[SJAAboard] FW: SJAA and CalStar

[Rob Hawley]

Since this is one of the issues Mark raised I am cross posting it here.  This is
in response to a question from the CalStar operating committee.


Rob Hawley 

-----Original Message-----
From: Rob Hawley [mailto:rob at robhawley.net] 
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2008 9:40 AM
To: 'calstaroperations at sjaa.net'
Subject: SJAA and CalStar


When I joined the SJAA board in 2004 I felt that both SJAA and TAC required a
loyalty test.  The genesis of this seems to have been that Koop and Wagner
deeply distrusted one another.  Koop wanted me to declare that I was not one of
those wild TAC people. That is something I could never do. I have been an active
TAC member since 2002 (or shortly after becoming involved in astronomy). 

With Koop's departure in 2007, I have worked to eliminate that difference.  The
formation of this committee to operate CalStar jointly is one of those tasks. At
Ozer's suggestion, the initial invitation went to all then current members of
the GSSP committee. Other non-GSSP members have joined since then. GSSP has been
listed as a co-operator ever since Charlie developed the new web pages for me in
May 07. SJAA is not planning or operating CalStar in a vacuum. The board is fine
with the current joint operation arraignment.

SJAA has played a major role in CalStar since the beginning
	http://www.sjaa.net/eph/Naughts/0011/b.html
	http://www.sjaa.net/eph/Naughts/0109/EphSep01.pdf
	http://www.sjaa.net/eph/Naughts/0209/h.html
	http://www.sjaa.net/eph/Naughts/0308/h.html

	{I have operated CalStar after 2004}

More than just history though I believe CalStar is important to the culture of
SJAA.  CalStar is the ONLY remaining dark sky event the club does.  If SJAA no
longer does CalStar then it just becomes a group doing public star parties.  

Where SJAA is involved and the reason it is important that we continue to be
involved is that CalStar acts as a bridge between our beginner program and the
more do it yourself TAC list. The separation into separate casual and dark
enforced areas predates my attending my first CalStar in 2002.  I do not know
what discussions prompted it.  The beginner friendly way we operate CalStar
allows us to link it into our programs.  That was important to my being involved
in my first CalStar in 2002.  Having an area where I could set up with fewer
light restrictions made the event less intimidating.  LSA allows us to
physically separate the reduced rules area from the dark enforced area. I have
NEVER heard any complaints about this.  Casual area use expanded over the last
couple of years which is one of the reasons I suggested to the committee to
expand the casual area last year.

Richard raised the question whether you could operate CalStar like a typical TAC
OI. Having separated areas with enforced light rules, preventing public star
parties in the dark area, closing the roads to the public and participants,
negotiation with the park for support all imply that some organization is
imposing rules and operating the event.  That is very different from a typical
TAC OI even without adding food.

SJAA provides a corporate shield and insurance. It seems we do not all agree
that is needed. At least I need these to continue my involvement. There is no
benefit to SJAA if we stop acting as the umbrella organization for CalStar. 

SJAA is not interested in sponsoring the food as moneymaking event.  We have
taken a great deal of flak over the years for allegedly making money on the
existing caterer.  In reality, SJAA subsidized the meals until 2007.  The 2007
board's decision to stop doing this is one of the reason we do not have a
professional caterer this year. The board members I talked with last night will
support a break-even, privately operated grill. 

Could TAC operate CalStar on its own? Of course, it could.  The same structure
used for GSSP could operate CalStar. Wagner has been demanding since 2006 that
we "hand CalStar back to TAC".  Ignoring that his history is flawed, my question
has always been "What is the benefit of not having SJAA involved"?  

The SJAA board is interested in CalStar, but I am only board member actually
volunteering.  If the local TAC community can provide an answer to my Wagner
question then I will ask the board to change our relationship with the event.  I
strongly suggest that any such change become effective in 2009 to not disrupt
this year's event.

Rob Hawley