2017 is upon us, and with it my last 11 months of service as your president. The past year has been a breathless rush, attending both the Spring and Fall meetings, joining Director Stella Kafka in representing the organization at the AAS meeting in Florida, recruiting members and observers at Stellafane in August, and attending to the far less glamorous business of attending to the nuts and bolts of taking care of this historic and unique pro-am collaboration. The past year has certainly been a whirlwind (we have a new Exoplanet section, a new light curve generator, updates to the website, thousands more stars in VSX, and so on), and I expect exciting new opportunities to come, not the least of which being the total solar eclipse in August!
Last January, in my inaugural address, I made a challenge to the membership to complete the Astronomical League’s Binocular Variable Program. The need for eye surgery last Fall slowed me down, but now that I can actually use both eyes when I look through binoculars, I look forward to completing my last dozen observations before Valentine’s Day and moving on to start the full AL Variable Star Observing Program. Of course, you are all invited to join me on that journey as well. But this January I want to pose a different type of challenge to you, one that anyone can take part in.
Again, among my favorite responsibilities of this office is to attend the Spring and Fall meetings (as if I wouldn’t have done that anyway!). I hope I get the opportunity to speak with you in person at the Spring 2017 joint meeting with SAS in California or the Fall 2017 meeting in Tennessee. Each meeting is an opportunity to meet with members and observers, and it is always a pleasure to see old friends and make new ones. But each year I can’t help but notice that the assembled group of variable star enthusiasts is, on average, obviously one year older. Of course, in some regards this certainly beats the alternative (either myself or any of you being unable to attend), but as we look toward the future of the AAVSO we need to address an issue that is facing many astronomical organizations – the graying (and general lack of diversity in) the membership of our organizations. Many have debated this phenomenon, and it is not my intention to retread those discussions here. My intention is to act – to commit to bringing new, fresh, young, diverse, enthusiastic faces to our meetings in 2017.
This is where each of you can play a vital role, if you are willing. Here are four simple steps you can take, depending on your situation and time and resource constraints:
1) Take a personal role in introducing someone new to the joys of variable star observing. You can do this through your local astronomy club, high school, or college. Take part in star parties, give a talk, offer to act as a mentor. If you are able, join the AAVSO Mentor Program.
2) How many of us are unabashed telescope hoarders? (Sheepishly raises hand.) If you have a beginner telescope that you have no use for, why not donate it to your local astronomy club, high school, or university, along with a commitment to demonstrate its proper set-up and usage? Of course, while you are doing your demonstration, take the opportunity to explain how to do a variable star observation. If you have a CCD camera that is not exactly up to your current needs, consider donating it as a “first instrument” to someone who has a telescope but lacks the resources to buy a new camera of their own. Again, contact nearby astronomical organizations if you don’t know of someone who could give your well-loved hand-me-down a good home. Perhaps you might also consider purchasing access to the AAVSO CCD school streaming videos for your old CCD’s proud new owner. This brings me to my third suggestion -
3) Buy a supporting membership for a young person under 21 years of age. It only costs $37.50 to give a young person the opportunity to be a member of our organization for a full year. You could provide that vital spark that gets them hooked on long-term membership. If you don’t have a particular young person in mind, ask your local astronomy club or university if they have a student who has demonstrated particular interest in variable stars. Perhaps you can make an arrangement with a local high school or college to fund one associate membership each year to the student who shows the most promise in astronomy (or whatever criteria you agree upon). Make a special commitment to support young women and students from under-represented groups.
4) If you are a faculty member, get your undergraduate students involved in genuine lab experiences in astronomy working with AAVSO data and/or observing variable stars. If you don’t have a separate astronomy lab, take one lecture period a semester and introduce your students to the joys of safe solar observing. If your students have the opportunity to work on research projects, direct them towards variable stars. Student projects (whether completed or in progress) are encouraged for presentation at the Spring and Fall meetings. Work with your students to write up their projects for publication in JAAVSO. A peer reviewed journal article certainly adds weight to their resume or graduate school application. The point is to get them involved with the AAVSO on a more personal level. Take advantage of the fact that faculty can register students for AAVSO meetings under the family member rate, as well as the Student Meeting Scholarship Fund, which funds meeting registrations for up to 10 students per annual meeting. Donations to this fund are, of course, always welcomed!
The first line of the AAVSO Council Policies and Procedures manual states “It is the obligation of each Council member to leave the AAVSO better than they found it.” I take this commitment very seriously, as do my fellow council members. But we can’t do it alone. Don’t we all want to leave the organization more vibrant, scientifically relevant, and financially secure than we found it (after hopefully decades of membership)? Who will take my seat in the audience at the Fall 2057 annual meeting? Now is the time to plant those seeds and recruit the next generation of variable star enthusiasts. Can I count on your support in this important endeavor to secure the future of our organization? I look forward to discussing this further with you on the AAVSO Forums.
Until we speak again, I wish you all clear skies, good health, and a successful and exciting 2017!
Kristine M. Larsen
President, AAVSO