President's Message
Incoming 2009 CSW President Dr. Carol J. Henry

The CSW 2009 monthly meetings got off to a great start with the Science Café at the University of Maryland on January 15. Drs. Robert Peoples, Jennifer Young and Lawrence Sita led a lively discussion around the intriguing title: “The Green Tsunami: Will You Sink or Swim.” The enthusiasm and thoughtfulness of audience and speakers - we could have gone on for several more hours with these discussions - suggest we need to keep this topic on our radar and perhaps re-visit it in the future. I was particularly struck by the way this session reflected the issues and recommendations from the CSW Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC). In 2007, under Ted Becker’s leadership, the LRPC examined the demographics of the CSW, together with its perceived strengths and weaknesses. The Committee investigated unmet opportunities for development of CSW programs, and concluded that priority emphasis should be given to engaging younger members of the Society, and to providing increased services to chemistry graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and high school science teachers. The current CSW Mission Statement simply says: The Mission of the CSW is to promote career development and professional interactions among members of the chemical profession in the greater Washington area. The LRPC felt that this statement is good so far as it goes, but that it does not fully describe the range of activities within CSW. The Committee thought it important to emphasize the use of the collective strength, knowledge, and experience of CSW members to benefit more of its members and to serve the chemical community in the greater Washington area. The Draft 2007 LRPC Report (PDF, 274 Kb) may be found on the CSW Website. In addition to the mission statement (see box, below), two other important conclusions should be noted from this report:

• CSW carries out a wide range of excellent activities. The Committee could not identify any program that is redundant, or that should be terminated or reduced in scope.
• A principal shortcoming of, and continuing challenge for, CSW is the failure to attract enough younger and mid-career chemists to CSW programs, and to foster the participation of larger numbers of faculty and students at local universities. CSW is forced to rely too heavily on a small number of dedicated individuals to carry out much of students might be one experiment.

CSW Mission Statement proposed by the Long Range Planning Committee

The Chemical Society of Washington, as a local section of the American Chemical Society, subscribes to the ACS Vision of improving people's lives through the transforming power of chemistry. With its unique and diverse membership, CSW provides value and service to its members and to the CSW scientific and engineering community by:

• Advancing professional interactions and building networks through meetings and communication mechanisms
• Developing partnerships within the local community
• Promoting opportunities for mentoring, leadership and professional recognition, especially for younger chemists
• Fostering professional growth and continuingeducation initiatives
• Advocating the essential role of chemistry to society through public dialogue, education, service, and outreach.

As a chemist turned toxicologist, I have always be interested in how the greater chemistry enterprise included the impacts of chemicals on health and the environment. As I became familiar with CSW's activities and programs, it became clear to me that education and outreach are most effective in addressing such issues The enthusiasm and interest shown in January's Green Tsunami Science Café, and the Chemical Toxicology in Action workshop held last April, have each demonstrated how effective such outreach can be. Forming educational and mentoring networks, and facilitating educational and career opportunities are high priorities for CSW so as to contribute to the success of students and young chemists.

The ongoing programs under CSW's Education and Outreach activities are varied and many, including: Project SEED (summer laboratory experiences for economically disadvantaged youth interested in chemical-related sciences), College Chemistry Achievement Awards, the Chemistry Olympiad, Chemathon activities, Chemagination events, Earth Day activities, National Chemistry Week, and supporting and judging local Science Fairs. This year especially there will be increased opportunities to participate in CSW's Education and Outreach activities as CSW will be the local host for the 238^th National ACS Meeting at the DC Convention Center, August 16-20, 2009. On behalf of the Board and myself, we would welcome more participation in these and related CSW activities. Those interested in working with the CSW Host Committee, please indicate your special talent, past experience or specific interest in Committees for the Hospitality Booth, Tours, Special Issue of The Capital Chemist, Souvenirs, or Special Projects. Send your name, email address and brief message of interes to csw@acs.org by mid-February.

I am deeply honored to serve as CSW President and am privileged to work with a talented, energetic, and dedicated Board of Managers and Councilors. Together with your help, I believe that we have the opportunity to make CSW into a focal point for chemists of all ages in the Washington metropolitan area.

Dr. Carol J. Henry is an advisor and consultant to public and private organizations, focusing on issues in chemical toxicology and risk assessment and public and environmental health. She is Professorial Lecturer in the George Washington University School of Public Health and is certified in toxicology by the American Board of Toxicology. She retired as Vice President, Industry Performance Programs, at the American Chemistry Council in November 2007. Dr. Henry is a member of the Environmental Health Perspectives Editorial Review Board, the US National Children's Study Federal Advisory Committee, the National Research Council's Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology, and the Montgomery County Water Quality Advisory Group.