Ron: I don't agree that "it is a smaller pool of humanity that is interested in astronomy ". I've tried talking to the young members of SLAS, the ones who will join for a year and never renew. I keep running into them again out at Lakeside and Pit and Pole. They still are and always were interested in the science of Astronomy, they just don't want the social aspects of the clubs. That's the good news bad news of the situation clubs are in today. I've always been an avid armchair astronomer even when my work life didn't allow me to go observing, but I don't find much understanding or even interest in the science among the more seasoned members of the social side of the club scene. The only thing that keeps me in the club is the public outreach we do at Harmons and the grade schools. I'd rather show 50 third graders the craters on the moon than drive to the desert and look at deep space objects with club members. When we stop doing this sidewalk public outreach, I'll be gone from the club too. DT ----- Original Message ----- From: RON VANDERHULE <deepsky100@msn.com> To: utah-astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Cc: Sent: Thursday, January 5, 2012 10:15 PM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] club growth was club growth Group, I want to thank everyone that contributed to my survey concerning astro club growth. There was much to consider and I gleaned enough to do my column in the OAS newsletter. Brent and Deloy had the most obvious "insights", be friendly and have something for all who attend your functions a.k.a all I know about running an astro-club I learned in kindergarten. Deloy, I remember fondly our outings with LVAS at the Gorge. I was back there with them in 2010 and they are still conducting their star party as efficiently as ever. But it is also the same group of people that we knew 14 years ago, which underscores your comments concerning the graying of the hobby. You indicated the same for SLAS, and about half the members of OAS were eyewitness to the Big Bang. I don't know if it is harder to intrigue younger people nowdays, or, if it is not on a screen, i.e. smart phone, ipad, PC, facebook, twitter, angry birds, satellite t.v.,theaters....it is not part of their reality . I will admit that it is a smaller pool of humanity that is interested in astronomy to begin with, so additions to member ship is very incremental. Deloy I was also re-arranging the "stuff" in my garage a couple weeks ago and I came across your Lichtenstein 14x100 binos'. Ya want em back? Ron _______________________________________________ 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