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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the NASA Academy Alumni Association?
The NASA Academy Alumni Association (NAAA) is the official alumni organization of the NASA Academy. The mission of the NAAA is to:

• Ensure the quality of the NASA Academy programs
• Promote communications, fellowship, camaraderie, and an esprit de corps among all Alumni
• Provide a mechanism to facilitate Alumni participation in programs and projects that promote NASA and space education, and that communicate the excitement of space exploration and development

2. How do I join the NAAA?
All Research Associates that have successfully completed the NASA Academy are automatically eligible to become Members upon submitting a completed Membership Form. NASA Academy staff shall be entitled to become Associate Members. Honorary Members shall be persons of distinction associated with the NASA Academy and shall be elected by the Executive Council.

3. How much does my membership cost?
There are no yearly dues, however Members, Associate Members, and Honorary Members are encouraged to make yearly donations.

4. What do I have to do to remain an active member?
Members are required to submit a Membership Form annually in order to retain the rights of a Member, including the right to vote. A Member who is no longer current may renew and regain the status of Member at any time by submitting a Membership Form.

5. Who "runs" the NAAA?
Basic control of the NAAA resides with the Members and is manifested through the election of officers to the Executive Council, through approval or disapproval of amendments to the constitution and bylaws, and through approval or disapproval of other issues brought before the Members. The purpose of the Executive Council is to provide the leadership and overall direction of the efforts, affairs, and operations in support of the mission of the NAAA. The Executive Council is composed of Members elected to the offices of President, Vice President of Operations, and Vice President of Finance. A Board of Advisors helps the NAAA achieve it's mission, by providing continuity, support, and guidance for the Executive Council.

6. How do I become a member of the Executive Council?
Nominations for the Executive Council must be made to the Chair of the Election Committee, by sending e-mail to elections@nasa-academy.org, any time between one week before the annual conference (11 October 1998) and one week following the annual conference (25 October 1998). Voting opens one week later (1 November 1998) and runs for one week (until 8 November 1998). The results of the elections will be no later than a week following the close of balloting (15 November 1998) with the newly elected officers taking office two weeks later (1 December 1998). Balloting will be primarily done over the internet via an electronic mail ballot or via paper ballot.

7. How can I get involved with the NAAA?
There are many ways you can get involved with your alumni association. Check out the How to get involved with the NAAA page for some ideas.

8. What mailing lists do the NAAA maintain and how do I join them?
There are two mailing lists supported by the NAAA for the alumni:

• alumni@nasa-academy.org This is the general "chat" list for NASA Academy alumni used for alumni to stay in touch, discuss space related issues, plan reunions, etc. There are two formats for the "chat" list: an immediate format in which you receive messages as soon as they go out and a digest format in which you get a collection of messages every 7 days or 1,000 lines (whichever comes first). The subjects of each message in the digest are summarized at the beginning of the digest.
  Regardless of what "chat" list format (immediate or digest) to which you are subscribed, you should still send all messages to alumni@nasa-academy.org.
• news@nasa-academy.org. This list is moderated, contains ALL NASA Academy alumni and is used by the NAAA to disseminate important information regarding the NAAA. Only members of the Executive Council can post to this list.

In addition, there are administrative lists that the NAAA maintains:

9. How do I update my information in the Electronic Phonebook?
There are two ways to update your information in the Electronic Phonebook:

• Submit an online membership form
• E-mail your updated information to the NAAA at naaa@nasa-academy.org.

10. What do I do if I move or change e-mail addresses?
To make sure that the NAAA can still contact you, you can either use the online Electronic Phonebook to update your contact information before or after you move, or mail your updated information to the NAAA, either at the postal address below or electronically to naaa@nasa-academy.org.

11. How do I make a financial contribution to the NAAA?
You can send your tax-deductible donation to: