Report of the ACS Council Meeting in Boston
by Paul Brandt, Chemical Bulletin Editor and Alternate Councilor
The 256th National Meeting of the ACS was held in Boston, MA from August 19 – 23, 2018. The theme of this meeting was “Nanoscience, Nanotechnology & Beyond” The Chicago section was represented at Council by eight councilors and two alternate councilors: Paul Brandt, David Crumrine (Constitution and Bylaws), Ken Fivizzani (Community Activities), Russell Johnson (Chemistry and Public Affairs), Michael Koehler (Chemical Safety), Fran Kravitz (Ethics), Josh Kurutz, Margy Levenberg (Meetings and Expositions), Milt Levenberg (Senior Chemists), and Inessa Miller.
The highlights of some of the national committees are given:
Finances:
The Society’s 2018 Probable 1 Projection calls for a Net from Operations of $31.8 million. This is $1.3 million favorable to the Approved Budget and $6.5 million higher than 2017. Total revenues are projected to be $565.1 million, which is $5.7 million unfavorable to the budget, but 2.2% higher than the prior year. Total expenses are projected at $553.3 million, which is $4.4 million favorable to the budget, and 4.9% higher than 2017. The Society is expected to end the year in compliance with each of the five Board-established financial guidelines.
Governance:
The Council elected councilors to serve on the Council Policy Committee, the Committee on Nominations and Elections and the Committee on Committees. For the Council Policy Committee – Ella L. Davis, Lissa A. Dulany, Lisa Houston and Martin D. Rudd were elected to full three-year terms (2019-20121), while Will E. Lynch was elected to a one-year term (2019). For the Committee on Nominations and Elections – Allison Aldridge, Christopher J. Bannochie, Mary K. Engelman, Silvia Ronco, and Frankie K. Wood-Black were elected to full three-year terms (2019-2021). For the Committee on Committees – Rodney M. Bennett, Jacqueline A. Erickson, Judith M. Iriarte-Gross, Donivan R. Porterfield, and Carolyn Ribes were elected for three-year terms (2019-2021). The candidates for the fall 2017 ACS national election for President-Elect 2018 are Luis A. Echegoyen and Thomas R. Gilbert.
Committee on Committees (ConC):
The Yellowbook ("Directory of National Officers, Directors, Councilors, Committees, Local Section Officers, and Technical Division Officers") is now online:
https://www.yellowbook.acs.org
Meetings and Expositions (M&E):
The attendance at the meeting was reported to be 14,235 with 3,671 students and 8,294 attendees. Once again, as part of their sustainability plan, only the mobile app was available. M&E recommended that they will be eliminating the print program books.
Committee on Membership Affairs (MAC):
ACS has 149,584 members, which is a decline of only eight-tenths of one percent from the over 150,000 members in 2017. This year-to-date figure represents an increase of over 1,200 members when compared to the last two years. The current membership count positions ACS for a strong close to the year, and there is cautious optimism that total membership will rise for the first time since 2011.
Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs (CEPA):
Salary and Employment data show that salaries are flat and decline slightly when inflation is taken into account. Women are still reported to be at about 80% that of men.
Project SEED:
Over the course of 50 years, there have been 11,000 research experiences for underprivileged high school students. 300 of these students have gone on to earn Ph.D.’s. This past year there were 426 students dispersed throughout 38 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. The 50 Forward video highlighting Sir Fraser Stoddart at Loyola University was shown:
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/donate/project-seed-inspiration-lab/science.html.
Committee on Community Activities (CCA):
The theme for National Chemistry Week is “Chemistry is Out of this World” and since this coming year has been designated as the International Year of the Periodic Table by the United Nations, you will be able to find the IYPT calendar in the ACS online store. The Chicago Section was the ChemLuminary Award winner for Outstanding Community Involvement in Chemistry Celebrates Earth Day.
Amendments to the ACS Bylaws:
There was significant discussion but ultimately it was passed that an International Chemical Sciences Chapter may assess its members Chapter dues to be expended for its own purposes in harmony with the objects of the SOCIETY.
Special Discussion:
President Dorhout introduced and led a special discussion on what role(s) ACS should play in preventing sexual harassment in the sciences. He directed Council’s attention to existing ACS codes and initiatives to address sexual harassment, and offered items for discussion and possible action:
• More signs/information at National Meetings regarding our policies and supporting information
• Trained volunteers at national meetings for reporting sexual harassment
• A webinar on preventing sexual harassment for local sections or divisions
If you have any questions and/or comments about the above actions, please contact me or one of your other representatives. You may contact me by email ([email protected]).
