Friends of the Zeiss RFP Response 2002 May 22 Page VII-1
Organizational Information
"Friends of the Zeiss" was formed on 2002 April 4 to provide a vehicle to raise funds to preserve several pieces of historic equipment and artifacts of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science in Pittsburgh. In particular, Friends of the Zeiss is interested in preserving the functionality of the Zeiss II Planetarium Projector, now the oldest operable major planetarium projector in the world, and the 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope, the second largest of its unique type.
Friends of the Zeiss(sometimes referred to as "FriendsoftheZeiss.org") is the successor to a very informal organization formed in 2001 November called "The People's Planetarium and Observatory." This grew out of a grass-roots effort, begun by Glenn A. Walsh in 1994 January, to prevent the sale of the historic Zeiss projector and Siderostat telescope to out-of-state concerns. Please note that "Save the Buhl" is a separate organization that also works for the preservation of Buhl Planetarium and its historic equipment and artifacts; we have good relations with, and often collaborate with, Save the Buhl.
To preserve, maintain and operate, and to raise funds for these purposes, two historic scientific instruments and associated apparatus and artifacts originated at The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:
1) Zeiss II Planetarium Projector, now the oldest operable major planetarium projector in the world!
2) "Worm-Gear" Elevator, custom-built by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, for raising and lowering the Zeiss II Planetarium Projector. This was the first elevator in the world specifically built and designed to raise and lower a planetarium projector.
3) Ten-Inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope, second largest of its unique type; specifically designed for public use.
4) Associated apparatus and artifacts related to the operation of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
* B.S. Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; M.A. Physics, Columbia University; Ph.D. Political Science, University of Pennsylvania
* Professor of Business Administration, Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh
* Author or editor of two books and over 75 journal articles, reviews, book chapters, and papers in proceedings
* Formerly, Vice President, Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh(AAAP)
* AAAP Amateur Astronomer of the Year (1998 for 1997) for successful proposal for a state historical marker on McKnight Road honoring the first aluminum astronomical observatory dome.
* B.A. Interdisciplinary Science and M.S. Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh
* Assistant Professor of Physics, Kent State University
* Planetarium and Observatory Lecturer, Buhl Planetarium(1979-1988)
* Founded the American Lunar Society in the 1980s
* Author of book, Monocopters (Apogee Components, 1999), and numerous professional journal papers.
Friends of the Zeiss RFP Response 2002 May 22 Page VII-2
Norman M. Downey
* B.A. Economics and M.B.A., University of Pittsburgh
* Computer Technical Specialist, Community College of Allegheny County(2001 to Present)
* Manager, Job Placement and Education, Program for Female Offenders(1998-2001)
* Submarine Tour Supervisor, Carnegie Science Center(1994-1997)
* Planetarium Lecturer, Carnegie Science Center(1992-1993)
* Volunteer Program Manager, Buhl Planetarium(1987-1991)
* Floor Supervisor, Buhl Planetarium(1985-1987)
* Observatory Lecturer, Buhl Planetarium(1983-1987)
* Retired Highway Designer, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
* Observatory Lecturer, Buhl Planetarium(volunteer: 1987-1991)
* Treasurer, Allegheny County Transit Council citizens' group advising Port Authority of Allegheny County(1984-1990)
* Founder(1956) of Lake Shore Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society, Erie, Pennsylvania, which later started the Lake Shore Railway Historical Society Museum
* Published in several proceedings of symposia regarding industrial transportation history and heritage
Glenn A. Walsh - Friends of the Zeiss Project Director
* B.A. Journalism, emphasis in Urban Affairs, University of Kentucky
* Free-Lance Writer and Internet Web Page Designer(1998 to Present)
* Life Trustee, Board of Trustees, Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, Carnegie, Pa.(1995-2000)
* Treasurer, Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, Carnegie, Pa.(1995-1996)
* Planetarium Lecturer, Buhl Planetarium(1988-1991)
* Astronomical Observatory Coordinator, Buhl Planetarium(1986-1991)
* Curator, Embryology Exhibit, Buhl Planetarium(1983-1987)
When this organization was first contemplated, we had decided to form a not-for-profit corporation. We obtained legal advice on this matter from an attorney who specializes in non-profit law. We were told that it does not take much time to incorporate the organization with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. However, obtaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, from the Federal Internal Revenue Service(IRS), often takes much longer--perhaps a year or more. So, we have chosen to go another route, to expedite our ability to raise funds for preservation of the historic Buhl Planetarium equipment and artifacts.
Attached to this application, please find a letter from Jo H. DeBolt. Ms. DeBolt is Director of the Tides Center of Western Pennsylvania. The Tides Center is a San Francisco-based charitable foundation, which specializes in helping small start-up non-profit organizations. The Tides Center, which also has an office in Washington, opened its third office in Pittsburgh(in the Regional Enterprise Tower) in August of last year.
Ms. DeBolt's letter documents the fact that Friends of the Zeiss has an application pending to become a "project" of the Tides Center of Western Pennsylvania. As a "project," Friends of the Zeiss will be able to raise funds using the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status of the Tides Center. Ms. DeBolt's letter further explains the particulars. We anticipate the Friends of the Zeiss will receive "project" status in a few months.
gaw