Founded in 1899, the Society  is a non-profit corporation  has an Executive Office in Washington, DC  is governed by a 19-member Council  elected from the membership, via nominating committee  has six topical divisions  DPS, SPD, HEAD, DDA, HAD, LAD  is a corporate member of the American Institute of Physics, AIP

The mission of the AAS is to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe.  The Society, through its publications, disseminates and archives the results of astronomical research. The Society also communicates and explains our understanding of the universe to the public.  The Society facilitates and strengthens the interactions among members through professional meetings and other means. The Society supports member divisions representing specialized research and astronomical interests.

 The Society represents the goals of its community of members to the nation and the world. The Society also works with other scientific and educational societies to promote the advancement of science.  The Society, through its members, trains, mentors and supports the next generation of astronomers. The Society supports and promotes increased participation of historically underrepresented groups in astronomy.  The Society assists its members to develop their skills in the fields of education and public outreach at all levels. The Society promotes broad interest in astronomy, which enhances science literacy and leads many to careers in science and engineering.

 AAS publishes The Astrophysical Journal, The Astrophysical Journal Letters, The Astrophysical Journal Supplement, and The Astronomical Journal – 50,000 pages/year  AAS contracts with the Institute of Physics Publishing (UK) to produce the journals; but owns and manages the journals  AAS contracts with eJournal Press for its journals peer review management system  Journal policies are overseen by the AAS Publications Board, whose Chair is elected by AAS membership and whose members are elected by AAS Council

 All AAS journals are delayed open access, with a 12-month proprietary period  Revenues from both author charges and subscriptions reduce financial risk and are kept as low as possible  AAS NOVA : AASNOVA.ORG, a new highlights journal.  Author charges have been reduced 3 times in the past 3 years  Journal proceeds are not used to fund ongoing AAS activities  New eBooks publishing effort with IOP  iopscience.iop.org/books

 AAS’s professional meetings team organizes:  AAS winter meeting – special events for students!  AAS summer meeting – special events for students!  Some meetings for AAS divisions  AAS Topical Conference Series  Occasionally other meetings, like IAU symposia  Regional meetings  We’ll organize your meeting, just contact us…that way you can focus on the science, and we’ll handle the logistics.

 Public Policy activities overseen by Council and Committee on Astronomy and Public Policy (CAPP)  Two full-time staff, Director of Public Policy and John Bahcall Public Policy Fellow  Coordinate visits with policy makers  Represent AAS in public-policy settings  Regular activities intended to influence decision- making related to astronomy  Fundamental guiding principle is do no harm and take grassroots action only when tangible results are likely

AAS members, Congressional Visits Day, March 2014

 AAS Education Officer, who is also chair of the Astronomy Education Board (AEB)  Harlow Shapley Visiting Lectureship Program  Chambliss Astronomy Student Poster Awards  Workshop for New Faculty in Physics and Astronomy  Astronomy Ambassadors Program

 Overseen by Council, implemented by Director of Communications (Press Officer)  AAS runs a vetted press-release distribution service for the astronomical sciences, ~1,200 releases per year to ~2,000 journalists and public-information officers  AAS holds press conferences at its meetings  AAS serves as a go-to for media interview requests  AAS issues its own press releases related to Society activities but not to science done by our members (those are issued by members’ home institutions)

 Employment Committee and the Committees on the Status of Women and Minorities offer advice for launching and shaping a rewarding career  Information on best practices  Hubs & blogs for peer-to-peer networking  Valuable career-oriented speakers and sessions  AAS Job Register – Go-to source for jobs in the astronomical sciences; nearly 1000 jobs advertised per year  Career winter meeting

 FAMOUS Grant AAS members from underrepresented groups can get travel grants to attend AAS meetings  Doxsey Prize Graduate student and postdoc travel support to AAS meetings  International Travel Grant US-based astronomers can apply to get funding to attend foreign conferences