- I had e-mailed Clayton Coleman and the Board on 13 June, calling for a meeting to discuss the announcement of the formation of the new ARISS-USA organization, and the effect that would have on AMSAT.
I would like to respectfully request for folks to stop trying to drag ARISS and the new AREx initiative into this political battle.
In previous posts, Dave Taylor, W8AAS, the AMSAT delegate to ARISS, and I have stated that ARISS-USA became an entity to allow ARISS to sign agreements (with NASA and others) and seek grants in the ARISS name. In the past, AMSAT has done that in the US on behalf of ARISS. The functional change is that ARISS is assuming for itself some of the tasks that AMSAT has donated support to accomplish. (and we thank AMSAT for this donated support!) The good working relationship that ARISS has had with AMSAT over the years is NOT changing. For more information, read the press release on the new ARISS-USA entity on the ARISS web site www.ariss.org (6th article down).
One item I will remind all of you: Getting into space is HARD. Collaboration and teamwork are essential elements of space mission success. Infighting and back biting are a recipe for disaster in organizations and especially in space. If you all continue these behaviors, you will lose your opportunities to fly your space missions of the future. Space agencies and space corporations only want to work with folks that are dedicated to mission success. I ask all to get over your grievances and start working as a team as I would hate to see AMSAT lose space opportunities and space relationships that have taken decades to build.
73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO ARISS-USA Executive Director AMSAT-NA V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs
-----Original Message----- From: Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) amsat-bb@wd9ewk.net Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2020 1:30 AM To: Fernando Ramirez framirezferrer@gmail.com; AMSAT amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Who Let THIS Info Out?
Fernando,
Thanks for asking. Yes, I have made calls for meetings, and there should have been meetings since the last special meeting at the end of March.
1. Discuss the thousands of dollars in unauthorized spending on legal expenses since 2018 - a point that is not disputed in the letter AMSAT President Clayton Coleman sent to members last month.
2. After Robert Bankston's financial report was released in mid-March, I asked for a meeting to discuss the "cost-saving and budgetary control measures" he started to implement. After many months, Robert has not discussed these measures. Given the unauthorized spending, it appears AMSAT is in dire need of budgetary control measures.
3. I had e-mailed Clayton Coleman and the Board on 13 June, calling for a meeting to discuss the announcement of the formation of the new ARISS-USA organization, and the effect that would have on AMSAT. Clayton informed the Board on 16 June that he would gather his notes regarding a discussion with Frank Bauer and ARISS-USA, and review them with the Board. As of tonight, nothing from Clayton.
Michelle has also made calls for meetings. Yet none of the other 5 directors - including the two running for reelection this summer - have joined our calls for meetings. Clayton could call meetings, but has chosen not to. I would be more than happy to discuss these, and other issues, during an on-the-record Board meeting where minutes are made available to AMSAT members.
Thank you.
Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK