Alternate Councilors: A Hidden Resource?

We elect them for a three-year term, then we forget them, or at least that is what some sections seem to do. In a section with conscientious councilors, alternate councilors may never have an opportunity to substitute for councilors at an ACS national meeting. That is OK: it shows that councilors are doing their jobs. However, they did volunteer to run in your elections, and showed interest in being active section participants. And, rather than have them sit and simmer for a three-year term, they might (and usually are) willing to take on a task if you ask and encourage them.

Don’t ask them to run for chair-elect next year; that is a bit too intimidating, and they may not be ready. However, ask them to run a monthly seminar meeting during the next half year, to be a co-chair for National Chemistry Week or Earth Day, or to organize your section’s annual picnic (do you have one?): these might be opportunities they would consider. Don’t try to enlist them in the middle of your next board meeting; a personal one-on-one chat after such a session is often a better approach.

Sure, they may need some help with a first assignment, but a successful event is a confidence builder, and the second time around is always easier. Provide some initial guidance; you just may be creating a viable, trained, and enthusiastic candidate for councilor or chair-elect in an upcoming year. Involve your alternate councilor by supporting his or her development in your section, and you will likely be surprised with the results.

Thomas R. Beattie
Local Section Assistance & Development Subcommittee
ACS Committee on Local Section Activities

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