To all RASC members:

I am pleased to announce that the first round of funding for 2010 under the newly formed Public Speaker Programme (PSP) is now available.

The goal of the programme is to encourage our Centres to organize and host public talks, by speakers from outside their local area, about astronomical and related topics. The Society recognizes the value of sharing the knowledge and experience of our members and others more widely than may be otherwise possible, by providing funding to pay for a speaker’s travel and accommodation expenses.

Applications (preferably by email) will be received by the undersigned, until 23:59 EDT, Thursday, 2010 April 15, for speakers’ travel for the first half of 2010. Details about the process and requirements can be found on-line here.

Coverage for eligible expenses is outlined in the current RASC Travel Policy, which can be found on the Society Web site at www.rasc.ca/private/manual/Travel_Policy_2009.pdf. In essence, reasonable travel and accommodations are fully covered.

The decision of the PSP Trustees will be announced in early May.

James Edgar

National Secretary