Are you in an astronomy club ?

[Ian Robinson]

If you are in an astronomy club - Which one ? or which clubs if more than one ?

How often do they meet ?

What is the usual turn out ?

How often do you attend meetings ?

[Ian Robinson]

I am not ... but used to be in the Astronomical Society of the Hunter (never missed a meeting , even held a committee office for a few years) and in the BAA (even traveled to Sydney Observatory for some meetings of the BAA when interesting talks were scheduled).

Gave up my astroclub memberships when I became a shift worker and had a young family , and never felt inclined to rejoin . Club politics was also a turn off , I liked ASH more when the meetings were less formal in the early days of the club. This was a lot of years ago.

Is easier and more convenient to go to astronomy orientated webforums , some are better than others. CN is IMO the best one I've come across.

[Darth Wader (Wade)]

I'm a member of www.macastro.org.au. My main reason for joining was that I've had a distinct lack of social interaction with anyone except my family/work friends for a long time now and I wanted to be able to speak to others who shared my passion. Work/home life has clashed with attending meetings, observing nights etc. I had to leave my first meeting early, but I met two members that night so it wasn't a total write-off. I haven't had a chance to attend anything since so I hope no-one thinks I've skipped out! We have an observing night on the 12th of this month so if the universe is so willing I'll make every effort to get there.

Cheers
Wade

[Kal (Andrew)]

I am a member of ASNSW. I am not active in the club, but I do go to the SPSP most years.

[chrisp9au (Chris)]

I'm a member of the ASV, but it's a waxing / waning relationship, and I think I'm going to save myself $70 next year.
Meetings?, an 85km drive, only to struggle for a parking spot in the heart of Melbourne, then 85km home.
The time and effort turns me off every time.

Iceinspace will do me just fine, I can have a meeting any time I want!
And if I have a question, there are 6,860 members just waiting for the opportunity to respond within minutes!

Plus, I can avoid all the politics by just not browsing 'General Chat' too often!

Cheers
Chris

[astronut (John)]

Don't worry Wade, we don't think you've skipped out!!

[erick (Eric)]

If you are in an astronomy club - Which one ? or which clubs if more than one ? Snake Valley Astronomical Association.

How often do they meet ? Once a month club new moon observing night. Twice a year weekend Astrocamps.

What is the usual turn out ? Somewhere between one and a good handful. Camps are up to 50 at busy times.

How often do you attend meetings ? Meetings? We don't have them

[rogerg (Roger)]

I am ... ASWA

Turnout?
- Ordinary meetings: 20-40
- Lunatics: - 10 - 30
- Deep Sky: 10 - 30
- Serious Deep Sky Observing: 3 - 15
- Club Nights - unsure.

How often are meetings? Every month there's at least 5 events of various types. Too much to keep up with!

I only attend SDSO nights every month (which I run), but occasionally turn up to the others when time permits

[leon]

Been there once, all they do is talk about the minutes of the last meeting, I went twice than built my own scope.

The Ballarat Observatory is run by a group of people that have no idea.

The leader of the group, no names mentioned, ( Female) is clueless, about astronomy.

They have 12 instruments available, but they talk so much no one uses them.

The place, The Ballarat Observatory should be put in the care of people that know.

They are all a bunch of twits, and I don't want anything to do with them.

Leon

[spacezebra (Petra)]

If you are in an astronomy club - Which one ? or which clubs if more than one ? ASAW and ASNSW

How often do they meet ? ASAW - once a month (first Wednesday of each month)

What is the usual turn out ? 30 - 35

How often do you attend meetings ? I am Secretary of ASAW so I attend each meeting.

Cheers Petra d.

[Enchilada]

Astronomical Societies are a waste of time on effort. You are better to be an independent free agent!

Done everything from being on the committees, done all kinds of members contributions - ended up just serving others!

Learned one very important thing…. I function infinitely better away from them than being involved with them - being answerable to no one nor having to follow the party line. (Really, most of the time you're just stroking the ego of an elite few, often among those who are more interested in having a power-trip over others or controlling the money box!)

Suggest you use them to gain what you want to do or learn (exploitation before being exploited), then quickly move on.

All societies (astronomical and many other groups) should come with a warning label like cigarette packaging. I.e. Hazardous to your health and well-being.

Stick to the blogs (like this one), and try to stay as anonymous as possible.

Not recommended - even for the strongest hearts!

Note: the only Societies that has ever impressed me (in order) was the Sutherland Astronomical Society, the Canberra Astronomical Society`and ASWA (Western Australia). Mostly a brilliant friendly bunch of people with the right attitude. (A high rarity among Australian social cultural groups!) …but I'm NOT a member of any of them!! Love to visit, though!

[multiweb (Marc)]

Mr "happy camper"(s) in all their splendour.

[Darth Wader (Wade)]

Originally Posted by astronut

Don't worry Wade, we don't think you've skipped out!!

Ah, good to hear John!

[matt]

Not a member...but have been considering it of late.

I just can't stand club 'politics'. I've attended a few club nights over the years in various towns and citites and eventually there's always some form of it that emerges.

Which is sad...because it's such a great hobby/pastime.

[kinetic (Steve)]

I was a member of A.S.S.A (a long time ago) and Broken Hill Astronomy Group (even longer ago).

The BHAG was a more informal, friendly group. Very small too.
At it's peak (Halley's Comet return '86/87 we had more that a dozen
paid members!
We had FUN. I only have fond memories of it because I think we
didn't (or at least I didn't) try to take things too seriously.
We had barbecue star evenings out in the middle of nowhere and
the occasional meeting at someone's house.
The bulletin consisted of a hurriedly constructed rough A4 photocopy
sheet with some crossword done by the local school teacher (Hi Deb!)
or a star chart drawn up by me...or some jokes by the geology professor.
Good times.

Steve

[dannat (Daniel)]

f you are in an astronomy club - Which one ? ASV

How often do they meet ? every month atleast

What is the usual turn out ? good 100 or so

How often do you attend meetings ? not as often as i like (same boat as chris - 65km to drive - but make atleast a couple a year) also been to their ATM club (excell service) & their dark sky site a few times (only 50km away) - even went to a working bee

[Wavytone]

Been there done that and not any more. No reason to.

[Liz]

Townsville Astronomy Group
Meet once a month in 'dry season'
Small but fun low key group, and only about 10-20 turnout for past year
I go to all our viewings if possible
We keep it as a 'group' so no meetings, committes, etc
Very low key - we meet at New Moon and view and enjoy, no stress.
We decided quite a few years ago, that we wanted no part of big clubs.
Its a great group of people

[Jen]

I wish we had one here
I want to get one started im gonna call it S.H.A.G. Swan Hill Astronomy Group

Any ideas on how to get started

[matt]

Originally Posted by Jen

I wish we had one here
I want to get one started im gonna call it S.H.A.G. Swan Hill Astronomy Group

Any ideas on how to get started

Well...with a name like that, I'd suggest a few glasses of wine!!!!