ACS Spring Council Meeting Report
The Spring 2025 National Meeting of the ACS was held in-person in San Diego and virtually from March 23–27, 2025. The theme of this meeting was “Pushing Boundaries. Solving Global Challenges”. Dr. Dorothy Phillips, ACS President, presided over the Hybrid ACS Council Meeting on March 26, 2025. A total of 15,332 registrations (14,251 in‐person and 1,081 online) were observed.
The Chicago Section was represented at Council by the following ten councilors: Paul Brandt (Public Relations and Communications), Mark Cesa (Ethics), Kenneth Fivizzani (Economics and Professional Affairs), Russell Johnson (International Activities), Fran Kravitz (Women Chemists), Josh Kurutz (Chemists With Disabilities), Tim Marin, Margy Levenberg (Meetings & Expositions), Milt Levenberg (Senior Chemists), and Margaret Schott.
Election Results:
By electronic ballot, the Council selected Christina Bodurow and Dawn Mason as candidates for 2026
President-Elect over Sheila Murphy and John Warner.
Highlights from Reports and Key Actions:
- On the recommendation of the Committee on Committees (ConC), Council voted to continue the
Committee on Chemical Technical Professionals and, subject to the concurrence of the ACS Board of
Directors, the Committees on Budget & Finance, Education, International Activities, and Patents and
Related Matters. - On the recommendation of ConC, and with the concurrence of the Council Policy Committee (CPC),
Council voted to amend the duties of the Committee on Patents and Related Matters (CPRM) and
change its name to the Committee on Intellectual Property (CIP), subject to the concurrence of the ACS
Board of Directors. This change reflects the committee’s mission and vision statements, which refer to
“intellectual property” generally rather than elevating patents above other forms of intellectual property. - On the recommendation of the Committee on Nominations and Elections (N&E), and with the
concurrence of the CPC, Council voted in favor of increasing the number of Councilors on N&E to 19,
subject to the concurrence of the ACS Board of Directors. These additional committee members will
support the increased workload from the addition of six Zone Councilor slates to N&E’s duties. - On the recommendation of the Committee on International Activities (IAC), Council voted to approve
the creation of new International Chemical Sciences Chapters in Ghana, Ecuador, and Northeast China,
subject to the concurrence of the ACS Board of Directors. - On the recommendation of the Committee on Local Section Activities (LSAC), Council voted to
dissolve the Penn/Ohio Border Local Section. This takes effect on January 1, 2026, and members are
being contacted about joining neighboring sections. - On the recommendation of the Committee on Membership Affairs (MAC), Council voted to approve
the 2026 Schedule of Dues and Benefits, subject to the concurrence of the ACS Board of Directors.
