AAS is building its list of local and international collaborations.  At the last EC meeting, the Committee approved AAS to join the following organizations, and during the last GA meeting, the GA moved and approved to join Mission Capital. 

We have created a profile on the Astronomers Without Borders site at http://astronomerswithoutborders.org/my-awb/our-current-affiliates/network.html?id=572.  When you join AWB, you can associate your member profile with AAS’ affiliate membership.  AWB offers some great content and an international perspective on the hobby and its enthusiasts around the world.

We have become a member of Mission Capital (formerly Project Greenlights): https://missioncapital.org/.  Mission Capital offers training and other benefits to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Austin area.  The board will also occasionally take advantage of free or low-cost meeting space at Mitte Foundation Carriage House for board meetings and retreats.

We have submitted our request to become members of the Texas Space Grant Consortium: http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/. Currently, around the state, 57 organizations are joined to ensure that the benefits of space research and technology are available to all Texans.  Among the current members are Girlstart, Bob Bullock Museum and TXMOST, all friends of AAS.  Our request is pending approval from the TSGC Board of Directors.  TSGC posts a lot of training and educational material of interest to our members and educators that we frequently repost to our Facebook page.

We are looking forward to becoming members of the Greater Austin STEM Ecosystem by the end of the month: https://outreach.uteach.utexas.edu/greater-austin-stem-ecosystem.  The STEM Ecosystem network in Austin is focused on advancing STEM education opportunities in the classroom and beyond (we’re part of the “beyond”, of course).  In addition to joining many of our friends (Thinkery, Girlstart, TXMOST, etc.) in this organization, we can deepen our relationship with UT through the involvement UTeach outreach program.  We hope to make introductions to corporate and foundation funders and partners of this group as well.

Of the 4 organizations, only Mission Capital requires a membership fee.  That fee was paid by Dell, Inc.’s volunteer match program, and was moved and approved at the June 2016 GA meeting,