Report* of ACS Council Meeting held on August 16, 2023

The Fall 2023 National Meeting of the ACS was held in-person in San Francisco and virtually, August 13-17, 2023. The theme of this meeting was “Harnessing the Power of Data.” Dr. Judith Giordan, ACS President, presided over the Hybrid Council Meeting on August 16, 2023. The Chicago Section was represented at Council by the following nine councilors: Mark Cesa (International Activities), Ken Fivizzani (Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs), Russell Johnson (International Activities), Fran Kravitz (Ethics), Josh Kurutz, Ilana Lemberger (Alternate Councilor), Margy Levenberg (Meetings and Expositions), Milt Levenberg (Alternate Councilor, Senior Chemists), and Tim Marin.

Election Results:

By electronic ballot, the Council elected Lydia E. M. Hines, Martha G. Hollomon, Elizabeth M. Howson, and Jeanette M. Van Emon for a three-year term (2024-2026) on the Council Policy Committee (CPC). James C. Carver was elected for a one-year term from 2024-2025 to fill the unexpired term of Will E. Lynch, who was elected to the ACS Board of Directors. By electronic ballot, the Council elected Jeanne R. Berk, Anna G. Cavinato, Thomas R. Gilbert, W. Matthew Reichert, and Andrea B. Twiss-Brooks for a three-year term (2024-2026) on the Committee on Committees (ConC). By electronic ballot, the Council elected Amber F. Charlebois, Jetty L. Duffy-Matzner, Arlene A. Garrison, Zaida C. Morales Martinez, and Linette M. Watkins for a three-year term (2024-2026) on the Committee on Nominations and Elections (N&E). Kevin J. Edgar was elected for a one-year term from 2024-2025 to fill Silvia Ronco’s vacancy.

Committee Reports and Key Actions:

On the recommendation of the Council Policy Committee (CPC), Council approved the Petition to Amend the Council Executive Function, removing the oral reporting requirement for non-elected Society Committees. CPC voted to replace the Councilor Travel Expense Program with the Councilor Attendance Incentive Allotment, effective January 1, 2024. This new approach will provide a single payment of $2000 per Councilor, per meeting, directly to Local Sections and Divisions that opt into the program. On the recommendation of the Committee on Committees (ConC) and with concurrence of CPC, Council approved the Petition to Amend the duties of the Committee on International Activities (IAC), providing the committee with the authority to assist International Chemical Science Chapters with issues arising from office turnover and other administrative difficulties. On the recommendation of the Committee on Nominations and Elections (N&E), and with concurrence of CPC, Council approved the Petition to Add International Representation to the Board of Directors, decreasing the total number of Directors-at-Large from six to five and creating an International District Director. Following approval by the Board of Directors, the amendment to the ACS Constitution will require the support of two-thirds (2/3) majority of voting members. On the recommendation of the Committee on International Activities (IAC), Council approved the creation of the Singapore International Chemical Sciences Chapter. 

Council Special Discussion:

President Giordan introduced and led a special discussion on “ACS Council: Equitable Governance for the Future.” She sought Councilor input on ideas to improve representation, broadly defined, on Council and across ACS governance. Three specific prompts were posed to Councilors for their input and suggestions: 1) Ideally, for ACS Council to equitably represent all members we would . . .  2) The key areas where we need to ensure greater equity and inclusion in Council are . . .  3) I wish ACS Council would/could . . .  . . . to engender greater equity and inclusion. Councilors provided their ideas and thoughts, and relevant Society units will receive this input within the next several weeks. Please share further input with [email protected].  

Meetings and Expositions:

The Fall ACS National Meeting was held from August 13-17, 2023. As of August 16, there were 15,019 registrants, (13,363 in-person and 1,656 virtual).

If you have any questions or comments about the above information, please contact me or one of your other councilors.