The Rochester Section has many opportunities for its members to volunteer their services. Let me take this opportunity to mention just a few.
Project SEED: Each year, Project SEED places economically disadvantaged high school students in academic, industrial, and government research laboratories for eight-to-ten weeks. The goal of this summer experience is to learn what it's like to work as part of a team doing hands-on research. Each student does a chemical research project under the direct supervision of a scientist/mentor (called a preceptor) and receives an educational award. While each Section only needs a few preceptors, the Rochester Section could use more so we can sponsor additional qualified students. As you might guess, we are already in the student selection process for this coming summer. If you might be interested in serving as a preceptor, or just want to learn more about the program or your duties, please contact Lew Allen (Lallen10@rochester.rr.com).
Adopt-A-School: The Adopt-a-School Program is a volunteer group that teaches hands-on science to fourth graders once a month. The group has been a great mix of younger and older chemists, as well as chemical engineers, technicians, electrical engineers, retired teachers, college professors, students, and a few who are simply interested in teaching science. New members are encouraged to help out in a classroom with an experienced scientist. Once a month they create an hour of inquiry, creativity, teamwork, and ingenuity for a classroom full of children whose minds are eager to explore this new world of science. One hour a month helping the kids is a small contribution that can have a lifelong impact on a child. Contact Kathy O’Brien (Katherine.O’Brien@usa.xerox.com) to learn more about the program and get involved. You can make a difference!
Ken Schlecht
2009 Rochester ACS Chair-Elect
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Call for Nominations
The following offices need to be filled in this fall’s Rochester ACS Section election:
CHAIR-ELECT
SECRETARY
COUNCILOR
THREE MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
You may nominate someone for an office or if you, yourself, are interested in serving in any of these positions, we are always happy to take a self-nomination! The deadline for nominations is September 8, 2008. Please send nominations to Richard Cobb (585-477-4903, d.richard.cobb@kodak.com).
We are also seeking people willing to serve on the Nominations and Elections Committee. If you would like to serve on the Committee, please contact Richard Cobb by Thursday, May 1st.
The duties involved for each position up for election are as follows:
POSITION: Chair-Elect
TERM: (3-year term, serving one year as Chair-Elect, one year as Chair and one
year as Immediate Past Chair)
DUTIES: The Chair-Elect succeeds to the office of Chair. The chief duties are to learn about Section and National ACS operations and to plan for Section activities the following year.
The Chair-Elect:
1. Is Vice Chair of the Section and Vice President of the Corporation.
2. Participates in a Section Officers Conference conducted by the ACS Local Section Activities Office and sponsored by the Council on Local Section Activities.
3. Appoints and Chairs a Planning Committee (which includes the Treasurer), establishes goals, and prepares for his/her year as Chair by:
a. Determining the committees needed.
b. Identifying Coordinators and Committee Chairs prior to assuming office, preferably by December 15.
c. Preparing and submitting the Chair’s Message to the Editor of the Section newsletter prior to the deadline for the first issue for the year, and to the Section’s Home Page Webmaster.
d. Preparing and supplying, to the Executive Committee at the Annual Meeting, a directory of incoming Section Officers, Executive Committee Members, Coordinators, and Committee Chairs, and also a tentative Section calendar including known and proposed dates of Section events and Executive Committee meetings. When complete, the directory is supplied to the Editor of the Section newsletter as early in the year as possible, and to the Section’s Home Page Webmaster.
4. Appoints the Finance and Budget Committees and, working as a member of these committees, assists in preparing the budget in advance of his/her year as Chair.
5. Should attend the Fall National Meeting to acquire a taste of National ACS activities prior to taking over the position of Section Chair (should be part of annual budget).
6. Assume the leadership of the Section’s Strategic Planning Committee
The Chair:
1. Presides at technical and business meetings of the Section, including Executive Committee Meetings. The Chair is President of the Corporation.
2. Is responsible for appointment of Coordinators and Committee Chairs. This is best accomplished prior to assuming office, as part of the Chair-Elect responsibilities. Appoints new committees and dissolves unwanted committees as the need arises. (See Chair-Elect)
3. Is responsible for the integration and supervision of the activities of the Section, its committees and its officers.
4. Keeps the Chair-Elect informed of and involved in the activities of the Section, thus insuring continuity of Section operation. Also gives the Chair-Elect opportunities to assume a leadership role in preparation for being Chair.
5. Formulates the agenda of the Executive Committee meetings in conjunction with the Secretary with input from Committee Chairs and interested members.
The Chair (continued)
6. Is responsible for correspondence with the National ACS Office or with other Sections and organizations in matters of Section business. Routes requests from the ACS office to
appropriate Officers or Committee Chairs, and is responsible for follow-up on such requests, preferably receiving copies of correspondence. Reports communications from the ACS Office to the Section at Executive Committee meetings or Section business meetings.
7. Compiles, with the Secretary, the Annual Report for the ACS Council Committee on Local Section Activities on forms supplied by the Local Section Activities Office, adding supplementary material as necessary to convey a full and accurate picture of the scope of Section operations.
8. Serves as a member of the Harrison Howe Committee and the Rochester Section Award Committee and as an ex officio member of all other committees except Nominations and Elections.
9. Works with the Secretary to secure a meeting place for the Executive Committee.
10. Collaborates with the Chair-Elect, the Secretary, and the Historian in decisions of what records should be retained either for the new Chair or for the historical records of the Section.
11. Mentors, as much as needed or possible, the Chair-Elect in the coming year.
12. Collaborates with the Chair-Elect and the Secretary, following completion of the Annual Report, in decisions of what records should be retained either for the new Chair or for the historical records of the Section.
The Immediate Past Chair:
The Immediate Past Chair’s position lies with the Chair who is leaving office after their 1-year term expires. This is the third and final year of their leadership commitment. The chief duties are to retain and expand membership and membership benefit
The Immediate Past Chair:
1. Serves as an officer of the Section and Director of the Corporation.
2. Serves as Chair of the Membership Committee.
3. Works on programs to retain and acquire new members in the Section.
POSITION: Secretary
TERM: (2-year term)
DUTIES: The Secretary is an officer of the Section and is a Director and Secretary of the Corporation. The Secretary is responsible for making timely notification of meetings and for maintaining the written record of Section activities.
The Secretary:
1. Makes arrangements for the meetings of the Section and the Executive Committee:
a. Secures a meeting place (in consultation with the Chair).
b. Mails meeting notices and agenda, at least one week prior to the meeting, to Executive Committee Members, Coordinators, Committee Chairs, and any others as requested by the Chair.
c. Distributes copies of the minutes for approval to members of the Executive Committee. The meeting minutes should be published as soon after meetings as possible so that participants can work on unfinished business before the next meeting.
d. Provides minutes to the Editor of the Section newsletter and the Home Page Webmaster, for publication.
2. Issues written notices of all Business Meetings of the membership not more than fifty days nor less than ten days prior to the meeting. Normally, the only Business Meeting of the membership is the Annual Meeting, which is to be held within the first two months of each year.
3. Records the minutes of Executive Committee Meetings and of Section Business Meetings, to include:
a. All motions and votes on motions.
b. Unfinished business requiring action at the next meeting.
c. Summaries of reports presented at the meeting, or written reports submitted by the Coordinators or Committee Chairs.
d. A quorum count at every Section meeting where business is transacted. The Bylaws define a quorum as a majority of the members of the Executive Committee, or where a vote of the general membership is required, 5% of the Section membership or 50 whichever is smaller.
4. Keeps a record of attendance of voting members of the Executive Committee.
5. Maintains a current Directory of Officers, Coordinators, and Chairs with input from the Chair and Chair-Elect.
6. Works with the Chair in submitting an on-line Annual Report for the Council Committee on Local Section Activities (in accordance with ACS Bylaw III, Section 11) to the Executive Director of the Society by February 1 each year. Transmits a copy of the Annual Report to the Section Historian after circulation to interested Executive Committee members.
7. Works with the Councilors to ensure full Councilor representation at National Council meetings and certifies Alternate Councilors when necessary to fill vacancies in such representation.
8. Maintains the latest versions of the ACS and Section Bylaws and the Section Handbook and supplies copies on request. Is responsible for distribution of appropriate Handbook pages to Officers, Coordinators, and Committee Chairs on request by the Chair-Elect. An appointed committee will edit and review the most recent versions as appropriate.
9. Reports elections of, or changes in, Officers to the ACS Local Section Activities Office on forms supplied by that Office. In accordance with ACS Bylaw III, Section 1(a)(4), the Secretary shall certify to the Executive Director of the Society not later than December 1, earlier if possible, the names, addresses, and terms of the elected Officers, Councilors and Alternate Councilors for the ensuing year. Should the Section’s representation on the Council be reduced, the eliminated individual(s) shall be named.
10. Is responsible for ensuring regular collection and distribution of mail from the Section’s post office box (Box No. 15571, Rochester, NY 14615, located at the West Ridge Branch on Dewey Ave.).
11. Collaborates, following completion of the Annual Report, with the incoming and outgoing Chairs and the Historian on decisions of what records should be retained, whether for the new Chair or for the historical records of the Section.
POSITION: Councilor
TERM: (3-year term)
DUTIES: The Councilors are the links between the Section and the National Society. They are responsible for attending National Council meetings and reporting back to the Section. They are elected for three-year terms during which they must be able to attend meetings and function as voting members of both the ACS Council and the Section Executive Committee.
The Rochester Section in 2004 is entitled to two Councilors based on the Section membership, as determined by the procedure described in ACS Bylaw III, Section 1(a). The terms are staggered.
A Councilor:
1. Attends the Council Meetings at two ACS National meetings each year. An active Councilor seeks assignment to, and participates fully in, a Council Committee. Councilors are invited to attend open meetings of Council Committees and can express committee preferences on an annual survey sent to Councilors.
2. Prior to submitting a selection on which National Committee to participate in, a Councilor is to bring forth the options to the Section Executive Committee for input so as to select a Committee of most importance to the Section they are elected to represent.
3. Attends Section Executive Committee meetings as a full voting member.
4. Takes an active role within the Local Section as a Committee Chair or other key position (that does not warrant an Executive Committee position).
5. Reports results of ACS Council meetings and other business of the Councilors or National ACS to the membership of the Section through Councilors’ Reports in the Section newsletter.
6. Serves as a source of information to the Section about useful contacts with the Society at the National level.
7. Informs the membership in advance of Council Meetings on issues that are to be acted upon by the Council and seeks input.
The Section and the Society share the cost of the subsidy to enable Councilors (or Alternate Councilor if a Councilor cannot attend) to attend the two National meetings per year. Application forms are sent to the Councilors and Alternate Councilors. Application for the subsidy must be approved by the Executive Committee in advance and submitted to the Executive Director by the Treasurer.
A “Handbook for Councilors” is distributed by the Local Section Activities Office and should be requested by all new Councilors.
POSITION: Alternate Councilor
TERM: (3-year term)
DUTIES: The Alternate Councilors are elected members to the Executive Committee. They are also designated to take the place of a Councilor at National Meetings and other meetings where representation from the Section is appropriate. The Alternate Councilor, whose term coincides with the Councilor who cannot attend a National Meeting, is the first to be asked to replace that Councilor
An Alternate Councilor:
1. Attends Executive Committee Meetings, as a full voting member, when a Councilor is unable to attend. The Alternate Councilor elected in the same year as the Councilor shall be given first chance at attending a National Meeting when that Councilor is unable to attend.
2. Takes an active role within the Local Section as a Committee Chair or other key position (that does not warrant an Executive Committee position)
3. In the event that a Councilor cannot attend a National Council meeting, attends in the Councilor’s place and undertakes all of the Councilor’s responsibilities to the Section (see Section 1G) which includes reporting back to the Section. The Alternate Councilor does not replace the Councilor on committees he/she is a member.
4. Works with the Councilors so as to be informed concerning matters of National ACS importance, particularly those appearing on the Agenda for Council Meetings. (The Alternate Councilors are included in ACS mailings to Councilors.)
Alternate Councilors must be certified to attend Council Meetings in place of a Councilor. Forms for this purpose are available from the Secretary. (See Section 1G regarding a subsidy for travel expenses.)
A “Handbook for Councilors” is distributed by the Local Section Activities Committee and should be requested by all new Alternate Councilors.
POSITION: Member-at-Large
TERM: (2-year term)
DUTIES: Members-at-Large are elected representatives of the membership who serve on the Executive Committee for two year terms and are ineligible for reelection to consecutive terms as Members-at-Large. A maximum of three are elected each year. They are neither Officers nor Councilors.
Members-at-Large:
1. Participate as full voting members in all business brought before the Executive Committee, including discussion, voting, and initiation of action.
2. Takes an active role within the Local Section as a Committee Chair or other key position (that does not warrant an Executive Committee position).
3. Are expected to acquire an intimate knowledge of Section operations and policies to serve the needs of the membership.
CHAIR-ELECT
SECRETARY
COUNCILOR
THREE MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
You may nominate someone for an office or if you, yourself, are interested in serving in any of these positions, we are always happy to take a self-nomination! The deadline for nominations is September 8, 2008. Please send nominations to Richard Cobb (585-477-4903, d.richard.cobb@kodak.com).
We are also seeking people willing to serve on the Nominations and Elections Committee. If you would like to serve on the Committee, please contact Richard Cobb by Thursday, May 1st.
The duties involved for each position up for election are as follows:
POSITION: Chair-Elect
TERM: (3-year term, serving one year as Chair-Elect, one year as Chair and one
year as Immediate Past Chair)
DUTIES: The Chair-Elect succeeds to the office of Chair. The chief duties are to learn about Section and National ACS operations and to plan for Section activities the following year.
The Chair-Elect:
1. Is Vice Chair of the Section and Vice President of the Corporation.
2. Participates in a Section Officers Conference conducted by the ACS Local Section Activities Office and sponsored by the Council on Local Section Activities.
3. Appoints and Chairs a Planning Committee (which includes the Treasurer), establishes goals, and prepares for his/her year as Chair by:
a. Determining the committees needed.
b. Identifying Coordinators and Committee Chairs prior to assuming office, preferably by December 15.
c. Preparing and submitting the Chair’s Message to the Editor of the Section newsletter prior to the deadline for the first issue for the year, and to the Section’s Home Page Webmaster.
d. Preparing and supplying, to the Executive Committee at the Annual Meeting, a directory of incoming Section Officers, Executive Committee Members, Coordinators, and Committee Chairs, and also a tentative Section calendar including known and proposed dates of Section events and Executive Committee meetings. When complete, the directory is supplied to the Editor of the Section newsletter as early in the year as possible, and to the Section’s Home Page Webmaster.
4. Appoints the Finance and Budget Committees and, working as a member of these committees, assists in preparing the budget in advance of his/her year as Chair.
5. Should attend the Fall National Meeting to acquire a taste of National ACS activities prior to taking over the position of Section Chair (should be part of annual budget).
6. Assume the leadership of the Section’s Strategic Planning Committee
The Chair:
1. Presides at technical and business meetings of the Section, including Executive Committee Meetings. The Chair is President of the Corporation.
2. Is responsible for appointment of Coordinators and Committee Chairs. This is best accomplished prior to assuming office, as part of the Chair-Elect responsibilities. Appoints new committees and dissolves unwanted committees as the need arises. (See Chair-Elect)
3. Is responsible for the integration and supervision of the activities of the Section, its committees and its officers.
4. Keeps the Chair-Elect informed of and involved in the activities of the Section, thus insuring continuity of Section operation. Also gives the Chair-Elect opportunities to assume a leadership role in preparation for being Chair.
5. Formulates the agenda of the Executive Committee meetings in conjunction with the Secretary with input from Committee Chairs and interested members.
The Chair (continued)
6. Is responsible for correspondence with the National ACS Office or with other Sections and organizations in matters of Section business. Routes requests from the ACS office to
appropriate Officers or Committee Chairs, and is responsible for follow-up on such requests, preferably receiving copies of correspondence. Reports communications from the ACS Office to the Section at Executive Committee meetings or Section business meetings.
7. Compiles, with the Secretary, the Annual Report for the ACS Council Committee on Local Section Activities on forms supplied by the Local Section Activities Office, adding supplementary material as necessary to convey a full and accurate picture of the scope of Section operations.
8. Serves as a member of the Harrison Howe Committee and the Rochester Section Award Committee and as an ex officio member of all other committees except Nominations and Elections.
9. Works with the Secretary to secure a meeting place for the Executive Committee.
10. Collaborates with the Chair-Elect, the Secretary, and the Historian in decisions of what records should be retained either for the new Chair or for the historical records of the Section.
11. Mentors, as much as needed or possible, the Chair-Elect in the coming year.
12. Collaborates with the Chair-Elect and the Secretary, following completion of the Annual Report, in decisions of what records should be retained either for the new Chair or for the historical records of the Section.
The Immediate Past Chair:
The Immediate Past Chair’s position lies with the Chair who is leaving office after their 1-year term expires. This is the third and final year of their leadership commitment. The chief duties are to retain and expand membership and membership benefit
The Immediate Past Chair:
1. Serves as an officer of the Section and Director of the Corporation.
2. Serves as Chair of the Membership Committee.
3. Works on programs to retain and acquire new members in the Section.
POSITION: Secretary
TERM: (2-year term)
DUTIES: The Secretary is an officer of the Section and is a Director and Secretary of the Corporation. The Secretary is responsible for making timely notification of meetings and for maintaining the written record of Section activities.
The Secretary:
1. Makes arrangements for the meetings of the Section and the Executive Committee:
a. Secures a meeting place (in consultation with the Chair).
b. Mails meeting notices and agenda, at least one week prior to the meeting, to Executive Committee Members, Coordinators, Committee Chairs, and any others as requested by the Chair.
c. Distributes copies of the minutes for approval to members of the Executive Committee. The meeting minutes should be published as soon after meetings as possible so that participants can work on unfinished business before the next meeting.
d. Provides minutes to the Editor of the Section newsletter and the Home Page Webmaster, for publication.
2. Issues written notices of all Business Meetings of the membership not more than fifty days nor less than ten days prior to the meeting. Normally, the only Business Meeting of the membership is the Annual Meeting, which is to be held within the first two months of each year.
3. Records the minutes of Executive Committee Meetings and of Section Business Meetings, to include:
a. All motions and votes on motions.
b. Unfinished business requiring action at the next meeting.
c. Summaries of reports presented at the meeting, or written reports submitted by the Coordinators or Committee Chairs.
d. A quorum count at every Section meeting where business is transacted. The Bylaws define a quorum as a majority of the members of the Executive Committee, or where a vote of the general membership is required, 5% of the Section membership or 50 whichever is smaller.
4. Keeps a record of attendance of voting members of the Executive Committee.
5. Maintains a current Directory of Officers, Coordinators, and Chairs with input from the Chair and Chair-Elect.
6. Works with the Chair in submitting an on-line Annual Report for the Council Committee on Local Section Activities (in accordance with ACS Bylaw III, Section 11) to the Executive Director of the Society by February 1 each year. Transmits a copy of the Annual Report to the Section Historian after circulation to interested Executive Committee members.
7. Works with the Councilors to ensure full Councilor representation at National Council meetings and certifies Alternate Councilors when necessary to fill vacancies in such representation.
8. Maintains the latest versions of the ACS and Section Bylaws and the Section Handbook and supplies copies on request. Is responsible for distribution of appropriate Handbook pages to Officers, Coordinators, and Committee Chairs on request by the Chair-Elect. An appointed committee will edit and review the most recent versions as appropriate.
9. Reports elections of, or changes in, Officers to the ACS Local Section Activities Office on forms supplied by that Office. In accordance with ACS Bylaw III, Section 1(a)(4), the Secretary shall certify to the Executive Director of the Society not later than December 1, earlier if possible, the names, addresses, and terms of the elected Officers, Councilors and Alternate Councilors for the ensuing year. Should the Section’s representation on the Council be reduced, the eliminated individual(s) shall be named.
10. Is responsible for ensuring regular collection and distribution of mail from the Section’s post office box (Box No. 15571, Rochester, NY 14615, located at the West Ridge Branch on Dewey Ave.).
11. Collaborates, following completion of the Annual Report, with the incoming and outgoing Chairs and the Historian on decisions of what records should be retained, whether for the new Chair or for the historical records of the Section.
POSITION: Councilor
TERM: (3-year term)
DUTIES: The Councilors are the links between the Section and the National Society. They are responsible for attending National Council meetings and reporting back to the Section. They are elected for three-year terms during which they must be able to attend meetings and function as voting members of both the ACS Council and the Section Executive Committee.
The Rochester Section in 2004 is entitled to two Councilors based on the Section membership, as determined by the procedure described in ACS Bylaw III, Section 1(a). The terms are staggered.
A Councilor:
1. Attends the Council Meetings at two ACS National meetings each year. An active Councilor seeks assignment to, and participates fully in, a Council Committee. Councilors are invited to attend open meetings of Council Committees and can express committee preferences on an annual survey sent to Councilors.
2. Prior to submitting a selection on which National Committee to participate in, a Councilor is to bring forth the options to the Section Executive Committee for input so as to select a Committee of most importance to the Section they are elected to represent.
3. Attends Section Executive Committee meetings as a full voting member.
4. Takes an active role within the Local Section as a Committee Chair or other key position (that does not warrant an Executive Committee position).
5. Reports results of ACS Council meetings and other business of the Councilors or National ACS to the membership of the Section through Councilors’ Reports in the Section newsletter.
6. Serves as a source of information to the Section about useful contacts with the Society at the National level.
7. Informs the membership in advance of Council Meetings on issues that are to be acted upon by the Council and seeks input.
The Section and the Society share the cost of the subsidy to enable Councilors (or Alternate Councilor if a Councilor cannot attend) to attend the two National meetings per year. Application forms are sent to the Councilors and Alternate Councilors. Application for the subsidy must be approved by the Executive Committee in advance and submitted to the Executive Director by the Treasurer.
A “Handbook for Councilors” is distributed by the Local Section Activities Office and should be requested by all new Councilors.
POSITION: Alternate Councilor
TERM: (3-year term)
DUTIES: The Alternate Councilors are elected members to the Executive Committee. They are also designated to take the place of a Councilor at National Meetings and other meetings where representation from the Section is appropriate. The Alternate Councilor, whose term coincides with the Councilor who cannot attend a National Meeting, is the first to be asked to replace that Councilor
An Alternate Councilor:
1. Attends Executive Committee Meetings, as a full voting member, when a Councilor is unable to attend. The Alternate Councilor elected in the same year as the Councilor shall be given first chance at attending a National Meeting when that Councilor is unable to attend.
2. Takes an active role within the Local Section as a Committee Chair or other key position (that does not warrant an Executive Committee position)
3. In the event that a Councilor cannot attend a National Council meeting, attends in the Councilor’s place and undertakes all of the Councilor’s responsibilities to the Section (see Section 1G) which includes reporting back to the Section. The Alternate Councilor does not replace the Councilor on committees he/she is a member.
4. Works with the Councilors so as to be informed concerning matters of National ACS importance, particularly those appearing on the Agenda for Council Meetings. (The Alternate Councilors are included in ACS mailings to Councilors.)
Alternate Councilors must be certified to attend Council Meetings in place of a Councilor. Forms for this purpose are available from the Secretary. (See Section 1G regarding a subsidy for travel expenses.)
A “Handbook for Councilors” is distributed by the Local Section Activities Committee and should be requested by all new Alternate Councilors.
POSITION: Member-at-Large
TERM: (2-year term)
DUTIES: Members-at-Large are elected representatives of the membership who serve on the Executive Committee for two year terms and are ineligible for reelection to consecutive terms as Members-at-Large. A maximum of three are elected each year. They are neither Officers nor Councilors.
Members-at-Large:
1. Participate as full voting members in all business brought before the Executive Committee, including discussion, voting, and initiation of action.
2. Takes an active role within the Local Section as a Committee Chair or other key position (that does not warrant an Executive Committee position).
3. Are expected to acquire an intimate knowledge of Section operations and policies to serve the needs of the membership.
Councilor's Corner - March 2008
“Local Section Officers - The Unsung Heroes of the ACS”
When I completed my term as Chair for the Rochester Section, I was delighted to receive a special gift from former ACS President, Attila Pavlath. Attila visited us, if you remember, as President one cold January day to speak at our Annual dinner. When Attila completed his 3-year term within the ACS Presidential Succession, he went back into his Section and ran for Chair. From that experience, he wrote the following article, which he framed and sent to me at the end of my own term as Chair. I wanted to pass it on to you as it is a wonderful way to acknowledge those who step forward to help lead our Section, and hopefully, it is a way to stimulate thought amongst others as we open up our nominations for officers for the 2008 election in this issue of our newsletter.
“ACS without Local Sections? Is it true that local sections have no place in our time? No! They are like the neon lights of Broadway. We accept them as a routine part of our professional life; but if they were to disappear suddenly, the darkness would be self-evident. For the large majority of our members who rarely go to national meetings, the local sections represent the tangible connection with a faraway giant organization in which they are, they quite frequently think, only computer numbers. What do you expect from your local Section? The need varies for each member, and the local section officers must struggle with the different problems and find solutions for them.
Who are these officers? Why are they involved in these activities? What is the moving force behind their actions? Money? There is no salary or expense account and most frequently not even time off for these activities. Power? It is more work than glory. Then why? In our frequently labeled “me first” society, why would someone do something for no tangible benefit?
It is my firm conviction that these unheralded officers contribute the lion’s share to the greatness of ACS. Their devotion built the Society to what it is today and keeps it visible to the everyday member.
This space is too short to describe properly the numerous contributions local section officers have made during the past 106 years. Let me attempt to give you a profile of these devoted members, whose work we take for granted and who rarely receive proper thanks for the enormous job they do.
How does one become a local section officer? I have heard many stories. Some have referred to it jokingly as a “railroad job.” Some somberly admitted that no one wanted to take the job, and they reluctantly volunteered or perhaps did not object vehemently to “being volunteered.” A few were actually seeking the job because they had an idea they wanted to develop. On the whole, however, once elected or appointed, most of them were ready to do good jobs.
Most of us think of monthly lectures when someone talks about local section activities. Even those are not easily arranged! How to select the subject, place, time, speaker, etc. that will attract members and send them home satisfied. This task is thankless. If the meeting was interesting, then the speaker did an excellent job. But if something went wrong (not enough parking places, the dinner was bad, the slide projector did not work, or even if the speaker was uninteresting), the organizers get the blame most of the time.
I have seen imaginative programming by section officers turn around the low attendance in many sections. Successful meetings were held at unconventional places and times-a lecture on a riverboat with a really captive audience, or a Saturday morning meeting at a Texas barbecue. Meeting places were varied to accommodate more members in geographically large sections. Even specialized subjects were made interesting and appealing. They did not draw very large crowds, but appropriate publicity and environment (for example, as provided by a company sponsored social hour) made them interesting even for those who were not directly involved in that topic area. Well-chosen non-chemistry subjects (earthquake prediction in California, for instance) drew large crowds including members who had not been seen for years.
Many members are apathetic and/or occupied with other activities. The key point is that local section officers are becoming more and more aware that monthly meetings are not necessarily the only “games in town.” They realize there is no one activity that will grab everyone’s attention; the interests are quite diversified. They continuously struggle to come up with new ideas that will attract the attention of a few more members. “Chemistry bowls,” employment services conducted either informally or through a newsletter, women’s re-entry projects, local speaker bureaus to high schools or the Chamber of Commerce are just a few examples of the imaginative activities.
On the surface, initiating a new program might sound simple: the money comes from ACS, not from the pockets of the section officers. How wrong this statement is! First of all, the officers incur many expenses for which there is no reimbursement. With today’s gasoline and car prices, even mileage can be expensive. One officer with a geographically large section, but only 300+ members, traveled 2000 miles in a year just to go to meetings and arrange activities. Time taken off from work cuts into the available leave for vacation with the family, and it is not even tax deductible. Second, financial resources within the section are severely limited. To initiate new programs, section officers have to struggle within today’s financial limitations. The only “creative financing” available for the local sections is to search out new sources for local activities. Local section dues are voluntary, and many times the members are reluctant to pay them because not enough local section activities interest them. The lack of financial resources frequently does not allow the initiation of new programs that would attract the members; it becomes a vicious circle. Under these conditions, local section officers have tried various unorthodox ways to find financial support. I have even heard of successful bake and garage sales held to raise money for projects.
I do not know the situation in your local section. I do not want to say that every section officer is a saint and a fireball. Each person is different, but they all start out enthusiastically. Enthusiasm is the most important trait in these officers; it is contagious. Unfortunately, some of the germs are weakened by the day-to-day mundane problems of life and die out without infecting others. But I also read the report of one section that was on the verge of dissolving. Two years later the section was nominated for the ACS Award for Outstanding Performance by a Local Section. What made the difference? They had a Chair who was infected by enthusiasm and passed on the “disease” to her executive committee.
Is it worthwhile to be a local section officer? You might be wavering after reading about this seemingly thankless job. But I want to assure you that it has its satisfactions. Regardless of whether you were elected or appointed, you have an opportunity to do something new in your section. Your enthusiasm might fade; at the end of you term some of your plans will still be on the drawing board, but it is what you did that counts.
Every year the outstanding sections are given plaques in recognition of their achievements. During the past two years, LSAC also has given certificates to the chairmen of the winning and nominated sections to acknowledge the work of those responsible for the success. These certificates are only tokens with no cash value but are often proudly displayed.
To all local section officers or anyone who is involved in section activities-whether your sections won awards or not-I would like to declare for the record that you are doing an excellent job. Your work might not make headlines in C&EN; yet without you ACS would a trophy. A copy of this “essay” will not be negotiable at any local bank; but the words are from the heart to express in an old-fashioned, idealistic way the gratitude of a busy society.”
Attila E. Pavlath, Chairman
Local Section Activities Committee.
(From C&EN, Nov. 22,1982, p.36-7)
Indeed, we are anxious to welcome new people into the leadership ranks of our Section to bring “new life to chemistry”!
Please remember that Jim Reynolds and I are your voices on the national level. Feel free to contact me at 477-4903, email me at:
d.richard.cobb@kodak.com
or write me at:
15-C Greenleaf Meadows, Rochester, NY 14612.
Thank you!
D. Richard Cobb
When I completed my term as Chair for the Rochester Section, I was delighted to receive a special gift from former ACS President, Attila Pavlath. Attila visited us, if you remember, as President one cold January day to speak at our Annual dinner. When Attila completed his 3-year term within the ACS Presidential Succession, he went back into his Section and ran for Chair. From that experience, he wrote the following article, which he framed and sent to me at the end of my own term as Chair. I wanted to pass it on to you as it is a wonderful way to acknowledge those who step forward to help lead our Section, and hopefully, it is a way to stimulate thought amongst others as we open up our nominations for officers for the 2008 election in this issue of our newsletter.
“ACS without Local Sections? Is it true that local sections have no place in our time? No! They are like the neon lights of Broadway. We accept them as a routine part of our professional life; but if they were to disappear suddenly, the darkness would be self-evident. For the large majority of our members who rarely go to national meetings, the local sections represent the tangible connection with a faraway giant organization in which they are, they quite frequently think, only computer numbers. What do you expect from your local Section? The need varies for each member, and the local section officers must struggle with the different problems and find solutions for them.
Who are these officers? Why are they involved in these activities? What is the moving force behind their actions? Money? There is no salary or expense account and most frequently not even time off for these activities. Power? It is more work than glory. Then why? In our frequently labeled “me first” society, why would someone do something for no tangible benefit?
It is my firm conviction that these unheralded officers contribute the lion’s share to the greatness of ACS. Their devotion built the Society to what it is today and keeps it visible to the everyday member.
This space is too short to describe properly the numerous contributions local section officers have made during the past 106 years. Let me attempt to give you a profile of these devoted members, whose work we take for granted and who rarely receive proper thanks for the enormous job they do.
How does one become a local section officer? I have heard many stories. Some have referred to it jokingly as a “railroad job.” Some somberly admitted that no one wanted to take the job, and they reluctantly volunteered or perhaps did not object vehemently to “being volunteered.” A few were actually seeking the job because they had an idea they wanted to develop. On the whole, however, once elected or appointed, most of them were ready to do good jobs.
Most of us think of monthly lectures when someone talks about local section activities. Even those are not easily arranged! How to select the subject, place, time, speaker, etc. that will attract members and send them home satisfied. This task is thankless. If the meeting was interesting, then the speaker did an excellent job. But if something went wrong (not enough parking places, the dinner was bad, the slide projector did not work, or even if the speaker was uninteresting), the organizers get the blame most of the time.
I have seen imaginative programming by section officers turn around the low attendance in many sections. Successful meetings were held at unconventional places and times-a lecture on a riverboat with a really captive audience, or a Saturday morning meeting at a Texas barbecue. Meeting places were varied to accommodate more members in geographically large sections. Even specialized subjects were made interesting and appealing. They did not draw very large crowds, but appropriate publicity and environment (for example, as provided by a company sponsored social hour) made them interesting even for those who were not directly involved in that topic area. Well-chosen non-chemistry subjects (earthquake prediction in California, for instance) drew large crowds including members who had not been seen for years.
Many members are apathetic and/or occupied with other activities. The key point is that local section officers are becoming more and more aware that monthly meetings are not necessarily the only “games in town.” They realize there is no one activity that will grab everyone’s attention; the interests are quite diversified. They continuously struggle to come up with new ideas that will attract the attention of a few more members. “Chemistry bowls,” employment services conducted either informally or through a newsletter, women’s re-entry projects, local speaker bureaus to high schools or the Chamber of Commerce are just a few examples of the imaginative activities.
On the surface, initiating a new program might sound simple: the money comes from ACS, not from the pockets of the section officers. How wrong this statement is! First of all, the officers incur many expenses for which there is no reimbursement. With today’s gasoline and car prices, even mileage can be expensive. One officer with a geographically large section, but only 300+ members, traveled 2000 miles in a year just to go to meetings and arrange activities. Time taken off from work cuts into the available leave for vacation with the family, and it is not even tax deductible. Second, financial resources within the section are severely limited. To initiate new programs, section officers have to struggle within today’s financial limitations. The only “creative financing” available for the local sections is to search out new sources for local activities. Local section dues are voluntary, and many times the members are reluctant to pay them because not enough local section activities interest them. The lack of financial resources frequently does not allow the initiation of new programs that would attract the members; it becomes a vicious circle. Under these conditions, local section officers have tried various unorthodox ways to find financial support. I have even heard of successful bake and garage sales held to raise money for projects.
I do not know the situation in your local section. I do not want to say that every section officer is a saint and a fireball. Each person is different, but they all start out enthusiastically. Enthusiasm is the most important trait in these officers; it is contagious. Unfortunately, some of the germs are weakened by the day-to-day mundane problems of life and die out without infecting others. But I also read the report of one section that was on the verge of dissolving. Two years later the section was nominated for the ACS Award for Outstanding Performance by a Local Section. What made the difference? They had a Chair who was infected by enthusiasm and passed on the “disease” to her executive committee.
Is it worthwhile to be a local section officer? You might be wavering after reading about this seemingly thankless job. But I want to assure you that it has its satisfactions. Regardless of whether you were elected or appointed, you have an opportunity to do something new in your section. Your enthusiasm might fade; at the end of you term some of your plans will still be on the drawing board, but it is what you did that counts.
Every year the outstanding sections are given plaques in recognition of their achievements. During the past two years, LSAC also has given certificates to the chairmen of the winning and nominated sections to acknowledge the work of those responsible for the success. These certificates are only tokens with no cash value but are often proudly displayed.
To all local section officers or anyone who is involved in section activities-whether your sections won awards or not-I would like to declare for the record that you are doing an excellent job. Your work might not make headlines in C&EN; yet without you ACS would a trophy. A copy of this “essay” will not be negotiable at any local bank; but the words are from the heart to express in an old-fashioned, idealistic way the gratitude of a busy society.”
Attila E. Pavlath, Chairman
Local Section Activities Committee.
(From C&EN, Nov. 22,1982, p.36-7)
Indeed, we are anxious to welcome new people into the leadership ranks of our Section to bring “new life to chemistry”!
Please remember that Jim Reynolds and I are your voices on the national level. Feel free to contact me at 477-4903, email me at:
d.richard.cobb@kodak.com
or write me at:
15-C Greenleaf Meadows, Rochester, NY 14612.
Thank you!
D. Richard Cobb
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