NEVADA INVENTORS ASSOCIATION

"The past is prologue,

Study the past"

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The meeting will feature Bud Heath on marketing his Cat Fence-In

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Help Wanted

Oooops! I think that's ancient history, and that's politically incorrect now. It's supposed to be "Positions Available."

But then that doesn't describe the need very well. Let's just forget about the good manners here and tell it like it is: The fact is, the Nevada Inventors Association is in need of some help, as in "Help Wanted."

Since January I've been pleading for volunteers to come forth and take over the various jobs needed to run an organization like ours. So far, no responses. The message is clear: In June, on my 75th birthday, I'm finally going to concentrate on personal things, like my family, home, writing and hobbies. (Not to mention marketing a product of my own)

This quote from the February newsletter is worth repeating: "Blessed are the volunteers, for they shall be given wisdom and kept in the loop" Notice the word "volunteer" is not a four letter word. It's also used with other words, like "pride" and "self esteem."

Since we first organized in 1987, there have been quite a few volunteers that have helped keep the outfit interesting and rolling along. It doesn't require any professional skills obviously, 'cause I sure don't have any -- just an interest in helping to keep the outfit running along from month to month.

Perhaps some job descriptions would be a good idea so it is clear what is needed, and the mystery is removed, if there is any. And the jobs don't have to be reinvented unless a person wants to. The experience I have acquired over the years is available to anyone who wants to ask. Nothing fancy, just what seems to work OK.
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Secretary:

This is the job folks seem to be gun-shy about, but it's not like secretary of other organizations. This isn't the big deal that requires shorthand skills to record every word spoken, like in court. A computer and basic typing skills are a big help. The NIA secretary doesn't have to work all that hard. It's without a doubt the job that requires more time than any other position, but is also the most rewarding. It's mostly a matter of making and keeping notes;

1. notes of decisions made that affect the membership,
2. notices of dates of meetings and where,
3. highlights of speakers messages,
4. anything that should be sent to the editor for the newsletter.

That's about it. The secretary is automatically a Trustee of course, so those notes must be kept and recorded for either the newsletter of the organization files. A place to keep the NIA files so they can be passed on to the next secretary is pretty important.
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Treasurer:

Definitely not a big deal either. I spend far more time on my own personal bank account each month than the NIA account. It involves writing checks to pay NIA bills and putting the income in the bank. Once a month a statement of money in and money out for the records.

The receipt book is perhaps the most important part of the job, because it's how we keep track of the new members and renewals of existing members. It's also the best reference of people's addresses and phone numbers. The current mailing list is made up by Bryan Leipper from the information the treasurer gives him each month. Here, a computer with a modem, or a fax machine is very helpful to send the information to Bryan. The treasurer has the duty to keep the assets of the organization. Right now the assets aren't very much. We have a TV/VCR combo, a canvas banner, and a bank account of course.
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Editor:

Now the computer and fax/modem is pretty important. This is how the information for the newsletter is given to Bryan each month. (A week before the meeting date)

The content of the newsletter should be made up of sections, with each section given to another person to contribute. If this is done, then the editor's job is rather easy. There should be an events calendar, a report on the previous meetings, maybe a book review once in a while, maybe some advertising, a speaker's message, the president's message, excerpts from other newsletters from other inventor's organizations, copies of magazine or newspaper articles, news releases of NIA events, recognition of accomplishments by members, notices of meetings, picnics, seminars, etc.

If those sections of the newsletter are relegated to others, the editor has only to compile the information to send to Bryan. I think it should be called a "Newsletter Committee" with the editor being the committee chairman. See? If done properly, it's a really neat job. I think I've picked up quite a bit of knowledge about the inventing, patenting and marketing processes, but it would never have come about if I hadn't gotten involved volunteering for the NIA jobs I've done. Wouldn't you feel better having more answers, instead of more questions?

OK, so that's all we need. Those three jobs are going to be vacant in June. They're not very big jobs, but really necessary for the club to continue operating smoothly. And being a participant instead of just a witness is far more rewarding. I know --- I've been there, on both sides.
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Info You Can Use

There seem to be quite a few questions about copyright lately for some reason. There is also considerable misinformation about copyright floating around. I'm no authority on copyright, so I looked up some facts that are good to know:

What is it? A form of protection by the laws of the U.S. (title 17, U.S. Code) to the authors of "Original Works of Authorship, that are fixed in a tangible form of expression" including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic and certain other intellectual works. It exists from the moment of creation in fixed form.

Does it have to be registered? No, but there are certain advantages to registration.

How long does a copyright last? If created before Jan 1, 1978 -- 28 years with a 47 year renewal. (75 years) If created after Jan 1, 1978 -- Life of the author plus 50 years. Does the notice of copyright have to be displayed on the work? No, but it does give "reasonable notice" of the claim of copyright. Example: Copyright 1998 John Doe, or 1998 John Doe

Can works by the U.S. Government be copied legally? Yes, all U.S. Gov't work is public domain, and therefore not eligible for copyright.

Restricted material besides copyrighted works: Anything having monetary value, such as Bonds, Checks/Drafts, Currency, Gold Certificates, IRS Stamps, Money Orders, Postage Stamps, Travelers' Checks and Treasury Notes. Also restricted are any materials that are used for official identification or certificates of title to property. (This also includes personal licenses, tickets for transportation or admission to paid performances.)

Can it be transferred? Yes, but exclusive rights must be in writing.

How does one register it? Currently, at any time during the life of the copyright, the following must be sent in the same package to: Register of Copyrights Copyright Office, Library of Congress Washington D. C. 20559-6000 A properly completed application form (different forms are required for text, visual art, serials, performing art and sound recording);

1. A nonrefundable fee of $20.00;
2. A nonreturnable deposit of the works being registered (one complete copy of the work, two copies if created before 1978)

Forms can be obtained at the local PTDL library or by calling the Public Information Office at (202) 707-3000
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Editorial Comment

(Ready to Fly)

Those members who have been coming to the meetings and listening to the plans for our future are probably as excited as I am about what the Nevada Inventors Association is about to accomplish. What we have already accomplished is eleven years of the basic foundation work for a very important part of the Northern Nevada scene.

After eleven years of mostly just "being here" and digging in our roots, so to speak, we are now ready to really fly!! Our recognition by the IRS, in January, as a not-for-profit corporation, is truly big step forward, and one of the foundation blocks. Our gradual accumulation of a sound creative and professional membership is another. Now the remarkable vision of Dr. William Torch's "Science and Engineering Museum" is the third foundation block to build something of good and lasting value for the community.

I don't mean to imply that we are going to build the museum, but we can furnish the support and planning to be a major part of getting the dream off the ground. There has been an urgent need for the NIA to have a permanent address and phone number for many years. Since there has been no offer from any institutions or businesses, since the Truckee Meadows Community College let us use their yellow page listing, we must create it ourselves. What better way to have a permanent home than to be associated with the Science and Engineering Museum?

Dr. Torch has included a location adjacent to the National Auto Museum in his dream, which would be a fantastic location for several reasons. but wherever it is built it can be our new permanent home if we dig in and help the dream become real.

We're going to need people on our Board of Trustees who also have vision. One of the ways we can do that is for any members of NIA who have experience in fund raising, or association with fund raising organizations, to step up and be counted. Another way is to invite anyone you know who is qualified or capable in that area to become members of NIA for the good of the cause.

There are many folks and foundations who are financially strong enough to pull this off if they get caught up in the excitement enough to see the value of this museum for Northern Nevada. All we have to do is get the ball rolling until it takes on a life of its own. Once it starts, and the media picks up on the story, it will only be a question of when it gets built.

For a foundation to open up its pocket book the right buttons have to be pushed. I think Dr. Torch has targeted one of the right buttons by holding up to the light one of Reno's most shameful problems: no place for young people to go except movies and casino game rooms. With the millions of dollars spent on adult entertainment in Reno, there is precious little for young folks to do. The enormous success of the ice skating rink this winter proves it.

With the Science and Engineering Museum available, it would not only give them a place to have fun and learn, it would be an attraction for the tourism industry as well. With ever changing exhibits and shows, the museum would not lose its luster because of redundancy, rather it would grow into larger and larger attractions. The "Biggest Little City" might get even better. It has been proven already that I-Max theaters and Exploratoriums are prideful city successes.

The possibilities of Dr. Torch's dream are mind-blowing. It must become our dream too. Then it can become Reno's dream. We can do it.
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Speakers' Videos

One of our members has proposed an idea whereby any and all of our speakers can be captured on video tape for the benefit of those who miss their talks or for the club's archives. Ed Dilley Sr., a professional video producer, who's operations are at Tahoe has an intern working here in Reno. So he feels that by setting up at our meetings, and taping the important events, like speakers, he could capture that for very little cost to the NIA.

I know for a fact that other organizations do it, for example the ITM club in Santa Rosa, CA. Well, that's one anyway. We should have some discussion on it at the next meeting, so if anyone has any ideas, please let's hear about it.
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Trustees Meeting

(This Saturday)

The quarterly trustees meeting will be held this Saturday, the 25th, after the regular meeting. The Trustees meeting is scheduled for 1:00 PM in the same room as the meeting room (Classroom 101) right after the lunch break.

All members are invited to attend the Trustees meetings, and more than that, it is hoped that regular members do attend to show their support for, and interest in, the affairs of the NIA. They are held quarterly, and this will be the second Trustees meeting in 1998. The next one will not be until July 25th, a month before the club picnic.

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"The past is prologue, Study the past"

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