Hello everyone,

 

It’s that time again to start thinking about the annual Mars Society Conference.  This year it will be held in Eugene, Oregon from August 14-17.  The Penn State Chapter will be sending a small group.  We will most likely be giving a couple of talks on our work at the Conference while there (more information on these lectures to follow).  If you want more information on traveling to Oregon, or just about the Conference in general, please feel free to email me.  This is a great opportunity to meet other members from other chapters, learn about Mars Society projects, and find out how you can become involved at the larger level.  Below is the Conference announcement.

Conference link:  http://www.marssociety.org/convention/2003/index.asp

 

Kevin Sloan

President, Penn State Mars Society

http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/mars

Pennsylvania Mars Society

http://chaptersmarssociety.org/pa

 

The 2003 Conference in Eugene, Oregon is 2 months away.  The deadline for early registration is 30 June.  Now is the time to contact your members and forge a delegation from your chapter.  Set a goal.  I encourage you to estimate how many people are coming from your chapter, double it and add 10%.  This the number to shoot for.

 

This year and early 2004 is teeming with Mars:  ESA's Mars Express (2 crafts, including Britian's Beagle II lander); NASA's twin MER rovers; Japan's Nazomi and unparalleled viewing of Mars as it will be closer to earth than it has been in recorded history.  There is unprecedented opportunity to make our voices heard in DC and have input into the future direction of NASA.  Mars will be featured in mainstream TV, magazines and newspapers.  Seize this opportunity to increase your presentations and educational outreach.  Partner with your local museums and astronomy associations.

 

Most importantly, come to the Mars Society convention and gather the information you need to go forth and inform the public. Come and get first hand reports about the successful season at MDRS and the types of research the Mars Society is conducting.  Learn why Project Prometheus is important to our goals.  Attend a workshop on Political Outreach - how to successfully meet with your representatives.  Get the latest on the Mars Gravity Biosatellite.  Hear the latest on Mars Global Surveyor from Dr. Bill Hartmann himself.  Discuss Shuttle plans - post-Columbia.  As I get more information on presentations I will pass them along.

 

The auction always has interesting space memorabilia to bid on.  And the "town meeting" gives you the opportunity to voice your opinion on the future of the Mars Society.

 

So start contacting your members and getting them registered for the conference.  Feel free to pass this along directly to your members.

 

200 years ago, Lewis and Clark set out to explore a new frontier.  100 years

ago, Orville and Wilbur did the same.   In 2003, let's pull together to

explore Mankind's next great Frontier - On to Mars !

 

Patt Czarnik

Director of Membership