I believe the Federal Budget is a matter of critical concern to science at present and should be reviewed at each AAAS Board meeting. Even if the outcomes in the out years were level budgets (and this may even be an optimistic view), the resulting inflation-adjusted budgets would imply effective cuts in the 15--20% range over a 5 year period. Cuts of this size would have a very damaging effect on science. Therefore, it is important for AAAS to become more active in making the case for science both in Washington, and on the home front at the working levels through the science membership organizations. Interactions with Congressional members and staff should be stepped up to make the case for science more compelling and more strongly heard. The Al Teich operation should be encouraged, and we should do what we can to make it even more useful and effective. Science and technology infrastructure in the US that has been built up over the years is important for our national well-being and future, and needs to be supported and nurtured. Discussion on how the AAAS can help to sustain and nurture the Federal Research Budget should be a topic for AAAS Board discussion. This is especially true at a time when the discretionary component of the Federal budget is under so much stress.

ENCOURAGING YOUNG SCIENTISTS

The AAAS leadership has been very much concerned with the present prospects for young scientists, including the declining interest of young people in careers in the physical sciences, the difficulties faced by young people in getting established professionally, in finding rewarding research career opportunities, and in obtaining research funding. Although efforts to stimulate young students to study more science in the K-12 period have been successful overall, these efforts may be less productive in the future because of the more competitive career prospects in science today. The AAAS can play a role in decoupling these two cross currents by emphasizing the importance of math and science literacy for all. The initiatives that have been undertaken by AAAS to help mentor young people entering scientific careers should be sustained, evaluated, refined, and amplified. The AAAS could also identify data acquisition needs (to be done by NSF and others) that could be helpful in encouraging young people in the study of science and in the pursuit of scientific careers.

CLOSER INTERACTION OF AAAS BOARD WITH MEMBERS

AAAS has a wonderful resource of members covering all fields of science and technology. We would do well to find better ways to make people feel part of the organization and to contribute more to activities, such as making the case for science, or helping young people start scientific careers. AAAS needs to find a better way to listen to member concerns, and get more involvement of AAAS sections in educational activities, mentoring activities, science policy activities. There has been progress over the years, but can we think of ways to do better? As multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research opportunities become increasingly prevalent, how can AAAS organize itself to capitalize on emerging trends that could utilize the unique strengths of AAAS?

OUTREACH TO MEMBERSHIP SOCIETIES

The AAAS can be helped by Membership Societies in making the case for the support of science, and correspondingly AAAS and the membership societies can help each other in this respect. We need to listen to the concerns of the various disciplinary membership societies and help them to have more impact collectively than they can by themselves on issues of national concern. The AAAS might act as a clearinghouse to help promulgate good practices in many areas, ranging from making the case for science to operational issues. Collective efforts at public understanding of science might have more impact at the grass roots level by encouraging working scientists to interact with school teachers and museums as docents, support groups, etc, and in promulgating best practices.

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

The way we do science is becoming more international. With increasing numbers of collaborators worldwide, and rapid communication of results through e-mail becoming commonplace, spatial boundaries have almost disappeared. This means that AAAS needs more visibility worldwide. The effort to enhance the impact of Science magazine worldwide through the Cambridge office (UK) has had significant impact, with increased worldwide submissions, circulation, and science news coverage (e.g., the recent Science and Technology in Japan issue). It seems that there are many more opportunities for us in this arena, and Board attention could be very useful. Beyond Science magazine, the recent AAAS initiatives in the Pacific Rim countries need further discussion and assessment for next steps. Is there a role for AAAS in developing countries? And right here at home, we may also have international concerns. Are US scientists concerned about the high percentage of foreign-born researchers in certain fields (e.g., 2/3 of NSF grants in Mathematics go to foreign-born principal investigators). Do we have concerns about these researchers returning to their countries of origins as career opportunities become more equal worldwide?

AAAS at the Millenium Board Position Paper

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Dr. C. Eugene Allen, Dr. Patricia A. Anderson, Dr. Richard Atkinson, Dr. Mary Ellen Avery, Dr. Dorothy F. Bainton, Dr. Allen J. Bard, Dr. Joost Businger, Dr. Barry Commoner, Dr. Mildred Dresselhaus, Dr. Joseph G. Gavin, Dr. Carroll Ann Hodges, Dr. Gerald Holton, Dr. Leon Lederman, Dr. William A. Lester, Jr., Dr. Simon Levin, Dr. Marcia C. Linn, Dr. Mike McCormack, Dr. Gerard Piel, Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg