**AASC Annual Meeting June 24, 2005 (Friday Morning)**

# Business Meeting

Ken Crawford started the meeting at 8am by turning the floor over to
Glen Connor for a light-hearted 'state report'.

Glen Conner (former SC KY) lamented that so many familiar comfortable
things 'of home' were not necessarily good things anymore. Some things
whose good time had passed included 'Kentucky Fried Chicken' (high
cholesterol) , Horse Racing (gambling), tobacco, and bourbon -- all
going downhill in reputation. On the up side a major crop, marijuana, is
doing well.

Ken Crawford then started the business meeting.

**Reading/Approval of Minutes from August 2004**

Paul Knight, Secretary-Treasurer, indicated that minutes had been posted
since Sept. 2004 but he also passed out paper copies to those that
wanted them. A motion to accept the minutes was made by O'Brien and
seconded by Nielson-Gammon. 'Ayes' carried the motion.

**Treasurer's Report**

Paul gave the treasurer's report. Income from last years meeting was
\$157 greater than the cost. Paul noted the good estimating by Keith
\[Eggleston\]! Other details of the budget were briefly noted. No
questions from the members. Knapp moved and Raman seconded that the
report be accepted. Doesken asked why no travel money was used. Paul
answered that everyone who traveled volunteered their own funds. A vote
of 'ayes' carried the motion.

**Old Business**

-   **The State Climatologist Annual Summary by Ryan Boyles** Laura
    Edwards (WRCC, DRI) has volunteered to work with Ryan on next year's
    report. Mark Shafer's help (establishing the template) was very
    helpful. The NC State Climate budget for color printing was very
    helpful. It's all online in both lo-res ('screen' version) and
    hi-res (for printing).

-   **ARSCO Reports/New ARSCO States by Tim Owen** Tim pointed out the
    contributions to the State Climatologist Annual Summary counts as
    the annual report required for ARSCO status. South Carolina,
    Mississippi, Washington and Delaware became ARSCOs last year.
    Letters of acceptance were given to the two representatives from
    those offices that were present. This year South Dakota, Vermont,
    and New Hampshire were added as ARSCOs and letters were given to
    office representatives. Tina Cartwright is new SC for West Virginia.
    Pat Guinan is the new SC for Missouri, Dev Niyogi for Indiana, and
    Heather Kemp for Nevada. Other states are 'in the pipeline'.

-   **AASC Journal by David Stookesbury** David talked about
    establishing an 'AASC Journal of Service and Applied Climatology' to
    publish and document what we are doing. A very low page charge of,
    say \$10, would be possible for members. David sees it as a refereed
    journal. All papers would be offered online as PDFs. David
    volunteered to be first editor. Niyogi pointed out that the Journal
    of Applied Meteorology is being renamed to Journal of Applied
    Meteorology and Climatology. So, that does affect our naming,
    especially the inclusion of 'applied climate'. Zandlo noted that the
    word 'service' was especially important to AASC. Christy noted that
    we need to see something other than just talk. He suggested that we
    could vote later online. O'Brien pointed out that we have a lot of
    freedom and some of the topics that might be submitted could be
    under-appreciated by reviewers. Ken Crawford suggested that we
    should move forward with the meeting -- the AASC web page
    presentation could help with the discussion. Robin Williams (PR)
    pointed out that many times legal and reinsurance professional are
    clients and may be interested in the publication. The Committee was
    mostly present at the meeting. It was suggested that the committee
    quickly confer and steer the next steps. Robinson suggested that the
    word 'applied' be avoided in favor of 'AASC Journal of Service
    Climatology'. A proposal will be made by the committee (Boyles,
    Bergantino, Todey, Taylor and chaired by Stookesbury) to the general
    membership within the next few weeks.

-   **Dissertation Medal by David Stookesbury -** David talked about a
    dissertation medal to pay the way to our annual meeting for
    presentation of a paper on applied or service climatology. An
    anonymous donation of \$500 has already been given and it was asked
    to be matched with general AASC funds. O'Brien pointed out that it
    must be well publicized, including through NCAR. Dupigny-Giroux
    asked that Canada should be eligible as well. Mote asked how it
    would be paid for. Niyogi suggested non-Americans should also be
    eligible. Curtis suggested that we need an American emphasis. Knapp
    pointed out that new higher dues were to promote the organization
    and we should put money aside for this medal. Hillaker suggested
    that the medal would not have to be annual. Boyles suggested that
    perhaps NCDC could help with travel funds. The discussion focused on
    designating \$1,500 for the medal. No committee was in place. The
    Executive committee would assign members to it in the next few
    weeks. Their responsibility would be to solicit papers and review
    them with a recommendation for an award. O'Brien moved that the
    draft plan be accepted. The motion was seconded by Robinson and
    'ayes' carried it.

-   **Draft of new AASC Web Home Page by Derek Arndt -** Several people
    (Robinson, Owen and Arndt) were charged last year with developing a
    new AASC web page. The existing page is hosted by NCDC and gives the
    impression that AASC is a part of NWS. An easier venue was also
    sought. Several 'news style' web pages were shown. Oklahoma Climate
    Survey has similar content. An AASC mockup was shown. Standard
    features have buttons. The page can have the latest climate news.
    Profiles of SCs would be available and state-level 'gateways' to
    state web pages would also include local 'news items'. A page for
    'submit news item' was shown. Items can be made eligible for
    regional or national exposure. Similar pages would be made for RCCs.
    The page will be at the domain name: StateClimate.org. Derek asked
    'Is it worth finishing?', 'Who will host it?', and 'What was
    missed?' Todey asked if RCCs liked the URL and there was no
    disagreement. Cartwright asked about the online journal to which
    Derek replied that a button for 'standing content' could accommodate
    it. O'Brien pointed out that continuity and permanence are very
    important. Livezey concurred that a long-term commitment must be
    ensured. Heim pointed out that it was nice and gives more freedom
    since it was not hosted by a Federal site. Owens asked if Oklahoma
    could host it for a couple of years to get stability and Derek,
    after consultation, answered 'yes'. Christy asked about costs. Derek
    answered that about 2 weeks FTE had been spent and he anticipated at
    least 2 more weeks were needed before it could be 'released'. Boyles
    suggested that North Carolina may be willing to host it once it is
    developed. Mote noted that the 'news feed' needs supervision and may
    be problematic. Age of content and controversy may be issues. Derek
    replied that a more formal detailed proposal needs to be provided to
    members. O'Brien pointed out that state personalization may be very
    variable. Livezey reiterated that a maintenance commitment is
    critical. Solid policy and procedures of managing content is needed
    to avoid embarrassment to AASC. Shafer suggested that the state
    level content is the state's problem. Robinson said that an op-ed
    piece could be posted that could be unrepresentative of the
    association. He suggested an oversight committee. A vote by
    membership will be taken once a procedure and a tutorial are
    developed.

# New Business

-   **Budget Presentation and Vote.**

> Paul Knight showed the proposed next year budget. A discussion of the
> budget was started. Hillaker pointed out that \[while SCs are not
> constitutionally required to pay dues to be a member of AASC\] ARSCOs
> should be required to pay. Knight acknowledged that dues are an issue.
> Nielson-Gammon asked why less 'extra' money is projected for next year
> to which Paul answered that presidential travel support was zero.
> Nielson-Gammon continued by asking why less dues were reported to
> which Paul answered that dues came in outside of the meeting. Robinson
> pointed out that 34 states were at meeting and dues from them should
> be in budget. Paul said that he will send out notices but that he
> expected a low response. Livezey asked what the constitution reads
> about dues. Only a little more that half of the members paying seemed
> low. Stookesbury offered that constitutionally SCs are by default a
> member and that there is no requirement of dues. Aside, Stookesbury
> pointed out that \$500 should be in the budget for the dissertation
> medal. O'Brien suggested that previous year total should be shown as a
> 'carry over' income. Knapp suggested that dues for SCs who are ARSCOs
> should be projected (is it a requirement of ARSCO). Livezey and
> Robinson chimed in that it was not a requirement of ARSCO either.
> Crawford suggested that the Executive Committee would take dues issues
> under advisement. Edwards asked about the cost of the meeting to which
> Paul answered that income should balance cost. Mote suggested that the
> Treasurer should have some teeth to collect dues. O'Brien suggested
> that in light of unresolved budget adjustments the membership could
> vote online later. Crawford added that the Executive Committee would
> work out the details. Knight said that \$500 would be added for the
> medal, carry-over would be handled as discussed. Stookesbury suggested
> that travel money should not come from AASC for SC 1^st^-timers, etc.
> Boyle suggested that a revised budget should be sent to everyone to
> preview before being offered for a vote on-line.
>
> **New Members (Associate/Full)**
>
> An apparently flawed list of members who had paid via meeting
> registration was shown -- many who had paid were not listed. New
> associate members were nominated. Owens nominated Jason Caldwell (SC),
> William Schmitz (SERCC), Michael Johnson (SERCC). Raman nominated
> Aaron Sims (NC). Niyogi nominated Ken Schnerringa (IN). Todey
> nominated Chirag Shukla. Crawford nominated Renee McPherson (OK), and
> Andrew Reiter (OK). Doesken nominated Debora Bathke (NM), Henry Reges
> (CO) and Mike Spinar (MWRCC). Edwards nominated Heather Kemp (NV).
> Cartwright nominated Steven Fleagel (WV). A motion to close the
> nominations and accept the new members was made and then seconded by
> Crawford. A vote of 'ayes' carried the motion.
>
> **Officers for 2006 and Beyond**

-   Keim (LA) from the nominating committee nominated that Paul Knight
    be elected president and Jan Curtis Secretary-Treasurer. Knox (GA)
    pointed out that a committee motion doesn't need a second. There
    were no other nominations from the floor. 'Ayes' carried both
    nominations. The President will take over duties in 2006 after the
    annual meeting.

-   **New Nominating Committee by Ken Crawford** New nominating
    committee will be announced in a few weeks. Sethu Raman has agreed
    to handle ARSCO submissions into 2006.

-   **Meeting Locations in 2006 and 2007** Dennis Todey indicated that
    the 2006 meeting could be in Rapid City or Sioux Falls. A Rapid City
    meeting would have to be in June or July, still a busy tourist
    season. Hotel costs would be less than \$100 per day. Rapid City is
    relatively hard to get to. Sioux Falls is easier to get to and has
    easier accommodations but does not have other amenities to recommend
    it. A voice vote decided to have the 2006 meeting in Rapid City.
    Knapp pointed out that the very last week of June and first week of
    July are not good times. Dennis indicated that dates will be
    established later and options will be presented to AASC list-server.
    He went on to say that price quotes are on the way from Chambers of
    Commerce. Christy asked if it would be the usual 2 or 2-1/2 day
    meeting which was answered with a 'yes'. Someone wondered how we
    would have a riverboat cruise there. For the 2007 meeting Crawford
    offered Oklahoma, Keim offered Baton Rouge, and Dupigny-Giroux
    offered Vermont.

> **Submitted by:**
>
> Paul Knight
>
> Secretary/Treasurer
>
> AASC

July 30, 2005