Founders Meeting Minutes
February 21, 1997

Time: 12:00 noon - 6:00pm
Location: Goddard Space Flight Center
Participants: Eric Anderson (NAIII), Karen Bottom (NAIII), Jim Brice, Grant Bromhal (NAIII), Gene Fujii (SAII), Andrew Gray (SAII) Mike Moreau (SAII) - remotely, Jeremy Richardson (NAIV), Brian Roberts (SAII), Jane Thorpe (NAIII), Jacob Yates (NAIV)

Summary of Actions from Meeting

• Revised Constitution based on changes made during meeting out to alumni by March 7, 1997.
  
• Acting Executive Council formed as follows:
  Acting Chairman - Mike Moreau (SAII)
  Acting President - Eric Anderson (NAIII)
  Acting Vice President for Operations - Jane Thorpe (NAIII)
  Acting Vice President for Finance - Brian Roberts (NAIII)
  
• Paperwork for incoporation within the State of Maryland to be filed asap.
  
• Dr. Soffen to be asked to Chair the Board of Advisors.
  
• Brian Roberts and Holly Ridings will present to the Space Grant Directors on March 15 in Washington, D.C. Jacob Yates will coordinate the gathering of information from alumni.

Overview of the issues to be addressed

I. Constitution
Eric stated goal to be to get the document in a state from which we can go to the membership and solicit their final comments. With regard to requirements necessary for incorporation, Gene says that the document currently meets requirements.

II. Incorporation
Gene restated the information provided in his email message update of February 12 (see attached). Incorporation within the State is straightforward - only need person to take responsibility. Federal is more complex and Brian has information on that (not present yet). Goal for today is to go through the steps in filling out the paperwork and take steps to complete it.

III. National Space Grant Directors Meeting
Jane subbed for Brian and explained that the Alumni were on the agenda of the Space Grant Director's Meeting (SGDM) in Washington, D.C. on the 15th of March. Goal for today is to decide specifics of presentation and assign preparatory tasks.

IV. Academy Congress
Eric reviewed the idea of having an Academy Congress during the summer including as many alumni as possible to 'bless' the constitution as well as have 'warm, fuzzy events'.

2:00pm Call from Dr. Soffen
Eric gave Dr. Soffen an update on what was happening. He was pleased with what we were doing. He told us that he is going to be speaking at the SGDM about a new idea that he has to pair Space Grant students with winners of the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Awards given by NASA. He suggested that we, as GSFC alumni, should make contact with the two new Academies at Dryden and Ames to insure the continued high quality of the program and that promoting the welfare of the Academy should be high on our priority list. Jane described to him, the presentation we will be giving at the SGDM. We told him that we would like to have a Board of Advisors and asked his suggestions for members.

Lunch Discussion

Jim started a discussion about the SGDM. He told us that the NAIV Mars Display will be on display at the meeting and that as many alumni as possible should attend the presentation to 'work the room'. He also suggested that we emphasize research and academic achievments of the Academy and individual alumni.

Jim suggested that we think about a budget for the year and that it include a reception during the Academy Congress that could show that our group is serious and those associated with it are serious.

Eric suggested that we form an Executive Council to prepare the organization for its unveiling.

The following people were agreed upon to comprise this Acting Executive Council:

Possible members of a Board of Advisors were discussed. The following people's names were brought up: Peter Diamandis, Tom Young, Alan Ladwig, France Cordova, John Holt Sr., Dave Thompson, Norm Augustine, Roland Dore, Dan Goldin, Buzz Aldrin, Kathy Thornton, George Lucas, Klineberg, and Center Directors from each of the Academy NASA Centers. Dr. Soffen would be Chairman of the Board.

Jim volunteered to be the Resident Agent necessary for incorporation within the State of Maryland. Gene proceeded to begin completing the necessary paperwork.

Afternoon Discussion

Organization Name

Was decided to be the NASA Academy Alumni Association (NAAA) .

Constitution
The constitution discussion was begun by going through the document section by section. Revisions were made as we progressed throught the document. Mike, Grant, Eric, Jane and Brian agreed to take the revisions and re-work the document by March 1 so that the incorporation paperwork could be filed.

Incorporation
Gene completed the necessary paperwork and took responsibility for filing it as soon as a final draft of the constitution was prepared.

Fundraising
There is an immediate need for $140 to file the paperwork. The Executive Council has agreed to finish the constitution, give it to the membership, let them know that the paperwork has been filed, present a proposed budget, and then solicit donations to cover start-up costs.

Space Grant Directors Meeting
Brian reviewed his plan for the presentation.

Brief History of the Academy
• Four Elements: Research, Seminars, Trips, Group Project
  
• Numbers and Statistics by Years
  
• Research Continuation
  
• Projects - Holly to talk about NAIV and Mars Display
  

The following are some thoughts that were discussed concerning the meeting:

• Emphasize what the student gets out of it and what the Space Grant gets out of it.
  
• The NAAA could be a way to promote SG nationally through alumni at universities.
  
• Show through example that it is more beneficial to send a student to Academy than to keep them in the state (Andrew Gray, for example).
  
• The missions of both organizations meet and weĠd like to work together
  

To gather numbers and statistics for by year, a survey of alumni will have to take place. Suggested that it take place in conjunction with Jake gathering contact information. Jake agreed to get a list together asap of alumni names, addresses, email, and phone numbers to be distributed to volunteers from each summer session who will then contact all alumni and gather the information needed. Brian will compile a list of information needed. The deadline for all of this happening was set to be March 1.