2002 was a great year for the Division.

Headlines in the list of 2002 accomplishments are as follows:

• POLY is back on a sound financial footing.  This was enabled by aggressive oversight of workshop expenses and revenues, minimization of Business Office expenses, outstanding management of Polymer Preprints and authorization of a dues increase for 2003.
• Division recognizes 5, 10, 20 and 30 year Members.  In 2002, service to members and member recognition were key priorities.  Acknowledging members who have maintained their memberships in the Division was a key element of this initiative spearheaded by the Membership Committee.  It is a point of great pride to see members displaying their POLY pins with ruby, sapphire and diamond center stones.
• POLY gives ChemLuminary Award for innovative initiatives in polymer science.  The Divison took a big step in building alliances with Local Sections by sponsoring a ChemLuminary Award for innovative initiatives in Polymer Science by local Sections.  In 2002, the Philidelphia, Nashville and Midland Local Section were recognized, with ChemLuminary Award being presented to the Midland Local Section for providing high school teachers with 12 hands-on experiments and tools to teach polymer science at the K-12 level.
• Symposium on ?Opportunities and Challenges in Polymer Nanocomposites? webcast Live from 2002 Biennial Meeting.  This symposium was webcast live to some 13 locations world wide and served to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of webcasting high profile events to a delocalized world wide audience.
• In the 2002 ChemLuminary Award Ceremony, POLY received the ChemPower 2001 Award from the ACS Committee on Membership Affairs.  In the ChemPower competition, the technical divisions were rated according to their membership initiatives and program impact.  The Polymer Division was recognized for the excellent efforts of its leadership and Membership Committee in membership affairs. The Division was specifically cited for implementation of a strategic program in member recruitment, member retention, member recognition, and communication.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve.

Thomas W. Smith

Immediate Past Chair