Council Statement, March 31st, 2004

Mr. President, Members of the Council:

I have had an exhilarating and, I believe, productive three months as President-elect.

First off, I wanted to tell you about my approach to the office. Rather than measure activity in miles, I prefer to measure it in opportunities to meet and interact. Since the first of the year, I have visited and spoken to ten local sections, including my own, and in the process I met with six Student Affiliate Chapters, three of which have been rejuvenated only this year. Their response is enthusiastic and gratifying. There are some wonderful young chemists and young people who will use chemistry as a springboard to other professions out there.

Some time last year it occurred to me that we have an opportunity to reach more of the public with positive messages about chemistry at virtually no cost. I have challenged the ACS Tour Speakers who travel on our behalf to add a small amount of work to their usual schedule. I’ve asked them to arrange with their local hosts to make at least one more speaking engagement with a non-technical audience while they are visiting a local section.

For the speakers’ part, I’ve asked that they prepare a 20-minute high school level version of their presentation that could be given at schools or service club meetings. Each day on the road brings an opportunity to meet and interact with groups of people we don’t ordinarily see, and most importantly, to help them form positive opinions or change negative ones.

In the category of walking the talk, I have done exactly that in my travels this spring. I have spoken to eight high school classes, a Rotary club, and a television station in addition to the audiences mentioned above. Even this does not adequately fill the day and I will be looking for more opportunities.

When I stood before you to ask for your support last year, I told you that I believed that the ACS President should be the most visible face and credible voice for chemists and chemistry. That is still my touchstone. Among other things, over the course of the next three years I hope to visit at least fifty local sections and meet with at least twice as many lay audiences. I believe Presidential outreach can make a difference.

Finally, as you see from my written report, I have some ideas for an agenda for next year.
1) The perception of chemistry and the use of service as a means to start a conversation with the public,
2) Secondary education and our need for more teachers with a background in chemistry, and
3) The overall state of the chemistry enterprise in the year 2015.

I hope you will take the time to read this short draft and send comments to me. Many of you have done so already, and I am greatly appreciative. I will discuss this more completely with you in Philadelphia.

In the meantime, I continue to believe that I have the best job in the world, and I’m working with the best people. I’m honored to be here.

Mr. President, this completes my report.