Membership

Membership Application pdf

Benefits of Membership

• The right to attend our Saturday evening members nights at the observatory. These are held weekly in June, July, and August, and bi-weekly in the spring and fall. There are no members nights in December, January, and February. On clear nights a keyholder will be available to set up a telescope for observing. On cloudy nights this is a good opportunity to have questions answered and become more familiar with the Modine Benstead Observatory. The observatory has a library with a wide assortment of astronomy books that members can check out. The club also has 3 beginner telescopes available for use by the general membership.

• The society has three Star Parties each year in the Spring, Summer, and Fall.

• The society has a picnic in August and a Christmas party in December.

• The society meets on the third Saturday of January, April, July, and October at 7:30 p.m. These meetings are held at the Modine Benstead Observatory. Members have a right to cast one vote at these meetings as applicable.

• Members receive the society newsletter, the “Obs-server”, which contains specific information about the society's events. This is available via mail or e-mail.

• A one-year membership in the Astronomical League. This includes all of the publications that the Astronomical League provides to its members.

• Optional subscriptions to Sky & Telescope and Astronomy magazines are available at a special group rate. E-mail rasastro@wi.net for further information.

Keyholder Benefits

• Members who have demonstrated an active interest in astronomy and have volunteered for club events over a one-year period may become eligible for Keyholder status. This requires the approval of the Board of Directors. Qualified candidates will have demonstrated the ability to use a telescope, and an interest in promoting astronomy to the public. Keyholders have access to society property and equipment for personal use or research in accordance with the policies established by the board of directors. More information about keyholder requirements is available at the observatory.

How to Join

Membership in the Racine Astronomical Society is open to anyone age 16 and over. Mail a check or money order for membership dues made payable to the Racine Astronomical Society along with the following membership application to:

Racine Astronomical Society
c/o Gary Wiltsey
1602 Wisconsin Avenue
Racine, WI 53403

Membership Application pdf

Pro-rated rates are available depending on application date. Please e-mail rasastro@wi.net for more information.

Membership Class Dues Requirements

Regular $45 / year Open to anyone age 16 and over.
Student $22.50 / year Open to anyone age 16 and over who is a full-time student.
Senior $22.50 / year Open to anyone age 62 and over.
Patron $90 / year Open to anyone age 16 and over. The portion donated by the Patron member over the regular rate is tax deductible and can be designated by the donor for a specific purpose.
Life $1125 Open to anyone age 16 and over. A one-time dues payment of $1125.00 results in a lifetime membership to the society.
Corporate $1125 Open to corporate entities. A one-time dues payment of $1125.00 results in a 50-year membership in the society.
Associate $11.25 / year Family members age 16 and over living at the same address as a Regular, Student, Senior, Patron, or Life member may join as Associate members. Associate members do not receive the subscriptions to publications provided by the Racine Astronomical Society, they would share these with the other members in the family.
Junior Free Family members under age 16 living at the same address of a Regular, Student, Senior, Patron, or Life member can be a Junior member. Junior members may only participate in society activities accompanied by a parent or guardian.