2024 Open Call for Board Members

The Association for Young Astrologers is excited to announce that the call for board members is once again open! If you’ve been wanting to get more involved in the astrological community, now’s your chance to join AYA’s wonderful team of folks.

Our priority is to fill the roles of Vice Chair and Webmaster. Below you’ll find a brief summary of these roles, but be sure to click through to the full listings for a more detailed breakdown of expectations.

Vice Chair

The Vice Chair will work closely with the Chair and other board members to ensure the continuous operation of the organization and the completion of projects. Additionally, the Vice Chair will act as an AYA representative for outfacing endeavors (when necessary).

Our ideal Vice Chair is someone who has… 

• Strong leadership skills
• Values that align with AYA’s mission of education and resource-sharing
• Passion for mentoring and/or providing opportunities to young and emerging astrologers
• Passion for community-building

Full listing for Vice Chair: https://youngastrologers.org/open-call-for-vice-chair/?preview=true

Webmaster

The Webmaster is someone who is familiar with various site hosting platforms- especially WordPress- and can offer guidance as the organization potentially considers migrating to a new hosting site. The Webmaster will also assist AYA members in troubleshooting issues that arise with their accounts and/or website access.

Our ideal Webmaster is someone who has 

• Knowledge and experience in web design and UX
• Prioritizes the intersections of design, UX, and accessibility
• Experience with branding for nonprofits is a plus
• Creative approaches to problem-solving
• Excitement to contribute to various projects outside of web management

Full listing for Webmaster: https://youngastrologers.org/open-call-for-webmaster/

Other Board Roles

While our priority is to fill the above roles, we know there are so many skilled and passionate young astrologers out there! Calls for other board positions will be announced in the near future, so we invite you to stay tuned and see if you may be a better fit for a different role.

Open Call for Webmaster

The Association for Young Astrologers (AYA) is seeking a savvy someone to step into the role of Webmaster. Our Webmaster will be a voting member on the board and will work closely with other board members to ensure maintenance of AYA’s website.

The Webmaster is someone who is familiar with various site hosting platforms- especially WordPress- and can offer guidance as the organization potentially considers migrating to a new hosting site. The Webmaster will also assist AYA members in troubleshooting issues that arise with their accounts and/or website access.

Our ideal Webmaster is someone who has 

• Knowledge and experience in web design and UX
• Prioritizes the intersections of design, UX, and accessibility
• Experience with branding for nonprofits is a plus
• Creative approaches to problem-solving
• Excitement to contribute to various projects outside of web management

If you have these qualities and are looking for a way to be more involved in the astrological community, AYA’s Webmaster position might be for you! To apply, send your resume and a cover letter to youngastrologers@gmail.com with the subject line “2024 Webmaster Application.” The call for this position will remain open until the role is filled.

Duties

• Maintenance of the AYA website
• Managing content on website (lecture archive, blog, etc.)
• Collaborating with Social Media Manager to ensure cohesion across platforms
• Troubleshooting website issues with AYA members
• Guiding voice in AYA’s consideration of changing hosting site
• Voluntary involvement with other projects

Requirements for Webmaster

• 2 year commitment to serve in Webmaster role
• Capacity to spend a maximum of 5-7 hours per week towards AYA duties
• Availability every other Monday evening at 7pm Eastern to attend board meetings

Desired Qualities

• Technical knowledge of WordPress and other hosting sites
• Familiarity with SEO best practices
• Highly collaborative
• Effective communicator
• Familiarity with the astrological community
• Familiarity with Google Suite and Asana
• Can communicate about capacity and ask for help when needed

Benefits

• Professional Development
• Networking opportunities- building relationships with others

Open Call for Vice Chair

The Association for Young Astrologers (AYA) is seeking someone with a collaborative spirit and a strong foundation in management to step into the role of Vice Chair. As AYA continues to prioritize a lateral division of power and labor within the organization, we envision the Vice Chair position as highly collaborative in its leadership responsibilities

The Vice Chair will work closely with the Chair and other board members to ensure the continuous operation of the organization and the completion of projects. Additionally, the Vice Chair will act as an AYA representative for outfacing endeavors (when necessary).

Our ideal Vice Chair is someone who has 

• Strong leadership skills
• Values that align with AYA’s mission of education and resource-sharing
• Passion for mentoring and/or providing opportunities to young and emerging astrologers
• Passion for community-building

If you have these qualities and are looking for a way to be more involved in the astrological community, AYA’s Vice Chair position might be for you! To apply, send your resume and a cover letter to youngastrologers@gmail.com with the subject line “2024 Vice Chair Application.” The call for this position will remain open until the role is filled.

Duties

• Operations Management
• Co-facilitating board meetings
• Tracking AYA’s inbox for important messages
• Project Management
• Team Management

*All the above duties are shared by at least one other board member and will be completed in collaboration.

Requirements for Vice Chair

• 2 year commitment to serve in Vice Chair role
• Capacity to spend 5-10 hours per week towards AYA duties
• Availability every other Monday evening at 7pm Eastern to attend board meetings

Desired Qualities

• Previous experience in leadership positions
• Familiarity with the astrological community
• Highly collaborative
• Highly organized
• Project management skills
• Effective communicator
• Familiarity with Google Suite and Asana
• Can communicate about capacity and ask for help when needed
• Passionate about astrology and has ideas for future AYA projects

Benefits

• Professional Development
• Networking Opportunities- building relationships with others

AYA’s 2023 Year in Review

As 2023 comes to an end, we’ve been reflecting on the exciting developments and accomplishments the Association for Young Astrologers has experienced this year. Join us in celebrating AYA’s 2023 highlights!

Board of Directors

This year, we’ve welcomed two new board members onto the team. Additionally, two existing board members embraced new positions. The lineup of our current board is as follows:

• Janay Anthony, Chair
• Anna DunLany, Treasurer
• Dee, Secretary
• Mo Olufemi, Education Coordinator
• Melissa Marklin, Social Media Manager

AYA has intentions to continue expanding the board and present more opportunities for community involvement in 2024, so keep a look out for calls in the upcoming year.

Bylaws Update

Perhaps our biggest undertaking as an organization was updating our bylaws. We revised our bylaws to align them with our other governing documents, as well as to reflect current practices around remote work and the use of gender-neutral language. Throughout this process, AYA’s board recommitted to the organization’s original mission statement: to bridge the gap between generations in the field of astrology and promote astrological knowledge through an array of programming.

AYA at NORWAC

We were so excited to attend NORWAC this year! It was a joy to reconnect with the community, and see so many of you face-to-face. Did you have the chance to stop at our table and say hi? We also had the pleasure of bringing along our very first cohort of AYA fellows to participate in the conference virtually. In one of our first commitments to center education at AYA,  we developed an Astrology Conference Fellowship program that provided two full and three partial conference registration stipends to five outstanding AYA members.

A special shout out to our very own Mo Olufemi for giving an incredible NORWAC lecture on Using the Davison Chart for Intentional Relationships.

Seminar Under the Stars

We had a spectacular lineup of speakers join us for our Seminar Under the Stars series. Here’s a breakdown of the brilliant minds we had the privilege of learning from this year:

• Samuel F. Reynolds, The Astrology of Policing
• Mychal A. Bryan, Audience with the Author
• Solar Simone, Bravery & Boundaries: How the Malefics Shape & Influence Us
• Eric Lusby, History of the Lots

We want to highlight Mychal A. Bryan who was our first guest in what we hope to be a recurring series under the Seminar Under the Stars umbrella: Audience with the Author. Mychal joined us to discuss his recently published work, Mastering Traditional Astrology: A Depth of Beginning in the Celestial Art, and AYA gifted a signed copy of the book to three lucky AYA members.

Additionally, December will bring us a special edition of Seminar Under the Stars where the AYA board will discuss the major transits of 2024. Register here if you’d like to join the conversation!

What a Year!

Overall, we’re very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish as an organization this year. All of the highlights above are only the beginning, and we have exciting projects in the woodwork coming up in 2024, so stay tuned!

May 2023 Horoscopes by Fionn Cleary

Here are your rising sign horoscopes for the month of May! 

This month there is a major emphasis on the fixed signs, particularly the Scorpio/Taurus axis. We have just blasted out of eclipse season. This month kicked off with the lunar eclipse in Scorpio on May 5th, bringing with it some major culminations and transformations. We get to enjoy some steady growth and lushness with Jupiter entering Taurus on May 16th, and then we plant new seeds in fertile fields with the Taurus new moon on May 19th. Although, a new Moon in the third decan of Taurus could indicate planning ahead for new beginnings with the knowledge that we may need a backup plan and a rainy day fund. 

Aries

Following the eclipse in your eighth house, there may have been a major process of disentangling from what binds you to others. As you release what you owe to others, Jupiter enters your second house to help turn what resources you already have into more. 

Taurus 

The month kicks off with a push to do some major work within your close relationships. As you take a breather after your final seventh house eclipse, Jupiter enters your first house to big you up like a hypeman and help you renew a fresh sense of hope and possibility. This begins a period of personal growth, learning and getting closer to your goals. 

Gemini

As the month begins, you may be prompted to do some problem-solving around your physical well-being and work-life balance. As Jupiter enters your 12th house, you may begin a process of deep introspection in which you unearth hidden talents and nuggets of wisdom. 

Cancer

The lunar eclipse may have facilitated a breakthrough in your creative passions and romantic life. As Jupiter rejoices in your eleventh house, it is well-equipped to facilitate growth, forging alliances, and the fruition of hopes and dreams. 

Leo 

The eclipse cycle brought about major changes in your home, family and living situation, and no it is coming to a close. Jupiter enters your house of career, allowing for a boost in profile, or you may earn a reputation for being your showy and sunny lil self! When Mars enters your first house later in the month, you may become particularly driven. 

Virgo 

The lunar eclipse marks a transition away from difficult experiences within your close circle and local community. As Jupiter enters your 9th, you can broaden your outlook and worldview. The myriad of possibilities the world has to offer opens up to you, offering new perspectives and plans for learning and growth. 

Libra

The eclipse may bring some major changes to how you earn your living and manage your resources. Jupiter in your eighth house can bring forth opportunities from the commitments you made during the first half of the year. Your committed relationships could enter a further level of intimacy or material involvement. 

Scorpio 

This eclipse hits you right in your first house! Eclipses in the first can feel akin to a snake shedding its skin – letting go of an old identity and beginning to live in a manner that’s authentic. Jupiter meets you in your 7th house, bringing you in contact with wise folks, teachers and generous partners. Jupiter may bring balance, agreement and good will to your committed relationships. 

Sagittarius 

The eclipse in your 12th house of isolation and hidden places brings a revelation in the dark – finding wisdom and deep resilience in difficult circumstances. Jupiter in Taurus brings support to your health and work and has the potential to offer supports and experts that can support your well-being. 

Capricorn 

Momentum is building within your social scenes after some major changes in your house of wider communities. Jupiter enters your fifth house, offering you some opportunities to flourish creatively and build up routines to sustain your creative force. It also brings opportunities for making romance a more lush and expansive area of your life. 

Aquarius 

The Scorpio eclipse may have brought major developments and momentous occasions in your career or public life. This may have been taxing for you and those close to you, so it’s good news that Jupiter enters your fourth house to bring some balance and expansion within the home. 

Pisces 

This eclipse may have brought a deep questioning around where you want to go in life and where in the world you like to place yourself. With Jupiter in your third house, you may be researching and planning for the foundations you want to set for the next phase of your life. This is a great time to question what you want your day-to-day life to look like. 

Plugs:

To stay up to date with my work and offerings you can follow me on Instagram (fionncleary) and on Twitter (@fionn_cleary). 

I am available for readings and you can learn more about my offerings on my booking page:

https://fionnclearyastrologybookings.as.me/schedule.php

You can also find everything I do in my linktree: 

https://linktr.ee/FionnCleary

AYA Bylaws Update

On March 1st 2023, the AYA Board of Directors voted to approve a revision to our bylaws.

The update is mostly much-needed housekeeping; we are now more clearly aligned with our other governing documents such as our Articles of Incorporation and the state statutes, and we’ve updated and clarified the language to reflect today’s practices around gender and remote work.

Most excitingly though, we’ve created new opportunities for the Board and those who care about AYA to more actively participate in governance and organizing.

Bylaw Update Highlights:

• Instead of President and Vice-President, we’ve returned to the original Incorporation language of Chair and Vice-Chair.
• We’ve adjusted the committee process so the Board can create committees as-needed, including committees that can include more non-Directors, such as a Board nomination committee and advisory committees.

The Board has already voted to create an Advisory Committee, hoping to bring in more community members of diverse generations and astrological traditions to advise on and support initiatives of the Board, as Demetra George supported and believed in AYA’s mission when first founded.

AYA’s principal mission continues to be to provide outreach and support to young people discovering astrology, and secondly, in support of that, to promote a deeper understanding and knowledge of astrology through lectures, seminars, workshops, conferences, study groups, research and information distribution, and any and all other appropriate means.

Through the bylaw process, we’ve reaffirmed AYA’s identity as a small Board-governed 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization created for educational and charitable purposes, accountable to the public good and supported by our members, a legion of small donors who believe in AYA’s mission and benefit from our programs and community.

AYA’s current programming remains in line with our mission: monthly Seminar Under the Stars, monthly newsletter with opportunities for emerging astrologers, our Discord server, and forthcoming fellowship program.

If you’d like to register your interest in being on the Board or Advisory Committee prior to our official call, please contact youngastrologers@gmail.com

Astrology Conference Fellowship

To honor our mission of uplifting new and upcoming voices in astrology and providing opportunities to those who may not have them otherwise, the Association for Young Astrologers has created the Astrology Conference Fellowship.

AYA’s Astrology Conference Fellowship is a needs-based scholarship program for students of astrology looking to expand their skills and knowledge through attendance at conferences. Folks at any and all levels of astrology are welcome to apply.

To launch our fellowship program, AYA will be awarding 2 full and 3 partial scholarships for attendance to virtual NORWAC 2023!

• Full Scholarship: worth $375 each, equates to the price of full conference registration, excluding pre/post-conference workshops
• Partial Scholarship: worth $188 each, equates to half the price of full conference registration, excluding pre/post-conference workshops

Applicants are required to:

• Have an active AYA membership
• Demonstrate financial need
• Be age 18+
• Submit application form by April 30, 2023 at 11:59 PM EST.

Awardees of the fellowship will be required to:

• Agree to be featured in AYA’s newsletter and blog
• Attend a virtual social gathering for fellowship awardees on the evening of Saturday, May 27, 2023 (exact time TBD)

If you can commit to all the requirements, AYA invites you to apply for the Astrology Conference Fellowship! The deadline to submit this form is April 30, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Apply here: https://forms.gle/JUZXPHr4C913VRBMA

Open Call for AYA Secretary

With AYA’s recent adjustments to board roles, we are eager to announce an open call for our Secretary position. 

Filling this position is a high priority of the AYA board, so please submit your application by April 27, 2023 at 11:59 PM EST. If  we are still in need of a Secretary at that time, the call will remain open until the position is filled.

Our Secretary is responsible for…

• Recording minutes for all board meetings
• Maintaining organized records in Google Drive
• Utilizing Asana to assign tasks designated during board meetings
• Working with Communications Manager to check and maintain social media 
• Collaborating with other board members on committee projects that pique your interest

Position Requirements

• 2 year commitment to the position
• Ability to attend biweekly board meetings Monday evenings at 7PM EST.

Preferred Secretary Qualities

• Organizational Skills
• Strong Communication Skills
• Familiarity with Google Suite
• Collaborative
• Curiosity and Eagerness to Learn
• Virgo energy highly welcome!

If you’re interested in applying to the Secretary position, send your resume and a cover letter to youngastrologers@gmail.com with the subject line “2023 Secretary Application.” Applications received by April 27,2023 at 11:59 PM EST will be prioritized over those received after this date. Though the call will remain open until the position is filled.

Don’t think the Secretary position is right for you, but still want to be more involved with AYA? You’re in luck! AYA is looking to continue expanding our board, and will be announcing open calls for other board positions in the near future. Stay tuned!

August Transition of Power

The past year has been a time of transition, not only for the collective, but here at AYA as well. Effective immediately, Samira Bechara has resigned from her position as President to prioritize her health. AYA is incredibly grateful for the work that Samira has put into the organization throughout her time as president and wishes her the best as she continues on her journey.

The remaining board has elected AYA’s Secretary Zacchary Powell to assume the presidency.

Zacchary is a Black Queer Astrologer currently based in Philadelphia who graduated in 2013 with a degree in political science and sociology, focused on the intersection of race, politics, inequality, and constitutional law. Along with client work, he is a student of Kelly Surtees, Austin Coppock, and Chris Brennan; a professional Venus STAN; a writer of Weekly Planetary Reflections on patreon; and a practicing astro-mage.

Prior to making the glorious leap to become a professional astrologer, he worked in the fashion industry for a number of years; served as a policy analyst for a civil rights non-profit working to make structural changes to increase access to clean, safe, and affordable housing; and managed the Manhattan office of a top marketing consulting firm.

We’d like to express our sincerest gratitude to the community for its continued support as we’ve navigated the ever-changing landscape of the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction and the challenging astroweather that has succeeded it. After a brief period of rest over the past few months, we are eager to get back to work! We’re excited to announce the new initiatives our team has planned to support our members and the community at large. Be on the lookout for those announcements throughout the month on our social media and website!

2021 Call for Board Members

After a long break in the scouting process, AYA is excited to announce that the call for board members is open once again!

We have recently brought on a new President, Vice President, Secretary, and International Director of Community Care. We are now seeking a Treasurer along with board members to fill out some recently created roles.

In the past months, AYA has been working to reshape the board to have a more lateral power structure. We have created the following committees and are looking for committee co-chairs and committee members.

• Accessibility
• Communication
• Community Outreach
• Education
• Ethics
• Social Media

The reshaping of the AYA board is an ongoing process, and if you’d like to work with AYA in a capacity that doesn’t align with the roles listed above, let us know! We are still open to creating new positions and bringing on general board members. We want to collaborate with you!

If you’re interested in the role of treasurer or joining one or more of the above committees, please send an email to youngastrologers@gmail.com detailing your interest. The deadline to send in your application is Sunday, February 28, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

Note: Because AYA’s board is still a small team, board members are encouraged to participate in multiple committees and lend a hand on projects they are interested in regardless of the role(s) they hold.

Note: All incoming board members will be required to participate in transformative justice training once accepting a position.

Below is more detailed information about the roles AYA is looking to fill.

Treasurer (Volunteer Position)

**URGENT** AYA is seeking to transition in a new Treasurer. The new treasurer will work closely with Alex Zolotov (current treasurer) as he transitions out of his role. The treasurer is responsible for presenting AYA’s annual budget and making sure the board works within it. Other roles include managing fund transfers and outgoing payments in a timely manner and ensuring that all government tax filings are completed on time.

Accessibility Committee

Co-chair (volunteer position)

The co-chair is responsible for helping to manage AYA’s transcription and translation initiatives. In 2021, AYA will start working on transcribing our lectures and Dinner & Drinks archives. This will be a BIG project, and the co-chair will be responsible for coordinating with the transcription team and ensuring that we stay on track with our timeline.

As we look to internationalize our membership, AYA plans to start providing content in multiple languages. The co-chair will be responsible for coordinating with translators and ensuring cohesion between multilingual content.

*Proficiency in multiple languages is NOT a requirement for this role.

Transcriber (Paid Position)

Members of the transcription team work to transcribe AYA’s archive of lectures and D&D’s. The team will also be responsible for editing auto-generated transcripts of future events.

Translator (Paid Position)

Translators are responsible for translating AYA’s content into other languages. We are currently only looking for Spanish translators, but will add additional languages in the future. When applying for this position, please describe your proficiency in Spanish (i.e. native speaker, 2^nd language, AP courses, etc.)

Communication Committee (Volunteer Positions)

The Communication Committee is responsible for a lot of background work (i.e. writing and proofing copy for the website, emails, and other platforms), as well as helping to manage AYA’s inbox and Google Drive.  Members of this committee are expected to be organized and have strong professional writing skills.

Community Outreach Committee (Volunteer Positions)

The Community Outreach Committee acts as a liaison between AYA and its membership base & the greater astrological community. This committee is responsible for membership management and recruitment, managing AYA’s Discord, and integrating advocacy and social justice initiatives into AYA’s work.

Education Committee (Volunteer Positions)

The Education Committee is responsible for spearheading various educational events and projects. Facilitation of Dinner & Drinks, working on the Ascendant, and new educational initiatives (which you will find out about once joining the board) are all under this committee’s domain. Members of this committee are expected to be passionate about accessible education and available to plan and participate in educational events at least once per month.

Ethics Committee (Volunteer Positions)

The Ethics Committee will play an integral role as AYA revamps our bylaws. This committee will help ensure that AYA holds itself to a high ethical standard and acts in a way that reflects our values.

Social Media Committee (Volunteer Positions)

The Social Media Committee is in charge of managing and monitoring AYA’s various social pages. Responsibilities include content creation, growing AYA’s online presence, and helping to integrate the org onto new platforms.

Again, be sure to email your application to youngastrologers@gmail.com by Sunday, February 28, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. PST.

AYA’s 2021 Transition of Power

As of December 2020, Jo Gleason stepped down from her role as the Interim President, as planned, and Samira Bechara has taken on the role of President in full.

We are so grateful for Jo’s four years of service with AYA, starting as the Social Media Manager, and stepping up to become the Vice President and acting as president over the past six months. We wish her the best in all of her future endeavors, and are looking forward to continuing to share this community with her!

Samira Bechara is a Lebanese-American astrologer, wine professional, and fundraising organizer based in New Orleans, LA. An early skeptic, she came into astrology in her early twenties, and after once having her chart read she immediately began her studies in earnest. She has studied with Kepler College, Erin Sullivan, the Faculty of Astrological Studies and more, and has attended and volunteered at conferences such as NORWAC, UAC, and NCGR. She was a presenter at QAC 2018 NYC, and teaches through TogetherWExpand as well as independently. She leans Archetypal, and has recently begun delving into the ancient practices of Mundane and Horary astrology. She is excited to help usher in a new paradigm of astrology and support the coming generation of astrological practitioners by serving with AYA!

Follow her on Twitter at @de_les_etoiles and find out more about her on her website here!

AYA’s Leadership Change – July 2020

AYA has had a recent change in leadership, and we want to be open and transparent about our process as we respond and evolve.

On July 13, 2020, Daniel Larkin resigned from the Association for Young Astrologers, and Jo Gleason stepped into the role of Interim President.

Jo Gleason intends to remain in her role of Interim President at least until the end of 2020, in order to support the call for board members process, including interviews, onboarding, and Rebrand and Restructure planning for 2020-21, which will include her transition out of the role of Interim President.

In light of this leadership change, AYA’s Call for Board Members has been extended to August 1. This call originally sought to fill the role of Vice President and Secretary, but has been expanded to reflect AYA’s intention to welcome several new voices for both title holding Officers and general Board Members. The intention of the AYA Board is to fill the position of Vice President first, so the new team member can be present for the following interviews for other positions.

The Vice President and any candidates interested in Leadership will work closely with the Interim President and other Officers to plan for AYA’s Rebrand and Restructuring initiatives, which will include Jo’s transition out of the Interim President role and the Vice President or Leadership candidate stepping into the President role.

The timing of this transition depends on the unique way this process unfolds, and current Board as well as Jo are committed to being responsive and flexible in this process. Jo will remain on board as Interim President until December 31, 2020 at minimum, unless her support is no longer needed before then, or is still needed for additional time past then.

AYA is committed to transparency and fluidity in this process as the we continue adapting to the evolving needs of the community. This plan is subject to change according to the needs of our current and future board members, applicants, and our community.

To learn more and get involved, visit our Updated Call for Board Members.