AAAS, the largest general scientific organization in the world, brings together scientists from a variety of disciplines and provides forums for scientists to explore and discuss the latest research. Currently, the association counts among its ranks more than 138,000 members from 130 countries, while its weekly journal Science is read by even more people worldwide. In addition, the 275 scientific and engineering societies that are official AAAS affiliates comprise more than 7 million members.

In 2000, the Membership, Circulation, and Meetings Office coordinated a number of products and services for AAAS members. The delivery of the journal Science and its Web products was so successful that Science has achieved greater visibility worldwide than ever before. And the Annual Meeting, held in Washington, D.C., proved to be the largest in attendance in recent years, and offered the greatest number of exhibit booths ever.

AAAS is a nonprofit, nongovernmental membership organization. Members include basic and applied scientists, engineers, policymakers, teachers at all grade levels, college and postdoctoral students, and industry leaders.