[SJAAboard] SJAA Loaner Telescope Program

[Mark Wagner]

On Sun, June 22, 2008 3:30 am, Rich N wrote:

> If you and the rest of the board don't mind maintaining the program, even if people are, IMHO,
> taking advantage of the system,..  then I accept the board's decision.  But, the board should look
> for someone to replace me on the loaner program.

Rich,

If you (and Rob) are in charge of the loaner program, given the latitude provided you through the
new "statement of purpose" approved at last night's board meeting, I think you are in position to
approve or disapprove loans.  If you felt strongly enough that a loan was the club being used,
deny it.  If there is a complaint, it would come to oversight, at the board level.  I don't see a
problem here worth you offering to be replaced, and I think your knowledge, interest and effort
are a real asset to the program.

I do have concerns about the program as it currently is though.  Your mention that it is very time
consuming to administer is primary.  I am glad Rob (and you, and Lee) are willing to devote so
much effort, but as Rob indicated last night, he is only interim as a member of the loaner
telescope committee.  Whoever replaces him will inherit the programs warts.  I'd like to simplify
the program in order that it becomes an easy one to administer, and to see it run in the most
effective manner it can.  With all due respect to Rob's energy for the program, an "it works"
approach, if that's what the "current model" is, is (to me) onerous, and places a large burden on
the administrators.

Mark