APPROVED MINUTES
ACS Division of Chemical Information
Executive Committee Meeting
San Diego Convention Center
San Diego, California
Saturday, March 31, 2001 1:14 to 4:45
Chair Andrea Twiss-Brooks called the Executive Committee to order at 1:14 pm.
Those present for all or part of the meeting are as follows. Asterisk designates voting
member. Committee reports and informational materials had been sent to the
Executive Committee by Twiss-Brooks prior to the meeting.
Andrew Berks*
Ann Bolek*
Graham Douglas
Gunther Grethe
Maggie Johnson*
Edward King
Svetlana Korolev
Bonnie Lawlor*
Margaret Matthews*
Val Metamnowski
Michael O’Hara*
Kitty Porter
Robert Snyder
William Town *
Andrea Twiss-Brooks*
Joanne Witiak*
Review and Approval of Minutes from August 19, 2000 meeting in Washington, D.C.
In the minutes NCIS was mis-typed NVIS. Meritorious Service Award winner’s name
is Rosso, not Russo. Lawlor moved the minutes as amended be accepted. Town
seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report
Matthews had sent materials to Executive Committee, including an Excel
Spreadsheet. The Division does not really have the positive cash flow shown
because the donations for PacifiChem have been recorded but the expenses have
not yet been received. We may get some money back from PacifiChem because the
meeting was profitable. We also still owe money for the fall ACS meeting division
luncheon. Having LCDs provided at technical sessions has been good for our
finances. This program is expected to continue. The extra cost of mailing the by-laws
ballot was an unbudgeted expense.
Councilor’s Report
Lawlor reported that the dues escalator provision would probably be the most
contentious item at Council. Increasing the number of members on standing
committees may be a problem because it is an increased expense. Also, if
committees become larger they may become hard to manage and less efficient.
Another issue before Council is changing the membership guidelines to make it
easier for chemical technicians to join ACS. There is a Presidential Task Force on
Society Support to Divisions and Local Sections. This matter is not an issue before
Council and will probably go to Budget and Finance Committee. Berks moved to
instruct Councilors to vote against increasing the number of members of committees.
Bolek seconded. Passed unanimously with 2 abstentions. (Councilors abstain on
votes instructing Councilors.) Berks suggested the decision be made on a committee
by committee basis. Berks moved to approve the change in membership guidelines.
Witiak seconded. Passed unanimously with 2 abstentions. Berks moved to instruct
Councilors to vote for the dues increase. Witiak seconded. Vote was six yeas, one no,
and 2 abstentions.
Committee Reports
Archives/Historian
Metanomski reported that CINF submitted our update to the ACS 125th anniversary
book on time last year. Half of the Divisions have NOT yet submitted their information
so the volume will probably not be published until the end of the year. Metanomski
had a guest editorial in JCICS on the Skolnik Award. Metanomski reported that
esteemed CINF Division members Anne Bachman and Kurt Loening passed away
last year.
Awards
Witiak reported that the committee had four excellent nominees for the Lucille Werth
award. Phillip Edwards from SUNY-Buffalo is the winner. He will be sent a free oneyear membership package. The deadline for Skolnik award nominations is July 1st.
The deadline for Meritorious Service award nominations is June 1st. Witiak reported
that the Awards Committee needs some new members since three current members
have terms that are expiring. Please give her suggestions for new members.
Careers
There were no action items for the committee. Phil Barnett will be at the Chicago
meeting.
Education
Porter reported that the "How to Teach Chemical Information workshop will be
presented at the Northwest Regional meetings and perhaps at NCIS and the ACSChicago. Education Committee has been asked by Program Committee to do a
program at each ACS meeting. Rob McFarlen and Bartow Culp will represent the
plight of the small schools to CPT.
Membership
Bolek reported that the opt-in form for the membership directory will be at the CINF
table and at the reception. She had only received twelve forms prior to the meeting.
What is the minimum needed to publish a directory? Bolek suggested the form be
printed in CIB each issue. Bolek moved that CINF publish the directory in CIB no
matter what the number of forms received. Town seconded. The motion carried
unanimously. Bolek suggested that CINF take advantage of the free brochure ACS
will print for divisions. Town spoke about the dues form which is due to ACS this
month. He suggested that CINF add an additional charge for foreign postage and
that the dues stay the same for all categories except student. Student dues would go
to $2 as stated in CINF bylaws. Town suggested that we continue participation in the
one free division for one year given to new members and the new program which
gives a free division for a year to those members no currently in a division. Town
moved to accept the membership dues form. Bolek seconded. There was discussion.
Where is the postage money listed in the budget? CINF needs to make sure we raise
the rate to cover the expense. Grethe said that some foreigners may not want to pay
for postage. It was decided it would be too difficult to give an opt-out of postage
choice. Lawlor asked when dues were last changed. Perhaps CINF needs to
evaluate dues in general, not just postage. Town asked if dues were a significant
portion of CINF income. They are approximately $12,000 our of a $75,000 budget.
Lawlor asked why should US dues support foreign postage. We need to just bite the
bullet and charge for postage. The dues form with a postage increase for all
categories except emeritus carried unanimously. We will also add the retired
category to the form. Overall CINF has had a membership gain. The numbers will be
more accurate when the upaids are dropped.
Nominating Committee
Town reported that Chuck Huber and Pamela Scott have been nominated for ChairElect. Maggie Johnson will decide in the next two weeks if she will stand again for
Secretary. Town needs another nominee for Secretary. Please give him suggestions
immediately. Johnson will send an email requesting biographical information for the
ballot.
Program Chair
Snyder reported that the planning for ACS meetings is going well. They have 14 half
days for Chicago, 18 for Orlando, and 16 for Boston. They are trying to program at
local meetings. A report on NCIS will be given later in the meeting.
Publications
Graham Douglas reported for Chair Bruce Slutsky. The salary survey is being
compiled. 2400 questionnaires were sent. 400 replies were received. The cost was
$1500. The pre-publication cost of the survey is $35.00. O’Hara suggested that the
bylaws committee looked at removing from the bylaws the part that says the Chair of
the Division coordinates the salary survey. Items like that should be in the procedures
manual. CIB revenue is up and should meet targets. The Publications Committee
requested the option of printing color advertisements for a surcharge of $400.
Johnson so moved. Town seconded. The motion carried unanimously. The
committee was unable to get a periodical mailing permit because there are only two
issues a year. Witiak moved and Town seconded that the subscription rate for foreign
subscriptions should be increased to $40 to cover postage. The motion carried
unanimously. If any member has contributions for CINF E-News please send the
items to Slutsky.
Strategic Planning
Town investigated e-groups as a way of strategic planning but thinks it will not work.
Participants would get spammed. He is now investigating a structured virtual meeting.
Johnson suggested this might be a possible grant opportunity from ACS/DOC.
Bylaws
CINF has just changed our student dues to reflect the bylaws. A small group will be
set up to take procedures out of bylaws and put them in procedures manual.
Fundraising
Berks suggested CINF needs a fundraising group, not a new fundraiser each year.
This would give CINF some continuity. Grethe was opposed to a committee because
there is no single person responsible. CINF had a fundraising committee which didn’t
work out. The need for a fundraising coordinator will be discussed at the fall meeting.
There was discussion on designing sponsorship levels. This will also be discussed
more fully at the next meeting. It was decided by consensus that after the receptions
are sponsored it is appropriate to ask for money to support technical sessions and
symposia.
SLA Liaison
Dana Roth will handle the paperwork for the Tri-Society meeting.
New Business
CELL Division Name Change
Berk moved and Town seconded that CINF accept the name change. Motion carried
unanimously.
Discussion on Task Force Report on Local Section and Division Funding
Town suggested CINF write a letter to President Pavlath. Berks moved CINF
immediately send a letter supporting the dissenting report with a copy to Frank Blum.
Town seconded. Vote was 8 for, one against.
DOTC Attendance Policy
If the Division funds CINF can send up to four to DOTC. ACS would absorb cost of
hotel and food so the Division would only have to pay transportation. There was
discussion that we always need to send the Chair-Elect and should send
Membership, Treasurer, and Secretary if possible. Twiss-Brooks will discuss to DOC.
Website
Twiss-Brooks will be meeting with the ACS web people about hosting our site. The
issues are being resolved and since ACS requires that membership directories must
be hosted on the ACS web this may be a good time to move. However, they are not
at present offering enough disk space.
NCIS
Jorge Manrique reported on program and financial plans for NCIS June 24-28, 2000.
Witiak moved and Berks seconded that the Executive Committee should accept his
report and proceed with the conference. The motion passed unanimously. Jorge is
planning on 60 attendees. It is highly unlikely the Division will lose money and a good
chance the Division will make money on this symposium. The web page for the
conference is www.chemweb.com/conference/ncis2001.
Adjournment
Town moved and Witiak seconded that the Executive Committee adjourn. The motion
passed unanimously. The Executive Committee adjourned at 4:45.
Respectfully submitted,
Maggie Johnson
Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Information
Voice 859-257-5954
Fax 859-257-4074
E-mail mjohnson@pop.uky.edu