[SJAAboard] Loaner Program Discussion 5/27/08

[Rob Hawley]

In attendance were Gordon, Lee, Gary, Rich, and myself.  Robert commented on
several items by phone so I will add his opinions as expressed to me.


GARY'S GOAL

Four of us strongly felt that the 3 points of Gary's goals captured our vision
of the loaner program.  Robert expressed the same to me during our phone call.
Rich's support was more muted.

LIBRARY MODEL

All of us (and Robert by phone) thought the Library Model was a better way to
run the program.  One member expressed that by adopting it the club "would be
acting like we cared about the scopes".  All recognized this would require a
change in the way the program is run and that we did not have enough storage to
accommodate a program of the current size.

INVENTORY REDUCTION

If we are going to change to the library model it will require retiring a number
of scopes.  Rob presented a chart of loan activity within the last nine months.
Most members felt that the chart was hard to understand.  The members also felt
that loan activity within this period should not determine whether a scope
belonged in the program.

Rob presented working draft one of a plan to reduce the inventory.  Most felt
this was too aggressive.  Following the meeting Rob modified WD-1 based on the
comments and prepared working draft 2

http://www.sjaa.net/loaners/reports/loaner-wd2.htm

This can serve as a point for further discussion.  A number of open items need
further discussion.

Gary was concerned that we should not try to dispose of all of the scopes at the
auction.  We should probably start selectively selling surplus equipment once we
make some decisions.

We should look at which eyepieces are bundled with the scopes.  The club should
probably include some better eyepieces.

Rich is interested in including a Losmandy mount in the program.  We need to
discuss this further.

Rich and Rob expressed some safety concerns about the club having a solar
telescope. Rob proposed a SunSpotter as a safer alternative. We need to discuss
this further.

One of the loaner scopes is on permanent loan to a person in the school program.
Some members felt this was not appropriate.

The club has a 6" Edmond Newt on an EQ mount and an 8" Meade on an EQ mount.
The 6" has not circulated, but its mount appears to be similar to the 8". The 8"
has a heavy mount that requires AC power.  We probably do not need both scopes.
Either both should be sold and a new better quality scope acquired or the 8"
tube should be remounted.



This was a good way to educate the members on the current inventory and issues
concerning the loaner program without taking up time at a board meeting.

Rob Hawley