Dear Local Section Leaders,
Happy Fall! As we embark on this new season, I would like to draw your attention to a brand new initiative we are launching to increase your Local Section membership. "Compete, Grow, Win" is an opportunity for you to boost your membership and receive a $1,000 cash award for your Local Section. Read the details below and start your campaign today!
Additionally, I would like to encourage you to attend our upcoming webinar on October 16 at 1:00 PM ET, focused on Strategic Planning in your Local Section. You will learn about ACS’s Strategic Plan, the ACS strategic planning process, and strategic planning retreats, and how these can help you define your mission and vision while developing goals and strategies for your Local Section’s future roadmap. I hope you can join us, register now!
Beth Lorsbach,
Chair, Local Section Activities Committee
Boost Your Local Section’s Impact – Join the ACS Membership Drive Competition!
As an ACS Local Section officer, you play a vital role in growing and engaging with chemists in your your community. Now is your chance to amplify your group’s reach while competing for cash prizes! The ACS Membership Drive Competition (October 1 – November 15, 2024) is your opportunity to increase your funding, allowing your local section to do more for its members.
Here’s how it works: The top 5 local sections that show the greatest percentage of membership growth (either new members or renewals) from October 15 – November will win $1000 each. These funds can be used to host events, support your mission and vision, or bring new opportunities to your members. In addition, all sections will receive a $15 member commission for each new member.
To make it even easier to grow your membership, we’re 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 join! https://www.acs.org/membership.html
Local Sections: LSGROW24
You’re welcome to use and modify these email templates to contact members and community associates residing in your local section territory. Compete, grow, win!
Now Live: eRosters Available in ACS Community Connection
We are pleased to announce that eRosters are now available to download in ACS Community Connection. This product enhancement will allow you to access your eRoster files, submit annual reports, report election results all from the convenience of your component group’s dashboard.
A Picture-Perfect Week for Chemistry
National Chemistry Week is back! During the week of October 20-26, join in the celebration with the theme
“Picture Perfect Chemistry.” Discover how chemistry plays an important role in how photographs and images are created. Below are 5 ways you can get involved:
- Signup for Program in a Box
- Plan a Community Service Event
- Read NCW Celebrating Chemistry magazine
- Share articles and videos on social media
- Shop NCW exclusive merchandise
If you want to learn more about the theme and observe activities you can use for your public outreach events, check out our most recent National Chemistry Week Webinar.
Last chance to register your group for the PIB!
#ACSPIB is back! Celebrating the chemistry of lab imaging and photography as part of National Chemistry Week, the next event “Picture Perfect Chemistry” will be on Wednesday, October 23rd at 7pm ET. Get a free box of giveaways and other resources to help plan a watch party for the livestream, which will feature presentations on imaging bioluminescent sensors in the body and cryogenic electron microscopy, Q&A, "ChemClash" photography trivia, prizes, and more. The deadline to get the box is October 7, Register now!
Designate a 2024 NCW Coordinator
Are you a member interested in giving back to your scientific community? Sign up today to become a coordinator for National Chemistry Week! From October 20-26, join ACS members worldwide to highlight the importance of chemistry in everyday life with this year’s theme, “Picture Perfect Chemistry.”
How do you become a coordinator? First, connect with your Local Section Chair, next complete the brief pre-NCW Coordinator survey here by October 7th.
Nominations Now Open for the 2026 ACS National Award
Now is your chance to recognize a chemist who inspires you. Applications for the 2026 ACS National Award are now being accepted! Candidates from diverse backgrounds and groups within the chemistry enterprise are encouraged to apply. Submit your nominations today! Applications close November 1.
Featured Awards:
- Dong Qin ACS Award in Nanochemistry
- Thomas H. Parliment Award for Advances in Flavor Chemistry
- David A. Evans Award for the Advancement and Education of Organic Synthesis
- Priestley Medal
- Marks-Ipatieff Award in Catalysis
- ACS Award in Creative Invention
- ACS Award in Surface Chemistry
- Elias J. Corey Award for Outstanding Original Contribution in Organic Synthesis by a Young Investigator
For detailed descriptions of all national awards, as well as instructions on how to submit nominations, please visit the ACS National Awards home page.
Prepare for NCW and other volunteer opportunities with kids
National Chemistry Week is approaching, so please urge your volunteers to request an ACS Background Check soon. Sterling Volunteers will conduct checks for all adult volunteers at ACS Youth Events in the U.S. This is in line with ACS’s new Youth Protection Policy, which took effect on September 1, 2024.
Visit the webpage, which includes a tutorial video, procedural information, and FAQs, for more information. If you have questions related to the background check process, please reach out to Sterling Volunteers at info@sterlingvolunteers.com. If you have questions about the policy itself, send an email to VolunteerPolicy@acs.org.
Book your next speaker using the ACS Speaker Directory and receive a $200 mini-grant this year! There are over 1,300 speakers and countless topics to choose from. Find your next speaker today at www.acs.org/speaker-directory.
Add Your Local Section Events to the ACS Events Hub
ACS Events is the one-stop shop for all ACS events happening globally, online, in-person and on-demand. Filter by location and connect to events happening near you. Search conferences, workshops, volunteer opportunities, social gatherings and more! Submit your events.
Take Advantage of the Volunteer of the Year Award!
If you have an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary outreach volunteer service to your local section or international chapter, take advantage of this opportunity. Each local section may recognize one member annually. Awardees are recognized at the annual ChemLuminary Awards, on social media, and in a Chemical & Engineering News article.
The ACS Committee on Community Activities (CCA) selects one VOTY awardee each year to be named the Global Outreach Volunteer of the Year.
NOTE: Only the local section’s Chair or designee may submit an individual for recognition. Chairs receive access to the submission form in October.
Questions? Contact outreach@acs.org
ACS Salutes to Excellence Campaign!
The Salutes to Excellence program enables ACS members to highlight outstanding accomplishments, achievements, or service by individuals who have positively impacted everyday life. A Chair (or designee) can request up to 5 free plaques to present to an individual or organization deemed worthy of this recognition (excluding local section, chapter, or division members). For detailed information and the registration form, please visit the Salutes to Excellence webpage.
Eligible groups include ACS local sections, international chemical sciences chapters, technical divisions, regional meetings, and national committees. 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.
New toolkit for two-year college faculty
High student turnover at two-year colleges means that the ACS student chapters at these institutions are constantly recruiting. This digital toolkit was developed to help faculty advisors create promotional materials quickly and easily. Download resources now and contact ACS Student Communities with any questions or suggestions.
ACS Student Communities Engagement Grant
The ACS Student Communities office offers an Engagement Grant exclusively for faculty advisors and student leaders of ACS Student Chapters, ACS International Student Chapters, and ACS Graduate Student Organizations (GSOs). Applicants can request up to $1,000 to build and strengthen their community and increase the unity of their group. Each student community can receive this grant up to twice per calendar year. There is no deadline, but grants are reviewed on a first-come first-served basis. Please share this information with active ACS student communities.
Team USA Brings home Gold and Silver at IChO!
We are thrilled to announce that the four members of Team USA earned 1 silver and 3 gold medals at this year’s International Chemistry Olympiad in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Out of 327 participants, 202 were awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals.
- Anantshri Asthana, John Foster Dulles High School, TX, Greater Houston Local Section, Silver medal,
- Yufei Chen, University High School, CA, Orange County Local Section, Gold medal, ranked third overall,
- Yunyi Ling, Montgomery Blair High School, MD, Chemical Society of Washington, Gold medal,
- Alice Liu, Marquette High School, MO, St. Louis Local Section, Gold medal
This year 84 countries, 5 observer countries, and 8 individual participants competed in the IChO. Congratulations, Team USA! For more information on how you can participate as a coordinator, please visit our website and reach out to usnco@acs.org with any questions that you may have!
Get The Word Out - Share with Your Local Section Members
ACS Speaker Directory - Share Your Expertise!
The ACS Speaker Directory is a brand-new resource - free for all ACS members to join - designed to connect experts **like you** with exciting speaking opportunities!
Reasons to Join
- Elevate your profile within your local section by becoming a recognized leader in your field
- Utilize your talents to inspire and educate others in the world of chemistry
- Join a network of over 1,200 speakers who are experts in their fields
Share your passion, enhance the visibility of your work, and expand your professional network - apply to be a part of the ACS Speaker Directory today!
2024 ACS National Election is Open
The 2024 ACS National Election opened on Monday, September 23 at 12:00 a.m. CT and will run through Friday, October 18, 12:00 p.m. CT. All eligible members,
as of August 15, 2024, may cast their ballots electronically or by paper ballot.
Ballots for President-Elect 2025 will be distributed to all eligible ACS members. Eligible members of Districts I, V, and the International District, will also receive ballots enabling them to vote for their respective District Director. All voting Councilors will receive ballots enabling them to vote for Director-At-Large.
The Committee on Nominations and Elections invites you to visit www.acs.org/elections to:
- Learn how to vote
- View candidate bios and videos
- Understand your eligibility to vote
- Nominate a candidate for future consideration
ACS has partnered with Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS) to administer the 2024 election. Please add noreply@directvote.net as an approved email sender to ensure your election specific broadcast email can be received to your inbox.
Your vote speaks for you!
Please take a moment to participate in the election process to select our Society leaders.
Compete, Grow, Win!
Empower your ACS Student Chapter and Graduate Student Organization and elevate your academic journey by participating in our ACS membership drive competition! The student chapter or graduate student organization with the highest percentage of new ACS members or renewals will be awarded a $2,000 grand prize. Second and third place will receive $1,500 and $1,000 respectively. Join the thriving community of chemists who are shaping the future. Enter code NCW24 for a 30% discount now through November 15th. Join Today
Bookmark PMAP!
Don't forget about PMAP! The Proactive Membership Assistance Program is here for ACS members. You don't know when a crisis will strike and when it does, make sure you already have the PMAP bookmarked in your favorite web browser. Make yourself aware of all the benefits, dues, waivers, awards/funding and career resources for when you need them! It's also a great resource for past Members who may not have renewed for financial reasons – PMAP may provide recourse. Spread the word!
ChemIDP – A Free Career Planning Tool from ACS
With ChemIDP, you can create an Individual Development Plan designed specifically for students, postdoctoral scholars, and Early Career professionals in the chemical sciences - and creating a profile is completely free!
Through immersive, self-paced activities, users explore potential careers, determine specific skills needed for success, and develop plans to achieve professional goals.
With ChemIDP:
- Assess yourself and identify your skills and values
- Strengthen your skills and your marketability
- Set goals and chart your path forward
- Explore careers and discover your options. Create Your Free Account!
Careers in the Chemical Sciences - New Profiles
Careers & the Chemical Sciences helps students and early career professionals explore over 40 sub-fields of chemistry and discover the wide range of career paths available within the chemical enterprise.
We encourage you to read our latest profiles:
- Nicholas Ruhs - Research Data Management Librarian, Florida State University
- Michelle Rivard - Analytical Technologist, Dow Inc.
- Rusmir Musić - Operations Officer, Climate Business Department, International Finance Corporation
If you are interested in being featured yourself, please click the following link! We are especially interested in profiling chemists with a Bachelors or Masters as their highest degree. Learn more today!
Sign up for Personal Career Consulting
Personal Career Consulting is a free program for ACS Standard and Premium Package holders that allows you to arrange a one-on-one appointment and get personalized and tailored-to-your-needs career advice with a certified ACS Career Consultant.
ACS Consultants can help you:
- Improve Your Resume
- Develop a Career Plan
- Conduct a Mock Interview
- LinkedIn Profile Reviews
- General Career Advice