I hope SLAS is considered a science organization and teaches science. Astronomy to me is more a fascinating study than just a hobby. Sincerely, Gary Vardon The book DO It Right will help you understand vital ideas leading to your greater success. GO to PublishAmerica.com Consulting For Profit is also available. Learn how to make money as a consultant.
I believe that SLAS, or OAS, is first, a social organization and second, a layman's science organization. If people don't return I would postulate it is because they don't find SLAS or OAS socialization to their liking - they don't find a friend. If there is friendship, there will be continuing attendance at club meetings and functions. I learned long ago that clubs, organizations, societies, etc. exist to fulfill the basic need of human beings to associate with one another. It is written in the preamble to the club's constitution. Here it is. "We the undersigned, desiring to secure the pleasures and benefits of an association of persons interested in astronomy; to promote the science of astronomy and its associated sciences; to encourage and coordinate activities with professional research, do hereby organize and constitute ourselves as the Salt Lake Astronomical Society, a non-profit organization." The purpose is first to "...secure the pleasures and benefits of an association of persons...", and then second to do the science stuff. Anyone who has been an officer of the club will probably acknowledge that it is much harder to get the membership to engage in science than it is to get the members to socialize. Outreach, by the way, is a form of socialization. Star parties are socialization. How many postings do we see here about an observing session - come along. They are parties after all. So, my response is the following. If you want the club to grow, smile, introduce yourself to the new folks (NOT newbies. I believe there are many less offensive monikers.), and take a genuine interest in them. Make them your friend. Include them in your activities - your private star parties. Give them a ride. They are people looking for the pleasures and benefits of association who also have an interest in astronomy. That commonality will launch club growth. People make time for whatever satiates their basic needs. These are rules that are generally true. They follow Pareto's rule, i.e., 80 percent of the new folks will want socializing, and 20 percent will want the science. So, give them both, but realize where the priority is. $.02
A wise comment, Brent. And that's why I think a little verbal horseplay is OK sometimes on the UtahAstronomy list. We are not professional astronomers and we don't need to restrict our notes to only scientific matters. -- Thanks, Joe ________________________________ From: Brent Watson <brentjwatson@yahoo.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Sunday, January 1, 2012 1:04 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Club growth I believe that SLAS, or OAS, is first, a social organization and second, a layman's science organization. If people don't return I would postulate it is because they don't find SLAS or OAS socialization to their liking - they don't find a friend. If there is friendship, there will be continuing attendance at club meetings and functions. I learned long ago that clubs, organizations, societies, etc. exist to fulfill the basic need of human beings to associate with one another. It is written in the preamble to the club's constitution. Here it is. "We the undersigned, desiring to secure the pleasures and benefits of an association of persons interested in astronomy; to promote the science of astronomy and its associated sciences; to encourage and coordinate activities with professional research, do hereby organize and constitute ourselves as the Salt Lake Astronomical Society, a non-profit organization." The purpose is first to "...secure the pleasures and benefits of an association of persons...", and then second to do the science stuff. Anyone who has been an officer of the club will probably acknowledge that it is much harder to get the membership to engage in science than it is to get the members to socialize. Outreach, by the way, is a form of socialization. Star parties are socialization. How many postings do we see here about an observing session - come along. They are parties after all. So, my response is the following. If you want the club to grow, smile, introduce yourself to the new folks (NOT newbies. I believe there are many less offensive monikers.), and take a genuine interest in them. Make them your friend. Include them in your activities - your private star parties. Give them a ride. They are people looking for the pleasures and benefits of association who also have an interest in astronomy. That commonality will launch club growth. People make time for whatever satiates their basic needs. These are rules that are generally true. They follow Pareto's rule, i.e., 80 percent of the new folks will want socializing, and 20 percent will want the science. So, give them both, but realize where the priority is. $.02 _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
It seems over half the club even goes to the Christmas Party, point being people join for many reasons. I know a few who simply want to support SLAS efforts through a $20 donation. SLAS has been welcoming for a long time, finding friends goes both ways and you cannot force friendships. Something that attracts one person will be a turnoff for others, I don't go to star parties to inform them about anything but the beauty of the night sky. Meaningless triva detracts from the exprience, focus on where the object lies in a distance scale not specific numbers. When distance comes up on this list it seems there is always a source that assigns a different number.
I agree with what has been said here but specific solutions are hard to institute. SLAS has made a concerted effort in the last 8 years at public relations. The ZAP Grant has helped, although random give aways might not be the best way put the telescopes in deserving hand. Winning them on merit sounds better, it seems to me kids appreciate earning something. The ZAP Grant comes with restrictions mandated by state law that limits what we can do for the public school system with it. I have been disappointed that the grant has not been used in some way to benefit the schools, but the BOD needs to research what is legal. We put out an information brochure and certainly the Harmon's Observatory has attracted many. I would also include our partnership with Bryce Canyon with the july Astrofest. Botttom line, SLAS certainly has many benefits of membership, and this is why we attract members. It would be interesting to see astro society membership as a per capita relationship. 200 seems in line with the population of the Wasatch Front. The temperature of the winter nights also seems to be factor. Pheonix has a couple of clubs with nearly 200 members and a scattering of 3 or 4 other groups. You have to go to Orange Co to find groups with over 500. The Rose City Astronomers in Portland does will with focusing on member observing with few public events. Perhaps SLAS is too focused on public star parties and not enough on the membership. With a busy public schedule you stress the volunteers with public events it makes it harder to find time for the general membership. Either way be careful what you wish for, size isn't everything. Club events on weekdays are always going to fail, most people work for a living and a good lively hood is always going to be more important than Amateur Astronomy, regardless of you might have heard. As for OAS, perhaps have your ALCOR contact the AL, they have resources for Societies wishing to grow and develop. OAS, may also suffer because of it proximity to Salt Lake City and SPOC. Erik
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As you can all see, I'm getting to this email account late again this week. I just wanted to mention three or four key people who were very enthusiastic about my joining the club, back in 1988 or 89. Along with you, Brent, Dave Bernson, Erik Hansen and Dave Bennett all became fast friends and went out of their way to help me with observing tips and never made me feel like a "newbie." I even got along well with Patrick. ;-) That reminds me, I need to renew my SLAS membership before someone reminds me that since I'm not a current member I shouldn't comment on SLAS business. Now that I'm employed, I think I can afford it. Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Brent Watson Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2012 1:04 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Club growth I believe that SLAS, or OAS, is first, a social organization and second, a layman's science organization. If people don't return I would postulate it is because they don't find SLAS or OAS socialization to their liking - they don't find a friend. If there is friendship, there will be continuing attendance at club meetings and functions. I learned long ago that clubs, organizations, societies, etc. exist to fulfill the basic need of human beings to associate with one another. It is written in the preamble to the club's constitution. Here it is. "We the undersigned, desiring to secure the pleasures and benefits of an association of persons interested in astronomy; to promote the science of astronomy and its associated sciences; to encourage and coordinate activities with professional research, do hereby organize and constitute ourselves as the Salt Lake Astronomical Society, a non-profit organization." The purpose is first to "...secure the pleasures and benefits of an association of persons...", and then second to do the science stuff. Anyone who has been an officer of the club will probably acknowledge that it is much harder to get the membership to engage in science than it is to get the members to socialize. Outreach, by the way, is a form of socialization. Star parties are socialization. How many postings do we see here about an observing session - come along. They are parties after all. So, my response is the following. If you want the club to grow, smile, introduce yourself to the new folks (NOT newbies. I believe there are many less offensive monikers.), and take a genuine interest in them. Make them your friend. Include them in your activities - your private star parties. Give them a ride. They are people looking for the pleasures and benefits of association who also have an interest in astronomy. That commonality will launch club growth. People make time for whatever satiates their basic needs. These are rules that are generally true. They follow Pareto's rule, i.e., 80 percent of the new folks will want socializing, and 20 percent will want the science. So, give them both, but realize where the priority is. $.02 _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
On 05 Jan 2012, at 17:00, Kim wrote:
That reminds me, I need to renew my SLAS membership before someone reminds me that since I'm not a current member I shouldn't comment on SLAS business.
Easy enough. You can renew at http://slas.us/Payments/paydues.asp If you enter your Mt Pleasant address it should recognize you as a returning member. But if you use a different address it will sign you up as a new member and I'll fix it after that. patrick
participants (6)
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Brent Watson -
erikhansen＠thebluezone.net -
Gary Vardon -
Joe Bauman -
Kim -
Patrick Wiggins