Saturday, November 25, 2006
Executive Committee Candidates
The following statements were submitted by the candidates who are standing for office in the Rochester ACS Section in 2007.
Chair-Elect: Richard Hartmann
I was born February 05, 1966 in Milwaukee Wisconsin. I attended primary and Secondary school in Oak Creek Wisconsin, graduating in 1984. I began my undergraduate education as a chemical engineering major but eventually switched to education when I realized that I really enjoyed teaching. I graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry and Physics Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1988 and took my first job teaching physics and drafting at Marmion Military Academy in Aurora Illinois. After two years at Marmion a position opened up at my old high school so I moved back to Wisconsin and began teaching chemistry and physical science. I also got married ( 1991 ) to my lovely wife Sheila, a medical technologist who is now employed at Strong Memorial Hospital. After a few years of teaching, I realized that I missed learning new chemistry and looked into pursuing an advanced degree in chemistry. With the support and blessing of my wife I returned to school at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) where I investigated the solid phase synthesis of tungsten isocyanides as precursors to molecular level wires, earning a PhD in inorganic chemistry in the fall of 2000. During my graduate studies I spent a great deal of time lecturing at UWM as well as several other local colleges. Upon graduation I lectured for a year in the general chemistry program at UWM before accepting an assistant professorship at Nazareth College of Rochester. I currently serve as the both the director of the general chemistry program and act as the department’s safety officer.
My research involves various aspects relating to the synthesis of biodiesel from used cooking oil. Recently I have had undergraduates investigating aspects of soap removal, novel gas phase catalysts, as well as isolation of soil microbes for degradation of biodiesel and waste cooking oil remains.
Having served as a member at large for the past three years, I have gotten to know more of my colleagues in the local chemistry community and find that the work that is currently being done by the local section is both innovative and exciting. Recently we have begun the process of re-envisioning the role of the local section in light of all of the changes that are taking place both locally and nationally. I feel that both the work that has been started under the current leadership and that which is planned for the next year are worth supporting and as such, I am eager to get involved in a greater leadership capacity.
Secretary: Anne Marie Lanzafame
Anne Marie received a BS in Chemistry from St. John Fisher College and has been employed at Eastman Kodak Company since 1985. She was chemistry lab coordinator at Ultra Technologies, the Kodak battery subsidiary in Newark, NY, until 1990, when she transferred to the Kodak Research Labs. She has spent the past 14 years working on X-ray diffraction techniques, polymorphism studies and crystal growth experiments.
Anne Marie has been active in the ACS for a number of years. She is the current Local Section Secretary and served 2 years as LS Member-at-Large. Previous positions include a two year term as Chair of the Rochester Technician Affiliate Group (TAG) and two terms as TAG Member-at-Large. She has participated in several ACS national meetings since 1999, and was TECH general chemistry symposium Chair at the ACS national meeting in San Diego in 2001. She has chaired and assisted several events and committees over the years, including: Volunteer Coordinator for the Northeast Regional (2004), Rochester Chemical Technician Award (Chair 1999, 2000), Local Section Fall Symposium Poster Session (2001–2005), Kodak Technician Symposia, Worldwide Analytical Symposium (1997) and two years as Chair of the Kodak ATD Technician Council.
In her free time, Anne Marie devotes herself to animal rescue and placement. She is co-founder and current treasurer of the Pet Adoption Network.
Statement of views:
Communication and timely dissemination of information are key to the smooth operation of the Rochester Local Section. As a member of the executive committee, I would like to extend an invitation to every member to participate in at least one local section activity this coming year. Each member can make a unique contribution that will enhance the organization, and I would like to see our membership extend itself and make a difference. There are many opportunities and challenges ahead, and strong membership support is critical to our continued success. As Secretary, I intend to distribute all information clearly and accurately, so that every opportunity to participate is made available to our members.
Anne Marie has been active in the ACS for a number of years. She is the current Local Section Secretary and served 2 years as LS Member-at-Large. Previous positions include a two year term as Chair of the Rochester Technician Affiliate Group (TAG) and two terms as TAG Member-at-Large. She has participated in several ACS national meetings since 1999, and was TECH general chemistry symposium Chair at the ACS national meeting in San Diego in 2001. She has chaired and assisted several events and committees over the years, including: Volunteer Coordinator for the Northeast Regional (2004), Rochester Chemical Technician Award (Chair 1999, 2000), Local Section Fall Symposium Poster Session (2001–2005), Kodak Technician Symposia, Worldwide Analytical Symposium (1997) and two years as Chair of the Kodak ATD Technician Council.
In her free time, Anne Marie devotes herself to animal rescue and placement. She is co-founder and current treasurer of the Pet Adoption Network.
Statement of views:
Communication and timely dissemination of information are key to the smooth operation of the Rochester Local Section. As a member of the executive committee, I would like to extend an invitation to every member to participate in at least one local section activity this coming year. Each member can make a unique contribution that will enhance the organization, and I would like to see our membership extend itself and make a difference. There are many opportunities and challenges ahead, and strong membership support is critical to our continued success. As Secretary, I intend to distribute all information clearly and accurately, so that every opportunity to participate is made available to our members.
Member-at-Large: Steve Locke
Steve Locke has been chair of the ACS High School Award Ceremonies for four years. Each year over 1000 high school students from 60 different high schools have received recognition with an ACS ceremony and certificate. Steve has been a high school science teacher at Byron-Bergen for eleven years. Steve had a previous career for fourteen years as a Development Chemist at Eastman Kodak / Eastman Chemicals.
Member-at-Large: Maryann Mendel
Dr. Maryann Mendel has been an ACS member for 40 years. Her contributions to Chemistry were in the area of Photography at Eastman Kodak Company, where she worked as a Senior Development Manager in the Entertainment Imaging Business. During her tenure, more than 15 new innovative film products were successfully delivered to the Motion Picture Industry. More recently, she filled the role of Business Development and Program Manager for digital products until her retirement in 2005.
Mendel holds a BA in Chemistry from Immaculata College and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Boston College. She also completed The Duke Advanced Management Program.
In addition to her ACS membership, Mendel is a Research Fellow and Lifetime Member of the Research Scientific Council, Eastman Kodak Company and is currently a Fellow of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, Inc.
During her career, Mendel received many technical awards such as 2 Academy Awards of Merit (Oscar) from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Board of Governors and the Fuji Gold Medal Award from the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, Inc.
She is currently a resident of West Irondequoit, New York with her husband John and their 2 dogs (Minnie and Annie).
Member-at-Large: Tim Wilson
Tim Wilson is a chemical technician employed at the Eastman Kodak Company in the Ion Analysis Laboratory of the Foundation Science and Technology Center, supporting research and development of imaging chemicals. He currently serves on the executive board of the Technician Affiliate Group (TAG). In addition, he serves as co-chair of the Education Outreach Committee of the TAG along with Deb Janes, in presenting a chemical education outreach program, Adventures in Chemistry and Physics (ACAP) to students throughout the year. Tim and Deb Janes have contributed their efforts to National Chemistry Week, ACS High School Chemistry Awards Night, Rochester Museum and Science Center’s Science Saturdays Program and Science and Technology Week, E3 Science fair, and Kodak’s National Engineering Week programs. They have presented workshops to junior and senior high students at Science Exploration Days, science educators at Science Educators’Conferences, and the STANYS Science Educators Conference. In 2001, they presented a workshop at the 221st National ACS Meeting in San Diego, California. Tim was also a member of the NERM 2004 organizing committee and was also the co-chair of the Secondary School Teacher and Student Event during NERM 2004. In 2005, Tim and Deb coordinated local National Chemistry Week activities. In 2006, they coordinated Chemists Celebrate Earth Day activities. They are planning Chemagination for 2007. In addition to developing TAG and ACS flyers, Tim recently developed a power point presentation highlighting the local sections activities at the request of the American Chemical Societies Department of Local Section and Community Activities. Tim is also the local sections representative on the Rochester Council for Scientific Societies.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
ACS Congressional Fellowship
The ACS Congressional Fellowship program provides the opportunity each year for two ACS members to work in Congress as staff members in the office of a Senator, Representative, or Committee. As part of a broader effort administered by AAAS that places more than 30 scientists per year on Capitol Hill, the program has two major goals: to provide policy-makers with high quality technical information on science-related issues and to educate scientists on how our government works and how science policy is made. Congressional Fellows work on the Congressional staff of their choice, and ACS Congressional Fellows have covered issues as diverse as federal funding for scientific research, science education, and health policy.
The ACS Congressional Fellows program is an outstanding opportunity for chemists who are interested in policy to learn about it in a hands-on environmentsomething I experienced personally as an ACS Congressional Fellow in 1998 with the Senate Budget Committee. Not only did I get to see the Congressional budget and appropriations processes firsthand, I was able to participate in formulating federal policy on funding for the Department of Energy and the NIH. I worked as an equal with other Congressional staff while providing a science-based perspective that is somewhat lacking on Capitol Hill. There are now more than 40 former ACS Congressional Fellows: every one can tell you a similar story about his or her experience, and all are tremendously enthusiastic about the Congressional Fellowship program.
Congressional Fellowship applications are due each year on December 31, with the Fellowship beginning the following September or January. The ACS offers two positions per year, one aimed at an entry-level individual and the other at a more experienced professional. Applicants must possess a Doctoral degree or Master’s degree (with equivalent work experience) at the time of appointment in one of the chemical sciences or engineering disciplines. Fellows receive a stipend of $55,000 to $65,000, depending on their level of experience, with allowances for relocation, health insurance, and travel during the fellowship year.
I am sure there are members in your local section who would be interested in spending a year in Washington, DC as part of this exciting and important activity, so I am asking you to help us get the word out. Please publicize the Fellowship in your local section bulletin, and include the links below so interested candidates can find out more information. The second link takes you to the ACS Public Policy Fellowships Video. This video was sent to you on DVD, along with a flyer on the program, by Brad Smith of the ACS Office of Legislative and Government Affairs. Please play the video at your next local section meeting, and encourage interested members to seek out additional information by contacting ACS staff at congfellow@acs.org, or by contacting me directly.
I know, as a Local Section Chair, there are many competing demands on your time, so I appreciate your attention to this issue, and am willing to help in any way that I can. The ACS Congressional Fellowships program is a fantastic opportunity to participate in the policy process and to serve our country, so I hope you will help me spread the word to our members. Please feel free to contact me, either by email or through my alternate contact information (listed below) if there is anything I can do to help.
Sincerely,
Kristin
Kristin Omberg
Chair, Fellowships Subcommittee
ACS Committee on Chemistry and Public Policy
ACS Public Policy Fellowships Website:
http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/acsdisplay.html?DOC=government%5Cfellowships%5Cfellowship.html
Link to ACS Public Policy Fellowships Video:
http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/acsdisplay.html?DOC=government\index.html
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Public Policy Fellowships Website:
http://fellowships.aaas.org/
Kristin M. Omberg, PhD
Group Leader
Systems Engineering & Integration Group
Decision Applications Division
PO Box 1663, MS F607
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos, NM 87545
phone: 505-667-9628
cell: 505-699-4415
fax: 505-665-5283
The ACS Congressional Fellows program is an outstanding opportunity for chemists who are interested in policy to learn about it in a hands-on environmentsomething I experienced personally as an ACS Congressional Fellow in 1998 with the Senate Budget Committee. Not only did I get to see the Congressional budget and appropriations processes firsthand, I was able to participate in formulating federal policy on funding for the Department of Energy and the NIH. I worked as an equal with other Congressional staff while providing a science-based perspective that is somewhat lacking on Capitol Hill. There are now more than 40 former ACS Congressional Fellows: every one can tell you a similar story about his or her experience, and all are tremendously enthusiastic about the Congressional Fellowship program.
Congressional Fellowship applications are due each year on December 31, with the Fellowship beginning the following September or January. The ACS offers two positions per year, one aimed at an entry-level individual and the other at a more experienced professional. Applicants must possess a Doctoral degree or Master’s degree (with equivalent work experience) at the time of appointment in one of the chemical sciences or engineering disciplines. Fellows receive a stipend of $55,000 to $65,000, depending on their level of experience, with allowances for relocation, health insurance, and travel during the fellowship year.
I am sure there are members in your local section who would be interested in spending a year in Washington, DC as part of this exciting and important activity, so I am asking you to help us get the word out. Please publicize the Fellowship in your local section bulletin, and include the links below so interested candidates can find out more information. The second link takes you to the ACS Public Policy Fellowships Video. This video was sent to you on DVD, along with a flyer on the program, by Brad Smith of the ACS Office of Legislative and Government Affairs. Please play the video at your next local section meeting, and encourage interested members to seek out additional information by contacting ACS staff at congfellow@acs.org, or by contacting me directly.
I know, as a Local Section Chair, there are many competing demands on your time, so I appreciate your attention to this issue, and am willing to help in any way that I can. The ACS Congressional Fellowships program is a fantastic opportunity to participate in the policy process and to serve our country, so I hope you will help me spread the word to our members. Please feel free to contact me, either by email or through my alternate contact information (listed below) if there is anything I can do to help.
Sincerely,
Kristin
Kristin Omberg
Chair, Fellowships Subcommittee
ACS Committee on Chemistry and Public Policy
ACS Public Policy Fellowships Website:
http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/acsdisplay.html?DOC=government%5Cfellowships%5Cfellowship.html
Link to ACS Public Policy Fellowships Video:
http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/acsdisplay.html?DOC=government\index.html
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Public Policy Fellowships Website:
http://fellowships.aaas.org/
Kristin M. Omberg, PhD
Group Leader
Systems Engineering & Integration Group
Decision Applications Division
PO Box 1663, MS F607
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos, NM 87545
phone: 505-667-9628
cell: 505-699-4415
fax: 505-665-5283
Thursday, November 9, 2006
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes - November
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes - November
Attendees: Anne Marie Lanzafame, Dick Cobb, Tim Wilson, Ben Miller, Henry Gysling, Mary Jane Witkiewitz, Jim Reynolds, Lew Allen, Deb Janes, Mark Stachowski, Mark Heitz
Meeting minutes taken by Anne Marie Lanzafame
The meeting was called to order at 4:35 PM by Ben Miller at Red Fidele’s Brookhouse
Secretary Report (A.Lanzafame):
Oct meeting minutes were approved by unanimous vote.
Chair Report (B. Miller):
The Harrison Howe Symposium went well. More fundraising & publicity would be good for next time.
Send Committee Reports to Ben ASAP, so that he can begin the annual report. Any reports that were sent to Dick Cobb have already been forwarded to Ben.
Social Events (H. Gysling):
The next mixer is at Macgregor’s in Henrietta on Dec. 12. Henry suggested pooling business card info collected, to track who is attending. He would like it held monthly next year, in the same location.
Chemunications & alternatives (B.Miller):
Ken S. would like to discontinue Cheminucations. It is too much effort to get articles and he wonders about the value of the newsletter, at this point.
Suggestion: E-mail people every couple of months to update people on upcoming events.
Dick suggests sending an annual letter from the Chair in January, listing upcoming events, followed by a postcard mid-year. This would give us contact with members without e-mail or internet access.
Jim R. is investigating use of an electronic system to manage e-mail distribution. The cost will be $250/yr.
Tim W. suggests sending e-mail to local schools telling them to check the website for events. Steve Locke will have much of the contact info through the High School Awards distribution list.
Henry would like flyers posted on the website in pdf format, so that people can print & post.
A unanimous decision was made to discontinue Chemunications.
Budget (D.Cobb):
A budget was submitted, based on the survey input, meeting with Mary Jane and committee input. The proposed budget was reviewed line-by-line.
There was some discussion concerning increasing our involvement in National Chemistry Week.
Undergrad travel grants were increased from $300 for 4 students to $400 each, but added the requirement that they attend an ACS meeting and report back to the Local Section.
There will be 6 Coffee & Chemistry sessions, based on support of $500 in ACS grant funds. Session Chairs are needed for each event. A suggestion was made to distribute flyers at the mixers for this.
The 2007 budget was approved by unanimous vote.
A list of Proposed Guidelines for 2007 was submitted by Dick (see below).
The Guidelines for 2007 Rochester Section Budget were approved by unanimous vote.
Guidelines for 2007 Rochester Section Budget:
Decisions that affect a loss of income or expanded expenditures by more than $50.00 must be presented to and approved by the Executive Committee (at an Executive Committee meeting or via electronic voting).
For any activity/event not shown in the budget, Executive Committee discussion and approval are required (at an Executive Committee meeting or via electronic voting).
With reservations for any event, payment will be due by the event’s set deadline or reservations will be cancelled. Reservations with payment at the door will no longer be accepted.
Any event, where tickets may be purchased at the time of the event, shall show an increase in price for that option.
Event prices for non-members shall be higher than that for members and one guest. ($5.00 for any event under $50.00 and 10% for any event over $50.00).
Although the cap for Local Section Councilors has been increased, we realize that it is not fair to have our Councilor incur extensive out of pocket expenses representing our Section at National Meetings. Thus we will try to be open to expenses beyond the cap if reasonable.
Elections (M.Heitz):
Ken S. has the election materials. Mark will contact Ken and get the ballots out.
Other:
Jim Reynolds will look into the location of the LS archives, which were last stored in the Kodak Bld 83 basement.
A unanimous vote was made to approve the Treasurer’s Report.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 pm.
Votes taken:
Oct meeting minutes were approved by unanimous vote.
A unanimous vote was made to approve the Treasurer’s Report.
The 2007 budget was approved by unanimous vote.
The Guidelines for 2007 Rochester Section Budget were approved by unanimous vote.
Attendees: Anne Marie Lanzafame, Dick Cobb, Tim Wilson, Ben Miller, Henry Gysling, Mary Jane Witkiewitz, Jim Reynolds, Lew Allen, Deb Janes, Mark Stachowski, Mark Heitz
Meeting minutes taken by Anne Marie Lanzafame
The meeting was called to order at 4:35 PM by Ben Miller at Red Fidele’s Brookhouse
Secretary Report (A.Lanzafame):
Oct meeting minutes were approved by unanimous vote.
Chair Report (B. Miller):
The Harrison Howe Symposium went well. More fundraising & publicity would be good for next time.
Send Committee Reports to Ben ASAP, so that he can begin the annual report. Any reports that were sent to Dick Cobb have already been forwarded to Ben.
Social Events (H. Gysling):
The next mixer is at Macgregor’s in Henrietta on Dec. 12. Henry suggested pooling business card info collected, to track who is attending. He would like it held monthly next year, in the same location.
Chemunications & alternatives (B.Miller):
Ken S. would like to discontinue Cheminucations. It is too much effort to get articles and he wonders about the value of the newsletter, at this point.
Suggestion: E-mail people every couple of months to update people on upcoming events.
Dick suggests sending an annual letter from the Chair in January, listing upcoming events, followed by a postcard mid-year. This would give us contact with members without e-mail or internet access.
Jim R. is investigating use of an electronic system to manage e-mail distribution. The cost will be $250/yr.
Tim W. suggests sending e-mail to local schools telling them to check the website for events. Steve Locke will have much of the contact info through the High School Awards distribution list.
Henry would like flyers posted on the website in pdf format, so that people can print & post.
A unanimous decision was made to discontinue Chemunications.
Budget (D.Cobb):
A budget was submitted, based on the survey input, meeting with Mary Jane and committee input. The proposed budget was reviewed line-by-line.
There was some discussion concerning increasing our involvement in National Chemistry Week.
Undergrad travel grants were increased from $300 for 4 students to $400 each, but added the requirement that they attend an ACS meeting and report back to the Local Section.
There will be 6 Coffee & Chemistry sessions, based on support of $500 in ACS grant funds. Session Chairs are needed for each event. A suggestion was made to distribute flyers at the mixers for this.
The 2007 budget was approved by unanimous vote.
A list of Proposed Guidelines for 2007 was submitted by Dick (see below).
The Guidelines for 2007 Rochester Section Budget were approved by unanimous vote.
Guidelines for 2007 Rochester Section Budget:
Decisions that affect a loss of income or expanded expenditures by more than $50.00 must be presented to and approved by the Executive Committee (at an Executive Committee meeting or via electronic voting).
For any activity/event not shown in the budget, Executive Committee discussion and approval are required (at an Executive Committee meeting or via electronic voting).
With reservations for any event, payment will be due by the event’s set deadline or reservations will be cancelled. Reservations with payment at the door will no longer be accepted.
Any event, where tickets may be purchased at the time of the event, shall show an increase in price for that option.
Event prices for non-members shall be higher than that for members and one guest. ($5.00 for any event under $50.00 and 10% for any event over $50.00).
Although the cap for Local Section Councilors has been increased, we realize that it is not fair to have our Councilor incur extensive out of pocket expenses representing our Section at National Meetings. Thus we will try to be open to expenses beyond the cap if reasonable.
Elections (M.Heitz):
Ken S. has the election materials. Mark will contact Ken and get the ballots out.
Other:
Jim Reynolds will look into the location of the LS archives, which were last stored in the Kodak Bld 83 basement.
A unanimous vote was made to approve the Treasurer’s Report.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 pm.
Votes taken:
Oct meeting minutes were approved by unanimous vote.
A unanimous vote was made to approve the Treasurer’s Report.
The 2007 budget was approved by unanimous vote.
The Guidelines for 2007 Rochester Section Budget were approved by unanimous vote.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
