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December is a time for reflections on the current year as it rapidly draws to a close, along with anticipation for the year ahead. The ACS Green Chemistry Institute’s commitment to green and sustainable chemistry and engineering was reinforced through its strategic planning efforts this year. In collaboration with the GCI Governing Board, ACS staff worked with a consultant to refresh its strategic plan. The updated plan recognizes the importance of leveraging ACS staff and governance units to more effectively promote the adoption of green and sustainable chemistry and engineering. This strategy values GCI’s current activities while embracing opportunities to increase the impact of its efforts through enhanced collaborations.
The ACS GCI plays a critical role in helping the ACS achieve its mission of “advancing the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and its people.” Our hope is that the refreshed GCI plan will enable the Society to more strategically fulfill this mission, which clearly addresses the sustainability of our planet.
In looking ahead to 2018, we are thrilled that the Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference will be returning to Portland, Oregon from June 18-20. Abstract submissions open January 4, and I encourage you to submit your abstracts to one of the 25 symposia offered in Portland. New features for next year’s conference include a Product Showcase and interactive sessions on select green chemistry and engineering topics. Conference details are available at www.gcande.org.
The strength and success of every organization is found in its people. The passion that my GCI colleagues – David Constable, Jenny MacKellar, Christiana Briddell, Isamir Martinez, and Stephanie Wahl – have for green and sustainable chemistry and engineering is evident in their day-to-day work. I am honored to work with such a talented team in advancing the Institute’s mission to “Catalyze and enable the implementation of green and sustainable chemistry and engineering throughout the global chemical enterprise and the Society.”
Finally, I would like to thank Dr. Kent Voorhees, Chair of the ACS Governing Board, for his guidance and support this year. Kent has served on the Governing Board in a variety of capacities for 11 years, and we are grateful for his dedicated service to the Institute and his commitment to green and sustainable chemistry and engineering.
Thank you for the support, ideas, and suggestions you have shared with me during the past year. I wish everyone joyous holidays!
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To read other posts, go to Green Chemistry: The Nexus Blog home.