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THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA

STANDING COMMITTEE ON OBSERVATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Bulletin No. 1                                      September 1, 1961.


	With the sixteen Centres of our Society spread over some three thousand miles,
it is not surprising that sane of us have little opportunity of getting to know each
other. Over the past few years, however, a very definite effort has been made to
bring the Centres into closer contact. First was the decision to hold every alter-
nate Annual Meeting outside of Toronto, provided, of course, that invitations from the
Centres were forthcoming. Then the Annual Meeting was extended into a two-day
session, with members being given the opportunity to present papers at a morning
paper session. Next was the introduction of an exhibit at the Annual Meeting of
observational work done by the members. There can be no doubt that much has already
been accomplished by these measures.

	In addition to the foregoing, just over two years ago a Committee on Co-
operation Between Observing Centres was appointed to look into the possibilities of
providing a system for the regular exchange of reports and of developing an
observation programme on a national basis. In March 1961 this Committee presented
its final recommendations to the National Council.    Their report was approved by
the National Council and the Camnittee was then dissolved, to be replaced by the
Standing Committee on Observational Activities, appointed by the National Council
and consisting of a National Chairman and three other members. This Committee is
responsible for the organizati on of a programme under eleven fields of observational
activity, each field to be headed by a National Co-ordinator, appointed by the
National Council on the recommendation of the Committee.

	There are many points still to be settled.    To date only five National
Co-ordinators have been appointed. It is realized, too, that eventually Assistant
Co-ordinators will be required in sane fields. We are eager to get started, however,
and this Bulletin is being issued to give you sane understanding of how the whole
organization will operate. We especially want to emphasize the following points:-

     1.  It is not expected that all Centres will participate in all fields of
         activity and, while we certainly hope that each Centre will take part
         in at least one, no pressure will be brought to bear on any Centre.

     2.  No Centre will be asked to relinquish its own way of doing things.
         While each Co-ordinator will develop a programme, making instructions
         and report forms available to those who want them, our primary aim is
         the pooling and exchange of information rather than standardization
         of procedure. The Co-ordinators will probably get a lot of good ideas
         from reports on programmes already in operation.

     3.  There is no reason why the proposed organization should interfere in
         any way with work that Centres are now doing in co-operation with
         other organizations, such as the A.A.V.S.O., the A.L.P.O., etc.

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