ACS New York Section

Councilor Coordinating Committee

2008 Annual Report

by Ronald D'Amelia, Ph.D.     Committee Chair


The Councilor Coordinating Committee (C3) consists of all Certified Councilors and Alternate Councilors for 2008.
 
There were two National ACS meetings held this year: one was held in New Orleans, LA  April 5 -9, 2008 and the other was held in Philadelphia, PA  August 17-21,2008.


General Information:

The “Councilor Corner” link on the NY section web page contains all the important Councilor activities from both ACS national meetings held in CY 08.


<<<<<<<<<<   Summary of Activities for the New Orleans LA Meeting:   >>>>>>>>>>


The New York section had all of its councilors attend the New Orleans ACS national meeting.  Ronald D’Amelia attended as an alternate councilor in order to attend the Committee on Economics and Professional meeting held on Saturday and Sunday.  All representatives attended the District 1 Caucus held on Tuesday April 8th at the Marriott hotel Balcony room. The council meeting was held on Wednesday April 9th at the Marriott hotel Grand Ballroom. All councilors attended the council meeting. In addition, many of our representatives attended the Local section Officers and Tour Speakers reception held on Tues afternoon.

The ACS council dealt with several major issues important to all ACS members: For the first time in the 100 years the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) was formed as an entity separate from the ACS, the two organizations held their national meetings together in New Orleans a city still suffering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The meeting hosted 13, 454 participants while there was 482 booths with 319 exhibitors.  In its most far reaching action the ACS council paved the way for students including undergraduates, to become full ACS members with voting rights.

Dr. Yorke Rhodes reported on the activities of the Local Section Activities Committee (LSAC).  The major activity of the LSAC at this meeting was the review of annual reports from all local sections.

Dr. Anne O'Brien as District I director held her thirteenth District I caucus. The agenda included the current council agenda items and any other issues within the region.

Dr. Donald Clarke gave a report on the Nominations and Elections committee. The movement to have national help with electronic voting has gain support in spite of decrease in funds.

Jean Delfiner reported on the Chemical Health and Safety Committee. The committee brought up the need for K-12 safety and working with NCW to update safety guidelines.

Joan Laredo-Liddell reported on her activities on the SOCED committee and the development of High School Chemistry Clubs.

Dr. Hiroko Karan gave a report from the Minority Affairs committee. There are lots of minority awards but few individuals are being nominated for them.



<<<<<<<<<<<   Summary of Activities from the Philadelphia PA Meeting:    >>>>>>>>>>



The New York section had full representation at the Philadelphia ACS national meeting. Ronald D’Amelia attended the council meeting in place of Vijaya Koripara. The council meeting took place on August 20th at the Philadelphia Marriott hotel Grand Ballroom. The District I caucus took place on Tuesday August 19th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm in the Franklin room of the Marriott hotel.

As is standard at fall national meetings, the council elected some members to the Committee on Committees, the Council Policy Committee and the Committee on Nominations and Elections for 2008-10.  Yorke Rhodes was elected to the Council Policy Committee for the 2008-2010 term. The candidates for President Elect for 2009 were announced as well as Directors-at-Large.

Agenda highlights from the council meeting were: Society affiliate to become full members at affiliate dues rates; Distribution formula for division funding was up for discussion and action; FIGS (Focused Interest Groups was up for special discussion.
 
Joan Laredo-Liddell reported on the activities of the Society Committee on Education (SOCED). The committee reviewed and updated the activities of the High school Chemistry Club pilot program. Joan volunteered to be on the committee to update and review a 1984 report entitled “Guidelines and Recommendations for teaching of High School Chemistry”.

Dr. Yorke Rhodes reported on Local Section Activity Committee (LSAC).

Dr. Ronald P. D’Amelia reported on the Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs (CEPA): The committee continues to collaborate with the ACS Department of Career Services to enhance career services at the National and Regional meetings. The committee also has been working on a number of initiatives to address globalization.  The committee prepared a report on the dispersion of Chemistry as a discipline, and voted to recommend that the Board appoint a task force to assess this issue and its potential on ACS and the profession.

This is my eleventh year as Chairperson of the Councilors Coordinating Committee and I am pleased to report that the committee as usual did an outstanding job this year.