USS Las Vegas

Monthly Crew Meeting
October 18, 2006

Minutes recorded and submitted by Executive Officer Mike Cornwell
Click here for digital images

Place: Quark’s Bar & Restaurant
Time: Meeting began at 6:30 PM

Attendees:

Captain Paul Walker
Cmdr. Mike Cornwell
Ensign Barbara Givens
Ensign Paula Angelos
Lt. Frank Brown
Lt. Silas Naig
Capt. Jonathan McFarland
Ensign Michael Blanchard
Ensign Joshua Andrews

Guests:

Rex Jones

Captain Walker began by welcoming everyone to the meeting. A special welcome was extended to our newest crew member, Michael Blanchard. Michael has been in several Star Trek clubs for many years and is an excellent addition to the crew.

Chief Science Officer Givens began by presenting some interesting science facts for the crew. Among those were:

  • The current status of Pluto as a dwarf planet

  • Pluto's nemesis, Eris

  • A new asteroid named after a town from where the finder was born, Elko

  • Presented the clearest picture to date from the Hubble Space Telescope of two solar systems colliding

  • Information about our sun and that it is about half way burned up

Old Business:

  1. Adopt-a-Highway project - First Refuse Collection Mission was a rousing success. Eight members of the crew donated their time and efforts to the project. A digital record was made of the crew in front of the sign and we collected three bags of trash. Everyone had a great time and felt the project was worthwhile.
     

  2. IFT Conference Update - Captain Walker updated the crew to the status of the conference and gave out some additional information. The conference will begin at 9:30 AM but the room will be open earlier to setup displays and hang banners. The crew was also asked to have correct change at the door.
     

  3. The new Polo shirts were discussed and everyone expressed their appreciation to COO Brown for his work and the crewmembers without the new shirts said they would order them shortly.
     

  4. The Promotion Point System (PPS) was discussed and was adopted unanimously. No changes were requested. Each crew member was given a copy of their individual points.
     

  5. A discussion was also held regarding getting the crew more involved during the meetings. A few suggestions were made and topic was tabled until the next meeting.

New Business:

  1. Captain Walker presented the crew with his monthly Star Trek update. He included information about the upcoming release of the animated series on DVD, information about some games that are to be released soon and a new book, "Ships of the Line."
     

  2. The November SAM was discussed and bowling was discussed again. After surveying the local bowling alleys, it was determined that this would have to be a late night mission due to the bowling leagues. The idea was tabled until a future date.
     

  3. It was decided that for the November SAM, we would visit the Silverton Casino where they have the huge aquarium and indoor shooting range. It was determined that Barbara will check the hours for the range and we would either eat first or shoot first and eat later. The event is scheduled for November 8th with the time yet to be determined but probably about 7:00 PM.
     

  4. A discussion was held about the Goldwell Open Air Museum near Beatty, NV. Beatty is about 115 miles north of Las Vegas on US 95. The crew liked the idea of visiting the ghost town and the museum. More information will be presented and a future away mission planned.
     

  5. Captain Walker started a discussion about our Christmas Holiday Party and it was decided that it would be held at Chief Science Officer Givens' home on December 13, 2006. The details will be worked out at a later date.
     

  6. A discussion of a monthly donation to help cover the costs of running the club was discussed and everyone appeared to be open to the idea. It was decided that people could voluntarily donate an extra dollar or two when they pay for their meal and that this money would be put into a "Latinum Fund" and any club expenses would be paid from that fund. XO Cornwell will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer and keep a record of the funds and make a report at each MCM on what has been collected and spent.

Awards and Promotions:

  1. Ensign Joshua Andrews was promoted from Ensign 3rd Class to Ensign 2nd Class due to his performance and points earned in the PPS.
     

  2. Our new crew member, Michael Blanchard was presented with his membership certificate to welcome him to the USS Las Vegas.

Meeting adjourned.

Postscript: After the meeting officially adjourned a short discussion was held between Captain Walker, XO Cornwell, CMO Jonathan McFarland and our new member Michael Blanchard. Captain McFarland had expressed an interest in taking over the duties of the Chief Communications Officer after the recent departure of David Phares. After clearing the new assignment with the individuals, it was decided that Captain McFarland will become our new Chief Communications Officer and that Michael Blanchard will become our new Chief Medical Officer. Congratulations to both and thank you for your service to the ship and crew.

The next meeting is scheduled for November 15, 2006 at 6:30 PM at Quark's.