Because the ACS National Meeting in San Diego was during the first week of classes at SCC, I was only able to slip down to the meeting to attend the Wednesday Councilor Session. I’d like to pass along some of the highlights.
Resolutions
The Council passed a number of resolutions. One of them recognized and celebrated the 100th birthday of Gerald Meyer and his 80 years of service to the Society. Another resolution acknowledged Bonnie A. Charpentier’s service as ACS President and presiding officer of the Council. Bonnie is a member of the California Section and has attended a few of our Flavors of Chemistry events.
Bill Miller, Gerald Meyer, and Maria de la Paz Carpio-Obeso
Mariela, Bonnie Charpentier, and Bill
Please Vote!
Ballots for the 2019 fall national election were distributed starting on September 30th, with a voting deadline of October 25th. ACS members eligible to vote and with an email address on file will receive an electronic ballot with the option to request a paper ballot. Those members with no email address on file will be sent a paper ballot with the option to vote electronically. The ACS election vendor, Survey & Ballot Systems, will send three email reminders during the voting period to those who have not voted as of the reminder dates. N&E encourages all ACS members to vote for President-Elect and the Constitutional Amendment. Election information may be viewed at acs.org/elections.
New International Section
On the recommendation of the Committee on International Activities, and with the concurrence of the Council Policy Committee, Council approved the creation of an ACS International Chemical Sciences Chapter in the Republic of Georgia, contingent on approval by the Board of Directors.
Collaboration with SACNAS
The Board also held a discussion with members of the executive committee and staff leadership of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) on the vision, mission, and structure of SACNAS. Various components of the recently signed Chemistry Enterprise Partnership agreement were discussed, emphasizing the shared overarching objective of promoting and achieving diversity in STEM. The Board agreed to the appointment of a joint ACS-SACNAS task force charged with developing additional short-term goals, evaluating continued partnership potential, and developing long-term goals.
This is particularly important as the 2020 President of ACS, Dr. Luis Echegoyen, is a lifetime member of SACNAS. I look forward to hearing more about this collaboration!
My Final Report
Finally, this will be my last Councilor Report. In January, I will start a new position teaching chemistry at Prince George’s Community College in Maryland. I have enjoyed representing the section and working with all of its members over the last six years.
