National Space Society Officer Responsibilities

Common Officer Information  |  Index

• Election
  
  • (i)  In January after the Board of Directors election has been completed, candidates shall be nominated by the Executive Committee for the Officers election.
  • (ii)  Any voting member of the Board of Directors may nominate additional candidates for the Officers election.
  • (iii)  The Officers election will be held in accordance with the NSS Procedural Rules.
  • (iv)  A majority vote of the Board of Directors in favor of a particular nominee is required to elect that nominee as an Officer.
  • (v)  Officers are eligible for re-election without limitation.
• Qualifications for Office
  
  • (i)  Any member of the Society is eligible for nomination and election to any elective office of this Society.
• Compensation
  
  • (i) Officers do not receive compensation for their services, but the Board of Directors may, by resolution, authorize a policy of fair and reasonable reimbursement of expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
  • (ii) Reimbursable expenses are budgeted and the budget approved by the Treasurer and the Chairman of the Executive Committee, prior to being incurred.
• Term of Service
  
  • (i)  Each elected Officer shall take office immediately upon election and shall serve for a term of approximately two years or until their successor is duly elected.
  • (ii)  Each elected Officer may serve concurrently as a member of the Board of Directors.
• Executive Committee
  
  • (i) The Executive Committee, composed of 14 elected Officers (12 with voting authority), acts for the Board of Directors between Board meetings on all authorized governance and operational matters of the Society.
  • (ii) If not already a voting member of the Board of Directors, each member of the Executive Committee is an ex officio (non-voting) member of the Board.
  • (iii) The Chairman of the Executive Committee is the Chief Executive Officer of NSS.
• Meetings and Operations
  
  • The Executive Committee generally meets every two weeks via teleconference.
  • Each Officer will work as necessary with NSS Headquarters (HQ) staff, NSS volunteers, NSS local chapters, and contract services.
  • Each Officer shall provide reports on committee activities to the Board of Directors.
    
    • Prior to the annual ISDC
    • Prior to the NSS Fall Board of Directors Meeting
• For More Information
  
  • NSS Bylaws
  • NSS Corporate Policies

President  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  
  • Serves as a primary spokesperson for the Society
  • Promotes the welfare and furthers the goals and objectives of the Society
  • Performs other duties prescribed by the Board of Directors
• Committee Responsibilities
  
  • (none)
• For More Information
  
  • Article VIII, Section 3, President, in the NSS Bylaws

Chairman of the Board of Directors  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  
  • Chairs meetings of the NSS Board of Directors.
• Committee Responsibilities
  
  • NSS Board of Directors
• For More Information
  
  • Article VIII, Section 1, Chairman of the Board of Directors, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Article V, Board of Directors, in the NSS Bylaws

Chairman of the Board of Governors  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  
  • Chairs meetings of the NSS Board of Governors, which serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors.
• Committee Responsibilities
  
  • NSS Board of Governors
• For More Information
  
  • Article VIII, Section 2, Chairman of the Board of Governors, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Article X, Board of Governors, in the NSS Bylaws

Chief Executive Officer  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  
  • Chairs meetings of the NSS Executive Committee.
  • Serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Society.
  • Executes acts and exercises the authority of the Executive Committee between meetings in accordance with prior acts of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
  • Works in close cooperation with the Executive Director to implement the policies and decisions of the Board and Executive Committee and to oversee NSS operations.
• Committee Responsibilities
  
  • NSS Executive Committee
  • Bylaws and Corporate Policies Committee
  • Strategic Planning Committee
• For More Information
  
  • Article VIII, Section 4, Chief Executive Officer, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Policy II, Section 8, Chief Executive Officer, in the NSS Corporate Policies

Executive Vice President  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  
  • Chairs the NSS Policy Committee
  • Monitors mail votes of the Board of Directors or the Membership
• Committee Responsibilities
  
  • Policy Committee
• For More Information
  
  • Article VIII, Section 5, Executive Vice President, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Article IX, Policy Committee, in the NSS Bylaws

Senior Vice President / Chief Operating Officer  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  
  • Performs duties prescribed by the Board of Directors.
  • Serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Society.
  • Performs the duties of the President in the event of the President’s inability to serve.
  • Oversees the Director of Information Systems
  • Reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
• Committee Responsibilities
  
  • Awards Committee
  • Conferences Committee
  • Projects Committee
  • Space Settlement Advocacy Committee
• For More Information
  
  • Article VIII, Section 6, Senior Vice President, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Policy II, Section 2, Chief Operating Officer, in the NSS Corporate Policies
  • Policy III, Section 4, Awards Committee, in the NSS Corporate Policies
  • Policy III, Section 7, Conferences Committee, in the NSS Corporate Policies
  • Policy III, Section 12, Projects Committee, in the NSS Corporate Policies

Vice President for Chapters  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  
  • Responsible for the growth, relationships and servicing of the chapters, and
  • for enhancing the value that the Society delivers to its chapters.
  • Responsible for the development and execution of a plan with these responsibilities as objectives.
  • Reports to the Chief Operating Officer (Senior Vice President)
• Committee Responsibilities
  
  • Chapters Committee
• For More Information
  
  • Article VIII, Section 7, Vice Presidents, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Policy II, Section 3, Vice Presidents, in the NSS Corporate Policies
  • Policy II, Section 4a, Vice President for Chapters, in the NSS Corporate Policies
  • Policy III, Section 6, Chapters Committee, in the NSS Corporate Policies

Vice President for Development  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  
  • Responsible for the raising of funds for the Society, including institutional giving, individual giving, bequests, major events, private foundation grants and high value donor programs.
  • Responsible for the development and execution of a long-range plan for fundraising for the Society and
  • works in conjunction with the Treasurer, Executive Director, and any group of NSS Governors as may be established for such purpose.
  • Reports to the Chief Operating Officer (Senior Vice President)
• Committee Responsibilities
  
  • Fundraising Committee
• For More Information
  
  • Article VIII, Section 7, Vice Presidents, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Policy II, Section 3, Vice Presidents, in the NSS Corporate Policies
  • Policy II, Section 4b, Vice President for Development, in the NSS Corporate Policies
  • Policy III, Section 8, Fundraising Committee, in the NSS Corporate Policies

Vice President for Membership  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  
  • Responsible for the growth, relationships and servicing of the membership, and
  • for enhancing the value that the Society delivers to its membership.
  • Responsible for the development and execution of a plan with these responsibilities as objectives.
  • Reports to the Chief Operating Officer (Senior Vice President)
• Committee Responsibilities
  
  • Membership Committee
  • International Committee
• For More Information
  
  • Article VIII, Section 7, Vice Presidents, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Policy II, Section 3, Vice Presidents, in the NSS Corporate Policies
  • Policy II, Section 4c, Vice President for Membership, in the NSS Corporate Policies
  • Policy III, Section 11, Membership Committee, in the NSS Corporate Policies

Vice President for Public Affairs  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  
  • Responsible for the communication of Society policy positions to policy-makers, the media and the public.
  • Responsible for positioning and relations of the Society with respect to policy-makers and to the media, and
  • for enhancing the value that the Society delivers to policy-makers and the media.
  • Responsible for the development and execution of a plan with these responsibilities as objectives.
  • Reports to the Chief Operating Officer (Senior Vice President)
• Committee Responsibilities
  
  • Public Affairs Committee
  • Education and Outreach Committee
  • Publications Committee
• For More Information
  
  • Article VIII, Section 7, Vice Presidents, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Policy II, Section 3, Vice Presidents, in the NSS Corporate Policies
  • Policy II, Section 4a, Vice President for Public Affairs, in the NSS Corporate Policies
  • Policy III, Section 9, Education and Outreach Committee, in the NSS Corporate Policies
  • Policy III, Section 13, Public Affairs Committee, in the NSS Corporate Policies

Secretary  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  
  • Maintains originals and copies of the Society’s records
  • Records the proceedings of meetings of the Board and Executive Committee
  • Responsible for the proper and legal mailing of notices to the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee
  • Maintains records of all mail votes of the Board of Directors
  • Maintains duplicate copies of all financial records of the Society, and of the records of the Policy Committee
  • Performs such duties as may be specified by the Board or Executive Committee
• Committee Responsibilities
  
  • Archives Committee
• For More Information
  
  • Article VIII, Section 9, Secretary, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Policy II, Section 6, Secretary, in the NSS Corporate Policies

Assistant Secretary  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  
  • Performs the duties of the Secretary in the absence of or the inability to act of the Secretary
  • Performs those secretarial duties delegated by the Secretary
• Committee Responsibilities
  
  • (none)
• For More Information
  
  • Article VIII, Section 10, Assistant Secretary, in the NSS Bylaws

Treasurer  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  
  • Collects all member dues and/or assessments Establish and maintains proper accounting procedures and records for the handling of the Society’s funds
  • Responsible for keeping the funds in such banks, trust companies and/or investments as are approved by the Executive Committee
  • Reports on the financial condition of the Society at all meetings of the Board of Directors and at other times when called upon by the Executive Committee
  • At the end of each fiscal year, prepares an annual report which shall reflect an audit of the Society’s books and records conducted by a certified public accountant
  • Budgets for and establishes a petty cash fund, to be managed by the Executive Director, for use in day-to-day operation of the office of the Society
  • Performs such duties as may be specified by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee
• Committee Responsibilities
  
  • Finance Committee
• For More Information
  
  • Article VIII, Section 11, Treasurer, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Policy II, Section 7, Treasurer, in the NSS Corporate Policies

Assistant Treasurer  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  
  • Performs the duties of the Treasurer in the absence of or the inability to act of the Treasurer
  • Performs those duties delegated by the Treasurer
• Committee Responsibilities
  
  • (none)
• For More Information
  
  • Article VIII, Section 12, Assistant Treasurer, in the NSS Bylaws