Greetings fellow Planetarians

As we get ready for the last PPA meeting of the second millennium AD (Gregorian), we need to look to the future. As a professional organization of astronomers and planetarians we have a sometimes daunting job. Explaining to the public not only the wonders of the universe, but also questions and paradoxes in the exponentially growing field of Astronomy, is what Planetariums do best. The amount of data that is being returned from satellite's, orbiting observatories, solar system roaming spacecraft and ground based telescopes is truly "ASTRONOMICAL."

One way we keep abreast this deluge of information is attending professional conferences. In years past I always attended ASP (Astronomical Society of the Pacific) conferences, and AAS (American Astronomical Society) when they were in the west. Now going to PPA and IPS when it is in this country is about all I can find time {money} for. Panorama and conference proceedings are another way to find out what our colleague's are up to.

Panorama is one of the most valuable assets of PPA membership. Panorama is also by far the most expensive thing we do as an association. In the two years I was PPA Treasurer Panorama cost us $ 1,923.72 (printing and postageAlan works for free). During that time we tuck in $1230.00 from membership dues. Inasmuch as membership dues are our primary (make that almost only) source of income we must do something. Alan's PanErama Survey seems to indicate that a majority of PPA members would prefer or at least not mind receiving Panorama (If it would keep dues lower) only in electronic form. Receiving Panorama only in electronic form would seem to be the way to go if we were a political association. Since PPA is not a political association I believe we must try to accommodate all members, or at least make an effort in that direction.

The choices as I see them are (Feel free to come up with others).

1. Do nothing with regards to PPA dues (Dues stay at $10.00 annually)!
   If we do not raise PPA dues we will be forced to provide Panorama only in electronic form in the future (or face financial trouble in a few years).
2. Raise dues to $15.00!
   If we raise PPA dues by $5.00 we should be able to provide the summer edition of Panorama in hard copy and provide conference proceedings in electronic form only.
3. Raise dues to $20.00!
   If we raise PPA dues by $10.00 we should be able to provide Panorama and conference proceedings in both hard copy and electronic form.

The PanErama Survey came back with some good suggestions for Panorama and the PPA website.

List of members with e-mail/snail-mail addresses can already be accessed via the PPA website <http://www.ccsn.nevada.edu/other/Planetarium/PPA/>.

The PPA constitution, direction on how to join PPA, info on the next conference, should be on the web site and we (Dale) will work on that.

We (Dale) can put any appropriate astronomy news, pictures, old articles, indexes, URL's, on our site that we (Dale) receive in electronic form.

Unfortunately some suggestions must fall into the (People in hell want ice-water "thanks Andy") category. i.e. All planetaria, all staff, all addresses, cross reference to IPS, locator for the nearest planetarium via zip code (Well maybe if we all have ATM machines).

Another action item on the agenda for PPA's business meeting at Texas 2000 in Dallas, will be a site for the 2001 regional conference. At the Desert Skies Planetarium Conference in Phoenix, the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI), Murdock Sky Theater was selected to host the 2001 multi-regional conference. OMSI will not be able the host 2001 and we must pick a new site.

Facilities wishing to host 2001 need to send an invitation to all four regionals.

PPA (Pacific Planetarium Association)
Conference committee:
Gail Chaid <Chaidg@aol.com>,
Dale Etheridge <drdale@nevada.edu>,
Alan Gould <agould@uclink4.berkeley.edu>,
Keith Johnson, <keithj@unr.edu>,
Robert Pippin <rpastro@nevada.edu>,
John Young <jyoung@rhfleet.org>

RMPA (Rocky Mountain Planetarium Assoc.):
http://cyberkids.ccsd.k12.wy.us/RMPA/stars.html

GPPA (Great Plains Planetarium Assoc.):
http://www.spacelaser.com/gppa

SWAP (South-West Assoc. of Planetariums):
http://www.tyler.cc.tx.us/SWAP/

If you have any new or old business you would like discussed at the Texas 2000 PPA business meeting let me know. I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer, look forward to seeing "you-all" in Big D.