SOUTHERN ARIZONA SECTION
                 of the INTERNATIONAL DARK-SKY ASSOCIATION
                     DECEMBER 12, 2001 (2nd Wednesday)
                              MEETING MINUTES

The meeting was called to order by John Polacheck at 5:40 P.M. and was held at the offices of IDA, 3225 N. First Ave, Tucson, AZ. 
President Ed Vega is recovering from surgery.

The first item of discussion was a continuing discussion from the November meeting on how to get more members to the local
meetings.  John P. felt we need to get our active membership up to 20 to 30 to be able to do significant community projects and
remain a viable club.  It was agreed that a new format will be tried starting in January to add some variety and hopefully interest by
alternating activities with regular meetings.  January will be an activity meeting, February a regular meeting, March an activity
meeting, April a regular meeting, and so on.

For the January activity meeting (Jan. 9th) members will meet at the IDA offices at 5:30 P.M. and then depart in small groups to scout
out gas stations with good and poor lighting (visual sightings).  Please bring a friend if you can.  Members will then meet at a
restaurant (location to be announced at the start of the meeting)  to discuss findings.  Other potential businesses for future visits might
include supermarkets, car dealerships, bill boards, sports lighting, and apartment complexes.

A follow up activity might include visiting stores who sell outdoor light fixtures to see if they are in compliance with county lighting
codes and to possibly assist/motivate the stores to sell good lights.  We could also provide brochures for the store's lighting display to
show good types of lights and proper lighting techniques.  We might also consider providing free light cut-off shields for some of the
more popular outdoor light fixtures.

Another possible activity meeting could be a star party.  Visit various places within Tucson city limits to check out the best places for
good star gazing.  Ingrid suggested we might visit Tucson area resorts to check out their lighting and rate which ones have the better
star gazing sites.  Possible newspaper coverage of findings would reward the good sites and encourage lower performers to improve
their lighting.  Ingrid also suggested we should try too get some newspaper coverage of upcoming star gazing opportunities and add
comments about the importance of good lighting techniques to improve viewing for all in Southern Arizona.

The question was asked if we are still processing lighting grievances.  No one was sure who was handling the complaint forms. 
Byron agreed to take this on as an action item (to document and clarify the process) and report at the February regular meeting.  
Also at the February meeting we will discuss presentation of certificates for good lighting.

A question was asked if too much night light was ruining our eyes or effecting our health.  Do we need to spend more time in the
dark?  No one knew of any published data or articles on this.  John P. said he would follow up with someone in the field to see if there
is anything published on this.

A motion was made and passed as to who should receive the first  "Night Has a Thousand Eyes" book.  A total of ten were purchased
to be used for appreciation awards from SA-IDA. 

Announcements:
- January 17th from 4 to 6 P.M. there will be a presentation (open to public) on outdoor lighting codes (technical) at Park & Ajo.
- Graham County is considering passing an outdoor lighting code (largest city and County Seat is Safford).
- Next TAAA meeting is January 4th (first Fridays).
- Our next SA-IDA meeting to be Wednesday Jan. 9th, 5:30 P.M, meet at 3225 N. 1st. Ave, then depart in small groups for gas station
light pollution reviews, meeting at a nearby restaurant to discuss findings.

Meeting was adjourned at 6:40 P.M.

Respectfully submitted, Joe Frannea