)
Regulus, 2012 Jan, page 3 (2011 December 10 session)
Librarian
Librarian's Report 2011.
...
David Maguire, Librarian
Observational Astronomy for the Novice (OAFTN)
OAFTN was not run this year.
Relay for Life
No report.
Responsible Lighting
Vacant position, no report.
Website
Chair: Walter MacDonald
Members: Kevin Kell, Kim Hay
No report.
National Council Representative
Brian Hunter was our rep for 2011. Susan Gagnon attended the Oct. 29 teleconference.
References:
Regulus, 2011 Aug, page 6 (March & July NC meetings)
Regulus, 2011 Nov, page 12 (October 29 NC meeting)
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