AAS Election: Candidate Statements
George Benedict
Balloting for the next election of AAS Officers and Councilors will open in mid-December 2014 and close at the end of January 2015. All AAS members eligible to vote in the election will be notified once the ballot is available. Every vote is important, and those elected will be empowered to decide the direction and goals of our Society.
We are grateful to the following AAS members who have agreed to stand for election. Click on a name to read the candidate's statement. Please support the candidates' dedication, and help define the future of your Society, by voting.
Candidates for the Nominating Committee were proposed by the membership at our annual business meeting in Boston in June:
Nominating Committee (term: 3 years, positions open: 2)
Sean M. Dougherty
Anthony Gonzalez
Jacob Noel-Storr
Knut Olsen
The Nominating Committee prepares slates of candidates for Officers and Councilors and helps prepare slates of candidates to serve on the Publications Board and Astronomy Education Board, as specified in the Constitution & Bylaws.
Here is the current Nominating Committee's proposed slate of candidates for Officers and Councilors:
President (term: 3 years; positions open: 1)
Roger D. Blandford
Christine Jones
The President serves on the Council first as President-Elect (1 year), then as President (2 years), and finally as Past President (1 year). He or she presides over Council meetings and the Annual Business Meeting, chairs the Executive Committee; represents the AAS at official functions and before other organizations; serves when required as official spokesperson for the AAS; and appoints members to various AAS committees.
Vice-President (term: 3 years; positions open: 1)
Leo Blitz
Charles "Chick" Woodward
The Vice-Presidents, as representatives of the Council, are responsible for the overall scientific content of the Society's major meetings. They select invited speakers, review proposals for special sessions, and support and advise the Executive Officer in maintaining the scientific quality of the program. The two senior VPs serve on the Executive Committee.
Education Officer (term: 3 years; positions open: 1)
Charles Liu
The Education Officer, under the direction of the Council, is reponsible for the coordination and oversight of all educational activities of the Society. He or she chairs the Astronomy Education Board, which advises the Council regarding the education programs of the Society.
Publications Board Chair (term: 3 years; postions open: 1)
Tim Bastian
The Publications Board Chair regularly reviews the publication policies of each of the Society’s journals. He or she, in consultation with the journal editors, reports the board's findings and recommendations to the Council and nominates for Council approval an editor or editor-in-chief for each publication when vacancies arise. The Publications Board acts as an advisory editorial board for each journal when called upon to do so.
Councilor (term: 3 years; positions open: 3)
Daniela Calzetti
Kelsey Johnson
Sheila Kannappan
Sally Oey
Mercedes T. Richards
Jan M. Vrtilek
As members of the governing board of the AAS, Councilors have the legal responsibility to manage, direct, and control the affairs and property of the Society. Within the limits of the Bylaws, the Council determines the policies of the Society and changes to them, and it has discretion in the disbursement of the Society's funds.
USNC-IAU (term: 3 years; positions open: 1)
Bruce Elmegreen
Michael J. West
The US National Committee for the International Astronomical Union (USNC-IAU) represents the interests of the US astronomical community and safeguards the intellectual vigor of the Union.
Please note: Members eligible to vote will be notified when the electronic ballot is posted on members.aas.org. Members for whom we do not have email addresses will receive a paper ballot by first class mail. You may verify your email address on our members-only site and if necessary send corrections to [email protected].
Any other member wishing to use a paper ballot may request one by phone (202) 328-2010 ext. 115, by fax (202) 234-2560, or by email to [email protected]. If possible, include your member number with your request.