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Advancing the world through polymer chemistry
2012 Committee Reports:
2012 Spring ACS National Meeting in San Diego, CA
March 25-29, 2012
POLY – Councilor’s Report San Diego 2012
Frank Blum, H. N. Cheng, Bill Daly, John Pochan
At the San Diego National Meeting (March 25-29, 2012), all four POLY Councilors attended the ACS Council meeting. The following account summarizes some selected activities in the Council and in committees that POLY Councilors are involved in.
General Topics:
1. At the San Diego Meeting, ACS Council chose Thomas Barton and Luis Echegoyen from a field of four as candidates for ACS President Elect. They will run in the fall and members will select the President Elect.
2. Membership recruitment and retention efforts were very successful last year. The Society ended 2011 with 164,215 members – the highest number in Society history. 24,249 new members joined the Society – 16,092 Regular Members and 8,157 Undergraduate Members.
3. The Council took action on two amendments to the ACS Constitution and Bylaws: the Petition to Amend Recorded Vote Request Procedure and the Petition on Market Data Collection. The Council voted overwhelmingly to approve both petitions.
4. The Council voted to set the member dues for 2013 at the fully escalated rate of $151. This rate is established pursuant to an inflation-adjustment formula in the ACS Constitution and Bylaws.
5. The Society Committee on Education supported the recommendations from a task force to create a stand-alone teachers’ association housed within ACS, supported by professional staff and governed by a volunteer board of association members.
Division Activities Committee (DAC) (John Pochan)
1. DAC and Meetings and Expositions (M&E) are forming a working group to consider policy recommendations to the ACS concerning most, if not all, aspects of electronic dissemination of ACS national meeting content. With the availability of webcasting, meeting content, access to speakers etc., access to meeting content, meeting participation and cost and profit structure could change significantly in the future. It is hoped that this group will generate a policy structure that is beneficial to the Society as well as Divisions and Local Sections.
2. POLY has been awarded an Innovative Project Grant from DAC that will focus on student chapters.
Budget and Finance Committee (B&F) (Frank Blum)
1. B&F met on Saturday morning. Blum has been appointed to the subcommittee that determines the financial impact of petitions to modify the Constitution and Bylaws. B&F reviewed the financial performance for 2011 and plans for future years. Last year, the Society ended with total revenues of $472.0 M (a 1.8% increase vs. 2010), total expenses of $451.1 M (a 2.6% increase vs. 2010), the net from operations was $20.9 M (2nd highest in record), and an increase of $102.0 M in net assets. There are continuing concerns about funding of the retirement benefits. Although the ACS plan is well funded, low interest rates cause additional funds to be required.
2. The Pacifichem budget was proposed and endorsed by the Committee including a provision that the Divisions would be reimbursed on a pro-rata basis for their programming expenses. The plans for 2012 were discussed including how the financial performance compares with Board approved metrics.
Committee on Committees (ConC) (H. N. Cheng)
ConC is responsible for the effective and efficient operation of Council-related committees. In addition to regular reviews of committees, ConC handles several specific tasks in San Diego, e.g.,
1. ConC recommended to Council the continuation of the Committee on Project SEED. The Council subsequently approved the recommendation.
2. Senior Chemists Task Force has issued a report on its many activities in the past three years. ConC reviewed the activities and recommended to Council the conversion of the task force to a committee. This recommendation will be voted upon at the Philadelphia meeting in August.
Meetings and Expositions Committee (M&E) (Bill Daly)
1. Attendance in San Diego was 16,864, and 11,716 papers and posters were presented. This number of presentations overloaded the Convention Center so several divisions were allocated space for technical sessions in hotels somewhat removed from the Convention Center. POLY and PMSE prefer to continue to be co-located in a hotel close to the Center.
2. The reviews on the Denver meeting in 2011 were excellent: the site was very favorably received by both the ACS staff and the attendees.
3. The negative revenue from national meetings remains a critical issue; ACS lost money on both the Anaheim and Denver meetings but will make money on the San Diego meeting. The success of a meeting is clearly site dependent; M&E is working on an algorithm to predict the potential of a given site. To smooth out the meeting revenue variation, a method for calculating meeting registration fees which will consider the prior three-year average variation in revenue vs expense/attendee will be proposed to the board. This will inevitably lead to higher registration fees in the future. The early registration fee for meetings in 2013 has been set at $370 based only on the CPI-W adjustment.
4. The ACS Meetings Department piloted a digital meeting program in Denver. For San Diego they have enhanced the digital program by including direct links to the abstracts. The web-based application is optimized for mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets. The application features active web links to the technical program and the exhibitor directory as well as bookmarks for easy navigation. Users will be able to download a PDF version of the program, perform keyword searches, and share content on social networks. You can view the digital meeting program at http://sandiego2012onsite.acs.org/i/57789.
5. It appears that the recording of technical sessions (EDMC) program will be continued and very likely expanded. Approximately 450 presentations were recorded in San Diego. Archive recordings for the Anaheim and Denver meetings are available at: http://www.softconference.com/ACSchem/.
6. An option to add Wi-Fi access to technical session rooms was discussed. The cost could reach $600,000 annually and the ACS could be incurring legal liabilities if the science being discussed is “streamed” or “recorded” and used inappropriately. The committee recommended that Wi-Fi access be limited to public spaces and not be allowed in technical session rooms
Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs (CEPA) (H. N. Cheng)
Cheng serves as ConC liaison to this committee. CEPA deals with employment, career development, salary surveys, and public policy that involves workforce issues.
1. CEPA and ACS Career Services continue to use on-site, virtual and hybrid meeting strategies, including Virtual Career Fair and Virtual Exposition.
2. CEPA has revised the booklet, "Chemists Code of Conduct". It was approved by Council.
3. A global readiness task force from CEPA and International Activities Committee made three recommendations, including a two-year language requirement for an undergraduate chemistry degree, foreign work experience, and workshops and tutorials. These recommendations will be considered by the new Vision 2025 task force assembled by President-Elect Marinda Wu.
Younger Chemists Committee (Frank Blum)
Blum serves as a consultant the Younger Chemists Committee (YCC) and attended their meetings. The YCC is a group full of energy and enthusiasm. He will use his experience to help the YCC increase their effectiveness in having their activities sync well with the ACS.
Business Office Report
Neta Byerly , Lesia Linkous, and Kathy Mitchem
The ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry Business Office assists with the day to day operations of this Division. Current activities include:
Budget: The Business Office continues to work with the Treasurer on implementation of the budget.
Workshops Provides support to workshops to include budgeting, administration, registration, advertising to include web development, materials development, and on site organization Overhead for 2011: 109k (budgeted 54k). 4 workshop in 2012, overhead estimated at 50,000.00. 1 co-sponsored event (Graduate Student Conference) in 2011. 6 workshops are anticipated in 2013 (3 approved, 3 pending)
Awards and Recognitions: Assists with the sponsorship collection, plaque creation, poster displays and on site dissemination of awards
Membership: Act as an available contact to members and assist with their special needs. Responsible for operation of the membership booth in San Diego and Philadelphia. Support Membership Committee by providing general support with annual awards, recognitions, POLY News listserv, among others. The Business Office is exploring providing admin. support with PACS. An update on this will be provided in the future.
Elections: Assist in the collection of ballot information and provide administrative support to electronic balloting. Report results to officers.
Preprints/Libraries: Though preprints are available online to its members, these members can purchase hard copies ($5.00) from this office. Preprints/Library Orders placed directly with POLY: Maintains an up-to-date mailing list of Libraries for preprint purchase . Assist the circulation manager with the duplicating of preprints and distribution of library orders (50.00 ea).
Newsletter: Assists Secretary with the creation and dissemination of biannual newsletter to its members. Collect ads, payments, create drafts - Spring Newsletter: June, Fall Newsletter: October
IAB: Assist this committee with administrative tasks to include invoicing and collection of donations and provides on site committee support.
The Staff/The Office: The Business Office is located on the campus of Virginia Tech.
The university is renovating designated space so the office has moved to a temporary location as of August 2011. Phone/fax/email have not changed. Mailing address has changed to 103 Surge, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061.
INTERSOCIETY POLYMER EDUCATION COUNCIL (IPEC)
Semi-Annual Report to Sponsors, March, 2012
IPEC is a 501(c) not-for-profit corporation supported by the American Chemical Society Divisions of Polymer Chemistry and of Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering, the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), the Akron Section of SPE, and the Plastics Pioneers Association. Its volunteer Board of Directors comprises two voting representatives from each member organization. IPEC’s website is www.ipeconline.org.
IPEC’s broad goal is to interest K-12 students in science and technology. We believe that polymers are an excellent medium for interesting students at all grade levels. Students experience polymeric materials every day in shoes, cars, clothes, computers, bandages, etc., so it is relatively easy to stir their curiosity about what polymers are and how they are used.
IPEC accomplishes its mission primarily by supporting and helping organize the Polymer Ambassadors. The Ambassadors (www.polymerambassadors.org) are about 20 talented and dedicated K-12 classroom teachers, located coast-to-coast. Their activities include:
• Organizing and conducting workshops at local, regional and national teachers’ meetings, where the Ambassadors teach other teachers to use polymers in classroom instruction. These workshops continue to be popular with teachers.
• Presenting papers at ACS High School Days.
• Performing demonstrations.
• Developing and writing laboratory experiments, some available as Quick Time Movies.
The Polymer Ambassadors are recognized as leaders in K-12 education. For example, they have won
• Five Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching
• Two Ohaus Awards
• Three Chemical Manufacturers Association Catalyst Awards
• Two state Teacher of the Year Awards
• One Disney Award (it included a parade at Disney World)
• A single PA and her students won eight regional and seven national awards in ExploraVision using polymers in designs for future technologies.
Polymer Ambassadors have learned that K-12 teachers will teach about polymers (1) when a teacher is excited about them, (2) when a teacher can get the materials inexpensively, and (3) when the activities fit the State Science Educational Standards.
Polymer Ambassadors continue to be highly effective. While statistics for the 2011-2012 “Ambassador year” (which starts July 1) are unavailable, numerous activities continue. Among the topics presented at American Chemical Society and National Science Teachers Association regional and national meetings:
• Polydensity tube Make-Learn-Take: Serious fun with a dense subject
• Polymers: New Twists on Old Favorites
• Basic polymer chemistry demonstrations, labs, and activities
• Solids – the neglected state of chemistry
• What in the world are bioplastics?
• Lotions, potions, and scrubs: Polymer science in cosmetics
• Polymerically perfect sodas: The science and technology of plastics
Such workshops are almost always well attended.
While the main thrust is “teachers teaching teachers,” Polymer Ambassadors also interact directly with students. For example Sherri Conn Rukes has done several “Girls Empowered by Math and Science” and ExploreMore programs that reached over 500 students.
To disseminate their materials more broadly, the Ambassadors publish their materials in leading journals and on the world wide web. A partial list of about 25 publications is on the above website.
IPEC also co-sponsors “Polymer Science of Everyday Things” (PSOET) Workshops and Symposia at National ACS Meetings. A fifth PSOET is planned for the ACS Philadelphia meeting in 2012.
IPEC’s core activities are constrained by a shortage of funds. The original idea was to pay travel expenses for Polymer Ambassadors for one training year and three active years. Now a pool of Emeritus Ambassadors has completed their three years but continue doing workshops and other IPEC activities. These master teachers are recognized to be among the finest in their profession. Priority goals for IPEC are to find travel funds for new Ambassadors and to enable Emeritus Ambassadors to expand their activities.
Polymer Ambassadors volunteer their time. About 85% of IPEC’s budget supports Polymer Ambassador expenses, mostly travel.
We would be welcome new board members. Sponsoring organizations are encouraged to appoint third and fourth Board representatives to increase the workforce and assure attendance at meetings.
IPEC member organizations can be proud of what IPEC accomplishes and can look forward to more high-impact activities.
Frank Jones, IPEC Board Secretary [frankjones@comcast.net], March, 2012
Polymer Ambassador Debbie Goodwin demonstrates the polymeric lining of a beverage can. The aluminum can be removed with acid, leaving the lining intact.
POLYED Report for San Diego ACS Meeting, March, 2012
Submitted by Charles E. Carraher, Jr. and John P. Droske (POLYED Co-Chairs)
As announced at the Denver meeting, the POLYED web site has a new look. The PMSE and POLY web sites are linked on each page of the POLYED web site (by clicking on the respective logos at the top right) and at other key locations in the text of pages. Please let us know of any changes that you’d like to see. The agenda for the POLYED San Diego meeting may be found on the POLYED web site under “Info for Committee Members”.
POLYED is offering a co-sponsored symposium (with CELL, CHED, PMSE, POLY, ORGN, Rubber, SOCED) at the Philadelphia ACS Fall 2012 meeting entitled “Incorporation of Macromolecular Science/Polymeric Materials into the Foundational Course in Organic Chemistry”. Bob Howell is chair of this symposium. The symposium is part of an effort by POLYED to work with CPT to include polymer/macromolecular topics in undergraduate chemistry curricula. The ACS-Committee on Professional Training (CPT) has issued new guidelines for bachelor’s degree programs. In addition to the above symposium, POLYED has organized a special task force to develop supplements to help faculty incorporate macromolecular science topics into the five foundational undergraduate chemistry courses. POLYED already has provided three supplements to CPT (organic, inorganic, and physical). The integration of polymers into these courses has long been a goal of POLYED. CPT has implemented major changes in the recommendations for curricula for undergraduate chemistry programs and polymers have not been formally included as a “foundational course”. We ask all members of POLY and PMSE to help us communicate to CPT and others in ACS about the importance of including polymer/macromolecular science topics in the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. Your support in this endeavor is very important and we ask for your help in spreading the word to others.
The winner of the 2012 AkzoNobel Award for Outstanding Graduate Research in Polymer Chemistry is Dr. Garret Miyake, who earned the Ph.D. in 2011 at Colorado State University under the mentorship of Prof. Eugene Chen. He also spent a summer doing research as an NSF-EAPSI Fellow with Prof. Eiji Yashima at the University of Nagoya, Japan. Dr. Miyake is now a postdoctoral researcher at California Institute of Technology with Prof. Robert Grubbs. Dr. Miyake’s Ph.D. research appears in twelve papers in leading chemistry journals. The award will be presented at a symposium in honor of Dr. Miyake at the American Chemical Society National Meeting in Philadelphia August 19-23, 2012 in the Division of Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering. The award is sponsored by the AkzoNobel Corporation and the ACS
Polymer Preprints Vol. 53-1 (Spring 2012)
Circulation Manager’s Report, Fred Dammont
We have shipped a total of 97 copies of POLYMER PREPRINTS, issue 53.1, (Spring 2012) to all fully paid-up and complimentary library subscribers. This number indicates no loss of subscribers as compared to the initial spring shipment of the previous year. As every year, we anticipate more payments to arrive supply of the discs to meet the demand as well as all the eventual claims.
We are pleased to report that the initiated steps, requests for additional payment for registered mail shipment to overseas addresses the receipt confirmation for domestic delivery were effective, reducing the number of claims to practically none. This significantly reduced the costs, considering the recent increases in postage.
• Member Out-reach
– Invited all members to Hospitality Suite by special email
– Publicity/Communication has improved
• Monthly newsletter (Thanks, Kathy, for coordinating!)
• Regular (weekly-ish) postings on LinkedIn and Facebook
• Membership Drive
– Invited all speakers for this meeting to sign up for half price membership
– Have sent out email to PMSE membership also to sign up for half price POLY membership, exploring similar arrangement with ORG
– Business Office identified e-mail addresses of 3000-4000 former POLY members
• E-mail to invite them to come back has been prepared
• Survey to identify reasons they left will be part of the email
• Student Chapters
– Agreement with PMSE on joint chapters
– Current Chapters
• Clemson
• U of M
• U of Southern Mississippi
• U of South Carolina
• CWRU
• Others in the works? – Virginia Tech, U of Mass, Akron
– Set up gmail account to communicate with chapters
– Innovation Fund Proposal was submitted
• To fund a special symposium and reception at the Graduate Polymer Research Conference at CWRU in May
• “Symposium on Formation of New POLY/PMSE Student Chapters”
• Information sharing: students from existing and potential new chapters
• Getting a chapter started
• How to sustain and grow it
– Two Student Chapter proposals for funding were received
• University of South Carolina $1000 + $1000 matching funds
• University of Southern Mississippi: $1000 + $1000 matching funds
– Both proposals were deemed worthy and recommended for funding
– Cost split with PMSE
• Membership meeting
– Tuesday, 2-3
– Topics: Student Chapters, improving communication, membership drives
