[sac-board] Re: Some Comments about SAC

I know my ALPO membership card gets me coffee for $1.50 at most 
places and I'm sure a SAC membership card would get a similar "deal!" 
The point is SAC is just about the only organization I have belonged 
to that does not issue membership cards. It's a negligible expense as 
the  cards can be pre-printed nicely and the name and date filled in 
upon joining or renewing. It might even have spaces for board member 
title (if applied), special interest group and when first joined. 
While not a real big deal it can represent a point of pride.

The reason I got on the soapbox was to help. I see a club with 
declining membership and on the brink of financial bust. Getting more 
members, selling more items or cutting expenses is about the only way 
to survive.

To get more members the club must be exposed more, have membership 
applications available at all public astronomical events. Also a 
sheet explaining about SAC and the benefits of membership (getting 
the "beautiful" membership card may be one of the few if only 
tangible asset. I attend many public astronomical events and have 
NEVER seen SAC promoted! Have a table with handouts and applications 
and have a committee of volunteers to man it at events.

I applaud the Newsletter (great job!) and making it public is a step 
in the right direction, but then at the same time since most paid 
members do not "receive" the Newsletter (they must log on and 
download it) it's not really a tangible asset. Since $$ are tight I 
see no reason not to charge those receiving the Newsletter in hard 
copy form via US mail more. Those people directly cost the club more. 
Money is tight!

Star parties are mainly club events, but since they are on public 
property they are open to the public, plus trying to police them 
probably would be very hard and fraught with down sides.

>Every club has some type of vision or mission statement... it's 
>there somewhere in the bylaws. This defines the purpose of the club, 
>and membership dues are set to accommodate the necessary expenses 
>while the club pursues its mission. At times it becomes a balancing 
>act, trying to deliver on the mission with the dues collected.

I have never seen the bylaws. Perhaps they should be on the web site!

>Most of the benefits of club membership are not individually tangible items.

Exactly!

>  But for my $28 I get:
>   a.. 12 meetings with fascinating speakers and wonderful company, 
>held in a relatively comfortable, safe environment.


At least for me the speakers are of absolutely no value (I am deaf). 
I am seldom able to follow what goes on in the meetings.

>   b.. A website about the club, loaded with information and 
>available to me anytime and anywhere (almost).

Great! Free to all! Yet also a great place to sell astronomical tee 
shirts, books and other items along with possible swap meet 
astronomical items. This has great potential to bring in more money.

>   c.. A dozen newsletters, representing the hard work of several 
>dedicated (and talented) volunteers. I can enjoy it onscreen or 
>print it at my discretion.

Great job, but available to the public. Again I think that is fine as 
it promotes both SAC and astronomy.

>   d.. An invitation to participate in many star parties; some 
>public, some private.

This is volunteer work. You really should not need to pay to 
volunteer you efforts and equipment. The reality is you provide your 
own transportation, telescope and what you wish to do. Having an area 
scouted out and cleared and port-a-jons is great.  Note: Bushes in 
the dark in the wilderness have always worked nearly as well as the 
port-a-jon! :-)

>   e.. An invitation to participate in special interest groups, like 
>the Deep Sky or ATM groups. Further, there exists the ability to 
>start such a group myself, if I'm so inclined.

Again, I think this is great too.

>   f.. The camaraderie of those who share a similar interest. For me, 
>this fellowship is worth the cost of admission alone. I have met 
>some fantastic people through club memberships; folks I might not 
>have encountered otherwise.
>If I wanted to assign some numerical value on my membership (which I 
>don't), I could say that it costs me less than a buck for each 
>meeting, newsletter and star party... what a deal!
>I could pursue my astronomical interests without belonging to a 
>club, but I think I'll always choose to support amateur astronomy in 
>this manner. In fact, I think I'll send in my renewal check today!

I too want to support the club, but I also want to see it survive!

Jeff

>


-- 
                                           Jeff Hopkins
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