Cedar Amateur Astronomers Push for Volunteers

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Cedar Amateur Astronomers, (CAA), recently received a grant from Rockwell Collins administered by Rockwell Collins Retiree Volunteers (RCRV). This grant was for the purpose of “volunteer recruitment, retention and training.” CAA, a non-profit organization, manages a million-dollar facility known as the Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center (EIOLC) located on the Linn County Conservation’s Palisades-Dows nature preserve south-east of Cedar Rapids. The astronomical observatory is manned entirely by volunteers, there is no paid staff, so obviously volunteers are a vital part of the operation of the observatory. CAA officers Greg Frohner (President) and John Leeson (Vice President and RCRV member) accepted the grant award at the RCRV board meeting in June, thanking the RCRV review team for their careful consideration of their application. This grant was very timely for CAA.

Over the last ten years the Learning Center portion of the facility has had several additions in the way of interactive exhibits, aiming to expand the services of the EIOLC toward expanded visitor involvement in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Popular exhibits of "Lessons in Light", "Stellarium Planetarium Software Stations", "Size of the Universe" touch screen display, and "Our Sun and How it Works" are providing interactive learning experiences that are related to astronomy and space science, but not directly involving telescopes or observing the night sky. These activities are important because visitors may not be able to observe the sky through telescopes if they visit during the daytime, as many younger school children do, or if the sky is cloudy when they arrive for scheduled or reserved events. Astronomy itself is described by President Frohner as the “embodiment of STEM” due to its deep involvement in all aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.. When combined with the current and planned interactive exhibits the EIOLC is becoming a STEM Center, a new generation of ‘Science Center’.

It is no longer sufficient to have a number of astronomy enthusiasts and telescope operators manning the EIOLC for visitors to the center. The EIOLC receives between 2500 and 3000 visitors a year, generally about one-third children and students and two-thirds adults. As mentioned above, oftentimes the sky is too cloudy or conditions not optimal for these visitors to view the sky; they always receive a tour of the sophisticated and valuable telescope facilities however. When they cannot fully appreciate the astronomical experience, they can participate in the interactive exhibits that support phases of the astronomical sciences or tour the other static displays of pictures, astronomy news, or other items of interest. For purposes of assisting visitors in enjoying the full capability of the facility, we often need not only our telescope operators and astronomy enthusiasts, but volunteers acting as hosts, exhibit docents, and organizational representatives. The CAA has a membership with a wide variety of experience and interests. We plan to utilize the grant money to extend our reach for volunteers into a larger portion of this membership as well as reaching outside of the association into a greater pool of available volunteers. Anyone with an interest in meeting people, in STEM, or who believes exposure of our children to more science related activities could help with our mission. You can contact CAA to explore volunteering opportunities by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or attend any of our public events and meet Greg or John, who are nearly always there. 

More information is available at the website: https://cedar-astronomers.org

2018 RCRV Charitable Grant Awards

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Written by Bob Ocken

At its June 20th board of directors meeting, RCRV presented checks totaling $15,000 to six deserving non-profit organizations as part of the RCRV Charitable Grant program for 2018. The awards were approved at the May Board meeting. Each of the grant recipients proposed a plan to grow and/or manage their volunteers who support the mission of its organization, a requirement for eligibility in the 2018 grant program funded by Rockwell Collins. A total of nineteen applications were received from non-profits, an indication of the increased participation by active RCRV members who nominate the applicants for the award.

Steve Schroeder acted as emcee for the grant presentations, representing the evaluation committee members. The non-profit organizations receiving grants this year include:

• Cedar Amateur Astronomers received $3,100 to create a volunteer management/scheduling tool and a brochure for recruiting additional volunteers. John Leeson sponsored this request.
• College Community Schools received $1,500 to equip a workroom at Prairie Creek Intermediate School specifically for volunteers. Terry Lamb sponsored Prairie’s application.
• The Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson County Regional Transit Authority received $1,000 to help recruit additional volunteer drivers for expanded services in Delaware County. Mike Wilson sponsored this request.
• The Jones County Volunteer Center received $1,000 for recruiting and training additional volunteers in programs such as Elderly Outreach Transportation, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), and Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). Gwen Duecker supported this application.
• Matthew 25 received $4,900 to  purchase two tablets and a volunteer management & tracking program for use in its Transform, Housing and Home Renovation program. Bob Ocken sponsored this request.
• Waypoint Services received $3,500 for a pilot program for mentoring volunteers at three of its eleven sites that provide before and after school childcare and tutoring. Michael Pearson sponsored this application.

The partnership between Rockwell Collins and RCRV has enabled these grant awards to the community entirely because of the growing volunteer hours that RCRV reports through RSVP. If you are volunteering in the community, we urge you to join us, so that we can continue to make good things happen within Linn and the surrounding counties. Nominate your favorite non-profit for the 2019 Charitable Grant program, which will begin next January.

2018 Charitable Awards Announcement

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Written by Jim Green

The 2018 RCRV Charitable Grant program received nineteen applications from local non-profit organizations, with the total requested funds close to $150,000. Each of the applications was focused on improving the organization’s ability to recruit and manage volunteers who support the mission of the organization. It is wonderful that the grant program received so much attention, but with only $15,000 to donate, not all requests could be honored. The grant evaluation committee met in late April and determined that six applicants would receive funding this year.

• Cedar Amateur Astronomers will receive $3,100 to create a volunteer management/scheduling tool and a brochure for recruiting additional volunteers. John Leeson sponsored this request.
• College Community Schools will receive $1,500 to equip a workroom at Prairie Creek Intermediate School specifically for volunteers. Terry Lamb sponsored Prairie’s application.
• The Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson County Regional Transit Authority will receive $1,000 to help recruit additional volunteer drivers for expanded services in Delaware County. Mike Wilson sponsored this request.
• The Jones County Volunteer Center will receive $1,000 for recruiting and training additional volunteers in programs such as Elderly Outreach Transportation, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), and Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). Gwen Duecker supported this application.
• Matthew 25 will receive $4,900 to purchase two tablets and a volunteer management & tracking program for use in its Transform, Housing and Home Renovation program. Bob Ocken sponsored this request.
• Waypoint Services will receive $3,500 for a pilot program for mentoring volunteers at three of its eleven sites that provide before and after school childcare and tutoring. Michael Pearson sponsored this application.

The RCRV officers expect to be able to present award checks to these six organizations at the June 20, 2018 Board Meeting.

The RCRV Charitable Grant program was established to allow RCRV and its members to recognize and reward deserving non-profit organizations in support of RCRV’s mission statement:

Rockwell Collins retirees connecting to identify and support volunteer needs in our community and beyond while enriching the lives of the volunteers.

The program is supported and funded through the Rockwell Collins Charitable Trust.

EIOLC Outdoor Planetarium

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A number of RCRV members are involved with Cedar Amateur Astronomers (CAA) in the operation of the Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center (EIOLC).

The partnership between Cedar Amateur Astronomers and Linn County Conservation recently received a grant from the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation for the development of an Outdoor Planetarium which will be located at the site of the EIOLC at 1365 Ivanhoe Road. An Outdoor Planetarium uses the actual night sky with a presentation about the visible objects in the sky using a green laser pointer. The audience sees a narrow green line from the presenter to the astronomical object so there is no confusion about what is being described.

Construction of the Outdoor Planetarium will begin this Spring and is expected to be completed by Fall of 2018. The design and specific location of the Outdoor Planetarium was determined as a result of trial presentations performed by CAA to identify the seating, lighting, and audio requirements for nighttime presentations. The permanent seating is planned to accommodate 50 to 60 guests. The picture on the right shows a bird's eye view of the EIOLC campus, with the oval on the bottom showing the location of the new Outdoor Planetarium.

Cedar Amateur Astronomers provides 12 free Public Events, and an average of 60 Private Events at the EIOLC each year for community organizations, scouting groups, church groups, public and private schools, colleges, and universities.

Information regarding CAA and events at the EIOLC is available at cedar-astronomers.org. This web site includes a listing of the 12 free Public Programs at the EIOLC during 2018.