I am happy to report that we had another successful AstroAssembly event this past month. I am reminded that this event is the culmination of months of demanding work by our all-volunteer team. From the initial set-up of the site, to our speaker program, and to food and drink arrangements, contests, and raffles, many of our members have spent a large number of hours planning and executing for this event. To all our organizers, volunteers, and to our speakers, thank you for your help in making AstroAssembly 2026 a success!
Looking ahead, I would like to plant the seeds for an idea that I and others have been thinking about for more than a year. Skyscrapers has a long and storied history in amateur astronomy circles as well as in the local community. It is time that we sat back and analyzed and evaluated our place in both arenas and then begin to chart a course for our future. It starts by gathering information from our members and from some of the organizations we serve in outreach, distilling that information, drawing conclusions, setting goals, synthesizing a 5-year plan, and identifying and documenting the steps necessary to achieve those goals. It is really about re-establishing who we are as an organization today and determining what we would like to be in the future.
In January, I will be organizing a series of meetings to begin to construct a strategic plan for the organization. Volunteers will be needed and I hope you will consider joining our effort. If you have ideas you would like to share, please send them to me. I am especially interested in hearing from new members who may be able to inject some fresh ideas and new energy into this process. In the meantime, keep looking up as we make our way into another holiday season!
