The Spring 2022 Meeting of the ACS Council was held virtually on March 23^rd, 2022.

Actions of the Council

Candidates for President-Elect, 2023

• The Committee on Nominations and Elections presented to the Council the following nominees for selection as candidates for President-Elect, 2023: Frank Blum, Mary Carroll, Rigoberto Hernandez, and Ingrid Montes. By electronic ballot, the Council selected Marry Carroll and Rigoberto Hernandez as candidates for 2023 President-Elect. These two candidates, along with any candidates selected via petitions, will stand for election in the Fall National Election.

Other Council Actions

Committee on Committees Actions

• The Council approved the Petition to Amend the Duties of the Committee on Chemists with Disabilities. This petition sought to change the language in the duties of CWD from students to persons to be more inclusive to ACS members of all levels and backgrounds participating in the Society’s meetings and events.
• The Council approved the continuation of the Committee on Chemists with Disabilities.
• The Committee on Committee reviews each Society Committee no less often than every five years and advises the Board of Directors and Council whether they should be continued. Council completed the performance review for the Committee on Chemists with Disabilities and recommended its continuation.

Committee on Budget & Finance Petition

▪ The Council approved the Petition to Amend the Use of Dues.

The petition has two major components. The first changes the basis for developing the total pool of allotments available for local sections and technical divisions. The second eliminates the connection between dues revenue and C&EN.

The total resource pool available for distribution to Local Sections and Divisions will be funded via a quasi-endowment established from the Society’s unrestricted investment balances. This replaces the previous pool that was funded through the allocation of 20% of dues revenue to local sections and divisions.

Committee on Divisional Activities Action

▪ The Council approved a division name change.

Effective January 1, 2023, the Division of Carbohydrate Chemistry (CARB) will change its name to the Division of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Chemical Glycobiology (CARB).

Committee on International Activities Petition

▪ The Council approved a Petition to Charter an International Chemical Sciences Chapter

This petition, contingent on approval by the ACS Board of Directors, allows for a new International Chemical Sciences Chapter in Switzerland.

Committee on Membership Affairs

▪  The Council approved the extension of market testing of the international dues discount program based on World Bank country income levels.

 The test provides reduced dues for international members residing in emerging nations, which host an ACS chapter, and as defined by World Bank income criteria. The test results to date have suggested a positive impact on membership through new members and the expanded inclusivity that a wider global community provides.

▪  The Council approved the 2023 Schedule of Membership

The 2022 Schedule went live a few short months ago, and the 2023 Schedule was designed to add more value and increased choice for membership by adding clarity and a more intuitive explanation of how our membership works.

The 2023 Schedule of Membership did not change any dues, benefits, eligibility, or privileges from the 2022 Schedule.

If you have any comments or questions regarding membership or benefits, please contact your Councilor, Darlene Slattery at dslattery1@cfl.rr.com or call her at 321-632-2535.

The Fall 2021 Meeting was held live from August 22-26, and on-demand from August 30 – September 30. As of August 25th, there were 8,205 registrations (1,895 hybrid and 6,310 virtual). Of the approximately 1,200 oral sessions held, 71 were only in-person, 244 were hybrid, and 855 were held virtually. The Fall Council meeting was again held virtually on August 25.

Actions of the Council

Election Results: Elected Committees of Council

• By electronic ballot, the Council elected Donna G. Friedman, Matthew Grandbois, Fran K. Kravitz, and Louise M. Lawter for a three-year term (2022-2024) on the Council Policy Committee (CPC).
• By electronic ballot, the Council elected Mary K. Engelman, Malika Jeffries-El, Brian M. Mathes, Susan V. Olesik, and Susan M. Schelble for a three-year term (2022-2024) on the Committee on Committees (ConC).
• By electronic ballot, the Council elected Allison Aldridge, Holly L. Davis, Peter K. Dorhout, Silvia Ronco, and Martin D. Rudd for a three-year term (2022-2024) on the Committee on Nominations and Elections (N&E). The initial round produced a tie vote for fifth place and was resolved by a run-off in which Silvia Ronco was elected.

Other Council Actions

Committee on Committees Petition

• On the recommendation of the Committee on Committees, and with the concurrence of the Council Policy Committee, Council approved the Petition to Amend the Duties of the Committee on Minority Affairs. The Petition was amended on the floor of Council to strike the word ‘minority’ in Standing Rule VIII, Sec. 1, b, (9). The Board added its approval in its meeting on August 28.

• The Council (and then the Board) also approved the continuation of the Committee on Environmental Improvement.
• On the recommendation of the Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs, and with the concurrence of the Council Policy Committee, Council (and then the Board) approved the 10th version of the Professional Employment Guidelines.

Council Special Discussion

President Cheng introduced and led a special discussion on ideas to increase involvement and membership from business and industry. For the last 5 years there has been a steady decrease in industry members. This can be attributed to a variety of factors, but there have been ongoing efforts to decrease the cost-related attrition while increasing member value.

To address value, ACS has a variety of offerings available to members to advance, discover, connect, and share. To address cost, actions were taken by the Council this past spring in the schedule of membership for 2022 that will provide industry members with flexibility as to membership options. Councilor input was then requested on the following two questions:

• How can we improve the value that ACS provides to its industrial and business members?
• How can we encourage academic inventors and entrepreneurs and support start-ups?

Actions of the Board of Directors – Executive Session

• On recommendation of the Society Committee on Publications, the Board voted to approve the reappointments of Editors-in-Chief for several ACS journals. Those appointments will be announced in C&EN once the individuals have been notified and appropriate arrangements for their continued service have been made.
• On recommendation of the Committee on Professional and Member Relations, the Board approved a Society nominee for the 2022 National Science Board Public Service Award.
• On the recommendation of the Committee on Budget and Finance, the Board approved the ACS 2022 Spring and Fall Meetings in-person/hybrid member registration fee at $399 and the virtual member registration fee at $199, both within a range of +/- 15%.
• On the recommendation of the Governing Board for the American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT), the Board approved amendments to the Board Regulations concerning the membership, appointment, and terms for the Governing Board for AACT.
• The Board received an extensive briefing and approved several recommendations from its Committee on Executive Compensation. The compensation of the Society’s executive staff continues to be reviewed regularly by the Board.

Confirmation of Council Actions

As required in the Standing Rules, the Board voted and confirmed the Council’s actions taken on August 25, 2021 to approve the Petition to Amend the Duties of the Committee on Minority Affairs; approved the continuation of the Committee on Environmental Improvement; and approved the ACS Professional Employment Guidelines (10th Edition).

If you have any comments or questions regarding membership or benefits, please contact your Councilor, Darlene Slattery at dslattery1@cfl.rr.com or call her at 321-632-2535.

The Spring Council meeting was again held virtually due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.  The meeting was held on March 24, in advance of the National Meeting.

Actions of the Council

Election Results

Candidates for President-Elect, 2022

The Committee on Nominations and Elections presented to the Council the following nominees for selection as candidates for President-Elect, 2022: Gerard Baillely, Anne M. Gaffney, Judith C. Giordan, and John C. Warner. By electronic ballot, the Council selected Judith C. Giordan and John C. Warner as candidates for 2022 President-Elect. These two candidates, along with any candidates selected via petitions, will stand for election in the Fall National Election.

Other Council Actions

Committee on Committees Petition

The Council approved the Petition to Harmonize Committee Structures, Processes, and Terms, as amended.

• This petition places all committees in one category called “Society Committees” – eliminating the several different types of committees.
• The years of service and the number of committee members on each Society Committee would now be consistent and would match the present terms of the Elected Committees: three-year terms with a two-term maximum for committee members.
• Certain (6) Society Committees will no longer have the “Councilor only” designation, allowing an individual to join and continue service on a committee regardless of their status as a Councilor.
• The Committee on Committees amended the petition prior to bringing it to Council, in response to several committees’ concerns, to include the bolded phrase:

The terms for a member of a Society Committee shall be three calendar years. A member of a Society Committee shall be eligible to serve two successive three-year terms on the same committee, however, that service could be extended if the appointing officer(s) determines that there is a compelling need for ongoing expertise on the committee.

• The Petition will become effective immediately upon approval by the Board of Directors, however, existing committee assignments will be start a transition to the term limits on January 1, 2022.

Committee on Local Section Activities Petition

The Council approved the Petition to Amend the Duties of the Committee on Local Section Activities.
• This petition provides the Committee on Local Section Activities with the authority to support Local Sections by taking action on their behalf, including appointing an interim executive committee and/or facilitating a Local Section’s election when there is a lapse in the local section’s leadership.

2022 Schedule of Membership

The Council approved the 2022 Schedule of Membership, upon recommendation of the Committee on Membership Affairs:

• The Schedule reduces the base dues rate to $160 per year
• It establishes various dues categories and benefits packages based upon career stages, role in the chemical enterprise, and desired level of interaction by the Member with the Society.

Updates to the ACS Strategic Plan

The ACS Board of Directors approved extensive changes to the ACS Strategic Plan last December.

• Equity was added to our Core Values, which now include on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Respect.
• Our Vision and Mission statements were modified to make clear that these statements include all people.
• A fifth Strategic Goal: ‘To Embrace and to Advance Inclusion in Chemistry’, was added to make clear that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Respect was our commitment at the same level as our long-standing four strategic goals.

If you have any comments or questions regarding membership or benefits, please contact your Councilor, Darlene Slattery at dslattery1@cfl.rr.com or call her at 321-632-2535.

The Council meeting was held virtually due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic that continues to affect our personal lives and our work. Councilors were urged to take into account their own actions and habits to make their own communities safer. Councilors were advised to use their positions as members of the scientific enterprise to spread helpful messages and encourage the safe practice of mask wearing, physical distancing, and limiting exposure within your communities.

The continuous and ongoing struggle in this country to create a safe and equitable society for all was brought to Council’s attention. The ACS encourages inclusivity and opposes discrimination in scientific learning and practice. Councilors were urged to take active roles in dismantling any barriers that may deter or impede their colleagues in their research or careers. Councilors and guests were encouraged to review the ACS statements on diversity and reflect on how to implement these in their local sections and divisions.

Actions of the Council

Election to Committees

By electronic ballot, the Council elected Elizabeth M. Howson, Zaida C. Morales-Martinez, Margaret J. Schooler, and Jeanette M. Van Emon for three-year terms (2021-2023), and Mark D. Frishberg for a one-year term (2021) on the Council Policy Committee (CPC).

Additionally, the Council elected Martha G. Hollomon, Diane Krone, Sarah M. Mullins, Andrea B. Twiss-Brooks, and Javier Vela for three-year terms (2021-2023) on the Committee on Committees (ConC) and elected Jetty L. Duffy-Matzner, Kevin J. Edgar, Neil D. Jespersen, Julianne M. D. Smist, and Linette M. Watkins for three-year terms (2021-2023) on the Committee on Nominations and Elections (N&E).

Other Council Actions

Key Actions

• On the recommendation of the Committee on Committees, and with the concurrence of the Council Policy Committee, Council approved the Petition to Clarify Amendments to the Standing Rules and disbanded the Joint Board-Council Committee on Chemical Abstracts Service, contingent on approval by the Board of Directors.

Establishment of an International Chemical Sciences Chapter

• 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 Israel, contingent on approval by the Board of Directors.

Highlights from Committee Reports

Nominations and Elections

Ballots for the 2020 fall national election will be distributed starting on September 28th, with a voting deadline four weeks later on October 23rd. 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 encouraged all ACS members to vote for President-Elect. Election information may be viewed at acs.org/elections.

Budget and Finance

The Society’s 2020 financial performance through July 31st yielded a Net from Operations of $55.7 million, or $25 million greater than the same period in 2019. Total revenues are $354 million, 5% ahead of last year, and total expenses are $298 million, or 3 percent below last year. Unrestricted Net Assets increased to $466 million.

The committee approved one program reauthorization request and one new pilot program request for consideration by the Board of Directors.

The most direct revenue impact to the Society related to the COVID pandemic has been to meeting- related revenues with the termination of the in-person Spring National Meeting and termination of the in-person Green Chemistry Conference. Significant effort has been devoted to expense management. The Society expects to meet its budgeted net contribution of $41.3M.

Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting Attendance

The theme of the 260th ACS National Meeting was “Moving Chemistry from Bench to Market.” As of August 19th, registration for the Meeting, broken down by Category was:

Member                                          3,494
Student Member                          1,638

Unemployed Member                       25

Non Member                                     945
Student Non Member                     375

Total                                               6,477

If you have any comments or questions regarding membership or benefits, please contact your Councilor, Darlene Slattery at dslattery1@cfl.rr.com or call her at 321-632-2535.

The 257^th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society was held in Orlando, Florida  March 31 to April 4, 2019 and was attended by 15,605 registered individuals. The Council meeting was held on April 3.

Actions of the Council

Election Results

Candidates for President-Elect, 2020

• The Committee on Nominations and Elections presented to the Council the following nominees for selection as candidates for President-Elect, 2020: Magid Abou-Gharbia, H.N. Cheng, Carol A. Duane, and Christopher J. Welch..  By electronic ballot, the Council selected H.N. Cheng and Carol A. Duane as candidates for 2020 President-Elect.  These two candidates, along with any candidates selected via petitions, will stand for election in the Fall National Election.

Other Council Actions

Amendments to the ACS Constitution and Bylaws

• The Council approved the Petition to Streamline the ACS Governing Documents [Constitution Articles I-XIX, Bylaws I-XIV, and Standing Rules I-IX], which will reorganize the fundamental governing documents of the Society: the Constitution and Bylaws, and create a third document: Standing Rules. These three documents will function as a hierarchy. The Constitution should define; the Bylaws should authorize; and the Standing Rules should operationalize. Additionally, an Amendment was voted upon, and passed by recorded vote:
  • That language proposed as Standing Rule II, Sections 2 a, 2 b, and 2 g be moved to the Bylaws as new Sections 2 a, 2 b, and 2 c of proposed Bylaw III with appropriate renumbering of the other sections of Bylaw III and Standing Rule II.
• The Petition will become effective if and when the proposed changes to the Constitution are approved by the Membership of the Society, and if and when the Board of Directors approves the Petition. Because the changes to the ACS Governing Documents are substantial, the Council authorized the ACS Secretary and General Counsel and the Committee on Constitution & Bylaws to correct minor technical mistakes in the Petition.

2020 Member Dues

• The Council voted on the recommendation of the Committee on Budget and Finance (B&F) to set the member dues for 2020 at the 2019 rate of $175.

Council Special Discussion

• ACS President Bonnie Charpentier led a special discussion on ACS Relevance to Current and Future Members: Challenges and Opportunities. Councilors had been asked prior to Orlando to discuss the ACS value proposition with their local sections or divisions and bring that input to Council. Councilors provided many recommendations and suggestions including increased support for local sections and industry members, helping student members transition into their professional careers, and implementing a monthly payment tool for ACS dues.  These, and all the other ideas and input submitted, will be shared with the Committee on Membership Affairs and the ACS Membership Division for further research or implementation. 

Highlights from Committee Reports

Councilor Divisor

As required by the Society’s Bylaws, the Council Policy Committee has set the divisors for allocation of Councilor seats among Local Sections and Divisions for 2020 to 2023.  Official notification of the Councilor divisors and the number of Councilors permitted for each Local Section and Division will be sent to the respective Local Sections and Divisions prior to May 1st as required in the Bylaws.

Budget and Finance

In 2018, ACS generated a net from operations of $41.1 million, which was $13.3 million higher than 2017.  Total revenues were $571.6 million, increasing 6.4% – or $34.2 million – over 2017.  Expenses ended the year at $530.5 million, which was $20.8 million or 4.1% higher than the prior year.  These results were attributable to strong performance from the Society’s Information Service units (CAS and ACS Publications) and a continued emphasis on expense management across the ACS. 

Additional information can be found at www.acs.org.  At the bottom of the page, click ‘About ACS’, then ‘ACS Financial Information.’  There you will find several years of the Society’s audited financial statements and IRS 990 filings.

Membership

The ACS ended 2018 with 151,012 members, a net membership growth of one-tenth-of-one-percent. This is the first membership growth ACS has recorded in the better part of a decade. Of the 25,000 new members who joined in 2018, about 20% were incentivized by market testing initiatives. Without these new members, ACS would have seen continued declines.

Council voted to extend the provision of the international dues discount test based on World Bank country income levels for an additional three years (August 2019 – August 2022).

As a side note, your Councilor is  a member of the Membership Affairs Committee and is assigned to the Benefits and Engagement Subcommittee.  The discussion is continuing on whether a “one size fits all” approach best serves the membership.  A major question continues to be, do members feel that the membership benefits justify the dues?  Are you aware of the benefits available to you?  Please see https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/membership-and-networks/acs/benefits/personal.html

Resolutions

• The Council passed several resolutions:
  • in memory of deceased Councilors;
  • in gratitude for the officers and members of the Orlando Section, host for the 257^th National Meeting, the divisional program chairs, symposium organizers, and ACS staff for the planning and execution of the meeting.
    
    

If you have any comments or questions regarding membership or benefits, please contact your Councilor, Darlene Slattery at dslattery1@cfl.rr.com or call her at 321-632-2535.

The 258^th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society was held in San Diego, CA  August 25 – 29, 2019 and was attended by 12,409 registered individuals. The Council meeting was held on August 21rst. 

Actions of the Council

Election to Committees

By electronic ballot, Council elected four individuals  for a three-year term (2020 – 2022) and one person for a one – year term on the Council Policy Committee.  Five people were elected to the Committee on Nomination and Elections and five were elected to the Committee on Committees. 

Other Council Actions

Continuation of Committees

• On the recommendation of the Committee on Committees, and with the concurrence of the Council Policy Committee, Council approved the continuation of the Committees on International Activities and Professional Training, contingent on approval by the Board of Directors.

Establishment of an International Chemical Sciences Chapter

• 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.

Redistricting of a Local Section

• On the recommendation of Nominations & Elections, the Council voted that the Pittsburgh Local Section be transferred from District II to District III in order to bring District III’s member population into compliance with bylaw requirements.

Highlights from Committee Reports

Nominations and Elections

Ballots for the 2019 fall national election will be distributed starting on September 30^th, with a voting deadline four weeks later on October 25^th.  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.

Budget and Finance

The Society’s 2019 financial performance through July 31^st yielded a Net from Operations of $30.1 million.  This is $10 million favorable to the Approved Budget, and $1.7 million less than the same period in 2018.  Total revenues are right on budget at $338 million.  Total expenses are $308 million, which is $10 million favorable to budget.

The committee considered two 2020 program funding reauthorization requests, and on its recommendations, the Board subsequently approved funding for the ChemIDP and the International Student Chapters Programs in the 2020 Proposed Budget.

The committee considered new program funding requests for 2020 as well. The Board subsequently approved funding for the Green and Sustainable Chemistry Education Resources pilot for inclusion in the 2020 Proposed Budget.   

The Society is expected to end the year in compliance with each of the five Board-established financial guidelines. Additional information can be found at www.acs.org, at the bottom of the page, click ‘About ACS’, then ‘Financial’. 

Additional Information for the Membership

The Society is currently undergoing a process to update the By-laws and to make governance more nimble and responsive to the needs of the members.  A significant step in this process is the vote mentioned above to be held in conjunction with the annual election of the National ACS President.  All members are strongly encouraged to review the changes to be made and to make their voices heard by voting.  This first step is in preparation to more changes that will come in the near future, including potentially adding categories of members that will allow each person to select a membership that will best serve his/her needs.

If you have any comments or questions regarding membership or benefits, please contact your Councilor, Darlene Slattery at dslattery1@cfl.rr.com or call her at 321-632-2535.