Lifetime Membership Awards
Posted: November 30, 2020 Filed under: ROC Board of Directors, Uncategorized Comments Off on Lifetime Membership AwardsThe ROC Board of Directors would like to extend a gratitude of thanks to Mike Ostby and Kurt Gugisberg for their years of hard work and dedication to the club.
Mike Ostby has served as President for the last four years.
Kurt Gugisberg has and continues to serve as the club’s equipment manager always keeping the club’s equipment in top condition.
We would like to thank them by providing lifetime memberships. Thank you both for your continuing dedication to the club.
ROC Board of Directors
ROC Board of Director Self Nomination Announcment
Posted: June 14, 2018 Filed under: ROC Board of Directors Leave a commentIt’s that time of year folks! If you’ve ever wondered about the “behind the scenes” of your club, wanted to become more involved in club decision making, simply want to “pay it forward” or just want to learn more about rocketry then consider self-nominating for a seat on the ROC Board of Directors.
There are three full term (three year) and one partial term (two years) Director seats up for election this year. David Erbas-White has once again volunteered to collect the nominations. Andrew Wimmer is this year’s Election Chairman. Any adult ROC member in good standing can self-nominate by writing a Statement of Self-Nomination and short bio. Make sure to include a photo. Please send to: bigbearrockets@cox.net. The deadline for self-nomination is August 31st, 2018 at 11:59 PM. Ballots will be cast electronically via the Wild Apricot Membership Portal during Sept and Oct. Results of the election will be announced during the Annual Members Meeting November 10th, 2018 at ROCstock. If elected, your annual club fees are waived.
Please consider running for a Board of Director seat. It’s a great way to become more involved and have fun while making a difference in the hobby we all love so much!
Mike Ostby, President
2017 ROC Board Election Announcement
Posted: October 15, 2017 Filed under: ROC Board of Directors Leave a commentNovember 14, First Anniversary of a Tragedy
Posted: November 8, 2016 Filed under: Launch Announcements, ROC Board of Directors, ROCstock Leave a commentOn the same weekend as ROCstock in November of 2015, a boy scout leader died from injuries sustained when he was hit by a model rocket. Mike Bentley was a long time scout leader, and a family man. He is survived by his wife and four sons.
He had lost track of the rocket, which came in ballistic and struck him in the face as he was looking for it.
It was not a high power rocket, but what we think of as “mid-power”. It was launched by another adult at the annual “Rocket Rave” event hosted by the local Boy Scouts of America council. Mike was one of the organizers of the event, and had done so for several years. The accident took place in Johnson Valley, about 25 miles east of the ROCstock launch site.
We at ROC were stunned by the news. So far as we can tell, this is the only fatality at an organized launch in the 60+ year history of model rocketry.
Even small rockets can have a great deal of kinetic energy, and if they strike anyone at high velocity can be very dangerous. Of course, the risk increases with the mass of the rocket, but even small rockets should be launched at an appropriate location, under safe conditions, and with precautions taken to minimize risk of injury. This is one of the central reasons ROC exists–to provide a safe launch environment.
Earlier in November, 2015, Tripoli Rocketry Association published some additional guidelines for conducting safe launches. The ROC board reviewed the new guidelines and since has incorporated them into our launch procedures. You may have noticed the way we man the RSO position has been made more formal, and we have more detailed “job descriptions” for the volunteers who help run the launch. You can find more information on this page: https://rocstock.org/range-duty-positions-and-procedures/
But all the rules and guidelines only help when they are actively applied. Among the changes we have instituted, and are still working to improve, include ensuring that rockets are angled downrange during launch, so a ballistic recovery will only hit empty lakebed. We have also clarified some of the roles and responsibilities of volunteers conducting a launch. Recently we have been using an additional “head-ups” horn at the LCO table to get everyone’s attention if a rocket is coming down over the safety zone or spectator areas.
We have also clarified that if rockets consistently fly over the safety zone or spectator areas, the launch is to be suspended until we can ensure safe flight paths.
If we can’t launch safely for any reason, the launch will be cancelled.
In addition to cooperating with all safety rules and instruction during a launch, it is especially important that everyone stay aware of rockets being launched and recovered, and if anyone yells “HEADS UP!” stop what you are doing an pay attention to the rocket that may be flying toward you!
Please join us in remembering Mike Bentley, and in doing what we can to make sure no one is injured at our launches!
More information about the accident last year: http://www.sbsun.com/general-news/20151115/longtime-boy-scouts-leader-dies-in-johnson-valley-accident
Self-Nomination Deadline Extended.
Posted: September 8, 2016 Filed under: ROC Board of Directors Leave a commentThe ROC board has extended the deadline for self-nomination for board positions through this weekend.
There are a number of members, and regular guests, who volunteer to help with the tasks needed to keep the club running. However, the board of directors generally are the ones who ensure things get done and the club operates as efficiently as it does.
Last year we didn’t hold formal elections because there were not enough members who self-nominated to fill the available positions. Vacancies were filled with appointments by the board. Those appointments were valid until the next (this) election.
We are in danger of having the same situation this year. At present we do not have enough nominees to fill the five positions that are up for election.
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