NASA Alumni League is a U.S. organization that supports people that have worked for or at NASA or its predecessor NACA, to stay connected, and to "support the nation's space programs with technical expertise, educational outreach, and financial contributions to STEM organizations." The organization operates across the nation, also with state chapters that allow patrons to network locally. Three goals of NAL in the early 21st century were to "communicate with the NASA community", "to aid the NASA community with its comprehension of engineering and science, and "encourage members to participate in community service and in turn, encourage a dedication to the pursuit of scientific knowledge that benefits all humankind. " NAL is not part of NASA or the U.S. government, it is a non-profit organization founded in 1986.
Purpose
The NASA Alumni League comprises groups of individuals who were former members of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA); the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL); or were formerly assigned to NASA from any U. S. federal agency, including military personnel. The League is organized into chapters whose goals are to: Make known their views on the nation's aeronautical and space activities. Keep abreast of the latest aerospace developments in all areas and in all sectors. Explore critical aeronautical and space issues in depth. Contribute their expertise when the League is asked to undertake specific tasks for NASA or other organizations. Provide a forum for presentation of technical information, providing exposure to eminent speakers, including panel sessions in the aerospace and allied disciplines.
Guiding Principles
The NASA Alumni League Chapters focus on supporting space and aeronautics programs by bringing members together in sessions to provide a broad base of information for members and the public, including: Sessions oriented towards educational outreach, including demonstrations by high school and college students. Scholarships to students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) studies. Grants encouraging student interest in science, mathematics, and technology by bringing students at all levels to a day at a NASA Center to learn by experience: meeting an engineer, scientist, or astronaut. Events to encourage public interest and participation in technical and/or professional matters related to the exploration of space. Publishing information of value to its members as well as other scientific and professional groups.
Canaveral Council of Technical Societies and Space Congress
There were big gatherings of aerospace and people called the Space Congress that started during the early days of the Space-age. In the 20th century over 1000 aerospace professionals would gather to discuss space and present technical papers.
The Canaveral Council of Technical Societies (CCTS) was formed in 1959 to coordinate better communication and interface among the many technical societies in the Cape Canaveral area. This led to the establishment of an annual technical conference now known as Space Congress. CCTS' first technical symposium took place in Daytona Beach on October 26–28, 1962 and was called the Canaveral Council Fall Conference. The program consisted of a get-acquainted party on Friday; technical addresses and technical workshops, a luau, a conference summary, and family activities on Saturday; and a golf tournament and fashion show on Sunday.
Two years later, the CCTS held the first Space Congress in Cocoa Beach, Florida on April 20–22, 1964, with the theme, "Where Are We Going in Space?" Thirty-one papers were presented and three luncheon speakers, an opening speaker, and keynote speaker addressed the assemblage. Eighteen organizations from industry, NASA, and the U.S. Air Force contributed exhibits. The proceedings were published.
Since 1964, all CCTS Space Congresses have been held in Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral, Florida. In 1965, the growing list of events included authors' breakfasts, a banquet, evening sessions, and an international session, an exhibitors' cocktail party, and launch area tours. By 1966, the Congress had grown to four days in length and was being held on an annual basis. The 1993 Space Congress was quite large and event feature included matched suits for the organizers and mugs with logos. The motto for the 1993 Space Congress was Yesterday's vision is tomorrow's reality. The last week-long Space Congress was held in 1994.