The new RASC-Montreal Mentoring Programme

Bruno Paul Stenson
Director of the Mentoring Programme

At a recent meeting of the Board of Directors, we decided to implement a new mentoring programme suggested by Montreal Centre member Mario Di Carlo. Mario is not only new to the RASC, he is also new to astronomy. While he is very interested in the results of astronomical observation, he is somewhat mystified by the jargon, equipment and methods of observing. He is not alone in this situation. The absence at the Montreal Centre of a programme by which newcomers can be introduced to our hobby has surely cost us members. The mentoring programme shall attempt to remedy this situation.
Members volunteering to be mentors will agree simply to be available by e-mail, telephone and/or in person to help newcomers to learn the basics of astronomy. Whenever the newcomer needs help, rather than spending frustrating hours trying to find answers in texts and on web sites that are either too technical or too incomplete to meet the newcomer's needs, he or she could contact a mentor specialising in the area of difficulty. Thus mentors would chat with the newcomer on the telephone or through e-mail, or would meet with the newcomer to help him or her shop for equipment, set up same, or to enjoy a stargazing session together. Who knows, the mentor might learn a thing or two from the newcomer, too.
For this programme to work, we need members to volunteer to be mentors. If you are interested, please contact one of the members of the Mentoring Committee and give him or her your name, your area of expertise, and the telephone number and/or e-mail address at which newcomers could reach you. This information will be made available in a future issue of Skyward and in the members-only section of the RASC - Montreal Centre web site.
Thank you very much for making our hobby more accessible to all.