Recently in applying for a job, I was asked to answer the question, “Where do you live online?” Because so much of our work at CMAS has been done via the listserv as we transition to using WordPress, I have posted this listserv message from October as an example of the sort of work I have done for the club. Thanks for understanding, CMASers. Future news will be new news.
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CENTRAL MAINE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
ELECTIONS AND STAR PARTY
Saturday, October 9, at 7:00pm
Brower Observatory, Whitefield
Directions: https://maineastro.com/brower-observatory-directions/
STAR PARTY AFTER ELECTIONS
If you have not seen the skies through the impressive 16″ Newtonian in the dome of Brower Observatory, you owe it to yourself to come to this party. This enormous scope turns smoothly on the equatorial mount recently completely refurbished by member Jim Curry. (Nice to have a machinist in the club! Thanks, Jim!) It can find anything quickly and easily with its extraordinary Go To system, known by name as “Colin Caissie.” We’re expecting dark, clear skies, but even if we get the sort of weather favoring smaller scopes, those are more than worth the trip. Brower Observatory houses an enormous collection of portable scopes in all sizes, including many historic prototypes and specialty scopes. See faint, distant galaxies through a 10″ Newt with a virtually perfect mirror, or Jupiter up close through a 6″ folded refractor made with an objective so perfect, it was used in a laboratory to test other lenses. We even have the actual prototype of the world-famous Edmund Astroscan. (Surprise! It does *not* have the distinctive ball-shaped mount.) Best of all, other members eagerly await showing you the skies. No prior knowledge required. You will quickly come to see more than you ever saw before, and will be glad you live under the clear, dark skies of Maine.
ELECTIONS – YOUR VOTE MATTERS
The club is at an important crossroads. It’s time to grow the membership. We have a devoted, knowledgeable core of astronomers, all of whom are eager teachers; another thirty members to entice back into the active fold; ideas for outreach to the public; an enviable bank account; and, all the gear any club could ever want. We lack only you, and the direction your expressed desires bring to the club, so together we may plan our activities to be an attractive priority in every member’s life.
IF YOU CAN NOT ATTEND
Your vote still counts. Prior to the elections, eMail the current President, Pete Kalajian, with your vote:
(Link removed from this post)
DUES AND SUFFRAGE – THREE CENTS PER DAY
Paid-up members are allowed to vote. Prior to the election, please visit the membership page and pay the $12 annual dues with either your credit card or PayPal account:
https://maineastro.com/membership/
If you are new to astronomy and have no equipment of your own, these modest dues cover everything you need, from scopes to help learning how to use them. Upon joining, you need only your interest, your eyes, and your new friends under clear skies.
CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE
To my knowledge, to date only Jim Curry has offered to serve as the new President. Jim would make a fine President. He did an astonishingly thorough job of arranging our club’s viewing and timing of the occultation of Omicron Leonis by the moon a few weeks ago. For starters, he knew it was happening; and then, he also knew how to find viewing sites along the narrow path from Tenant’s Harbor through Lewiston, and how to coordinate our club’s observations with the International Occultation Timing Association’s. Although clouds ultimately blocked the observations, it’s evident that Jim wants the job and knows what to do as President.
I hereby offer to serve as Vice President of Policy and Public Relations. Our Bylaws read:
“The President shall preside over all meetings and activities, shall make appointments to committees, shall issue and sign checks in the name of the organization with prior approval of the board of directors, and shall carry out any specific duties or powers delegated by the Board of Directors or the membership.
“(The) Vice President (of Policy and Public Relations) shall officiate over all meetings and activities in the absence of the president and shall see to it that the by-laws are amended and updated, via a majority vote of the membership present at a meeting, as necessary. This Vice President shall also be responsible for communication with all outside groups (media, schools, other organizations, etc.) as necessary for the promotion of the goals of the organization… also be responsible for publication of a quarterly newsletter.”
WHY THE VICE PRESIDENCY
Jim and I would make a solid team for advancing the club in science, administration, and a growing membership. I am particularly focused on becoming the liaison between the club and the outside world, and in writing for the newsletter and Web site.
For many years, I ran a residential children’s summer camp, recruiting thousands of campers and staff, and planning the activities that made them want to return each summer. I know how to advertise to outsiders and motivate insiders to grow the club.
Running a summer camp also taught me about successful programming. I decided to focus on the club’s outreach upon seeing the low turnout to last week’s star party at the Camden International Film Festival. With a captive audience of hundreds of people attending a movie about how light pollution affects astronomers, only half a dozen people approached our scopes. The problem was in thinking like astronomers, instead of promoters. We were off in the dark, out of the way where we could see the skies, but where no one could see us.
In summer camping, I learned that successful events are always carefully choreographed, so people can not help but walk into them. In speaking with the planners of events to which we are invited, or in planning our own, I know the questions to ask to assure a good turnout, and am experienced in negotiating for successful placement. In outreach, telescopes belong where the crowds gather — in the example of the Film Festival, by the outdoor movie screen, at the stop for the shuttle bus, or at the cafe tables, pointing at the skies out the side of the big tent. Scooping a workable, central location often requires some convincing of an event’s planner, a role I could fill well. Astronomers seek darkness, but promoters seek crowds. I understand how the goals of outreach differ from those of a purely dark-sky star party, and offer my services to grow the club.
CONTACT
This is not an official mailing of the club, but a message from an active member running for office and seeking to get a head start on assuring all members are well appraised of the club’s activities. Got comments or complaints about this message? File ’em in my In Box here:
Jon Silverman
(Link removed from this post)
If you like, copy the Club’s President:
(Link removed from this post)
That will send to Pete Kalajian now, and to the new President after the October 9 elections.
THANK YOU AND CLEAR SKIES!
Jon Silverman
