Mid-Kent Astronomical Society - MKAS

THE COMMITTEE

The committee for the 2025-2026 term are:

	Tom Roberts Chairman: (O) • To coordinate and act as figurehead for the society at its regular meetings, with assistance from the rest of the committee • To organise and chair monthly committee meetings • To encourage and guide committee members in fulfilling their duties in the best interests of the society • To be the figurehead for and represent the needs and views of the society to the public Instruments & Observatory Coordinator: • To maintain an inventory of MKAS astronomical instruments, and Jim Irwin Observatory (JIO) equipment and furniture • To manage the loan of MKAS telescopes and telescope accessories • To manage availability of, and access to, the JIO, and its equipment and facilities • To organise observing and other events at the JIO
	Dave Merrall Secretary: (O) • To manage and report to the committee any correspondence received or sent by the society • To provide a report on all correspondence at committee meetings • To produce, manage and keep a folder of society documents and correspondence Press Secretary: • To coordinate the publication of society events using relevant forms of media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Newspapers, Online ads) • To help coordinate responses to any press enquires, in liaison with the rest of the committee • To use relevant forms of media to help improve society membership
	Ron Straughan Treasurer: (O) • To provide a monthly report to the committee on the Society's finances • To manage and monitor monies received by the society and any payments from the society • To deal with all matters financial, including collection of membership fees, payment of any approved expenses, banking of monies, and liaison with the Auditor and any Inspectors • To arrange the auditing of accounts and report these to the membership at the AGM
	David Rees Programme Secretary: (O) • To contact and liaise with potential speakers and visitors to the society, mainly relating to regular meetings (currently held at Bredhurst Village Hall) • To book-in speakers into free slots on the society calendar • To liaise with the Events and Observing Coordinator in planning meetings and society events GP20 Project Manager: • To manage the society's GP20 Telescope. • To update the committee on the GP20 Telescope activities • To monitor and report on all costs associated with the GP20 Telescope
	Wendy Rees Membership Secretary: (O) • To assist potential members with completing membership forms and notify committee of new membership requests • To monitor the payment of membership fees, in liaison with the Treasurer
	Gary Foord Bredhurst Village Hall Liaison: • To be a member of the BVH committee and act as the MKAS point of contact • To represent the needs of MKAS to the BVH committee • To report to MKAS committee on any matters of BVH committee plans that may affect MKAS
	Ian Hargraves Audio Visual Manager: • To deliver the audio visual needs for society meetings and society run events • To ensure there is documentation and a team who are knowledgeable on how to operate the AV kit • To coordinate with the team to ensure that there is always sufficient personnel to deliver the AV needs
	Trish Marchant Refreshments Coordinator: • To manage the provision of refreshments at meetings • To ensure there are sufficient supplies • To ensure there are sufficient personnel to assist with the service
	Mike Phillips Archivist: • To document and preserve information relating to the historical activities of the society • To report to the committee any new archiving developments and seek permission to dispose of unwanted/obsolete materials • To collate, digitise, populate and organise a digital archive of MKAS historical records
	Naz Rajan Vice Chairman: • To support the chairman in coordinating the society business • To fulfil the chairman's duties in their absence • To guide and support the committee in their duties, as appropriate Webmaster: • To act as the chief administrator for the MKAS website • To moderate content on the website and deal with any online security issues • To make or oversee code updates to the website to allow for updated or new functionality • To manage domains and hosting for the society websites and email systems Minutes Secretary: • To take minutes at committee meetings and the AGM. A laptop can be provided for this role if necessary • To send minutes in advance of committee meetings to the secretary for distribution to the committee
	Linda Russell Raffle Coordinator: • To manage the holding and running of a raffle at meetings • To ensure there are sufficient raffle tickets and raffle prizes • To ensure there are sufficient personnel to provide this service Safeguarding Officer: • Ensure that all members feel safe to participate in any meetings and activities run by the society • Be available for any member or visitor to society meetings and events, if they feel they are not safe or are being victimised • Ensure that all aspects of the Safeguarding policy are upheld
	Arthur Fentaman Without Portfolio: • Assisting the Committee in all aspects of its work
	Simon Marchant Without Portfolio: • Assisting the Committee in all aspects of its work
	Martin Messer Without Portfolio: • Assisting the Committee in all aspects of its work
	Vacant Events Coordinator: • To liaise with external organisations regarding supporting their planned events • To coordinate with members who can deliver the required activities for these events Observing Coordinator: • To coordinate and arrange society observing activities • To arrange with members with the appropriate equipment to provide the observing experience • To inform the members on upcoming society observing activities