May 2022 President’s message
by Linda Bergemann
Thank you, I think, to everyone that supported my election. I will try my best! I hope I am able to live up to any expectations you may have. First up, is to extend my gratitude to those who served us over the past year – THANK YOU! Next, is to thank all those who ran for election and will comprise the Executive Committee for the next year. I am looking forward to working with this diverse team to enhance the experiences offered by Skyscrapers to our members and the visiting public. Please be patient with us as we transition duties and responsibilities to the new team.
Realistically, we are just beginning to emerge from the pandemic and return to a somewhat normal state. It’s a chance for us to look back and look ahead. My personal goal is to make the most use of our own Seagrave Memorial Observatory as possible, making the facilities and equipment more accessible to our members and the public. I would like to work our way up to being open every Saturday night, rain or shine. Since the weather continues to thwart our efforts, we are working on educational videos, presentations, etc. that can be used in the meeting hall on cloudy nights. I will be working with the Trustees to make the equipment we own available for more members to use. This will entail training members so they can use the telescopes for their own enjoyment. It may require purchasing some new equipment and accessories, like cameras, for members to use. And, I hope that we will be able to take some telescopes out of storage and make them convenient for members to borrow.
As many know, I have a passion for outreach. For me, it’s more than just showing an object to a visitor through an eyepiece. But, teaching them about the object they are viewing and where it lives in the universe. How they, too, can get involved in this intriguing hobby. And, maybe, just maybe, interest them in pursuing further education and perhaps a career related to astronomy.
As I am writing, I am thinking that I am too ambitious. And, maybe I am. But, we will never get beyond where we are today if we don’t dream a little. Think about it. How do we educate our members? What do you want or need from Skyscrapers to enhance your knowledge of astronomy? How do we educate the general public? Many who know little or nothing at all about our solar system, much less the universe. Think about it. Think about yourself. Think about people you know. And, then send me a note, call on the phone, speak out at a meeting. I want to hear your ideas on everything, so we can establish some goals, short-term and long, and craft a plan to guide us to what we aspire to achieve.
Our future is bright. Let’s work together to make it as bright as it can be.
Stay well!
