Dear Local Section Leader,
As we prepare for the ACS Fall 2023 National Meeting in San Francisco, I want to make sure you are aware of two events where you can engage with other local sections and LSAC
Please plan to attend the ACS Local Section Showcase at Sci-Mix, located in Hall F, South Building of the Moscone Center, on Monday, August 14, from 8:00 to 10:00 pm PT. This event is the perfect opportunity for Local Sections from District VI to present their unique programming and demonstrate the value of being involved with ACS through local sections. In addition to District VI local sections, the Committee on Local Section Activities (LSAC) will participate in this event to promote our mission of providing opportunities, resources, and networks to partner with and serve our diverse member communities.
Additionally, I encourage you to attend the Committee on Community Activities (CCA) and the Committee on Local Section Activities (LSAC) Open Meeting. This hybrid meeting will take place at the Hilton Union Square, Continental Ballroom 7-9 and via Zoom, on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm PT. Don't miss this opportunity to hear updates from our committees and to contribute to the discussion.
Looking forward to seeing you in San Fran!
Beth Lorsbach,
Chair, Local Section Activities Committee
Celebrate ACS Volunteers on August 15!
The 25th Annual ChemLuminary Awards celebration will be held on Tuesday, August 15, at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, Salon 8-9. The ceremony gives members the opportunity to recognize local sections, technical divisions, regional meetings, and international chemical sciences chapters for their tireless efforts and work in promoting chemistry and the chemical sciences. The evening will commence with a poster session and reception at 8:00 pm, an awards presentation at 9:00 pm, followed by a dance social. Let's honor and recognize our volunteers together!
Updated ACS Governing Documents and Petition Deadline
New petitions to amend the Constitution or Bylaws must be received by the Chief Executive Officer (bylaws@acs.org) by November 29 to be included in the Council agenda for the spring 2024 meeting in New Orleans. Questions or comments may be sent to C&B at bylaws@acs.org.
The ACS Speaker Directory is available to all our component group leaders to access a wide range of speakers for their in-person, hybrid, and asynchronous events. The directory 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. LSAC is actively recruiting interested speakers to join the directory. This member benefit is open to all ACS members who want to share their passion for chemistry, gain visibility and grow their professional networks. Users may access the directory at www.acs.org/speakerdirectory. (ACS ID and login required)
Register for ACS Fall 2023!
Register and join us from August 13 - 17 for ACS Fall 2023! We’ll be in-person in San Francisco at the Moscone Center or virtually globally. The theme, Harnessing the Power of Data, will be at the core of programming for the hybrid event. You can receive exclusive rates and benefits by booking your hotel through ConferenceDirect, the official housing service provider for ACS Fall 2023! Premium package ACS Members receive up to $400 in meeting registration discounts. Standard and Basic Package Members can upgrade to save! Register Now >>
ACS Leadership Workshops in San Francisco
The ACS Leadership Development program is your opportunity to learn essential skills to strengthen your competitive edge in today's global economy and become a more effective leader in your local section. Seven different courses will be offered at the 2023 Fall Meeting in San Francisco. You can sign up for workshops when you register for the Fall Meeting.
Women Chemists Committee's (WCC) Fall 2023 Awards and Events
The WCC continues its mission of engagement, advancement, and advocacy for women. At ACS Fall 2023, WCC will recognize winners of the Overcoming Challenges Award, the WCC Merck Research Award, the Eli Lily Travel Award, and the Priscilla Carney Jones Scholarship. On August 14, WCC will host its Women in the Chemistry Enterprise Breakfast with speaker Atefeh Taheri. On August 15, the WCC Luncheon will feature speaker Ingrid Montes and will host its ‘Just Cocktails’ open meeting later during the day. The WCC breakfast and luncheon tickets are available via ACS registration. For more information, send email to WCC@acs.org.
Team USA Chosen for the 55th International Chemistry Olympiad
The US National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) program is proud to announce the Team USA that will
represent the U.S. in the 55th International Chemistry Olympiad July 14-25, 2023, in Zurich, Switzerland :
- Mingwen Duan, CT, Connecticut Valley LS
- Alice Liu, MO, St. Louis LS,
- Anurag Sodhi, MD, Maryland LS
- Phoenix Wu, TX, Greater Houston LS
Alternates:
- 1st: Sebastian Kumar, WA, Puget Sound LS
- 2nd: Brian Li, MA, Northeastern LS
Team USA will be supported during the IChO by the following mentors:
- Ms. Esther Hines, Billerica Memorial High School, MA, Head mentor
- Dr. Joseph Houck, Penn State University, PA, College mentor
- Dr. Laura Serbulea, University of Virginia, VA, College mentor
- Dr. Songwen Xie, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, MA, College mentor
Please join us in congratulating the members of Team USA and wish them luck at IChO. Photo credit: Sri Balasubramanian ACS Staff
DEIR Training Options at ACS Fall 2023!
Are you looking for opportunities for additional DEIR-related training while in San Francisco for ACS Fall 2023? The course Transforming Microaggressions into Microinclusions will be offered LIVE in San Francisco on Monday, August 14th at 2:30 PM PDT and Tuesday, August 15th at 9:30 AM PDT. Each offering is 2 hours in length. Learn how to identify and define microaggressions, and how to respond in the moment as a bystander. Your response as a leader sets an example for others; gain the skills to do so with confidence. Light refreshments will be served, but registration is required. Register today!
Summer sessions of Microaggressions!
Time is running out! Sign up today for a summer session of Transforming Microaggressions into Microinclusions. Learn how to identify microaggressions, how they impact people, and how to respond in the moment without making it awkward (or in some cases, even more awkward than it already is). Sessions are available on Wednesday, June 28th, July 12th, and July 19th at 11:30 AM EDT. This course is currently only available for committee members, chairs, and associates, division and local section officers, and student chapter faculty advisors. Register for a seat today!
LinkedIn Learning: CEUs, Certification Prep & More
The ACS LinkedIn Learning (LIL) benefit promotes constant learning to help build the tools and skills needed for career success. In addition to thousands of courses on a variety of professional topics, LIL offers Certification Preparation/Assessment and Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) developed in partnership with trusted providers, like Project Management Institute, CompTIA, Microsoft, Six Sigma, AWS, and more. LIL also offers fully developed learning paths, taught by experts in their fields, to help build in-demand skills valued in the workplace, including Python, public speaking, Microsoft Excel, and project management. Learn More and Activate Your LinkedIn Learning License. Questions? Contact linkedinlearning@acs.org.
The Committee on Chemists with Disabilities has dedicated matching grant funds for regional and local events to encourage event coordinators to implement accommodations for participants. This can be initiated by sending an email to CWD@ACS.org and we encourage coordinators of regional and local ACS events and programs to contact us!
Connect With Your Local Chemistry Community at ACS Regional Meetings!
ACS Regional Meetings feature technical programming to help you stay current on the latest research and connect you with your region's chemists. Abstracts are now being accepted for the Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting (RMRM), September 15 – 17, the Joint Midwest/Great Lakes Regional Meeting (MWGLRM), October 18 - 21, and the Southeastern Regional Meeting (SERMACS), October 25 – 28.
The ACS Office of Research Grants will accept proposals for Petroleum Research Fund (PRF) grants approximately one month earlier in the fall compared to previous years. Proposals supporting fundamental research in the petroleum field will be accepted from noon on August 14 to 5:00 pm EST on September 8, 2023. These proposals must focus on fundamental petroleum research, including research related to petroleum-derived materials in one of ten specified subject matter areas. It is important to note that while the PRF Trust imposes restrictions, PRF currently funds various topics of interest in sustainability and green chemistry. These topics include new catalysts and the upgrading/utilization of methane and carbon dioxide. For more information on supported research areas, interested individuals are encouraged to contact a PRF program officer or prfinfo@acs.org.
Grant programs are available for new professors starting their first tenure track position, as well as established tenured or tenure-track professors exploring a new research direction. Separate grant programs exist for qualified professors in non-doctoral departments. Additionally, the eligibility period for Undergraduate New Investigator Grants in non-doctoral institutions has recently been extended to 5 years from the start date of the first tenure track appointment. Furthermore, starting with proposals submitted in the Spring 2023 submission window, the value of the ND (New Direction) grant has been raised from $110,000 to $125,000. Applications are made through a web-based portal, and additional information can be found at www.acsprf.org.
Stanley C. Israel Award: Now accepting applications for the Stanley C. Israel Award
Are you helping to advance diversity in the chemical sciences? Apply today for the Stanley C. Israel Award. The award provides financial support to further continue work of diversity in the industry. Applications close August 1. Visit the link to learn more and Apply Here.
ACS Bridge Career Kick-Starter Workshop
In collaboration with the Genentech Foundation, the ACS Bridge Project is pleased to offer a FREE in-person Career Kick-Starter Workshop on November 3rd – 5th, 2023 at the Genentech headquarters in San Francisco, CA. This 2-day workshop will consist of five interactive learning modules, stimulating discussions with a diverse panel of professionals, and one-on-one career consultations with a career adviser. We encourage ACS Bridge Fellows, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars from underrepresented groups in the chemical sciences to apply. Learn more here.
Sharpen your Leadership Skills
As a Local Section or Division Officer, your leadership leaves lasting impressions on new and potential ACS members. As the newest generations of chemists become increasingly diverse, it is up to us as leaders to create and maintain a welcoming culture. To help with that, you have exclusive access to the course Transforming Microaggressions into Microinclusions. You will learn how to identify microaggressions, how they impact others, and how you can intervene as a bystander. Over 90% of ACS volunteers that have taken the course would recommend to a colleague! Sign up using your ACS ID. Email diversity@acs.org for questions.
Career Resources for Industrial Scientists
Help spread the word about a valuable resource for ACS industry members! The ACS Industry Matters newsletter offers exclusive interviews with industry professionals, as well as an insider's guide to working in the chemical industry. Each issue is filled with insightful answers to your questions as a chemical professional and is designed to help you grow and succeed. Explore more and subscribe here.
The ACS Governing Documents require that require that every four years, the Council Policy Committee (CPC) establish a divisor to determine representation at Council by Local Sections and Divisions. The divisor will be set by CPC at its meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 27, 2023, and will determine the number of Councilors each Local Section and Division will be entitled to for 2024-2027.
At the most recent meeting of the Council Policy Committee, its Working Group on Future Council Representation recommended that CPC select a divisor for 2024-2027 that is aimed at reducing the size of Council while staying compliant with the Governing Documents. This, combined with fluctuations that can and do occur in annual member counts, will result in some Local Sections and Divisions experiencing a loss or gain of Councilors from the current period (2020-2023, which was based on membership counts as of December 31, 2018).
Official notification of the Councilor Divisor and the number of Councilors permitted for your Local Section or Division for 2024-2027 will be sent to you no later than May 1, 2023, as required by the Governing Documents. This decision could affect elections conducted in 2023. Please do not finalize any Councilor slates for 2024 until after you receive CPC’s determination. For more information, read the memo or email secretary@acs.org.
Sign up for a summer session of Transforming Microaggressions into Microinclusions
The final sessions of Transforming Microaggressions into Microinclusions are available now through July for Zoom, Sign up for a summer session of Transforming Microaggressions into Microinclusions with the last two offerings occurring live and in-person during ACS Fall 2023 in Hilton Union Square (San Francisco, CA). Learn how to define and spot microaggressions, how they impact those that are affected, and how to gently respond as a bystander if you see it happen in real time. These are the very last offerings of this course - so be sure to register for a virtual or in-person session today!
Consider making advocacy part of your local section’s sustainability efforts! To encourage ACS members to get involved in sustainability policy issues, the ACS Committees on Environmental Improvement (CEI) and Chemistry & Public Affairs (CCPA) have created a jointly-administered ACS ChemLuminary Award.
The new CCPA-CEI ChemLuminary Award for Outstanding Promotion of the Society’s Sustainability Position S... recognizes local sections for outstanding activities to advocate for, promote, or develop awareness of the Society’s policy statements related to environmental and sustainability issues. Has your local section done government affairs advocacy in 2022 that fits the bill? Self-nominate for the new award! Visit our webpage for more information.
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?