Fraser
2005-Oct-19, 04:39 PM
Okay, I made a mysterious hint in the 11,000 members (http://www.bautforum.com/showthread.php?t=33699) thread when someone suggested we raise funds for astronomical causes. Here are a few more details...
Phil and I both feel that we need to put the awesome power of BAUT to work helping to promote astronomy, education, and space exploration.
We were thinking of setting up some kind of non-profit foundation to channel fundraising efforts out to worthwhile projects. Here are some examples of ideas we had:
BAUT Scholarship - a bursary/scholarship for BAUT members looking to attend post-secondary education in a astronomy/space exploration field of study.
Astronomy Club Upgrades - we could help needy astronomy clubs (especially those in the 3rd world) upgrade their astronomy equipment.
Astronomy Prizes - we could provide funding to amateur astronomers working on worthy goals, such as finding Earth-orbit crossing asteroids, hunting supernovae etc.
Space Research - funds to groups working on new kinds of propulsion systems, space habitats, microsatellites.
With 11,000 members, I think we could raise some serious funds and do a lot of good in the world for our shared interest.
Now, here's the disclaimer. Neither Phil nor I have any experience whatsoever in setting something like this up. We're looking for some veteran fundraisers/non-profit-foundation-setter-uppers to help us get the ball rolling, so if you've got some experience, please drop one of us an email. (badastro@badastronomy.com or info@universetoday.com).
There are a million decisions and details that will need to be worked out, but for now, I'd love to hear your ideas for the kinds of projects that BAUT could help get involved in.
Phil and I both feel that we need to put the awesome power of BAUT to work helping to promote astronomy, education, and space exploration.
We were thinking of setting up some kind of non-profit foundation to channel fundraising efforts out to worthwhile projects. Here are some examples of ideas we had:
BAUT Scholarship - a bursary/scholarship for BAUT members looking to attend post-secondary education in a astronomy/space exploration field of study.
Astronomy Club Upgrades - we could help needy astronomy clubs (especially those in the 3rd world) upgrade their astronomy equipment.
Astronomy Prizes - we could provide funding to amateur astronomers working on worthy goals, such as finding Earth-orbit crossing asteroids, hunting supernovae etc.
Space Research - funds to groups working on new kinds of propulsion systems, space habitats, microsatellites.
With 11,000 members, I think we could raise some serious funds and do a lot of good in the world for our shared interest.
Now, here's the disclaimer. Neither Phil nor I have any experience whatsoever in setting something like this up. We're looking for some veteran fundraisers/non-profit-foundation-setter-uppers to help us get the ball rolling, so if you've got some experience, please drop one of us an email. (badastro@badastronomy.com or info@universetoday.com).
There are a million decisions and details that will need to be worked out, but for now, I'd love to hear your ideas for the kinds of projects that BAUT could help get involved in.