EXECUTIVE BOARD (XB) MEETING OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON DC METRO REGION CHAPTER

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Mi Rancho Restaurant, Silver Spring, Maryland

In attendance:

Zach Upton

Juan Arvelo

Paul Arveson

Jerry Dietz

R. Craig Olson

Steve Benka

Jim Jenkins

Gerard Carroll

Natalia Sizov

Shane Guan

M. Roman Serbyn

Minutes:

7:20 pm - Call to Order

Zach Upton welcomed attendees, including new members, and reviewed 2006's activities:

- The four events included three traditional "academic" meetings and an acoustical tour of the National Cathedral with an organ demonstration. That tour was the year's "crown jewel."

- Registered a "legitimate" website domain, www.asachapterdc.org, along with officers' emails.

- Juan Arvelo continued working for the DC chapter with the ASA at the national level.

- Zach continued to mentor and guide young people.

- Zach is stepping down as chapter President. Received thanks from the group.

Elections of new officers:

- President: Natalia Sizov replaces Zach Upton

- Vice President: Jerry Dietz remains

- Secretary: Gerard Carroll replaces Steve Benka

- Treasurer: Craig Olson remains

Other positions:

- ASA Chair: Juan Arvelo

- Washington Academy of Sciences Liaison: Paul Arveson

- IEEE Liaison: Jim Jenkins

- AIP Liaison: Steve Benka

Discussion: Natalia brings new expertise (aeronautics); would like joint meetings with other groups. Paul will help Juan with the website. Shane will help identify speakers.

Review of upcoming schedule of meetings:

- George Mason University on February 21.

- Catholic University on May 16.

- Others are open. Strathmore tour is a possibility, perhaps given by Larry Kirkegaard from New Jersey. Zach and Roman will work to develop this.

- Morgan State University (Roman) and American Center for Physics (Steve) are available venues.

List of possible speakers circulated to XB:

- Earl Williams and Adam Frankel were suggested as other possible speakers.

- Paul has contacts with American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (mostly clinicians); will try to get suggestions for topics and speakers. A joint meeting might be possible.

- Other topics of interest include musical acoustics, cosmoacoustics, historical topics, sonar and marine mammals.

Treasurer's report:

- Funds on hand, 12/31/06: $984.23

- 2006 Operating funds from ASA ($500 + $5 per attendee): $885

- 2006 total expenses: $700 ($500 reimbursed from ASA)

Discussion: We have been conservative in spending; money is available for new initiatives and honoraria.

Outreach:

- Steve to find contact for retired physicists' group.

- Joint meeting with NC chapter was very successful. Should try other joint meetings.

- Jerry Dietz to circulate mock-up postcard to XB; about $400 to mail to 575 local ASA members.

- Could sponsor a Royster Competition for students; Juan to circulate rules to XB.

8:40 pm - Adjourn.