This year’s AAVSO Annual Meeting was an “abridged” meeting consisting of Executive Board and Council meetings, a membership meeting, followed by a dinner buffet. The meeting was held at AAVSO Headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The meeting was small, attended mostly by the AAVSO Council, HQ staff, and a handful of members and observers. Those in attednence agreed it was a complete success, and in customary AAVSO tradition offered attendees the chance to “talk shop” and enjoy the company of fellow VSOers.

At the membership meeting AAVSO Interim Director Elizabeth Waagen presented a summary of the Annual Director’s report which describes the activities of the organization for the previous fiscal year. Elizabeth noted that the ongoing two year validation project to error check all AAVSO data is moving forward at a quick and efficient pace. As of the printing of this newsletter nearly 70% of the AAVSO International Database has been validated.

Treasurer Lou Cohen reported on the association’s finances. The AAVSO Council continues to keep a close eye on the organization’s fiscal situation and while the AAVSO was feeling the effects of last year’s economic downturn, the organization remains very strong thanks to the ongoing support from past benfactors and excellent financial stewardship.

Among the other highlights of the meeting were a Supernova Award presented to well known nova hunter Robert O. Evans of NSW, Australia and a Special Recognition Award presented by the organization to AAVSO Director Janet Mattei for her 30 years of exemplary service and leadership.