ArtRussell
member
Reged: 03/17/07
Posts: 97
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Over the years I've watched and experienced good, and bad, astronomy clubs. So what makes a good astronomy club, and why? What can be done to foster a Good club?
Thanks,
Art
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11x80mm Comet Catcher Binos
80mm Brandon APO (1985)
18inch Tectron w/ServoCat
"Sight is a faculty; seeing, an art."
- George Perkins Marsh
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deepsky
sage
Reged: 12/04/05
Posts: 210
Loc: oregon
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There are a number of components to a "good club".. 
Nice to have.... 
Entertaining monthly meetings on a variety of topics..
Public star parties for the public, schools, communities..
"Show and Tell" opportunities for the ATMers and Astrophotographers...
Nice club newsletter....
Shared email list or website for discussions...
Essential IMHO .... 
Actually going out for observing sessions to dark sky sites with fellow club observers on a regular and frequent basis...
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jim jackson
Astroleague Observer Award junkie
Messier Club-Honorary
Lunar Club
Binocular Messier Club
Double Star Club
Herschel 400 Club
Urban Observing Club
Deep Sky Binocular Club
Caldwell Club Silver&Gold
Southern Sky Binocular Club
Southern Sky Telescopic Club
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John Fitzgerald
In Focus
Reged: 01/04/04
Posts: 1257
Loc: AR
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NO to "Roberts Rules of Order". Informal meetings should be the rule, about once a quarter. No pressure on members to participate in public outreach, which IMO should be done around first quarter moon. A lot of show and tell. "Club only" star parties during new moon.
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?
Observing since 1966
Messier Cert #898
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Spaced
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/01/05
Posts: 1697
Loc: Tacoma, Washington, USA
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The welcoming attitude of established members to visitors and new members.
I joined my local club with great anticipation. I was outgoing and open. With the fewest of exceptions, one of whom recently died, the "established" members did virtually nothing to greet me, welcome me, or talk to me. I stopped going to meetings, although I continue to support the club with my annual dues. I was finally contacted with warmth when it turned out I have something they wanted.
Others' experiences are certainly different.
A successful club shouldn't be a closed clique of old friends. New friends should be welcomed, too.
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Mike
Look! Up in the sky!
_____________________________
XT 10i - the i stands for Telrad
Megrez II 80 ED Triplet APO "Punk"
Siebert Black Night BVs
8 X 42 Celestron Regals
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 12077
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Quote:
NO to "Roberts Rules of Order". Informal meetings should be the rule, about once a quarter. No pressure on members to participate in public outreach, which IMO should be done around first quarter moon. A lot of show and tell. "Club only" star parties during new moon.
Although you don't need the "Formal" aspects of the rules of order, you are required to still have the format to fit the LAW of a Non-For-Profit organization. This is how our club is. We follow the format, but it is very informal. You also need to post the "Minutes" of the meetings, which in our case is the newsletter.
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Neo... (Jeff)
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10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
 Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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Joe Lalumia
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 2573
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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Our club has monthly meetings with a featured speaker-- the very first few minutes are about club business-- the end is always a presentation on the Constellation of the month.
We publish a super good monthly newsletter "The Spectrum", and we have every weekend public star parties in and around the Dallas metro-plex-- plus special star parties for schools and scout troops. We also have a dark site with a domed observatory containing a 16" LX200-- control room and lease telescope pads for the members-------- does this post sound like an ADVERTISEMENT!
Anyway-- you can read our newsletter and look at our club Calendar here: www.texasastro.org 
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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s.
"The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax." - Albert Einstein
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 12077
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Joe, you may want to talk to your club board... If in fact your club is a Non-for-profit organization, your newsletter needs to be PUBLICLY available, and not in a private section. This is of course if you put your meeting "Minutes" in the newsletter. If the minutes are not, then private is fine, but you have to at least have the minutes publicly available.
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Neo... (Jeff)
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10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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cvedeler
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/20/05
Posts: 1527
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ
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The friendliest club I ever encountered was the Spokane SAS club. It wasn't so big that I felt lost in the crowd (like the Tucson club) and the members all welcomed me nicely, in part because being new in a small club they could easily tell I hadn't been there before. The star parties were also very nice.
The two clubs here in the Phoenix area are both nice, but both are about equally far away from my house which makes making meetings difficult with everything else going on in my life.
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Chris Vedeler
Astro-Physics 160EDF
Astro-Physics 900GTO
Orion 80mm Guidescope
Canon EOS XT modified with Baader filter by Hap Griffin
Meade DSI Pro / Philips SPC900NC webcam
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www.aznightsky.com
Scottsdale, AZ
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SkyHound
sage
Reged: 03/20/05
Posts: 252
Loc: Dark Skies Il.
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Quote:
The welcoming attitude of established members to visitors and new members.
I joined my local club with great anticipation. I was outgoing and open. With the fewest of exceptions, one of whom recently died, the "established" members did virtually nothing to greet me, welcome me, or talk to me. I stopped going to meetings, although I continue to support the club with my annual dues. I was finally contacted with warmth when it turned out I have something they wanted.
Others' experiences are certainly different.
A successful club shouldn't be a closed clique of old friends. New friends should be welcomed, too.
You hit it right on the head!!! I've been in the same situation..A core group that is not only cold, They did nothing but complain about others that could not make every meeting. And to top it all off closed off their web sight to the public..NO contact or communication unless you pay the fee..I got so fed up with it I quit the club completely and from my point of view it's the best thing I've done I'm back to enjoying the night sky..
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RCX400 16"
Tak. TOA 150
Eos 20Da
12" LX200
http://www.space.com/amazingimages/?page=homepagex&member_id=00833526&cat=s&m=0&p=
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SkyHound
sage
Reged: 03/20/05
Posts: 252
Loc: Dark Skies Il.
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Quote:
Joe, you may want to talk to your club board... If in fact your club is a Non-for-profit organization, your newsletter needs to be PUBLICLY available, and not in a private section. This is of course if you put your meeting "Minutes" in the newsletter. If the minutes are not, then private is fine, but you have to at least have the minutes publicly available.
Some one should talk to my old club...I've told them to quit cutting the public out but they wanted their own little world..
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RCX400 16"
Tak. TOA 150
Eos 20Da
12" LX200
http://www.space.com/amazingimages/?page=homepagex&member_id=00833526&cat=s&m=0&p=
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David Knisely
Postmaster
Reged: 04/19/04
Posts: 6787
Loc: Beatrice, Nebraska
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Quote:
Over the years I've watched and experienced good, and bad, astronomy clubs. So what makes a good astronomy club, and why? What can be done to foster a Good club?
Thanks,
Art
1. Regular meetings at a prominent location that is free and open to the public.
2. Welcoming statement at the beginning of the meeting to identify and acknowledge guests or new members (with follow-up after the meeting).
3. *Short* business meeting (preferably less than 30 minutes).
4. Semi-informal meeting direction by the president in a friendly non-rigid atmosphere.
5. Good programs at meetings.
6. Public outreach events (with publicity).
7. Frequent star parties.
8. Member social activities (picnics, organized trips, banquets, etc.)
9. Recognition of achievements of members (observing or public outreach awards, etc.).
These are at least some of the things which a good club should strive to do. Clear skies to you.
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David W. Knisely
Hyde Memorial Observatory
http://www.hydeobservatory.info
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ArtRussell
member
Reged: 03/17/07
Posts: 97
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All,
These are all good comments. If you were "King for a Day," how would you make this happen?
Thanks,
Art
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11x80mm Comet Catcher Binos
80mm Brandon APO (1985)
18inch Tectron w/ServoCat
"Sight is a faculty; seeing, an art."
- George Perkins Marsh
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Mojo.LA
member
Reged: 03/29/08
Posts: 41
Loc: Monrovia CA
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It's such a matter of luck: Attracting good people, having good chemistry, people wanting to produce and create good activities. Clubs change from good to bad and back again, and there really isn't much you can do about it.
All you can do is just produce as much as you're willing and able, on your own, and without any expectations of gratitude. The thanks will come, but only if you're not seeking it out.
That's my philosophy of good social clubs of any stripe. You can't really expect anything of volunteers, or control what they do, so you just have to do as much as you can yourself, and appreciate those who do great stuff for the club.
Mojo
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--
Morris Jones
mojo@whiteoaks.com
Old Town Astronomers http://www.otastro.org
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Astrosetz
sage
Reged: 10/05/03
Posts: 294
Loc: Wisconsin
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David Knisley's list is pretty much exactly what I was going to post. Activities need to appeal to experienced members as well as newcomers, but not all at the same time.
I cannot stress enough how important public outreach is to the life of any astronomy club. Without it, you don't get new members to replace the members that move away, have life cahnges or just lose interest. That's when things get stagnant, cliquish, and the occasional newbies who do find their way into the group feel intimidated and alone. Eventually such a club withers. It might be a 10-year decline, but without new members it will happen.
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-Astrosetz
www.astrosetz.com
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David Pavlich
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 6561
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.38 X 90....
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We have a formal monthly meeting that is pretty much on a "schedule". Because of my business, it's difficult for me to attend.
However, because our club covers a fairly large geographic area, we also have a second meeting that is more local in composition. We're split by Lake Pontchartrain. The sub-group I meet with, the NorthShore Observer's Group, meet one month on the east side of the parish then the next month, we meet on the west side of the parish. Keeps the driving split.
The SouthShore Observer's Group does basically the same thing.
We meet in a coffee house or cafe and just let whatever happens, happen. Someone will always bring some sort of astrogoody to talk about and Jack Huerkamp is always good for a DVD or two that he recorded from his Mallincam. Just this past Wednesday, Jack had video that he recorded at Rainwater Observatory. He got a few nights on their 25" RC research scope. Some mighty impressive pictures.
So...we have our formal side and our casual side. It's a good arrangement for those of us that can't make the regulay monthly meeting.
We do outreach stuff and always encourage the public to attend our meetings. We have a very nice monthly publication. We also have a dark site with a dome equipped with a Celestron C11. There's also an air conditioned bunkhouse for those overnighters.
All in all, a terrific club!
David
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A few scopes and mounts.
Proud Member; PAS NOLA,
Life expectancies would go WAY up if green vegetables smelled like bacon...
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Alex McConahay
member
Reged: 08/11/08
Posts: 16
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Art,
Good question, and I agree with all the answers here (even when they conflicted with each other).
I do not believe, houwever that there needs to be just one answer.
I say this because there is more than one type of Astronomy Club. Mojo and the Sidewalk Astronomers of Monrovia and Pasadena are going to be a much different "club" than what David is decribing in his excellent list.
And since we are talking about a club--the most improtant thing is that everybody feel welcome at the meetings and activities--all the members, and newbies who aren't yet members. I mean, isn't that what is meant by "being in the club."
I regularly have this discussion in my club because it is one of the large clubs, which owns ten acres of observing site, has partnerships with other organizations and universities, monthly meetings, outreaches, and all that. Therefore, we must be run in a businesslike manner. But we also have to have fun.
We have people who really do not enjoy outreach, and others who feel it is the sole reason for our club's existence. We have astro-imagers who get real angry with green lasers, and occasional boy-scout troops who need a star tour (with green laser pointers). Somehow, we have to make the club so that everybody is part of it.
Alex
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ArtRussell
member
Reged: 03/17/07
Posts: 97
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All -
Thanks for your comments. I've been variously, an officer in several astronomy clubs at different positions. Your observations seem similar to my own, but I'm always looking for a new perspective.
Cheers,
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11x80mm Comet Catcher Binos
80mm Brandon APO (1985)
18inch Tectron w/ServoCat
"Sight is a faculty; seeing, an art."
- George Perkins Marsh
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basel10
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/15/05
Posts: 805
Loc: TN
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I belonged to a club that live breathed and worshiped robert's rules of order. They were so much into robert's rules of order they would place them on an alter, burn incense around it and bow down and worship them. The meetings were long and dry filled with new business, old business and boring minutes being read. It got so bad after being a member of the club for 12 years and attending every meeting and most star parties I quit going. The club is currently on life support.
Me and 2 other friends warned the club if they don't get rid of over formality the club would die. We were laughed at. We split and formed another club from scratch. That was 6 years ago. We started with 3 members and now we have close to 40. While most astro club membership is on a decline ours is growing. In fact the AL has contacted us to ask why we are growing. Here is what we do:
1. Amateur astronomy is a fun exciting hobby and a club should reflect that. A hobby is something you do for fun in your free time when your away from work. Formal business meetings is what you do at work.
2. Take the Robert's rules of order and shove them where the sun doesn't shine. That doesn't mean as a result there is chaos and no one has a voice. It is just amateur astronomy is a hobby and hobby means fun. Giving members a voice in a casual informal setting works very well. A hobby doesn't require much business.
Meetings should be informal and have as little business as possible, 10 minutes or less and even keep that as fun as possible. New people should be greeted and introduced and feel welcome. Meetings should be on topics that help members enjoy the fun hobby of astronomy more. How to colimate a scope, cool things to see in the sky, latest science from the pheonix probe on mars the list goes on. There should be social time set aside with refreshments for club members to talk and forge friendships and ask questions.
3. Be friendly to newcomers. They are the future of the club. Ask them their interest and what they need help with and help them. Make them a part of the club.
4. Have regular public observing. We meet once a month at a state park to show the public the wonders of the night sky. We have a powerpoint presentation few minutes before sunset that explains what they are going to see. Then we show the wonders in telescopes. We have gained a lot of members this way.
5. Have at least 1 dark site star party a month. More if you can. This provides opportunity for members to view stars at a dark location as a group in safety of numbers.
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www.knoxvilleobservers.org
Edited by basel10 (10/19/08 08:29 AM)
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Matthew Ota
sage
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 205
Loc: New Hampshire
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A good astronomy club needs people who are dedicated to assisting new telescope users. I have seen many people get frustrated with their new goto telescopes. An astronomy club should be open to novice users, in order to get the user base expanded.
A good astronomy club also needs people who are willing to volunteer their time to help run the club. Without club officers, the club is no longer a club.
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Matthew Ota
10 inch Meade LX250GPS SCT (LX50/LX200GPS clone) f6.3-Orion 80ED, ETX-90 OTA, Coronado Helios 1 H-alpha Solar Telescope
Cassini Huygens Saturn Observation Campaign
New Hampshire Astronomical Society
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Steve Fisher
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/12/06
Posts: 797
Loc: Utah
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A successful club needs good fund raisers. The Salt Lake Astronomical Society has several who are not afraid to ask for donations.
Helps pay for some nice observatories, scopes and public outreach.
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Steve
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"Never try to teach a pig to sing, It wastes your time and it annoys the pig". (Robert Heinlein)
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