Preliminary Slate for the 2014 AAS Election & Call for More Nominations

Balloting for the next election of AAS officers and councilors will open in mid-December 2013 and close at the end of January 2014. 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.

Candidates for the Nominating Committee were proposed by the membership at our annual business meeting in Indianapolis in June:

Nominating Committee (term: 3 years, positions open: 1)
Rica Sirbaugh French
Jacob Noel-Storr
Caroline Simpson
Nicole van der Bliek

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:

Vice-President (term: 3 years; positions open: 1)
Jack Burns
Robert Hanisch

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.

Treasurer (term: 3 years; positions open: 1)
Nancy Morrison

The Treasurer is responsible for the financial affairs of the Society and keeps full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in the Society's books. He or she deposits or invests all monies or other valuable effects in the name of the Society in such depositories or investments as are selected by the Council. The Treasurer prepares an annual report to the Council on the financial condition of the Society and secures regular audits of the Society's financial operations.

Councilor (term: 3 years; positions open: 3)
Grace Deming
Susana Deustua
Kelly Holley-Bockelmann
Buell Jannuzi
Karel Schrijver
Liese van Zee

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)
David Soderblom
Lee Anne Willson

The U.S. National Committee for the International Astronomical Union (USNC-IAU) represents the interests of the U.S. astronomical community and safeguards the intellectual vigor of the Union.

Additional nominations for officer or councilor may be submitted by mail and must be accompanied by a written statement from the nominee indicating a willingness to serve and by the signatures of at least 30 voting full members of the Society.

Additional nominations for the Nominating Committee must be proposed by at least 5 full members of the Society and must also be accompanied by the nominee's written statement indicating a willingness to serve.

All nominations and supporting materials must be received by 16 September 2013 in the Office of the Secretary:
G. Fritz Benedict
McDonald Observatory
University of Texas
1 University Station
Austin, TX 78712

Candidate biographies and statements will be posted on the AAS website at least 30 days before balloting opens, i.e., by mid-November.

Questions? Please send them to me by email.