Dear Local Section Leader,
As we gear up for the 2024 ACS Leadership Institute (January 26-28, 2024), I want to personally encourage you to seize this fantastic opportunity to boost your leadership skills. The event is filled with insights and tools that are valuable for effective leadership. Check out the details below and register today. Learn more and register today.
Additionally, here's a friendly reminder to mark your calendar for our upcoming local section webinar on "Local Section Annual Reporting," happening on Wednesday, December 13th, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM ET. ACS Components Services Staff will be your guide by giving you a step-by-step walkthrough on submitting the Annual Report via Community Connections. Make sure to register soon and be a part of this important session.
Beth Lorsbach,
Chair, Local Section Activities Committee
2023 Local Section Annual Reports Now Live in ACS Community Connection
We are pleased to announce that ACS Community Connection, the online service for annual report and event submissions, is now available for the 2023 Local Section Annual Reporting cycle. Please bookmark the Annual Reporting web page for easy access to the Community Connection login page, user guides, and other important resources. All 2023 and 2024 local section officers may access Community Connection with their ACS ID and password.
The chair of your local section may designate additional non-officer volunteers (e.g., Community Activities Coordinator, YCC Chair, Webmaster, etc.) to access and complete your group's annual report and event forms. To assign a non-officer access to Community Connection, please send the non-officer's name, local section affiliation, and ACS ID to connection@acs.org.
The deadline for submitting your completed annual report and ChemLuminary self-nominations is February 15, 2024. Your local section's 2023 allotment will be released to your treasurer following your local section's annual report submission.
ACS Officer Reporting Window is Now Open
The Office of the Secretary is happy to announce that the reporting window opened on November 1, 2023 to submit the 2024 Local Section, Division, and International Science Chapters certified election results for Officers. Please utilize the Community Connection platform to certify your Councilors and Officers. The deadline to submit your certified results is December 1, 2023. Thank you for your volunteer efforts on behalf of the American Chemical Society, and please contact secretary@acs.org with any questions.
Register Now: ACS Leadership Institute January 26 - 28, 2024 Atlanta, GA
We are pleased to announce that registration for the 2024 ACS Leadership Institute is now open. All Local Sections are encouraged to send a delegate(s) to attend this important leadership development and networking event. A limited number of travel stipends are available for first 50 registrants. Please review the attached for important details, program information, and the link to register.
Local Section Innovative Program Grants (IPGs)
Ignite innovation and community strength with the Local Section Innovative Project Grant. Administered by ACS LSAC, this grant offers up to $3500 to empower the local section in innovative events and activities. Apply by January 15, 2024, and stimulate member and local section involvement. Please review grant details here. Let us pioneer change and forge lasting community connections. Learn more, gain inspiration from other local sections, and apply now.
Local Section Election Reminder
It's that time of year again when most local section elect new officers. Please take a moment to review your local section bylaws to ensure that you conduct elections in accordance with established procedures. An election-only list must be requested from ACS to ensure that only eligible ACS members are participating in your election. Request your election-only list at least 10 days prior to ballot distribution.
Questions? Contact olsa@acs.org.
ACS Officer Reporting Window is Now Open
The Office of the Secretary is happy to announce that the reporting window opened on November 1, 2023 to submit the 2024 Local Section, Division, and International Science Chapters certified election results for Officers. Please utilize the Community Connection platform to certify your Councilors and Officers. The deadline to submit your certified results is December 1, 2023. Thank you for your volunteer efforts on behalf of the American Chemical Society, and please contact secretary@acs.org with any questions.
Reminder to Send Annual Tax Returns
Attention all Local Sections officers! This is a reminder that a copy of your annual tax return must be sent to the ACS Tax Office at tax@acs.org. This is a requirement per the ACS Governing Documents and your bylaws. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!
Book a Speaker Today with the ACS Speaker Directory
During her remarks to Council at the Fall 2023 ACS Meeting, ACS President Judy Giordan reaffirmed her goal for all local sections to use the ACS Speaker Directory to book a speaker by by year-end. Make your event planning process easier by using The ACS Speaker Directory, which provides users with access to over 500 speakers who are available to present technical science talks, lead career development & professional advancement presentations, explore general interest, popular science topics, and more. Book your speaker today. www.acs.org/speakerdirectory. (ACS ID and login required)
Get involved with Project SEED!
Do you know about Project SEED? For over 50 years, Project SEED has provided summer research experiences to high school students all over the United States. Now is a great time to get involved. The program is open for new project proposals from December 1, 2023 until February 8, 2024. Please visit the Project SEED website for more information and contact projectSEED@acs.org for any questions.
Applications Now Accepted: Global Innovation Imperatives (Gii)
Global Innovation Imperatives (Gii) is an ACS program that fosters creative solutions to local imperatives with global significance. The Gii program awards $25,000 annually to a project that aims to achieve this mission. Suggested projects should include holding a symposium, conducting a “field trip” to investigate the issue, and issuing a white paper on your findings with suggestions on a solution. Alternative and creative program structures in applications are welcome. All applications must highlight how the project contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Click here to learn more and apply.
Call for Nominations-Volunteer of the Year
Nominations are now open for ACS Outreach Volunteer of the Year program! Lead by the Committee on Community Activities, Volunteer of the Year recognizes the contributions and support of members involved in outreach initiatives led by our local sections in the US and around the globe. Two award recipients, US and International, will be recognized for their contributions on ACS social and digital channels, C&EN magazine, and the ChemLuminary Awards. To nominate an ACS member, click here. Learn more about Volunteer of the Year and outreach opportunities here or by emailing outreach@acs.org Submissions accepted until December 17.
Recruitment and engagement Toolkit for Councilors
Are you looking for new and easy ways to communicate with members and future members for your section? We have launched our new Recruitment and Engagement Toolkit with easy to download word templates that you can customize and send out. They are organized by type and audience and newly located in an easy to find location on acs.org on the MAC home page at the bottom under Resources. The direct link is here. You can also find out more about accessing the Community Associate roster and the recruitment commission program.
Nominations for Heroes of Chemistry are now open!
Innovation paired with commercial success is worth recognizing. The Heroes of Chemistry Award is one of ACS's highest industry honors, recognizing companies which have developed successfully commercialized products that have had an impact on the welfare and progress of humanity. 2024 nominations are now being accepted through February 1.
Any private or publicly owned for-profit company may nominate a team of chemists or allied scientists. Information on team eligibility is found on the HOC page. The company nominating the technology must be the current owner of the technology. Celebrate your company's hard work and success in innovation – nominate today!
Get Involved with USNCO!
U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad
Register for the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO)! High School Chemistry students interested in participating in the USNCO must register with ACS by Dec 15.
USNCO Student Coaching Program
Apply for the 2024 USNCO Coaching program! Get access to tutorials by high school teachers from around the world on topics addressed in USNCO exams. Applications due Dec 18.
Apply for the USNCO Mentor Program
The USNCO is searching for college chemistry educators to serve as mentors for the 2025-2027 USNCO. Mentors play a vital role in preparing students for the International Chemistry Olympiad competition. Apply today!
Plan now for IUPAC Global Women's Breakfast 2024
Join the global chemistry community in Catalyzing Diversity in Science by:
- Building active networks of people of all genders
- Overcoming barriers to gender equality
- Promoting professional and inclusive practices
Learn more about hosting or attending events on February 27, 2024, as ACS celebrates the IUPAC Global Women’s Breakfast.
WCC 2023 Mini-Grants for Local Sections and International Chemical Sciences Chapters
The Women Chemists Committee (WCC) is offering a limited number of grants to ACS local sections, student chapters, and international chemical sciences chapters that wish to sponsor an event/activity that will increase the engagement of members who have identified as women chemists and will encourage innovative activities that will benefit the local community, regional meetings, and DEIR. WCC will provide up to $1,000 in grant funds as reimbursement for events that occurred between January 1-December 1 on a first-come, first-serve basis upon the approval. Apply by December 4 and include the WCC logo for your event. Send questions to wcc@acs.org.
ACS Salutes to Excellence Award
This program gives ACS members an opportunity to underscore outstanding accomplishments, achievements, or service for individuals who have made a positive impact in their local community, via their creation or participation in chemistry outreach events and programs. A local section chair or designee can request up to 5 free plaques to present to any individual or organization it deems worthy of this recognition (cannot be a local section member). Please visit the Salutes to Excellence page for more detailed information. If you have any questions about recognition programs, please feel free to contact outreach@acs.org.
Grow Your Local Section Membership and Earn $15 Per Recruit!
Did you know that you can earn $15 per Member or Society Affiliate that you recruit to your Local Section? When recruiting new or re-instating Members and/or Society Affiliates to ACS at the Standard or Premium package level, simply instruct them to select your Local Section from the drop down on the Review Step of the online membership application. ACS will send you a commission check biannually. It’s that simple! Members can join at https://membership.join.acs.org.
ACS Student Chapter Awards Announced for 2022-2023
Over 300 ACS student chapters around the world have been recognized for excellence in their programs and activities during the 2022-2023 academic year. The Society Committee on Education awarded 71 outstanding, 122 commendable, and 135 honorable mention awards, while the Green Chemistry Institute recognized 21 chapters for integration of green chemistry activities into their portfolios. Local sections are encouraged to reach out to their local student chapters to congratulate them on their hard work and results.
New Updates to the Model Bylaws Template
The Committee on Constitution and Bylaws (C&B) approved new updates to the model bylaws template for Local Sections and Divisions. The updated document can be found at https://www.acs.org/about/governance/committees/constitution-bylaws/documents.html by clicking on “Model bylaws” for either Divisions or Local Sections. Use the new template to update your bylaws today! Contact C&B with any questions or for assistance at bylaws@acs.org.