GLPA State Organizations

GLPA's State Organizations provide a local network of planetarians. The state organizations also convene annually for a meeting or mini-conference. You do not need to be a member of GLPA to participate in the state meetings. If you have questions about any of the state organizations or meetings, feel free to contact the appropriate State Chair below. News items about your facility that you'd like to see published in the GLPA Newsletter should also be sent to your State Chair in late-January (for spring), late-April (for summer), late-July (for autumn), or late-October (for winter).

The following chairpersons were elected during the state meeting at the election-year GLPA conference. (elections held in odd-numbered years) If you would like to be on the ballot to become a State Chair, contact the President-Elect to let her/him know, and come to the state meeting at the conference. Eligible candidates include anyone who identifies her/his self with that state organization, is willing to serve, and is able to attend the fall conference.

GLPA STATE CHAIRS

Tom Willmitch Photo
Illinois
Tom Willmitch
ISU Planetarium
Normal, Illinois
Melinda O'Malley Photo
Indiana
Melinda O'Malley
PHM Planetarium
Mishawaka, Indiana
Buddy Stark Photo
Michigan
Buddy Stark
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Dale Smith Photo
Ohio
Dale Smith
Physics and Astronomy Dept
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, Ohio
 
Sally Brummel Photo
Wisconsin/Minnesota
Sally Brummel
Bell Museum Planetarium
St. Paul, Minnesota
 
 
Jackie Baughman Photo
Beyond the Lakes
Jackie Baughman
East Amherst, New York
 
 
 

Annual State Meetings

GLPA facilitates State Organizations that serve as local networks for planetarians. State meetings are usually held in the spring. Attendance at one of these meetings is usually very affordable. You don't need to be a GLPA member to attend.

2023 STATE MEETING SCHEDULE

Illinois:

Date: Saturday, April 1, 2023
Host: Renae Kerrigan, Peoria Riverfront Museum, Peoria
Indiana:
No spring meeting. An autumn meeting is planned instead.
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Host: Keith Turner, Carmel High School, Carmel

Michigan:

Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023
Host: Shannon Schmoll, Abrams Planetarium, East Lansing

Ohio:

Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Host: Suzie Dills, Hoover Price Planetarium, McKinley Museum, Canton

Wisconsin/Minnesota:

Dates: Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29, 2023
Hosts: Ben Senson, Madison Metropolitan School District Planetarium, Madison

Tips for Hosts of State Meetings

Quick Tips for State Meeting Hosts:

1. Keep the meeting simple in regards to planning and costs so that you don't need a large number of attendees to make it work.
2. Get address labels and email addresses from the GLPA membership chair.
3. Send out a paper mailing (save receipts) and an email invitation a couple of months before the event.
4. Reserve a block of rooms if you are hosting an overnight event.
5. Be clear about your expectations regarding an RSVP or registration.
6. Send an email reminder (or two) a couple of weeks before the registration deadline.

For complete instructions and suggestions for hosting a state meeting, refer to the State Meetings Guidelines document.