P&MR KeyAccomplishments 2009
Online Access to Meeting Content: Following recommendations by a P&MR Task Force in 2008, P&MR worked with the Divisional Activities Committee to lead the 2009 launch of a pilot effort to record and disseminate ACS national meeting content online. The 40 presentations posted after the spring national meeting drew a very positive response, and were followed by 153 presentations posted after the fall meeting.More than half of users surveyed stated that this isamong their most valued ACS services, and that it will make them more likely to renew their membership. [To come] P&MR recently created a new task force to set overall policies to guide this important effort.
Online Networking: P&MR effectively guided the development of the ACS Network in 2009, which helps members search, connect, and collaborate with peers worldwide.
The Network now includes more than 21,000 members and global partners and notably improved community features. To increase participation and member value, P&MR considered a new policy (approved by the Board in August) to automatically include basic information on all members in the ACS network—unless they opt-out.
Globalization Resource: P&MR organized well-received breakfast programs at the spring and fall national meetings on globalization and employment issues. The programs informed committee chairs of relevant ACS career services and facilitated discussion on key issues and trendsrelated to globalization of the chemical enterprise. P&MR also worked with CEPA to create a new globalization task force, which recommended and is pursuing 3 activities:A Globalization Feature Page in C&EN, an online Globalization Resource Liston the careers website, and annual sessions at national meetings.
Strategic Global Alliances: Following a special P&MR-led governance effort in 2008 to develop an ACS international strategy; P&MR oversaw the development of four major global cooperative agreements in 2009. ACS signed two bilateral agreements focused on sustainability, with the Society for Chemical Industry (SCI) and the Royal Society of Chemistry. P&MR also vetted and enabled Board approval in December of two new three–year bilateral collaborative alliances with the Chinese Chemical Society (CCS) and German chemical society (GDCh).
Increasing Diversity in Science: Based on P&MR’s report and recommendation, the ACS Board created a three-year pilot ACS Diversity Partner Program that kicked-off in January 2009. The goal is to broaden participation in the chemical sciences among diverse and traditionally underrepresented groups—beginning with the African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian communities. In 2009, the Diversity Partners made notable strides towards improving awareness of scientific careers among underrepresented minorities, gaining better data on the issues and barriers in this area, and working with diversity-related organizations toward joint efforts in this area.
Understanding Member Needs:P&MR led the effort in 2009 to develop and improve the 2010 ACS membership satisfaction survey—a key tool in gaining feedback from members on various ACS services. Key changes to the survey were approved by P&MR in December, including an increased sample size and a shorter, clearer questionnaire. Results from the 2007 survey motivated the development of the ACS Network, ACS online meeting content, and improvements to various ACS services.
Value to Members:Togain a more distinct understanding of what current and future members will value most from ACS in 3+ years, P&MR polled the ACS Board in June, scanned and analyzed internal data, and developed new data gathering methods to increase understanding of member needs within and among benefit categories. Following survey results and a benchmark of key ACS services against key peers, a draft paper will be developed for Board review in June 2010—including key findings and recommendations on benefit areas that warrant more strategic emphasis going forward. P&MR also acted in December on a recommendation by the Membership Affairs Committee to create a Society-wide task force to review dues-associated bylaws and changes that would make ACS more competitive in acquiring and serving members.
Global Image of Chemistry: P&MR guided ACS efforts to play a lead global role in enhancing awareness of the value of chemistry and ACS via the United Nations designated International year of Chemistry 2011 (IYC 2011). P&MR reviewed a document containing various potential activities identified by ACS technical divisions, committees, and local sections to advance the success of IYC 2011. The document served as an effective basis for a series of meetings with several federal agencies regarding their potential material support. The document, discussions and overall strategy were successful in building government interest in IYC 2011 and gaining feedback on areas agencies would be inclined to support.
Sustainability:P&MR helped guide the ACS Sustainability Stakeholders Steering Group (S3G), which was established to help ACS enlist scientific professionals to address, through chemistry, global sustainability challenges. The group assembled an inventory of existing sustainability initiatives across ACS units as well as a roadmap outlining how ACS can call chemists to action. P&MR is currently working with S3G on establishing specific targets in each of the areas identified in the call to action.
Web Strategies:In December P&MR established a new Web Strategy and Innovation subcommittee to recommend policies regarding ACS’s web strategies and interactive web sites. The new group effectively replaces the former Board working group on web innovation and will include representation from a broader group of ACS committees.
Leadership Courses: The new Leadership Advisory Board, which was appointed in 2009 to review and advise the ACS Leadership Development System, began reporting to the Board through P&MR in 2009—including recent activities and progress. Overall, 52 leadership courses were held in 2009, exceeding the goal of 40. And total participation reached 844, exceeding the 600 participant 2009 goal.