Elemental Encounters – Meet-up Events in Spring 2025: St. Johns Rivership Lunch Cruise (March 15)

The Orlando Section announces a series of casual gatherings for members to connect at locations with a little scientific flair.  We plan to meet at a different venue each month now through the summer. Most will be free, drop-in, and family friendly.

St. Johns Rivership Lunch Cruise
Saturday March 15, 2025. (11:00 am – 2:00pm)
Cost: $71 for adults ($35.50 for children 4-13)
Location: 433 N. Palmetto Ave. Sanford, Florida 32771
More information: https://www.stjohnsrivershipco.com/cruises-fares/lunch-cruise/?date=02/16/2025&timeId=14274331&departure=0&destination=0

Book your tour online or call: RivershipTix.com or 321-204-0274. Send your RSVP number to lsessions@valenciacollege.edu to be seated at the tables with your chemistry friends.

Embark on an unforgettable luncheon with your fellow Orlando Section members aboard the rivership, the Barbara Lee, departing from Historic Sanford, FL. Choose from seven different entrees, showcasing culinary excellence with options to suit every taste. Tickets include food, entertainment, and cruise. Coffee, tea, and water are provided. Soda and alcoholic beverages as well as gratuities are not included.

As you savor your meal, live entertainment will serenade you with music, creating a festive atmosphere as you cruise along the scenic waters of the St. Johns River. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy watching the local wildlife, which includes birds, manatees and alligators at various times throughout the year. During the lunch tours, our cruise guide will point out wildlife, areas of interest and share the history of steamships that sailed the St. Johns River.

Elemental Encounters – Meet-up Events in Spring 2025

The Orlando Section announces a series of casual gatherings for members to connect at locations with a little scientific flair.  We plan to meet at a different venue each month now through the summer. Most will be free, drop-in, and family friendly.

Pictures from the last ACS event at the Orlando Wetlands in 2018. From Jen Archer and Emily Heider.

Orlando Wetlands
Saturday February 15, 2025. (9:45 am – 12:30pm)
Cost: Free Admission 
Location: 25155 Wheeler Road, Christmas, FL 32709
More information: https://www.orlando.gov/Our-Government/Departments-Offices/Public-Works/Water-Reclamation-Division/Orlando-Wetlands

Drop by and chat with some of your fellow Orlando Section members, take a self-guided walking tour, or drop in for the 10am or 11am tram tour. Stay as long as you wish. Look for us in the pavilion to the right of the welcome trailer

The Orlando Wetlands offers public tram tours to highlight the creation, operation, management, and wildlife of the facility. The volunteer program runs tram cart tours for groups of less than 10 people on Saturdays, lasting 45 – 60 minutes. Since reservations are not taken, we recommend getting there 15 minutes before the hour to reserve a seat. Bring your picnic lunch too. In Christmas, FL.

Tentative next event will be March 16 on St. Johns Rivership Co. for a Lunch Cruise.  More information and a full spring schedule coming soon!

Annual Election: The results

We are excited to announce the results of 2025 Executive Committee of the Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society and By-Laws Vote. Voting opened on November 11th, 2024 and closed on November 22nd, 2024.

Chair-Elect: Dr. Toufiq Reza
Secretary: Dr. Meghan McGreal
Treasurer: Dr. Van Quach
Alternate Councilor: Dr. Nicole Lapeyrouse
By-Laws Amendments: Passed
Electronic record of the results can be found on third party website.

Congratulations!

Annual Awards Banquet Invitation

The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society will recognize 2024 award winners in a traditional annual awards banquet on December 7th, 2024. You are cordially invited to attend the banquet:

Saturday, December 7th, 2024
11:30AM to 2:00PM
Location: blu on the avenue
326 Park Avenue South Winter Park, FL 32789

The event will commence with a social including hors d’oeuvres of tomato bruschetta, shrimp cocktail, and crab bruschetta. A cash bar will be available.

Lunch Menu
Beverages:
Iced Tea, Soft Beverages, and Illy Coffee
Entrée choice of
Pasta Primavera – seasonal vegetables, grana padano cheese
Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken – grana padano cheese, house made caesar dressing, croutons
Chicken Piccata – white wine, butter, capers, lemon sauce, garlic mash, seasonal vegetable
Salmon – tomato bruschetta, balsamic glaze, garlic mash, seasonal vegetable
Dessert choice of
Tiramisu or Apple Caramel Crisp

We will recognize individuals for their outstanding achievements in chemistry and across the broader chemical enterprise following lunch. The cost will be $25/person (after subsidy, tax, and gratuity included)The Section will pay the bill with a single check. Please be prepared to pay at the door by check or cash—unfortunately we cannot accept credit cards.

All reservations must be made by December 1st, 2024 and can be submitted:

Online – https://forms.gle/qrh5bu7eC4pihq9q6

Via Email: contact@orlandoacs.org
By Phone: Stephen Smith, (321) 309 – 3037 

By-Laws Amendments Vote

The Orlando Section ACS needs to update our by-laws to align with recent changes to the American Chemical Society By-Laws. As a voting member, you will be able to vote on the updated by-laws.  Following our current by-laws, at least 2/3 of votes cast shall be required to approve the new by-laws.  

Key changes include alignment to the new membership types and removal of paper ballot for voting processes (that are now completed digitally). The new by-laws are provided below for your perusal. You may compare to the current by-laws that are found on our website here along with a marked-up version that shows all the changes here.  If you have any questions, please contact Laura Sessions lsessions@valenciacollege.edu.

Annual Election: Meet the Candidates for 2025 Executive Committee

We are excited to announce the candidates for 2025 Executive Committee of the Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society. Voting is expected to open on November 11th, 2024 and will close on November 22nd, 2024. You will receive an email with instructions on how to cast your votes electronically.

Dr. Toufiq Reza
Candidate for Chair-Elect

Dr. Pavithra Pathirathna
Candidate for Secretary

Dr. Meghan McGreal
Candidate for Secretary and Candidate for Alternate Councilor

Dr. Van Quach
Candidate for Treasurer

Dr. Nicole Lapeyrouse
Candidate for Alternate Councilor

Dr. Chris Avery
Candidate for Alternate Councilor

October 2024’s Newsletter: A few important and exciting news items

In this Newsletter, we would like to bring your attention to a few important and exciting news.

  • On Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM) at the Orlando Science Center, the ACS Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society organizes a community event for National Chemistry Week to celebrate the importance of chemistry in everyday life! Learn about this year’s theme, Picture Perfect Chemistry, with exciting hands-on activities. Stop by to see the fun!
  • To celebrate National Chemistry Week, the Orlando Section is also organizing the 2024 NCW Illustrated Poem Contest: Picture Perfect Chemistry for K-12 students. We ask you to spread the word to K-12 teachers and students to encourage their participation. The deadline for submission is Sunday, October 27th, 2024 at 11:59 PM.
  • The Orlando Section is looking for nominations for 2025 Executive Board. All nominations must be submitted by November 1st, 2024. More information can be found on our website.
  • The Orlando Section is also calling for Annual Awards Nominations. To be considered, nominations must be received by 5pm Wednesday November 13, 2024. Questions can be directed to Dr. Nasri Nesnas, Chair of the Orlando Section Awards Committee at nesnas@fit.edu. More information about the annual awards and nomination process can be found on our website.
  • The American Chemical Society is offering a 30% discount on the cost of ACS membership. Members may simply enter the discount code when joining or renewing their membership and enjoy the benefits.  Share this discount code to encourage your colleagues to renew or join! Visit https://www.acs.org/membership.html and use this code Local Sections: LSGROW24 for renewing or joining ACS.

Subscribe to our community page, follow our facebook page, and check out our website for updated news, and activities of our local section.

National Chemistry Week’s event: Picture Perfect Chemistry (Rescheduled)

Join the ACS Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society and Orlando Science Center for a community event for National Chemistry Week and celebrate the importance of chemistry in everyday life! Learn about this year’s theme, Picture Perfect Chemistry, with exciting hands-on activities.

When: Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Where: Orlando Science Center

Annual Election: Call for 2025 Executive Board Candidates & Voting

The Orlando Section of the ACS is seeking individuals interested in joining our 2025 Executive Board. We have five positions up for election: Chair Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Alternate Councilor. A description of each position is included below. Please contact the nomination committee chair, Brian Mosby (bmosby@rollins.edu), with any additional questions.

To make a nomination, complete the nomination form or email nomination information (name of nominee, contact information, and nominated position) to Brian Mosby (bmosby@rollins.edu). All nominations must be submitted by November 1st, 2024. Voting will open on November 8th, instructions for voting by electronic ballot will be sent before the voting period opens.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Chair Elect (one-year term; three-year term total). The main responsibilities are:

  • To vote/participate in executive board decisions
  • Serve as chair for meetings which the Chair cannot attend
  • Succeed to office of Chair for the next year

Treasurer (one-year term).  The main responsibilities are:

  • Prepare the annual budget/expenditures report for Nationals
  • Maintain the Section bank account
  • Maintain a budget, disbursements, expenditures, and accounting for the Section activities
  • To vote/participate in executive board decisions

Secretary (one-year term).  The main responsibilities are:

  • To take notes at exec meetings
  • To set-up and distribute ballots for elections (mostly electronic now)
  • Oversee website and social media communications
  • To vote/participate in executive board decisions

Alternate Councilor (three-year term).  The main responsibilities are:

  • In the absence of the Councilor’s ability to attend, attend national meetings, represent the Section, and report back activities
  • Assist in preparing and submitting the annual report to the national office
  • Vote/participate in executive board decisions

Call for Annual Awards Nominations

Since 1991, the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society has recognized individuals who live, work, or study in the seven-county region of the Orlando Section and excel in chemistry. Continuing this tradition, this year, the Orlando Section will give the following awards:

  • Eileen Tulley Award for Outstanding High School Student
  • Outstanding High School Teacher
  • Outstanding Undergraduate at a Primarily Teaching Institution
  • Outstanding Undergraduate at a Primarily Research Institution
  • Outstanding Graduate at a Primarily Research Institution
  • Outstanding Educator at a Primarily Teaching Institution
  • Outstanding Educator at a Primarily Research Institution
  • Outstanding Chemist
  • Outstanding Chemistry Professional
  • Outstanding Entrepreneur/Employer Award
  • Outstanding Volunteer

Descriptions and criteria for each award can be found in our website at https://orlandoacs.org/annual-awards

If you know someone or companies who should be recognized publicly, please nominate them for an ACS Orlando Section award. Each Award consists of a plaque and a monetary award. Awardees will be honored at the local Section’s annual banquet held on December 7th, 2024. Student nominees need not be currently enrolled in chemistry but can be nominated for achievements for the spring 2024 term..