In January 2003 me, John Sparks and Charles Ferguson started a new astronomy club. There was already an astronomy club in town so it would be very hard to start another club. The other club lost sight on what a hobby is. Meetings were filled with non fun language such as I move to make a motion, I second that and the eyes have it. The city council style meetings were long, drawn out, boring and over serious. They even had a reading of the minutes which is frankly silly for a group that gathered to share a hobby. They lived, breathed and ate Robert’s Rules of Order which has no place in hobby clubs. They did not inspire one to go out and enjoy the sky. I stopped going to the meetings and my love for astronomy suffered.
Some of us got tired of over seriousness casting a fog on a fun hobby and decided to break free and form a club that focused on star parties, learning how to stargaze, forging friendships and most important having fun. After all the soul purpose of a hobby is to have fun. We formed the Knoxville Observers so we can have fun again.
We started with just 5 excited people. There was also some fear. We were starting from scratch a 2nd astronomy club in a town that could barely support one. We had the attitude that if it was always just us 5 so what we would still have fun and yes fun came back to astronomy the nanosecond we started.
I have never enjoyed astronomy as much as I have since KO was formed 3 years ago. Hobby is brought back to hobby when you cast the disgrace that is the Robert’s Rules of Order aside and bring in the fun. I looked forward to meetings and star parties. I was always greeted with smiles from friends and information exchange was done in a welcomed light hearted manner.
Last night we had a star party. During the party we grow to 17 members, there were 10 people who showed up and about 8 scopes were setup. Everyone had a good time under the clear skies and we saw some great sights. This star party was no fluke. The past star parties and meetings we have had for the past 3 months has had record attendance. I am proud to say KO has come a long way and we are just beginning. Bring on the fun!
