[SJAAboard] SJAA Loaner Telescope Program

[Gary Mitchell]

Rich N wrote:
> After watching much of the email traffic involved in our loaner program.
> I'm a little concerned that some of the larger scopes are being borrow by people
> who could afford to buy a similar scope but don't because we let them have ours 
> for virtually nothing.
> 
> I would prefer the loaner program be for people who are just getting into the hobby. 
> 
> The idea of experienced  observers using our loaner program to get by cheap on our 
> dime bothers me. 

It depends on how you look at it.  Apparently you view it
strictly in economic terms.  How about this:

I remember years ago the board was wringing its hands over
the fact that membership isn't required to participate in
what we do, people had little incentive to actually join.
So, what do we offer in exchange for dues?  The loaner
program and newsletter were pretty much all there was,
aside from just appealing to people's better nature.  Since
then we have put the Ephemeris on line, available free to
anyone.  That leaves only the loaner program.

I don't know of any clubs or organizations that don't have
at least some sort of membership benefits.  What's so bad
about a kind of lending library of scopes for members?

It's not like they're getting away totally free, one has
to pay dues to be a member, and only members may borrow
scopes.

Gary