Attendees: (24) Charles Barnett, Doug Probst, Dan Cella, Chuck Meckfessel, Molly Meckfessel, Emma Meckfessel, Jason Garbus, Oliver Garbus, John Sullivan, Larry Hileman, John O’Neill, Don Hanson,Rob Benton, Henry Wright, Dennis Turgalski, Chris Lagemann, Joe Avins, Dave Pape, Scott Nokes, Tanya Nokes, David Corbin, Markos Duey, Joe Bryant, John Buckley

Sunset Hills Bandana’s BBQ; 11750 Gravois Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63127

Called to order at 7:00 p.m.

New Attendees:  None

Achievements and Contributions:

• John Buckley – attained last place trophy at NARAM.
• 3 fly it/take it rockets nearing completion.

23 June 2026 SLRA Meeting Minutes approved.

Treasury Status

• Current Balance $2,646.26
• Deposits: $158.32 from PayPal
• Expenses: $100 for park launch
• Don Hanson purchased new trailer locks, for which reimbursement will be needed.

SLRA Memberships Total: 68 members (65 Senior, 3 Junior)

Launch Reports:

• Community college launch – 12 build it/fly it models were built and flown.
• NARAM – John Buckley recently attended/completed.

Upcoming Launches

• Elsberry HP Launches – Fall/Winter 2026/2027.  Tentatively October/November, 2026 timeframe.
• Buder Park – August 8, 2026.  Note that several scouts will likely be attending.
• Mo-Kan (South Greenfield, MO)  http://tripolimokan.org  They generally launch the third Saturday of every month during the flying season.  Time: 12:00 CST-17:00 CST
• Central Illinois Aerospace – http://www.ciarocketry.org  Contact Greg Smith, Director of Operations, at 217-820-1678, or via email to operations@ciarocketry.org  Directions to their launch sites can be found on their website under the ‘Reconnaissance’ link. 
• Quad Cities rocket Club (Note: near Wildman Rocketry) https://qcrc.clubexpress.com  Email: Info@QCRC.us  Note they will be holding a mini Midwest Power weekend of May 23-24, 2026.
• Goat Ranch – Springfield, MO – 3^rd Saturday of the month
• Kloudbusters, Argonia, Kansas.  Check their website for details on future launches:  https://kloudbusters.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=325948&module_id=566855 Note that they will be holding AIRFest September 4-7, 2026. Check email for registration.  Need NAR/TRA membership card or image to fly at launches.

Old Business

• Doug Probst checked into costs associated with Club Express.  Will shelve discussion on this move to new website until next year due to costs involved.
• GSLMA disbanding, with funds to be distributed to member organizations.  The last meeting was cancelled.  No status change as yet.
• Let Jason Garbus know if you are interested in pursuing a level 3 certification.  There is some new paperwork involved with the process.  Best to start early!
• John Buckley noted that all NAR members should log onto the new NAR website and check their profile to be sure they are associated with the St. Louis Rocketry Association (Section #551).  This needs to be done manually by each user. 
• It has been noted that we will have to hold to a ‘no membership card-no flight’ rule at our NAR/TRA launches.  However, a digitally downloaded membership card will be sufficient to allow a person to fly. Elsberry launch fees: Free for club members; $10 for high power, $5 for low power.
• Chris Franklin noted that the club would always like help with setup/teardown at the Elsberry launches. 
• John O’Neill asked if there was any interest in the NAR Range Safety Officer training course.  Check out the NAR website for details. 
• For the night launch in October, official club reservations with St. Louis County Parks will be pursued.  Fee of $100.  Doug Probst has been handling the reservation.
• John O’Neill noted that the NAR has made available a guide for mentors.  This was forwarded to the club treasurer along with the club charter certificate and is available if anyone would like a copy.
• Locks on trailers aren’t the original combination locks.  Mike Walsh might have the keys to them. 
• The subject of paying a stipend to member(s) who haul the club trailers to launches was brought up and given a favorable review.  Further details to be discussed at upcoming meetings.
• Wash U. and Chaminade rocket teams still looking for mentors if interested.
• Any candidate alternate launch sites?  No new ones at this time.  John O’Neill may perform a search via airplane flight.  Possible use of RC airplane field near Eureka, MO?  Area near Riverport?  No progress on this item at this time.
• Following a recent launch, Doug Probst fixed a broken part on club trailer hitch.  Club would be responsible for reimbursing his expenses related to the repair.
• Jason Garbus asks that members associate their accounts to Facebook to facilitate mailings/housekeeping. (clarification?).  Also, make sure SLRA is selected on your Tripoli Rocketry Association member profile, so that your Tripoli voting ballot will be handled correctly.

New Business  

• Buder Park issues with reservation for upcoming October night launch have resurfaced.  Secretary will contact Chuck Neff at NAR to ask what, if any documents were exchanged between NAR and St. Louis County Parks Department during the conference call they had back in Fall, 2025.  (Subsequent to the meeting, Chuck was contacted and to his recollection a slightly updated certificate of insurance was what was likely given to St. Louis County Parks.) The latest
• SLRA election results. Congratulations to all officers!:
  • • President: Chris Franklin
• • Vice-President: Doug Probst
• • Treasurer: Dan Cella
• • Secretary: Molly Meckfessel
  • Board Member: Charles Barnett

•  Is the club logo image file available somewhere, possibly as an .svg file to use to make a decal?  Contact Dave Pape. 
• Henry Wright has been mentoring the SLU team recently. 
• No news on potential alternate launch sites.
• Doug Probst has been checking the club’s email accounts on a daily basis.

Adjourned 7:18 p.m.

Raffle items: Dave Pape – Estes Skydart 2