In 2015, this small group of mobile sidewalk astronomers gained an exponential growth in number and began to catch attention in the local astronomy community. So how did MSA become the large dynamic group that it is now in such a short span of time? Here are some of our trade secrets...
Go Back to the Why
The most basic driving force for all astronomy interest orgs is the love for astronomy. We all share a love for the wonders of the Universe. People join these groups to be inspired, learn more, to share experiences. MSA, by nature, is a sidewalk astronomy group - and the main reason for sidewalk astronomy is to get as many people to experience the beauty of astronomy. It is not about PR worthy events that boost your portfolio, and it shouldn't be like some required school work. Astronomy outreach works when your goal is to get people to be inspired, to think, to wonder, to want to learn and experience more. At the end of the day, no matter what you do, it is all about the love of astronomy.
Hoist the Colors
Each individual is unique. Likewise, each squad, each team, each org, each company, each community, and whatever social structure existing has their own unique defining trait. We can say that the laws of entropy will prevent anyone from being 100% alike, given the large number of variables involved. It has become human nature to categorize individuals and go by a brand recognition. As some say it "wear your pride".
Unlike most groups that maintain an organizational identity/brand - we don't. The MSA prides itself in being a collaborative community of diverse individuals and groups. In the first few years of the MSA, we didn't have any uniforms to represent us as MSA. In fact, we encouraged the volunteers to wear their respective org shirts (and we still welcome them to do so). Part of advocating astronomy in the Philippines is letting the public know of how widely spread astronomy is in the country and how many different groups exist. It's quite common to receive questions like "Anong grupo or Saang school kayo?" I simply answer this as "the MSA is a group of different organizations and individuals who advocate astronomy." The MSA serves as a NEUTRAL ZONE, and this neutrality allows for interested individuals to work together and take part in our cause without having to lose/conflict with their respective group identity. Besides, you can't really call it a collaboration if only one group calls the shots. When each party is recognized and allowed to work together towards a common goal, that is when you get unity.
The MSA isn't a brand - it is a community.
Unlike most groups that maintain an organizational identity/brand - we don't. The MSA prides itself in being a collaborative community of diverse individuals and groups. In the first few years of the MSA, we didn't have any uniforms to represent us as MSA. In fact, we encouraged the volunteers to wear their respective org shirts (and we still welcome them to do so). Part of advocating astronomy in the Philippines is letting the public know of how widely spread astronomy is in the country and how many different groups exist. It's quite common to receive questions like "Anong grupo or Saang school kayo?" I simply answer this as "the MSA is a group of different organizations and individuals who advocate astronomy." The MSA serves as a NEUTRAL ZONE, and this neutrality allows for interested individuals to work together and take part in our cause without having to lose/conflict with their respective group identity. Besides, you can't really call it a collaboration if only one group calls the shots. When each party is recognized and allowed to work together towards a common goal, that is when you get unity.
The MSA isn't a brand - it is a community.
Accessibility
The MSA aligns itself with the Astronomers Without Borders in promoting "One People, One Sky". What does this mean? It means that no matter who you are or where you are in the world, we all are under one sky and the sky belongs to all.
And since the sky exists for all, we take non-profit VERY SERIOUSLY. Our events setup are always promoted as Free Telescope Viewing (FTVs) - meaning we never charge for our setup. In some cases we do FTVs for a cause, but again the funds raised goes to the cause and never to us. If we are invited to schools, the schools often shoulder transportation (especially for remote areas), and meals/coffee. We need not be given an honorarium.
And since the sky exists for all, we take non-profit VERY SERIOUSLY. Our events setup are always promoted as Free Telescope Viewing (FTVs) - meaning we never charge for our setup. In some cases we do FTVs for a cause, but again the funds raised goes to the cause and never to us. If we are invited to schools, the schools often shoulder transportation (especially for remote areas), and meals/coffee. We need not be given an honorarium.
Membership also requires no fees/monthly dues etc. Membership works through volunteerism. In fact, the only reason MSA exists is because of all of the wonderful volunteers who devote their time and money for our setups.
Tambay po kami
MSA has no officers. Among the MSA Cast and Crew exists the MSA Core Group who's main task is to organize events and coordinate the availability of telescopes. In certain FTV events you will not see them beside the telescope at all. They are usually walking around or talking in the sides like a bunch of bystanders. Why is this an MSA secret???
It is a principle for educators, "don't be a sage on the stage, but a guide on the side." Many of the volunteers of MSA join to learn and get hands-on experience with using the telescopes, especially when most do not have access to one. In any learning experience this cannot be done if the leader is a know-it-all who showboats, leaving the learner sidetracked and extinguishing their interest. To avoid this, we leave the telescopes in the hands of the volunteers present. If they have no prior knowledge, we pair them off with an experienced volunteer. As much as possible we don't want a volunteer taken for granted. We build on their interest.
MSA has no officers. Among the MSA Cast and Crew exists the MSA Core Group who's main task is to organize events and coordinate the availability of telescopes. In certain FTV events you will not see them beside the telescope at all. They are usually walking around or talking in the sides like a bunch of bystanders. Why is this an MSA secret???
It is a principle for educators, "don't be a sage on the stage, but a guide on the side." Many of the volunteers of MSA join to learn and get hands-on experience with using the telescopes, especially when most do not have access to one. In any learning experience this cannot be done if the leader is a know-it-all who showboats, leaving the learner sidetracked and extinguishing their interest. To avoid this, we leave the telescopes in the hands of the volunteers present. If they have no prior knowledge, we pair them off with an experienced volunteer. As much as possible we don't want a volunteer taken for granted. We build on their interest.
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