Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seds-l
Date:         Thu, 12 Nov 1992 11:34:22 EST
From:         Amy Marie Houts <houts@PSS.FIT.EDU>
Subject:      SEDS Executive Secretary T-con discussion

Howdy!  Please don't kill me guys for adding to the length of the
T-con, but I have some news that may be of interest.

Spaceport Florida, a non-profit state agency in Florida has offered us
the following:

1)  free office space, free phone line, free electric/etc.
2)  access to fax, photocopier, Internet access, filing cabinets,
        overhead maker, and all the usual office perks
3)  they would add a member to their staff to become the SEDS
        National Executive Secretary (we would have complete
        authority in directing, hiring, firing this person)
    SEDS National would pay this person $5000 per year in exchange
        for his/her services

Advantages:

1)  Spaceport Florida is working extensively to help revive Florida
SEDS and to promote SEDS nationally (they provided me with the
contacts/list I sent to SEDS-L of potential SEDS chapters and are
constantly inviting SEDS to participate in their educational activities)
2)  They are primarily interested in helping commercial space efforts
in Florida and especially space education on the state and national
levels.  In my meetings with them, we have have emphasized the
importance of SEDS remaining a separate entity that is
ENTIRELY STUDENT OPERATED!  Jim Ralph, Launch Systems Program
Manager for Spaceport Florida Authority (sorry, I often abbreviate
to Spaceport Florida) brought the subject up first, and he said
that SEDS must remain student-operated.  In other words, there
is no danger of us being absorbed by their organization.  In
fact, it is to their advantage that we are a student-operated,
separate organization --- we can achieve things for space education
that other organizations cannot.
3)  Spaceport Florida Authority has numerous contacts in both
industry and the political scene.  For example, Congressman
Jim Bacchus from Brevard is a close personal friend of Al
Gore, and I'm sure that if we came up with some good ideas
at a national level, he would help us -- he is very pro-space.
Also, as Spaceport Florida Authority expands its projects
in other countries, such as Mexico, we receive contact names
for SEDS chapters.  We also may be able to submit experiments
to their sounding rocket program.  Ramzi Nassar of Spaceport
Florida labs just called me and said that he was getting us
contact names for Kennedy Space Center VIP tours (3 days
worth) next quarter.  I guess what I like about this organization
is that they keep looking for ways to help SEDS without being
asked to do so, and as they pursue their own projects, we
will stay informed so that SEDS may also benefit from their
educational efforts.
4)  Spaceport Florida Authority is located in Cocoa Beach,
approximately 20 minutes from Kennedy Space Center.  We
might have an office at Spaceport Florida Labs, which
is right next to Space Camp and KSC (I need to double-check
the location).  Anyway, if we ever wanted to have a
National Executive Board meeting in conjunction with a
launch, etc.. (and possibly receive some national
publicity), these things are definitely feasible.
5)  Our only expenses beyond the $5000 per year would
be for office supplies, long-distance phone bills,
photocopier paper, etc..  If this plan for an executive secretary were
to be approved, FIT SEDS could start fundraising or seeking donations
of these materials.

Spaceport Florida Authority is willing to work on a contract with
us as soon as we make up our minds on the issue (no rush, just
thought I'd mention that).  I need the following from
everyone on SEDS-L:

1)  Feedback! :^)
2)  A list of questions we should ask them regarding the
        SEDS National Executive Secretary idea
3)  Note:  SEDS Florida (FIT SEDS) has a fundraising goal
        set at $50,000 for educational projects -- perhaps
        we can also seek donations for this project once
        we get our programs going (and companies will
        actually know we're doing something for space
        education).
We need other fundraising ideas...
4)  Any other suggestions you may have are welcome...

Please folks, let's discuss this idea.  We would need to
coordinate extensively with MIT and the Co-HQ, but I
think we could work it out.  I'd be willing to run up there
every day initially if it would help (I plan to be at FIT
at least two more years).  Also, by January we should have
Florida SEDS chapters fairly well organized, and FIT SEDS
can definitely help with this proposal.

Yikes!  The Queen of Verbosity has struck again!  Also,
if it isn't too much trouble, can we discuss this fairly
early in the T-con (I can only stay logged on for one hour).
Thanks!

Looking forward to EVERYONE's ideas...

Ad Astra!

Amy :^)
GO SEDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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