National Space Society Officers
Descriptions and Background Information

Common Officer Information  |  Index

• Election
  • (i)  Within 30 days 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 as soon as reasonable by mail vote in accordance with the NSS Mail Vote 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, provided the member has served at least one year as a member of the Board of Directors at any time prior to any elective term of office.
  • (ii)  The Board of Directors may, by majority vote, waive the requirement for prior service on the Board of Directors for a specific candidate or election.
• 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 15 elected Officers (12 with voting authority) plus the Executive Director, acts for the Board of Directors between Board meetings on all authorized governance and operational matters of the Society.
  • (ii)  Each member of the Executive Committee is an ex officio (non-voting) member of the Board of Directors, if not already a 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 meets face-to-face at least twice per year.  Settings are:
    • Annual International Space Development Conference (ISDC), and
    • NSS Fall Board of Directors Meeting, or
    • Winter Executive Committee Meeting
  • The Executive Committee holds other meetings at least once per month.  Options include:
    • Telephone meetings (e.g., FreeConferenceCall.com)
      (The Executive Committee currently holds biweekly telecons.)
    • Voice-over-IP (VoIP) meetings (e.g., Skype)
    • Web Chat Room meetings (e.g., NSS MOO)
    • Web Virtual World meetings (e.g., Second Life)
    • Web Forums*
    • Email Exchanges*
    • *(these are more conducive to correspondence than real-time discussion)
  • 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
  • Article VI, Executive Committee, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Article VII, Officers, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Article VIII, Duties of Officers, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Policy II, Operating Officers, in the NSS Corporate Policies
  • Policy IV, Board Reports, in the NSS Corporate Policies

President  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  • Serves as primary spokesperson for the Society
  • Presides at all general meetings of the Society
  • Makes a report to the membership, on behalf of the Board, at the annual NSS conference
  • Promotes the welfare and furthers the goals and objectives of the Society
  • Performs other duties prescribed by the Board of Directors
• Committee Responsibilities
  • (none)
• Current Officer
  • Ken Money
• 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
• Current Officer
  • Chair, Kirby Ikin
• 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.
• Committee Responsibilities
  • NSS Board of Governors
• Current Officer
  • Chair, Hugh Downs
• 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

Chairman of the Executive Committee  |  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
• Current Officer
  • Mark Hopkins
• For More Information
  • Article VIII, Section 4, Chairman of the Executive Committee, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Policy II, Section 8, Chairman of the Executive Committee, 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
• Current Officer
  • Greg Allison
• 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 / Senior Operating Officer  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  • Performs duties prescribed by the Board of Directors.
  • Serves as the Senior Operating Officer (SOO) of the Society.
  • Performs the duties of the President in the event of the President's inability to serve.
  • Reports to the Chairman of the Executive Committee (CEC).
• Committee Responsibilities
  • Awards Committee
  • Calendar Committee
  • Conferences Committee
  • Internet Services Committee
  • Projects Committee
  • Space Settlement Advocacy Committee
• Current Officer
  • Josh Powers
• For More Information
  • Article VIII, Section 6, Senior Vice President, in the NSS Bylaws
  • Policy II, Section 2, Senior 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 10, Internet Services 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 Senior Operating Officer (Senior Vice President)
• Committee Responsibilities
  • Chapters Committee
• Current Officer
  • Candace Pankanin
• 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 Senior Operating Officer (Senior Vice President)
• Committee Responsibilities
  • Fundraising Committee
• Current Officer
  • Robby Gaines
• 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 Senior Operating Officer (Senior Vice President)
• Committee Responsibilities
  • Membership Committee
  • International Committee
• Current Officer
  • David Stuart
• 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 Senior Operating Officer (Senior Vice President)
• Committee Responsibilities
  • Public Affairs Committee
  • Education and Outreach Committee
  • Publications Committee
  • Web Oversight Committee
• Current Officer
  • Rick Zucker
• 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
  • Policy III, Section 14, Web Oversight 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
  • In cooperation with the Executive Vice President, monitors mail votes of the Board of Directors or the Membership
  • 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
  • (none)
• Current Officer
  • Bill Gardiner
• 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)
• Current Officer
  • Sherry Bell
• 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
• Current Officer
  • Joe Redfield
• 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)
• Current Officer
  • Ed Burns
• For More Information
  • Article VIII, Section 12, Assistant Treasurer, in the NSS Bylaws

General Counsel  |  Index

• General Responsibilities
  • Serves as the principal legal advisor for the Society.
  • Provide such advice and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
• Committee Responsibilities
  • (none)
• Current Officer
  • Mac Cantor
• For More Information
  • Article VIII, Section 8, General Counsel, in the NSS Bylaws