Reaching for the stars - Centre for Astrophysics and...
Transcript of Reaching for the stars - Centre for Astrophysics and...
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
Reaching for the stars
The (ongoing) transformation of an amateur astronomy association
Lynn van RooijenAugust 2015
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
KNVWS Gooi & Vechtstreek
Amateur astronomy association, formed 80 years ago
Star parties
Lectures by professionals
Presentations for schools, groups
Courses
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
Where were we in 2009?
No “home”
A big dream
€4000 in the bank
Small (declining) membership base
Some EPO experience
Demographics
Lousy economic conditions
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
The Opportunity
A permanent observatory in a new building
In cooperation with “Natuur-monumenten”, a large, national conservation organisation
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
The prelude
“Trial marriage”
Lobby work with national organisation
Begin with professionalisationof our own organisation & image
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
The preparation
Professional documentation
• Annual report• Strategic plan• Project plan• Operational Budget• Project Budget• Promotional material
Lobby work (internal & external)
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
The Plan 2+ years from conception to
plan approval
Building phase 8 months
Divide investment
• We: equipment• NM: building
Secure funding
• Internal• Funding from (local)
governments and charitable organisations/sponsors
Reduce operational funding risk
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
The project
5 years and counting
New multi-functional building next to existing visitor’s center
• Restaurant/café• Bicycle rental• Meeting room• 1st floor Observatory
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
The price-tag
“Reach for the stars” budget (for us!)
€65,000 for equipment
Divided into 3 phases over 4 years
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The execution
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The execution
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
The problems
Inexperience architect & contractor with observatory requirements
Construction delays & mistakes
Not paying = less influence on process, decisions
Imbalance in size of organisations
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
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The pay-off(all’s well…?)
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Funding
Local governments: €23,000
Charities & service clubs: €14,000
Private/business/ member donations:€19,000 +
Club reserves: €8,000
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
The Challenges
Managing volunteers vs. paid employees
Managing change: many old patterns, moving too fast for some
Creating an attractive environment for all ages, particularly youth
Moving from free to paid events
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First Visitors
Diversity!
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March 20th
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
EPO assistance
Particularly NASA, but also ESA and mission-specific partners
NASA becoming more internationally oriented
EPO programs and access to (free) information, teleconsmet mission specialists:
• Solar System Ambassadors (applications open again September 1st)
• Museum Alliance
• Night Sky Network
• GAVRT 34m radio telescope
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
Future plans
Fully operational Fall 2015
Planetarium
Expand projects with schools, own course offerings
Pro-am cooperation
Robotic operation
Meteorology
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KNVWS Gooi en Vechtstreek
In sum…
A seemingly impossible dream…
A long rocky road…
(more than) Our share of mistakes…
… but the rewards are great!