NSS Executive Committee Meeting Summary
September 9, 2026
Summary of actions and reports relevant to NSS members and chapters
Chapter Rules Amendment Recommended
The Executive Committee voted without objection to recommend that the NSS Board of Directors approve revisions to the NSS Chapter Rules.
The stated purpose is not to create new policy, but to clarify existing requirements so that chapters and NSS headquarters can consistently administer chapter membership, contact lists, annual reports, membership incentives and chapter stipends.
Under the proposed clarification, each chapter’s annual report would include:
- A current list of chapter members in CSV or Excel format.
- A separate identification of non-member email contacts owned by the chapter.
- At minimum, first name, last name and email address for each person.
- A clear indication of who is a chapter member and who is only a chapter contact.
- Links to chapter social-media accounts, websites and video channels.
For U.S. chapters, the annual report would continue to include financial information and copies of applicable state filings.
Chapter Stipends
The clarified rules describe how annual NSS chapter stipends would be calculated. The stipend is intended to encourage chapter members to become NSS members and to encourage chapters to serve people who belong to both organizations.
The number of qualifying members would be determined as of March 31 each year.
- If NSS collects chapter dues, membership would be determined from the chapter’s InsideNSS group.
- If NSS does not collect chapter dues, membership would be determined from the membership list submitted with the chapter’s annual report.
- The Executive Committee would determine the stipend amount per qualifying member.
NSS has already restored rebates for new NSS members recruited by chapters and made catch-up payments. Work continues on a method for chapters without bank accounts to receive those rebates.
Other Executive Committee Actions
A proposal to restore the previous campaign-rule restriction prohibiting online petitions and electronic signatures failed.
The committee discussed, but did not vote on, a proposed bylaw change that would require at least three years of NSS membership before a person could run for the Board of Directors by petition.
Discussion also continued on proposed rules and corporate-policy changes involving the Emerging Leaders Council and the Board of Strategic Advisors.
A planned discussion of changes to the Nominations Committee and Board nomination and onboarding processes was postponed.
The Executive Committee approved adding Hoyt Davidson and Melissa Georges to the Awards Committee.
Operations and Organizational Reports
Chief Operating Officer Dale Skran reported continuing work on several organizational matters, including:
- Coordination with Explore Mars leadership on opportunities for closer cooperation.
- Completion of a review of Lunacy, with a shorter version submitted for Ad Astra.
- Work on contracts associated with replacing Burt Dicht.
- Resolution and approval of outstanding invoices.
- Completion of a Space Environmental Sustainability position paper expected to be ready for a vote.
President Isaac Arthur reported that a Heinlein-related vote would be held soon.
Executive Vice President Hoyt Davidson noted recent public remarks by the President of the United States explicitly supporting the concept of space settlement.
Board Chair Bruce Pittman reported that the O’Neill Award would be presented to Al Globus.
Bottom Line for Chapters
The most significant item for NSS chapters is the proposed clarification of the Chapter Rules. If approved by the Board, chapters would need to maintain a clearly defined membership list and distinguish those members from their broader email and contact lists.
That information would also provide the basis for determining which chapter members qualify a chapter for NSS membership stipends.
The Executive Committee emphasized that these revisions are intended to make existing policies administratively workable rather than establish new chapter obligations.
Next Executive Committee meeting: September 23, 2026.
Source: NSS Executive Committee minutes and attached proposed Chapter Rules amendment. The uploaded PDF is dated September 9, 2026; its first-page heading retains an August 26 date.
