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Policy Statements

Illinois - Iowa Section
American Chemical Society
Revised April 29, 2008

  1. These policies should be reviewed annually by the Executive Committee at its first meeting. All existing policies should be examined for current relevancy and new policies formulated as necessary. New policies must be approved by a majority of the Executive Committee.
  2. The Immediate Past-Chair should compile the annual report and ensure its timely and proper submission to the National ACS.
  3. The following committees are recommended for annual appointment:
    1. National Chemistry Week - normally chaired by Chair-Elect
    2. Chemistry Olympiad
    3. Public Relations
    4. Grants and Awards
    5. Kiser Scholarship
    6. Nominations
    7. Auditing
    8. Membership
    9. Webmaster
    10. Mentoring/Young Chemists
    11. Silver Circle Committee

    An ongoing list of all members of these committees should be kept by their respective committee chairpersons and copied to the Executive Committee for safeguarding.
  4. These awards should be considered for presentation on an annual basis:
    1. Outstanding High School Chemistry Teacher - as per guidelines developed by the Grants and Awards committee and approved by the Executive Committee.
    2. . Service Awards - Special recognition should be given for members reaching significant levels of service in National ACS. Framed certificates should be given to members reaching anniversaries of 25, 40 and 50 years. Certificates provided by National ACS for 50-year members should be awarded in place of locally-generated certificates. Other significant service levels, at five year increments, may be noted with an unframed certificate - 5, 10, 15, etc. These should be presented in an appropriate folder.
    3. Past-Chair - A past-chair pin should be presented, normally at the last meeting of the year.
    4. Professional Chemist of the Year - as per guidelines developed by the Grants and Awards Committee and approved by the Executive Committee.
    5. Outstanding Section Member of the Year - special recognition should be given to members for outstanding service.
    6. Salutes to Excellence - as per guidelines developed by National ACS.
  5. There should be a minimum of nine (9) meetings per year. It is recommended at least one meeting per year should be held in or near each of the following cities: Clinton, Dubuque, Quad-Cities, Monmouth, and Muscatine. Scheduling, though, remains with the discretion of the program chair (usually the Chair Elect or Chair).
  6. Meal prices for regular members should be set to cover the costs of all food, service, and special considerations. Special considerations include that all students should be charged half price for meals at the regular meetings. Another special consideration is free meals for special guests and tour speakers (and their respective guests) as approved by the Executive Committee. Thus, final meal price should include all the above and should be reviewed by either the section Treasurer and/or other Executive Committee member. If a billing issue arises from a scheduled meeting, the billing must be reviewed by the Executive Committee before payment is issued.
  7. Arrangements for general meetings should follow the "Making Sure the Venue is Ready" guidelines. Guidelines are available on the ACS Website/Section.
  8. A member who makes a meal reservation for a meeting and who does not cancel by the posted date will be held responsible for the cost of his or her meal. The monthly newsletter will give both a reservation and a cancellation deadline date (which may be the same). Names of those making reservations should be collected by the designated contact and provided to the Treasurer the night of the meeting. The Treasurer should match attendees with the list and make a list of "no-shows." This list should be provided to the Secretary and the Chair. The Secretary should send out a form letter requesting payment or a valid excuse. The Executive Committee will vote on excuses. After three (3) unexcused non-payments, the Section should not take reservations from the delinquent member. A list of delinquent members should be provided to the meeting contacts. The delinquent members may continue to attend the regular business/lecture portion of the meeting.
  9. The Executive Committee should meet at least quarterly. The Chair should provide a written agenda and meeting notice at least one week in advance. Chairs of committees should be invited to give oral reports or present subjects of discussions at either their request or a request from a committee member. It is acceptable to have snacks or a meal during or following meetings that have a sizable agenda, are on nights other than regular Section meetings, and which last at least 1 1/2 hours. The Chair is responsible for making the snack/meal decisions with discretion. The total annual costs should not exceed $200.
  10. The Section should maintain a scholarship fund in memory of Don Kiser. The Section should contribute at least $500 per year to the fund. At least one scholarship should be given annually based on the recommendation of the Scholarship Committee. The funds should be invested in a safe, but profitable manner.
  11. The Section should participate in the Local Section dues program. Suggested dues level would be $7 per member. A portion of this money should be allocated to fund the Kiser Scholarship fund.
  12. The Section should participate in the ACS Councilor Travel Reimbursement Program for attendance at the Council Meetings. That is, the Section will reimburse the Councilor, Alternate Councilor, or Substitute Councilor (in order of preference) for the cost of attending a Council meeting at the National ACS meeting. The Section will receive reimbursement of 75% of the costs up to $750 per meeting. The attendee should receive the approval of the Executive Committee before attending (normally automatic).
  13. The Section should encourage the Chair-Elect to attend the annual Leadership and Advanced Leadership Conference. The attendee should receive approval of the Executive Committee before attending (normally automatic). If attended, the Chair-Elect should be reimbursed for the cost of attending the conference by the Section.
  14. The Grants and Awards Committee should publicize and collect applications for all awards and grants available. The Committee should make a recommendation to the Executive Committee based on their guidelines. The Executive Committee should give formal approval. It is recommended that most awards and grants be given between National Chemistry Week in October and the awards dinner in December.
  15. The Section should reimburse members of the executive committee or other members for mileage at the current IRS rate/mile (www.irs.gov) when they travel on trips that are related to approved business for the good of the Section. Members who travel for the section are encouraged to first seek reimbursement from the member's employer, prior to seeking reimbursement from the section.

IL-IA Section Policy Statements       Last Updated 04/29/2008