Re: [Utah-astronomy] Serving the public
My comment would be that you get out of SLAS with what you put in it. SLAS has many personalities and people with different expectations, neither can be dictated by anyone. We do serve the public well and any contrary views on that are just simply mistaken. We have had people come and go, people join for different reasons and leave as well.
We lost a few people over not finding a permanent dark sky site, the truth was those people offered no doable site. SPOC was built instead and a few got upset, we cannot please everyone and sometimes personal failings are blamed on SLAS, take some personal responsibility. If you don't like something SLAS is doing get involved and help change it. SLAS has made attempts to get input from members on likes and dislikes, club activities reflect this. There are many different feeling about SLAS having a relationship with the planetarium. I personally have no objection with cooperation between SLAS and Clark. We should keep communication lines open. My comments may or may not be consistent with the current SLAS Board. IE: a disclaimer, Erik
I take exception with that!
----- Original Message ----- From: "Kim" <kimharch@cut.net> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, October 1, 2010 6:26:06 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Serving the public
I agree to disagree.
Kim
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I've been off line for several days and it's taken me some time to get caught up on the latest version of this (very) old and ongoing debate. You can't please all of the people, all of the time. It's true in astronomy as well as politics. The club can do everything right, and some folks just won't have a good time. It's too bad that an individual can have a bad day and someone else then proceeds to paint the entire club with a very broad brush based on that interaction, but it happens. Deal with it and move on. I'm not a huge fan of public outreach, though it can be fun. I try to volunteer a few times each year to run a scope at SPOC or at least show-up when my hectic life allows. My time in the club has always been because I enjoy the activity and the company- I have friends of 30 or 40 years in this club. As for outreach, if I can help someone else's experience, hey, great! But I'm not going to get upset if everyone doesn't see me as a successful astro-missionary. If I wanted to be loved, I'd sell the telescope and get a dog. There's room around the table for all of us. Some won't like what's on the menu, but that's not the fault of the diners themselves. They may like the next course, if they don't leave the table before dessert. YMMV.
"If I wanted to be loved, I'd sell the telescope and get a dog"
Instead you have several telescopes and a cat. I've been off line for several days and it's taken me some time to get
caught up on the latest version of this (very) old and ongoing debate.
You can't please all of the people, all of the time. It's true in astronomy as well as politics. The club can do everything right, and some folks just won't have a good time. It's too bad that an individual can have a bad day and someone else then proceeds to paint the entire club with a very broad brush based on that interaction, but it happens.
Deal with it and move on.
I'm not a huge fan of public outreach, though it can be fun. I try to volunteer a few times each year to run a scope at SPOC or at least show-up when my hectic life allows. My time in the club has always been because I enjoy the activity and the company- I have friends of 30 or 40 years in this club. As for outreach, if I can help someone else's experience, hey, great! But I'm not going to get upset if everyone doesn't see me as a successful astro-missionary.
If I wanted to be loved, I'd sell the telescope and get a dog.
There's room around the table for all of us. Some won't like what's on the menu, but that's not the fault of the diners themselves. They may like the next course, if they don't leave the table before dessert.
YMMV.
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Absolutely,
I do find it incredible that SLAS has supported such an active public schedule through the years. Some have claimed SLAS is only average in this respect but when pressed can't name a more active club. We always seem to attract new blood willing to support star parties as well as the people who have supported them all along. My activity has waxed and waned through the years. When, I served as president I went to every star party and many times worked 12 hour shift next day (at least gas cost a lot less then). I was really glad when the year ended and currently I am happy to support SPOC star parties occasionally. We need all types to support the club active and inactive, I do know many that join simply to give financial support. All members are appreciated. So you see my point. ;o)
On 10/5/10, erikhansen@thebluezone.net <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
"If I wanted to be loved, I'd sell the telescope and get a dog"
Instead you have several telescopes and a cat.
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Chuck Hards -
erikhansen＠thebluezone.net