Lesson 2: Becoming A Keyholder

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[edit] Keyholder eligibility

The requirements for becoming a keyholder remain essentially as they have since the observatory first opened. They are:

• Be at least eighteen years of age.
• Be a member in good-standing of the MAS.
• Complete the basic training program.

[edit] Keyholder responsibilities

Keyholder responsibilities include:

• Enforce observatory operating rules and guidelines when the observatory is in use and they are present
• Complete the closing checklist and observatory log each time they are in charge of any observatory-related activity (construction and maintenance work parties, MAS star parties, public events, educational events, etc.)
• Provide assistance with construction, maintenance or program activities at the observatory during the calendar year.

[edit] Keyholder Service Requirement

The last item in the listed responsibilities is often the source of much confusion. Though public outreach and education is a key activity at the observatory and keyholders are encouraged to participate in outreach if they are interested, the 'service requirement' is not limited to 'public events'. Examples of acceptable service include one or more of the following areas:

• Open the observatory for member / visitor use during MAS star parties at Baylor
• Help with public events at the observatory either as team member or team leader
• Participate in observatory construction "work parties" (pulling weeds, telescope and building maintenance, etc.)
• Participate in quarterly observatory maintenance "work parties" (cleaning, adjusting equipment, taking inventory, etc.)
• Be available to non-keyholding MAS members desiring use of the observatory for special projects
• Conduct observatory-based educational events for schools, scouts and similar groups
• Recruit and train others as observatory keyholders or participants in work parties and events

For those interested specifically in outreach and education, the service requirement can still be answered in a wide variety of ways:

• Making formal presentations (slide show, PowerPoint, etc)
• Run one of the three main scope set-ups on a Public Night
• "Crowd Control" - help direct visitors, answer basic questions, tour guide, etc

If you have questions or concerns regarding this section, now would be a good time to visit the Onan Training forum and post them. If not, proceed on to the Administration section.

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