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                             ASTRONOMY Network News
                AN ON-LINE NEWSLETTER FOR ASTRONOMY CLUB OFFICERS

Issue #8 - January/February 1993

        Published by ASTRONOMY Magazine
        PO Box 1612
        Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
        414-796-8776, Fax [phone]
        Compuserve E-Mail: 72000,2704; Internet:
[e-mail]

        Network News is an on-line newsletter for astronomy clubs
uploaded approximately every two months by ASTRONOMY
magazine. It is designed to provide a forum for clubs to share news
of their accomplishments and innovative programs, as well as discuss
issues all clubs have in common - how to raise funds, attract new
members, publish an interesting newsletter, among others.
        We hope the ideas in Network News will help other clubs
provide the best possible services to their members and to their
communities. Address comments, articles, and news of your club
activities to the editor, Tom Gill, at his address below, or contact
ASTRONOMY magazine via mail, e-mail, or the Compuserve
Astronomy Forum.

Tom Gill, Editor, 1391 N. 72nd Street, Milwaukee, WI 53213
        [phone]

        From The Editor
        Thanks to the individuals and clubs who have responded to
requests for information. This issue's lead article is a direct result of
your feedback. And keep in mind that this network is a ongoing
enterprise-every topic covered in the Network News is always open
for further discussion. I'd like to hear of your experiences from
implementing some of the ideas shared here.
        I feel privileged to receive and read through your club
newsletters each month. One aspect that fascinates me is the many
different ways that similar information is presented, such as the
return of comet Swift-Tuttle, December's lunar eclipse, and Mars'
favorable opposition.
        In addition to the information, I enjoy seeing the different
designs and layouts of your publications. I've also noticed that many
newsletters would benefit from some artwork to break up the text
and add some fun. Several clubs have asked their membership for
art submissions or information about a source for non-copywritten
art. Now I'm turning over their request to you: If your club has any
art to share please send it to me and I will create an astronomy art
package and make it available to all clubs through our Information
Referral Service (IRS). Watch for it in a future issue.

        Tap Into A Valuable Club Resource-Survey Your Membership
        If your club is looking for a good New Year's resolution for
1993, here's a suggestion: ask your membership to complete a club
survey and then use their responses to shape the club's activities and
direction for the coming year and beyond.
        A survey invites all members to express their ideas and
concerns to the officers and also to their fellow members. If you ask
the right questions, both the officers and the membership will come
away with a clearer understanding of everyone's expectations and
desires.
        This article is a result of a studying the surveys of 14 clubs.  I
found that although each had a different approach to gathering the
information, many of the questions covered similar ground. The
information presented here may help motivate your club to conduct
a survey of your own. If you do, I would be very interested to hear
of your experiences.
        The guidelines that follow should prove helpful to get you
started. For reference, you can request a complete list of specific
questions through our Information Referral Service found on page 2
of this issue.
        When planning your survey, don't burden one person with the
task. Start a committee-more heads equals more ideas and sharing
the burden will keep the project moving. Also, a commitment from
the club leaders to act on the survey results is vitally important to
the overall success of the project.
        The survey length should be no longer than two pages and
better yet, one page. From the hundreds of questions you would like
to include, choose those that focus on issues that the club is most
likely to act upon or are the least understood.
        Be upbeat. Phrase questions positively where possible so you
don't put people on the defensive. At the same time, don't avoid
problem areas such as lack of participation or low meeting
attendance. A survey is your chance to find out why those problems
occur.
        Of the surveys I saw which included results, the best responses
were to short questions with simple yes/no or rated (1-5, strongly
agree to strongly disagree) responses. Unless you have members who
like to write, check-off responses are better than questions which
ask for personal opinion. For example, one club provided a list of
areas of interest with instructions to check all that member had an
interest in. It can be a real eye-opener to see the results listed in
descending order with a tally of the number of choices each received.
The survey results may give you a whole new way of looking at your
membership.
        If you can afford the extra postage, don't just print the survey
in your club newsletter. It will get more attention if mailed
separately. If you must include it in a regular club mailing, at least
print it on a separate page. Kudos to the clubs who decided that the
information was important enough to justify inclusion of a stamped
return envelope with every survey.  Their extra cost was rewarded
with higher response rates (over 50% of the surveys returned vs. the
more typical 30%).
        Most clubs provided a space for "name" with the word
"optional" included. Honest, anonymous answers are more useful
than knowing who thinks what. If you hoped to get names for club
projects, you can always do a separate volunteer campaign at a later
date. Knowing what you can expect out of your membership will
dictate which approach is more likely to bring results.
        Always allow space for additional input. It is impossible to
address everyone's concerns, and you r request may turn up some
real gems.
        By far, the most important part of the survey process is what
happens after the results are known.  FOLLOW UP! Publish the
results. Read between the lines. Act on suggestions. Show the
members that their input can make things happen. Even if the
survey has a poor response, acting on the information will vastly
improve participation in the next survey. A few of the clubs in this
study survey their membership on an annual basis to keep in touch
and to reach new members. An alternative method is to survey new
members only after they have been in the club for six months or a
year. Questions about skill level and interests would be pertinent to
include on your membership application.
        Whatever form your survey takes, the club will be better off
just for the asking!

        SIDEBAR: Some Bonus Results
        My first look at the Rose City Astronomers (OR) 13-page survey
report told me two things: the project was a lot of work and that it is
destined to become a valuable club reference.
        Through probing questions and generous responses, the officers
and committee chairs now have the names of dozens of members
willing to volunteer for club functions or special interest groups.
        Anyone in the club (especially newer members) with questions
about equipment will benefit from a comprehensive list of member-
owned equipment (right down to the filters) and those willing to
share information about using it (almost everybody).
        In short, this club is motivated.! And with several pages of
suggestions, I believe the club has a great future ahead.
        We'll check in on them at a later date.-TG

        SIDEBAR: Survey Topics (Gleaned from the 14 surveys)
        Personal Profile: age, why joined, years in club, experience
level, equipment owned, special skills. Some clubs asked for and
received dozens of potential volunteers.
        Equipment: build or buy preference, preferred configurations,
astrophotography interest, mirror grinding, wish list for club.
        Benefits: use of club equipment, library, loaner scopes,
facilities, etc.
        Meetings: location, program topics (from theoretical cosmology
to show-and-tell), length, day/time, frequency, organization. If
meetings have not been well attended, here is a chance to find out
why.
        Activities: public education, field trips, outreach programs, star
parties.
        Interests: all types of observing (lunar, deep sky, variables,
planetary, etc.) , astrophotography, computers, CCD, telescope making,
armchair astronomy, other.
        Newsletter: content, length, usefulness, budget, timeliness, type
of articles, frequency. An important topic considering that the
newsletter is the lifeline to your membership. See issue #1 of the
Network News for a comprehensive list of suggestions.
        Observing: where, when, how often, comfort level (shelter,
bathrooms, etc.), object preference, phone tree interest.
        Club Focus: education, field trips, data collecting projects
(variable stars, grazes, occultations, etc.).
        Organization: leadership, dues structure, satisfaction level.
        Suggestions: Response to "essay questions" may be small but
the answers you do get can be the most valuable data collected.
Asking questions like "What could be done to improve the club" can
provide plenty of suggestions to accomplish that goal and when
shared with the membership may stimulate them to help make it
happen.

        Information Referral Service (IRS)
        Club Survey Questions. As a source of ideas or inspiration for
your own club survey, questions are gleaned from over 14 surveys-
it's up to you to reduce the information to suit your club's needs.

        IDA Star-Watch. For an instant club project that benefits us all,
have your members participate in the International Dark-Sky
Association's Star-Watch program. It involves recording the number
of Pleiades that you can see with naked-eye or binoculars. Star-
Watch is also a good project to help educate the public about light
pollution and make them aware of the local sky conditions. A form
which can be reproduced in your newsletter is available from the
Network News.

        Both of the above are available by writing to Tom Gill, 1391 N.
72nd St. Wauwatosa, WI 53213. Please include a self addressed,
stamped envelope with your request. n


        Club News Bits
        ...Jeff Baldwin of the Stockton Astronomical Society (CA) got a
great idea when presenting an astronomy talk to children-he had
them lie on their backs to watch slides projected on the ceiling!
        ...the Salt Lake Astronomical Society (UT) have their club phone
line message "piggy-backed" on the tail end of an informational
recording provided by a local planetarium. Your club should
investigate a similar arrangement with a local science or astronomy
related center.
        ...the Roper Mountain Astronomers (SC) created some fun
incentive awards to recognize individuals at the club's annual
Christmas party. The members nominate and vote for each other in
ten categories including: Most Active, Most Enthusiastic, Best
Prepared Observer, Most Improved Observer, and Best Attendance at
Club Functions.
        ...The Cheyenne Astronomical Society (WY) created their own
observing awards to complement those offered by the Astronomical
League. In addition to club variations of the Messier and Herschel
certificates, they honor members who have earned: The Planetary
Certificate-all nine planets, The Deep Sky Certificate-50 non-Messier
objects, and The Galileo Award-most Solar System objects.
        ...a quick fund raiser: the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston
conduct a monthly 50/50 raffle where collected funds are split
between a lucky member and the club. A recent raffle netted a quick
$22 for each.

        Club Profile
        Greenwood Astronomy Club, 2300 Spruce St., La Grande, OR
97850
        Founded: 1991;  Members: 240+ ; Dues: FREE!
        Contact: John Cowens
        Think of Greenwood Astronomy Club's president John Cowens
as the pied piper of astronomy. His efforts to "turn children on" to
astronomy at the elementary school level have been so successful
that starting a club became inevitable.
        Students and their parents are first invited to his small
planetarium to identify the season's stars, constellations and planets.
Skylore enhances the experience and helps them appreciate how
other cultures interpreted the sky. Once they are properly motivated,
the group goes outside to take a closer look with the club's
telescopes-John's 10.1-inch and a 17.5-inch on loan from an out of
town friend.
        Encouraged by the parents of his students, John was asked to
expand his teaching domain to include the community at large.
Posters and ads placed in local papers invited people to attend the
area's first public star party-over 100 people came to see the stars!
        The club has no dues since John supports all club acquisitions
and expenses with personal funds and money received from five
teaching grants. The club's focus on education has generated a loyal
following and the club's membership grows with each event.
        Local sky conditions are near perfect with miniscule air & light
pollution, low humidity and a viewing site with an elevation of 4500
feet.
        A flood of recent requests from scout troops, senior citizen
groups and a nearby college insure that the club will be busy
spreading the joy of astronomy on many of the upcoming clear
nights.