Clubs not (yet) affiliated to the IFAS

hi everyone,

I wouldn't fault A&S as a magazine since it is the only commercial one pitched at the Irish observer. There are good articles with Gordon Nason's sky tours being particularly enjoyable. Gordon is close to having an observer's handbook published with the tours as core content and I, for one, can't wait because without a doubt he is one of the most sky aware people I know.

it would be great to get AI collaborating with IFAS as they do have the media savvy. I've often felt they might be pitched at the beginner level though there is a percentage of advanced amateurs in the membership. Combining that with the nous of IFAS could get a very dynamic series of observing groups going that would raise the profile of the hobby to a level where people would tend to stay in clubs more long-term -- a problem we all have to admit is always there.

my big criticism of AI is the media stuff. Whenever I see press-releases along the lines of "Thousands of meteors lighting up the sky" I just go "bloody hell, not again!" Now, to be fair, it could be the reporters themselves whipping up a frenzy rather than AI, but I still feel all press-releases of that sort should be tempered with caution.

unfortunately, as well as the constitution, there is a long-enduring fallout from the period when AI were first set up back in the early-1990s. Someone did comment on this thread earlier that eventually committees would be replaced by younger people, etc. and that political era would be a distant memory.

it's a little more complex than that and the AI split from the IAS was a particularly nasty episode that often rears its head. It's unfortunate but as the cliche goes, the first motion on the agenda of any committee in Ireland is "when's the split ..."!

I, for one, have always had no problem with numerous clubs in existance that would be at a national level. The real thing we need to look at in any debate is how each groups aims are pitched -- i.e. at the beginner, the longer-term member, specialised observers, or, like us in the South Dublin A.S., having a wild time burning the candle both ends!

hope I haven't gone on too long! Hope to see everyone at Birr!

have a nice long weekend everyone,

John F.
Chairperson,
South Dublin Astronomical Society

i was thinking (dangerous!!) regardless of whether or not the AI group join should we not say have some sort of IFAS stand at say WSP to explain what it is about with the website displayed prominently on it as the start of a promotion campaign ?. what do people think?.
Stephen.

i was thinking (dangerous!!) regardless of whether or not the AI group join should we not say have some sort of IFAS stand at say WSP to explain what it is about with the website displayed prominently on it as the start of a promotion campaign ?. what do people think?.

I would have thought this would be preaching to the converted. but it would be a good idea none the less, handouts about the website etc. could be useful for those who dont know about it.

Anyone know anyone that could make a flag/banner with the URL on it, or t-shits cheaply?

On the same train of thought, we could set up an informational stand at say the young scientist exhibition next year. Thats far enough away that we could even plan it!

Cheers,
~Al

Just to calm things down before they get out of hand (as they tend to do when AI is mentioned...)

If you believe that AI should be invited to join IFAS, you should suggest to your IFAS representative that he or she bring it up at the next IFAS meeting (Whirlpool, Birr, September 26th - 28th) where it can be put to the vote.

If the proposal is successful, IFAS will extend the invitation.

David Bell
Chair, IFAS

Hi All,
I wasn't dumping on A&S magazine, just that its safer to get your info from multiple sources, thats all.
I personally wish that this schism didn't exist between AI and the rest of the Irish astronomical community, but we need to get real about this before we can start patting ourselves on the back for re-uniting Irish astronomy.
One question keeps popping up in my mind,
"What does AI have to gain by this ?????????????????".

All of its members would suddenly be aware of all the local clubs around the country, and hence they might loose members to these clubs (given that most of AIs activity is in Dublin).
Do you think AI would gain by actively promoting the WSP or Cosmos etc.?

I'm not trying to be a downer or complete pessimist here, but we might go to all this trouble to be told by them that its not in their interest in joining. I'm not putting words in their mouths here, I'm been realistic

(you never know, they might prove me wrong yet).

dave,
i agree with you. while it would be nice for them to join and we should ask them, i don't think it will happen for the reasons you stated and one i stated earlier, he would prefer we did not exist. AI are a bit like AOL and compuserve were a few years ago when the internet started to get popular. they tended to ignore it and keep their customers locked into their own system. eventually they had to adapt and accept the internet as a given. AI's brand of astronomy is one in which they say they are the biggest club in the country. by saying this they are at least indirectly saying they are not the only one. it is just they are ignoring the rest. he would probably some members outside dublin to other clubs. if they do join well and good. if the answer is no well then we should just continue on our merry way and just promote ifas and the website. maybe then his members will become aware of everyone else and want the club to join. if he still doesn't join well they can always vote with their feet and join their local club, they would probably better off long term as at least they will be with more active local people they might be encouraged to stay in the hobby.
Stephen.