Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 22:33:03 +0000 (GMT)
From: Roger Pickard <rdp

Having borrowed the idea of a Mentoring programme from the AAVSO, we over 
here in the BAAVSS have found it a great success.   But you have to keep 
advertising it and even specifically ask people if they'd like a mentor.  
They usually say "Yes please" but would not have asked of their own 
accord.  If you don't ask you don't get.

The stars that are then suggested for new observers are more than likely 
just those stars that the mentor is interested in (obvious enough) but we 
don't make a point of specifically saying observe such and such to all 
beginners.   Much better we find to leave it to the individual mentor.  
Except for our CCD program that is, but that's a different matter.

worth making in the first place.

Michael Linnolt went on to say that 99.9% of it (sophisticated equipment) 
appears to be used just for recreational astronomy, or sitting in a garage 
waiting for a star party. 

Yep, same over here.  We can only but try to enthuse others to partake of 
the hobby that gives us so much enjoyment and the fact that we don't seem 
to be able to might be partly our own failing.  But I suspect it's really 
just down to human nature.   Just keep trying and you might spark interest 
in one person that will make it all worth while.

Roger Pickard,
Director, BAA Variable Star Section,
BAA VSS Web Page: www.britastro.org/vss


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