At their annual meetings, the Member Representatives hold the Board accountable for the effective management of AURA and the achievement of its purposes. The OC is a Management Council of the Board. The OC provides stewardship and oversight, and gives support and advice to the NOAO Director on important policy and management matters. The OC consists of nine core members and the AURA President, ex officio . Core members are elected by the AURA Board.
Council members serve staggered three-year terms.
At least four of the members are derived from the Board of Directors or the Member Representatives, or in combination therefrom, and at least four come from outside the Board and Member Representatives. Management Councils elect their own officers. Member Representatives typically are either astronomers or high-level administrators.