All politics is local. The American Astronomical Society needs you to communicate the importance of astronomical research to Congress and the White House.
Volunteers will learn how to effectively communicate with policy makers and travel to Washington, DC, to meet with White House and/or Capitol Hill staff. The goal is to have astronomers visit Washington each week Congress is in session and to visit every Congressional office, the Congressional science committee offices, and the White House. The Communicating With Washington page has more information and detailed instructions.
Sign-up opens to AAS members on 1 July 2013 for visits with policy makers between 9 September and 13 December 2013. The sign-up will close by 1 August 2013. We try to select volunteers who balance the program by location, time of visit, career stage, and experience. Selected volunteers will be notified by 15 August 2013.
Volunteers are strongly encouraged to conduct local visits during the summer Congressional recess scheduled for 5 August through 6 September. Constituents who request meetings during district work periods or recesses are more likely to meet with their actual elected representative (and for a longer time) than they are during a visit to DC, where staff members typically take such meetings.
NOTE: You must be logged in as an AAS member to submit this form. If you haven't already signed in, please click the "Sign in" link in the top right corner of the page.
