AmesMUG: Solar Decathlon Club

[Clark Colby]

>
Hello,
	I stopped in to a meeting mid last semester and asked a few  
questions and I believe mentioned this group to a couple of you. I am  
not exactly sure of all of your majors but I know the ISU Solar  
Decathlon should be extremely interesting and thought i should let  
you all know about it!
	First off a brief overview of what it is. The Solar Decathlon is a  
worldwide college competition to design the most efficient solar  
house. It is a great honor to even get a chance to compete in this  
event. We already submitted our proposal and were accepted for the  
2009 competition! They only accept 20 college proposals from around  
the world (last year a German team won the competition). The house  
will be designed and built here on campus and then transported to the  
Washington DC Mall for the competition in 2009 where the judging will  
take place over a week operating period. For more and the best  
information check out  www.solardecathlon.org

	Another reason that I thought about you all is because while the  
house is on display at the Washington mall there needs to be a  
computer system that can run and record all of the solar power that  
is collected and used in the house. Also there will be tours of the  
house all day during that week and an interactive computer that could  
highlight the key points of the house and give information would be  
spectacular! I understand these computer systems will not come into  
use until we get closer to finishing the home but i think it is  
important for you all to hear about it now and follow along from the  
beginning of the design process.

	This is not only an Architecture or Engineering project. This is a  
huge undertaking that is going to involve and need many students from  
all majors to help and participate. This is a chance for Iowa State  
University to make a home that we can all be proud of!

	If you know of anyone that would be interested i think this will be  
a great learning opportunity and hopefully also a fun time! Pass on  
the word!

Sincerely,
Clark Colby



> Salutations!
>
>      Can you feel things heating up for the ISU Solar Decathlon  
> Team? This is the inaugural ISUSDT email list. If you'd like to be  
> omitted from the list or know someone who should be included, let  
> me know.
>
> The objectives of this email are:
> 1. Review the minutes of the meeting Sunday on 1/13/08
> 2. Invite you to the first official club meeting 1/17/08 and  
> mention our meeting's agenda - Position Elections!
> 3. Mention the second meeting (on 1/24/08) and it's significance to  
> membership/recruitment
>
> 1) Our organizational meeting Sunday went smoothly. It was decided  
> we'd start with three subcommittee's with two co-chairs for each:  
> Design - acting as liaison between the class and club, Outreach -  
> to promote membership through speaking at classes/posters/clubfest,  
> and Communications to start our twiki/acropolis and send weekly  
> updates after. Also decided, we'll have weekly club meetings on  
> Thursday nights in Design 130. These meetings will serve a  
> promotional purpose for new members as well as a chance for synergy  
> between subcommittees, projects, and classes.
>
> 2) As mentioned, our first meeting with be this Thursday 1/17/08  
> starting at 6:30pm in Design 130. If you know a student looking to  
> hold a leadership position, be sure they know the subcommittee  
> elections will be held this Thursday. Everyone is welcome to come,  
> though it will be a brief meeting focusing on electing inaugural  
> chairs and allowing committees to form. Immediately after  
> elections, each co-chair will propose their first actions and from  
> groups delegating some initial projects.
>
> 3) The second Thursday 1/24/08 will be a great opportunity for  
> students to find out about the Solar Decathlon. We'll start with an  
> overview presentation and the design workshop will have prepared us  
> posters reviewing the 2007 teams; so be sure to invite interested  
> friends!
>
> Feel free to propose more positions at this Thursday's meeting.  
> There's plenty to get involved with. Hope to see you there!
>
> David Gustafson
> President, Solar Decathlon Team
> 515.460.8600
>