[SJAAboard] What SJAA Is and Is Not....

[Mark Wagner]

I'm starting off with a quote, that has been brought to my attention by a few readers of this
public list.  It did not at first occur to me the importance in terms of the SJAA:

"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."

Rob Hawley - SJAA President
http://sjaa.net/pipermail/sjaaboard_sjaa.net/2008-July/001821.html

Although I think unintentionally, Rob has publicly diminished the club by stating that what is
important is CalStar, over the public educational star parties (Houge) and the tremendously
successful educational school star parties.

The club is a 501(c)3 and enjoys benefits as an educationally based entity. I don't understand how
CalStar is so important to the club's purpose, or in fact even fits the purpose of the SJAA, or
how it could possibly rank higher in importance than the actual educational enterprises the club
is so proficient at.

I'd also be somewhat insulted if I were running the school star party programs.  I hope JVN has
thick skin.

I have been asking SJAA to return CalStar to TAC.  There has been significant private dialog all
week long on the subject.  The intent of CalStar was that it was to be organized and run by TAC. 
Some of the SJAA board has been objecting.  Some I think agree.  The president seems unwilling to
let it go.

I don't see how CalStar meets the purpose of the SJAA, and I also feel, as the originator of
CalStar, that its purpose was never to be run by the club.

I am asking publicly that at tomorrow night's SJAA board meeting, the SJAA release CalStar back to
where it belongs, into the hands of the greater astronomy community, known as TAC.

The SJAA does a great job at meeting its 501(c)3 goals, in large part due to a two time Gregory
Award winner, Jim Van Nuland.

Please SJAA, do your job, let TAC do its.

Thank you,

Mark Wagner