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Here's a little nuts-and-bolts information about the club - how to contact us, who the officers are, and other good stuff.   

(If you're interested in becoming a member, click here. Thanks!)

Club Officers for 2024 

Community Outreach

If you would like the Oakland Astronomy Club to provide a presentation or observation opportunity at your event, please send an email to the Community Outreach Coordinator:  outreach@oaklandastronomy.net     While events are provided at no charge...  donations to help defray club expenses are always gratefully accepted.

Membership

Anyone interested in astronomy is welcome to join the Oakland Astronomy Club. Membership dues are $35.00 per year. If you're interested in becoming a member, click here.

Meetings

The Oakland Astronomy Club holds regular meetings at 7:00pm on the second Sunday of every month. The meetings are held at the Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve located at 333 Oak Hill Circle in Rochester. Check out our directions page for a map to Dinosaur Hill.

Observing Site

The Oakland Astronomy Club operates an observing site at Addison Oaks County Park, which is located on W. Romeo Road (about 10 miles North of downtown Rochester, MI). The site is home to the club's 17.5 inch f/4.5 reflecting and 14 inch SCT telescopes which we share with the public when the moon phase is conducive to deep sky observing. If you'd like to join us for a night under the stars, email your contact information to outreach@oaklandastronomy.net. Additional Community-Sponsored events can be found on our Event Calendar. Check out our directions page for address information. to get there.

Web Site

We maintain our own web site to provide information to club members, the astronomy market on the internet, and to attract new members. It is updated periodically with current information. Stop back often!

Contact the webmaster (outreach@oaklandastronomy.net) if you:

• experience any problems during your visit at our website
• have any suggestions or comments for improvement
• would like to add something added to the website

For all other reasons contact the appropriate club officer.

CLUB BY-LAWS

Article 1:  NAME AND PURPOSE

Sec. 1: The name of the organization shall be The Oakland Astronomy Club (Hereinafter referred to as OAC).

Sec. 2: The purpose of the OAC shall be to provide astronomical education, recreation, and research opportunities to the members and the public.

Sec. 3: OAC is organized and operated within the guidelines and exclusively for the purposes described in Section 501(C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Sec. 4: No commercial enterprise or candidate for public office shall be endorsed by the OAC. Neither the name of the organization nor the names of its officers in their official capacities shall be used in any connection, partisan, nor their sectarian interest.

Article II: MEETINGS

Sec. 1: The regular meetings of the OAC shall be held monthly at a regular day and time and the location agreed upon at the beginning of the fiscal year. If a holiday occurs at the time of the regularly scheduled meeting of OAC the President shall set a meeting time.

Sec. 2: Special meetings of the OAC may be called at any time by President or by a majority of the officers.

Sec. 3: All meetings of the membership and the officers shall be open to the public. 

Article III: QUORUM

Sec. 1: Four (4) members, including two (2) officers shall constitute a quorum to carry on business at any meeting of the membership.

Article IV: OFFICERS

Sec. 1: Election of the officers shall be the conducted at the last regularly scheduled meeting of the year. Officers shall be elected from the membership. Term of office for all officers shall be one year. No person shall hold more than one office at a time.

Sec. 2: Officers shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Outreach Director, and Treasurer.

Sec. 3: Election shall be by secret ballot except for unopposed positions, where election by acclamation may be allowed. Each member shall have one vote. A majority of those voting shall decide the election. Those elected shall assume office on the first day of the new fiscal year.

Sec. 4: In case of resignation or vacancy of one or more officers, a special election shall be called by the officers for the purpose of filling said vacancy or vacancies at the next regular scheduled meeting of the membership.

Article V: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Sec. 1: The President shall conduct meetings and represent OAC to other bodies, public and private, as may be required. Any agreements made by the President on behalf of OAC are subject to the advice and consent of the membership. The President shall prepare the current meeting agenda at all meetings.

Sec. 2: The Vice President shall conduct meetings and represent OAC in the absence of the President.   The Vice President shall maintain a log of all OAC non-monetary assets, such as scopes or other physical equipment, and will coordinate the maintenance and disposition of these assets.

Sec. 3: The Secretary shall record and distribute draft copies of the previous meeting minutes to the Officers for approval. The Secretary shall keep on file all meeting minutes and reports of the officers to the membership for the appropriate document retention period. The Secretary will keep a perpetual record or log of decisions and/or policies approved by the Officers.

Sec. 4: The Treasurer shall have fiduciary responsibility for OAC monetary assets. The Treasurer shall present a current report of the finances and membership at each monthly Business meeting and shall prepare financial reports as required by relevant government agencies.

Sec. 5: The Outreach Direct shall coordinate all Educational/Outreach programs for the Club and, when appropriate, coordinate with Public Parks, Libraries, and/or other Organizations.

Article VI: MEMBERSHIP

Sec. 1: Those eligible for membership include those who subscribe to the purposes for which OAC is organized and to which it is dedicated.

Sec. 2: One becomes a member of OAC by applying for membership or by a majority vote of the officers. Any New (vs current/former) member joining after October 1st, shall owe a full years Membership dues, but these will also apply as full payment for the next calendar year. Membership benefits extend to a member's immediate family residing at the same household, with the exception of voting rights, which are commensurate with the number of "paying" members of that same family.

Sec. 3: New members shall be announced at each meeting.

Sec. 4: Membership may be terminated in OAC for just cause, or for six or more months of inactivity or non-communication, or by a majority vote of the officers. 

Sec. 5: The President shall appoint liaisons or representatives to outside organizations as the need arises.

Article VII: DISSOLUTION

Sec. 1: OAC may be dissolved upon a 2/3 vote of the membership present at a meeting called for such purposes, as hereinafter set forth.

Sec. 2: Written notice of a meeting for the purpose of dissolution of OAC shall be given to each OAC members at least ten days prior to the proposed meeting, setting forth the day, time, place and purpose thereof.

Sec. 3: In the event of dissolution of OAC, all assets real and personal of OAC shall be distributed to such organizations as are qualified as tax exempt under Section 501 (C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding provisions of a future United States Internal Revenue law.

Article VIII: PARLIMENTARY AUTHORITY

Sec. 1: If necessary for issue resolution, Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall govern the conduct of all Business meetings of OAC.

Article IX: FINANCIAL POLICIES

Sec. 1: The fiscal year of OAC shall be the calendar year.

Sec. 2: The officers shall prepare, approve, and amend the budget for the OAC.

Sec. 3: Expenses of more than $ 100 not included in the yearly-approved budget must be approved by the officers.

Sec. 4: The signatories of the depositories of the OAC are the Treasurer and any other officer. All expenditures are approved by the Officers. The Treasurer (or President) can sign for any expenditure less that $1000.00 for the year. Two signatures are required on any withdrawal, and for payee checks--either singular or cumulative for the fiscal year--in excess of $1000.00.

Sec. 5: Changes in membership dues require one month notice and must be approved by 2/3rds of the members attending a regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Membership dues are payable in January.

Article X: ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT

Sec. 1: The officers shall arrange an appropriate financial report of the books of OAC.

Sec. 2: The officers may acquire the services of a certified public accountant at their discretion. The certified public accountant shall not be an officer of OAC.

Sec. 3: The annual financial report shall be available to the members and shall be kept on file.

Sec. 4: An official audit may be demanded by a 2/3 vote of the members present at any regularly scheduled meeting. 

Article XI: BY-LAWS

Sec. 1: By-laws may be amended, revised, repealed or created by a 2/3 vote of the members present at any scheduled meeting, provided one month's prior written notice has been given to each member.