Volunteer

AAS Board of Trustees from AAS 234

Ready to help advance the Society's mission? The AAS and its Divisions rely on our members to participate as volunteers, and now you can easily indicate your interest to serve in your online member account.

We offer multiple opportunities to volunteer! Commitment in terms of time and effort will vary, but the majority of the Society's committees, working groups, and task forces have terms of three years that typically begin in January or June.

Board of Trustees and Division Leadership

If you're keen to help drive the strategic direction of the Society and are willing to devote a fair amount of time and energy to it, please consider running for a position on the Board of Trustees. The Board meets monthly via teleconference and in person three or four times a year. Please note that only AAS Full and Emeritus Members are eligible to run for elected office in the AAS. Similarly, the AAS Divisions seek leaders to help shape the policies of our six discipline-based communities. Please check the relevant Division bylaws for eligibility requirements. In most cases, a nominating committee is charged with devising the slate of candidates, but it helps a lot to know in advance who's willing to serve if nominated and elected.


Even if you don't wish to run for office, there are numerous committees, working groups, and task forces that could use your help! We've organized these volunteer opportunities into five general categories; you can make your selection(s) on the sign-up page after logging in to your AAS member account.

Advocacy

Let your voice be heard about important matters that affect our science, from your own department to Capitol Hill and beyond. Protect the night sky and space-science research for future generations.

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility)

If we want to see change in the astronomical sciences community, we must invest resources into making change happen. These can include your time, energy, and financial investment. Help build on the foundation laid by marginalized scientists and do some heavy lifting for social justice.

Operational

We have a mix of advisory and oversight committees, with specific roles relating to the routine functioning and activities of the Society. The AAS committees on education, employment, and publications are found under this category.

Technical

Join a group of like-minded experts to discuss and promote specific subject areas, such as astrostatistics, time domain astronomy, and the preservation of astronomical heritage.

Recognition

The Society and its Divisions seek members to assess nominations and give visibility to deserving educators, scientists, and amateur astronomers. There are more than a dozen prize committees striving to recognize excellence and achievement. Please consider serving on one; in most cases, an appointments committee is responsible for appointing new members to a prize committee.

Sign Up to Volunteer 

We thank you for your commitment to the astronomical sciences and the AAS community. Your peers will thank you too!