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Peter Argenziano
Watcher of the Skies
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2813
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In the past several months the issue of star party liability has been raised in both of my clubs. Each club is discussing the issue and all of its ramifications.
My question is this: how does your club handle the issue of liability?
Do they require each member to sign a waiver form?
What about special events which are attended by non-members?
How is such a program enforced?
I look forward to your comments and suggestions.
Peter
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Peter
14.5" Starmaster
I hail from the explosive jetsam of a multitude of high-mass stars that died more than 5 billion years ago.
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smitty
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/27/04
Posts: 776
Loc: Georgia, USA
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My definition of "star party" is a formal gathering that is a special event for astronomers, thing like the Texas Star Party, RTMC, etc. For star parties like that our club does use a waiver form for attendees. Recently we were able to purchase insurance for our club. Previously for monthly club observings, public observings, Astronomy Day, etc. our club was like most others in that we would do the best we could and hope nothing would happen. While just about everyone in the club didn't care about the insurance policy covering our equipment, all were very concerned about non-club members getting injured and our liability.
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Steven "Saratoga Smitty" Smith
10" & 16" Dobsonians
Coronado PST
10x40 & 11x70 "opera glasses"
2 ton eyepiece case
http://www.saratogamuseum.org
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Peter Argenziano
Watcher of the Skies
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2813
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Thanks for the reply Smitty.
When you say that your club uses a waiver for events like RTMC and TSP, do you mean that your club hosts such big events?
We do host the All-Arizona Star Party and the All-Arizona Messier Marathon, and those well-attended events are advertised and open to anyone willing to drive out to the location. These events were the focus of my post into how other clubs handle liability. Big national events usually do require advance registration, fees and waivers, but our events are not to that scale.
We also host members-only events each month, which are also referred to as 'star parties' on the websites and newsletters. One club does one such event and the other does two each month. Add into that a monthly public event (scheduled and advertised), a quarterly beginners lab and numerous outreach events.
Each club already has a $1M insurance policy and are investigating an increase to $2M. One of the clubs took the extra step of incorporating a few years back.
Just for background, I am past-president of one club and currently am the newsletter editor.
Peter
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Peter
14.5" Starmaster
I hail from the explosive jetsam of a multitude of high-mass stars that died more than 5 billion years ago.
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FAB
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 2324
Loc: Blythe, CA USA
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We raised the issue of potential liability while we were still talking about forming the club. All of us decided:
1. Insurance was a must.
2. None of us wanted the dues sufficiently high to enable payment of the premiums.
We approached the local community college, and suggested the Colorado River Astronomy Club could be perceived as a community outreach program of the college. It's my understanding such programs are a factor that contributes to the accreditation of community colleges in California. Anyway, as a result we are now Palo Verde College's Colorado River Astronomy Club, and fall under their insurance umbrella. If they had turned us down, we were prepared to approach the local chamber of commerce or one of the service clubs such as Rotary or Kiwanis. They all have policies that cover their projects, and we were quite prepared to become such a project.
FAB
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Floie
10.0" Hardin Dob
6.0" Konus Refractor
3.0" Celestron Tabletop Newtonian
10X50 Binoculars
Bristoscope 772212 Microscope
http://home.earthlink.net/~blhtvl
&
http://home.earthlink.net/~astroclub
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Peter Argenziano
Watcher of the Skies
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2813
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Floie,
Thanks for the reply. That is certainly an interesting angle. It's nice to see that you were all thinking ahead in that regard.
One of my clubs is associated with a couple of non-profits: a riparian society that operates a preserve and a local Rotary. Club members have served on an advisory board for an observatory that will be built on the preserve. Incidentally, I am the webmaster for the Riparian-Rotary Observatory .Our members will serve as the staff.
This club, which is already incorporated, is in the process of filing for IRC exemption 501(c)(3).
It's a shame we have to go to these measures, but better safe than sorry, I guess.
Peter
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Peter
14.5" Starmaster
I hail from the explosive jetsam of a multitude of high-mass stars that died more than 5 billion years ago.
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smitty
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/27/04
Posts: 776
Loc: Georgia, USA
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Quote:
When you say that your club uses a waiver for events like RTMC and TSP, do you mean that your club hosts such big events?
Well not quite as big as those events, heh-heh! We hold the Georgia Sky View, our yearly star party. Events such as these should have everyone attending register and sign a waiver, although there's no guarantee a waiver will carry much weight in court. Monthly club observings, public outreach, etc. that are loosely run were our (and I think every club's) big worry.
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Steven "Saratoga Smitty" Smith
10" & 16" Dobsonians
Coronado PST
10x40 & 11x70 "opera glasses"
2 ton eyepiece case
http://www.saratogamuseum.org
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FAB
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 2324
Loc: Blythe, CA USA
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By coincidence, I'm webmaster for the local club's website:
http://home.earthlink.net/~astroclub
I know Kiwanis has a project similar to yours in the Los Angeles area. I ran across it on the internet awhile back, and since I'm a member of the service club, had a look at it. I'll watch your website for progress on that observatory, especially in September and October when your dome should be ready for installation. I also added a link to the Riparian Rotary Observatory on the links page of my club's site. Incidently we used the same graphic, you on the first page of your club site, and I on the first page of my personal site, the URL's
http://home.earthlink.net/~blhtvl
Clear skies.
FAB
Edited by Floie (07/17/05 11:28 PM)
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Peter Argenziano
Watcher of the Skies
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2813
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Floie,
Thanks for the link, sir.
I see you also have links to the two clubs of which I am a member: East Valley Astronomy Club & Saguaro Astronomy Club.
Peter
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Peter
14.5" Starmaster
I hail from the explosive jetsam of a multitude of high-mass stars that died more than 5 billion years ago.
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Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 16419
Loc: Brooker, FL
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Liability insurance for non-profits isn't too expensive. Most carriers will endorse recurring events onto the basic policy fairly cheaply. Typical in FL is about $400-450/year.
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N11GPS Fastar
TOA-130S
MK66 Std
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Megrez II 80mm ED Triplet APO
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Sirius EQ-G
ST8XE/CFW-8(LRGBHa)/AO-7/DF-2/STV Dlx/ST237a/350D (Unmodded)/Mallincam Color Hyper Plus/DSI III Color/DSI II Pro
Two not-spoiled Golden Retrievers - Maggie and Casey
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
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Peter Argenziano
Watcher of the Skies
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2813
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We already have a $1M insurance policy and are considering an increase to $2M. Some officers feel that insurance alone may not be enough and were looking at a waiver to add more protection.
Peter
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Peter
14.5" Starmaster
I hail from the explosive jetsam of a multitude of high-mass stars that died more than 5 billion years ago.
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