What's Not as New on the Society Website :

PREVIOUS POSTINGS -
LISTED FROM MOST RECENT BY MONTH

 

May 2008

If you could not join us in Schenectady this May, consider the possibility of hosting us all at YOUR facility in 2009!   We could come to you!  We'd love to take advantage of visiting new theaters, experiencing the unique local culture around your facility, and listening to a wide variety of speakers that can make it to your site! If you think that you would like to experience MAPS from the conference planners point of view (a unique experience itself!), drop the MAPS Board a note, and we'll be glad to consider your site for 2009!  Don't delay! Let us know today!  (Patty Seaton 3-26-08)

 

 

April 2008
 

 

March 2008

~ The conference hosts are the staff of the Suits-Beuche Planetarium.  Many of our members enjoyed a recent PIPS meeting at this outstanding facility.  Upcoming conference information at the Suits-Bueche Planetarium in the Schenectady Museum now posted here!    (Steve Russo 3-4-08)

February 2008

The Board has been made aware that some MAPS members have not received their ballots.  If you have not received a ballot please notify Jerry Vinski .  The deadline for submitting your ballot will be extended until February 15, 2008 (postmark).

 Upcoming conference information at the Suits-Bueche Planetarium in the Schenectady Museum now posted here!    (Steve Russo 2-14-08)

January 2008

Mail box alert!  MAPS ballots for our election of board members should be in your mail box now or in the next few days.  You may review the candidates and related information they provided on our election page.   (1/22/08)

December 2007

  We regret to announce the passing of Dr. Fred Hess this past December 13, 2007.  A Remembrance. Thank you Joe Rao for allowing us to post your tribute on our memorial page.  (Sam Storch 12/17/07)

October 2007

~Call for Nominations!  (3) Executive committee positions for 'Board of Directors' are up for re-election this January.  Our October conference would be a good opportunity to meet members, share your viewpoints, and nominate who you think is best suited for our board positions.  Take this opportunity to discuss with current officers and board members how our organization may best serve you. Our Board Positions are for 2 years in duration and are elected in alternate years of our Officer Positions, also 2 years in duration.  (Patty Seaton 10-1-07)

September  2007

~The MAPS board is excited to announce our spring conference!  
Mark your calendars for May 14th through 17th, of 2008, as the next MAPS conference will be held at the Suits-Bueche Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum in Schenectady, NY.   Check out news of the recent successful PIPS meeting at this fine facility.    ( 9/8/07)

July 2007

~ Robert J. Novins Planetarium in Toms River New Jersey is set to host Area Mini Conference Monday August 20th 2007.  Meet and greet at 9:00 AM.    More information on our Armand Spitz Conference Page.    (7/25/07)

June  2007

~ We regret to announce the passing of astronomer Dr. Kenneth L. Franklin. Many of us remember Dr. Franklin from his work at the American Museum-Hayden Planetarium.  (6/25/07)

~TRIPLE CONJUNCTION CONFERENCE AT OGLEBAY : Registration forms now available...Please print out, fill out and return.   (6-11-07)

~MAIL BOX ALERT...Triple Conjunction Conference registration may be in your mailbox Today! .   (6-9-07)

May  2007

~ A NEW USE OF OUR WEBSITE !  We would like to conduct our first web poll.  We would like your feedback as to your preference of IPS conference sites for 2010.  For more information, link to our Polling site.  We thank you in advance for your participation.  (5-25-07)

~A memorial service for  Erik Zimmermann will be conducted on Saturday afternoon, May 19 at Ocean County College in Tom's River, New Jersey.  Dr. Zimmerman was the long time Director of the Novins Planetarium at Ocean County College.  The service is set to begin at 3:00 PM Saturday.  Please contact Gloria Villalobos for information and location (possibly in the planetarium.)  Gloria Villalobos (5/17/07)

~  M.A.P.S. ,S.E.P.A., & G.L.P.A. : Joint Conference at Oglebay in Wheeling, West Virginia October 9-13    Look for updates on Triple Conjunction Conference from host Steve Mitch; Director at the Benedum Planetarium at Oglebay.  Please review the expanded conference page which contains agenda and notes from Steve on cost, rooms, rates, directions, and most all you will need to know.   (5/7/07)

~ SEPA, GLPA, MAPS Conference  at Oglebay in Wheeling, West Virginia October 9-13    Update on Triple Conjunction Conference cost from host Steve Mitch at the Benedum Planetarium at Oglebay.  Please review the expanded conference page which contains agenda and notes from Steve on cost, rooms, rates and directions.   (5/7/07)

~To cover the anticipated cost of gas rising, and the bus transportation needed for the success of our conference, the updated price of registration will be $245.00.   Steve Mitch (5/15/07)

~Please be aware when making room reservations for the Oglebay resort that there is a 12% additional tax to be figured in to your lodging costs.  (Basic room $99.00 plus tax is $110.88 per night.  There are still some basic rooms left at this posting, please call soon to take advantage of this low cost !  Premium quality rooms are also available. (Kevin Conod, Board of Directors 4-19-07)

~Our new web-page posted for Armand Spitz Regional Meetings.  We name these regional meetings in honor of the person who promoted planetariums and their educational benefit to facilities around the globe.   Visit the page for more information and agendas for upcoming scheduled meetings.  (5/1/07) 

APRIL  2007

~ Tentative agenda posted for  PAPA'S (Philadelphia Area Planetarium Association)  Armand Spitz Regional Meeting.  Thank you North Penn School District for hosting us at the Planetarium in North Penn High School.  We will meet on Tuesday May 15th.   All are invited to attend.  (4-20-07)

~ On April 27, 28, & 29 our board gathers to plan our upcoming conference at Oglebay and conduct our spring business meeting.  Please share with any officer or board member  ideas,  issues or concerns you wish us to address.  We are a team within a team, and hope that we can continue to work with you to make our organization an exciting one to be a part of.  (Patty Seaton, President 4/16/07)

~ SEPA, GLPA, MAPS Conference  at Oglebay in Wheeling, West Virginia October 9-13    Update on Triple Conjunction Conference cost from host Steve Mitch.  This should be the final revision.  Due to some revisions in food costs, etc. I have decided to set the registration costs for the fall conference at $225.00.  (4/10/07)

~Calling all Marylanders, Washington Metropolitan Area"ers", and All Interested Others ! Saturday May 5 Armand Spitz Regional Meeting is set to go !   H.B. Owens Science Center will be our host.  Much thanks to Prince George's County Public Schools, Maryland for providing an outstanding facility for us to meet in.  (Patty Seaton, President 4/4/07)

 

MARCH  2007

~Posted is a more complete update of the tentative itinerary for The Triple Conjunction Conference.  An outline is on the website and you can download a printable copy.    (Steve Mitch- President Elect  3/22/07)

~The Elections results are in! We are pleased to report that 75 ballots were returned. My thanks again to all of you for supporting us in this latest election.  For the results, I'd like to present the following report from Audit Chair, Steve Russo.  (Patty Seaton, President  3/15/07)

~Philadelphia Area Planetarium Association Day Conference Tuesday May 15th - Spring meeting at North Penn Planetarium.  Information posted on Conference Page.    (3/9/07)

 

FEBRUARY 2007

~Election Candidates now posted on-line   Statements of our candidates for president-elect are posted for your review.  (2-13-07)

~Election Alert- The MAPS board has authorized the MAPS Election Committee to re-issue the ballots for the Election of Officers.  On the initial mailing, one of the candidate's statements was incomplete.  Out of fairness to all the candidates, and to you, for proper discernment of the candidates, we felt it important to print the corrected statements and issue a re-vote.  We apologize if you have already sent in your ballots.  These ballots will NOT be counted.  The new ballots will be printed in a vibrant color in order to clearly distinguish them from the first.  Please take the time to carefully review each candidate, and send in your ballots accordingly.  Thank you for working with us!        (MAPS Board Members  2/03/2007)

~Updates on our Triple Conjunction!  A tentative itinerary for the opening days of our Joint Meeting of MAPS, SEPA  (South Eastern Planetarium Association) & GLPA (Great Lakes Planetarium Association) is now posted.  Our conjunction conference on October 9-13, 2007 will be at the Oglebay Resort and Conference Center, Wheeling, West Virginia.  A note from our host Steve Mitch will fill you in on cost, rooms, transportation and conference plans.   (2/1/2007)

 

JANUARY 2007

~We are sorry to announce the passing of Dr. Rolf Erik Zimmerman, PH.D. on Friday January 26, 2007.  Please link to the Asbury Park Press for immediate information.      (1/29/2006)

~We are sorry to announce the passing of Helmet K. Wimmer this past year.  Please look below to find out more about this outstanding planetarian.   (1/20/2007)

  ~Please check out our Educators link above.  It leads to a list of Mentors now available to help those new to the field, those moving to a new facility, and those who need a colleague in the field for a second opinion or advice.  We ask you to  take a minute to look over the menu items which are now under construction.    Some uses suggested for our website have included collecting resources, educational web tools,  and possibly to assist with instructional design tips.  We will also post astronomy organizations and clubs that you have found locally in your home community to be valued resources.    Please contact us if you have a contribution, listing, or have other ideas for categories that will empower your colleagues.  Let the group construction process begin !  Thanks for the suggestions already provided by some of our members for inclusion on our educators resource page.      (1/16/2007)

 

Last Updated: 6-9-08