Astronomical Societies are a waste of time on effort. You are better to be an independent free agent!
Done everything from being on the committees, done all kinds of members contributions - ended up just serving others!
Learned one very important thing…. I function infinitely better away from them than being involved with them - being answerable to no one nor having to follow the party line. (Really, most of the time you're just stroking the ego of an elite few, often among those who are more interested in having a power-trip over others or controlling the money box!)
Suggest you use them to gain what you want to do or learn (exploitation before being exploited), then quickly move on.
All societies (astronomical and many other groups) should come with a warning label like cigarette packaging. I.e. Hazardous to your health and well-being.
Stick to the blogs (like this one), and try to stay as
anonymous as possible.
Not recommended - even for the strongest hearts!
Note: the only Societies that has ever impressed me (in order) was the Sutherland Astronomical Society, the Canberra Astronomical Society`and ASWA (Western Australia). Mostly a brilliant friendly bunch of people with the right attitude. (A high rarity among Australian social cultural groups!) …but I'm NOT a member of any of them!! Love to visit, though!