Milwaukee Section - American Chemical Society the amalgamator

MILWAUKEE SECTION
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY

Councillors' Report

Notes from the Council meeting at Washington, DC, August 25, 2000.

1. President-elect Attilla Pavleh indicated in his report that he will place a strong emphasis on member retention.
   
   
2. The newly established Legislative Action Network (LAN) has grown from a participation level of ~2000 to ~7000 in the past year. More participation is encouraged as we need to make our position known to legislators.
   
   
3. The ACS currently has a $7M operating surplus (donation) for the past year. Much of this surplus arose via the strong performance of the publications division. The surplus may be used to upgrade web-sites associated with The Society.
   
   
4. The FERT (Fertilizers and Soils) division will be disbanded and its members will form a subdivision of the AGRO (Agricultural Chemicals) division.
   
   
5. An ACS Task Force on Ethics in Chemistry (Science) has been formed. This group will seek input from members of The Society.
   
   
6. A petition to increase the membership of standing committees of The Council was initially introduced as an urgent action item. After several committees opposed the categorization as urgent for this item it was postponed for action but will be brought for action in San Diego. Essentially the desire is to have more participation avenues opened for counselors – but the cost is that committees will be larger and more unwieldy.
   
   
7. The Publication Committee will assume the responsibilities of the disbanded Copyright Committee.
   
   
8. The Committee on Technician Activities has had its named changed to the Committee on Technical Affairs with duties described as
   
   
   • Coordinate The Society's interests in the development and activities of chemical technicians
     
     
   • Facilitate communication between the American Chemical Society, employers and other technical and professional societies concerning critical issues of common interest in the are of technician activities.
     
     
   • Provide continuing support for the American Chemical Society's educational programs for chemical technicians by assisting in the development, review and promotion of appropriate ACS education materials.
     
     
   • Support and strengthen the Division of Chemical Technicians by encouraging and assisting in the formation of Technician Affiliate Groups in ACS local sections.
   
   
   
9. The Society has established a new alliance with the Green Chemistry Institute. ACS will spend $2M in support of this alliance.
   
   
10. The Society Committee on Education (SOCED) will establish a task force to investigate the establishment of groups similar to the Student Affiliates (SAACS) at the high school level.
    
    
11. Registration at the Annual Meeting of the ACS held in Washington DC was 10962 + 2406 exhibitors and guests. The exhibit was sold out.
12. On-line registration will expand for the San Diego meeting and will include new post-deadline registration options.
    
    
13. Indianapolis has been approved as a site for future National Meetings of the ACS. It will submit a bid for a meeting to be held in 2113.
    
    
14. A new registration fee for national meetings was recommended to the board increasing the fee for national meetings. This change is in line with the plan passed last year to build the meetings into a revenue neutral component of the ACS. An amendment to freeze the registration fee at the current level for ACS members was defeated by a voice vote.
    
    
15. A by-law change that would increase the cost for non-US scientists to attend National Meetings of The Society was brought for action by the Committee on Meetings and Expositions. This motion was recommitted to Committee on a hand vote. The committee is expected to address concerns about the financial impact of this change on Divisions (who often pay registration fees for visiting scientists who present in symposia at the national meetings). They are also asked to justify this change in terms of the current thrust of The Society to enhance international cooperation.
    
    
16. The Committee on Membership will continue to sponsor a mini-grant program for the purpose of enhancing the recruiting and retention of members at the Local Section and Divisional levels.
    
    
17. A new publication called Lifetimes in Chemistry has been produced by The Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs. This document seeks to address issues associated with the lifelong progression of chemists through careers.
    
    
18. At the Employment Clearinghouse in Washington DC, 1616 jobs were posted by 155 employers. 1056 candidates registered and approximately 3000 interviews took place.
    
    
19. A new on-line tool will soon be implemented to allow members of The Society to conduct salary comparisons when they are considering job offers and/or promotions.
    
    
20. National Chemistry Week (NCW) will have a theme of "Kitchen Chemistry". The signature event this year will be "Chemists Reacting to Hunger" a food drive to be conducted during NCW.
    
    

Submitted by:

Tom Holme

Dimitri Gorjestani