three petitions highlight council agenda in los angeles

ACS NEWS

Three Petitions Highlight Council Agenda in Los Angeles

Three petitions to amend the society's governing documents are scheduled for action by the ACS Council when it meets during the society's nat ional meet ing next month in Los Angeles. The petitions involve meetings of the society, requirements for emeritus status, and membership count for divisions.

Probably the most controversial of these is a proposed additional section in the ACS constitution mandating that open meetings of the society or its subunits be equally accessible to all members. The proposal, petitioners say, would preclude instances in which an ACS member in good standing might be prevented from attending a particular meeting and thus from receiving the benefits of exchange of scientific and technical information or professional contacts.

Although opponents of the petition recognize that the right to attend meetings is a basic tenet of membership in the society, they question the necessity of adding such language to the constitution, in light of so few incidents of members' being denied access to ACS meetings. They say it raises questions about, among other things, interpretation of "open" meetings and accessibility of all meetings to all members.

Supporters of the proposal nonetheless state that "in the recent past, there have been several instances where local sections have scheduled technical meetings at sites where attendance was restricted on the basis of citizenship or current or prior employment." They insist that "attendance at open meetings should be based on membership in the society. An individual qualified to be a member should not be prohibited from attending technical meetings."

A second petition addresses an alleged anomaly in eligibility requirements for emeritus status resulting from recent changes in the bylaws. The petition attempts to avoid "penalizing" a small number of members during the next few years who, because of a cutoff date in the recently inserted "grandfather" clause, might not meet the old requirements or the new ones.

Specifically, the proposed amendment would change the requirements for emeritus status in the "grandfather" clause that exempts certain members (those eligible for emeritus status under previously existing requirements) from meeting stricter emeritus requirements approved by the council and board in mid-1985. The earlier emeritus requirements were 35 years of paid membership plus either being retired or being over 70 years of age. The stricter requirements now in force comprise all three conditions. Members who meet these requirements may receive full benefits of ACS membership without paying dues.

Currently, members who had met the earlier emeritus requirements before the cutoff date of Jan. 1, 1986, are eligible for emeritus status anytime they want to exercise that privilege. However, those members who had accumulated 35 years of paid membership before the cutoff date, but who retire after that date but before age 70 are not eligible for emeritus status until they reach age 70. The proposed amendment would make this group of members eligible for emeritus status as soon as they retire.

The third petition would amend both the constitution and bylaws to specify that the official membership count for society divisions include only paid members—and not those

who have accepted a one-year free division trial membership as part of a division's method of recruiting new members. The official member count for each division is used to determine the number of councilors authorized for the division as well as to calculate a yearly allotment from the ACS general fund to support the division's activities. These important calculations, petitioners say, should not be based on figures that include "guests" of divisions or those who have not paid current dues.

In addition to acting on the three petitions, councilors plan to vote on revisions to the society's Professional Employment Guidelines.

Following are the texts, explanations, and associated reports for the three petitions scheduled for action at the council meeting in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Sept. 28. The meeting, open to all ACS members for observation, will be in the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, San Francisco Room, beginning at 8 AM.

Meetings of the Society

Article XI, Sec. 3

Petition We, the undersigned councilors of the American Chemical Society, petition that Article XI of the society's constitution be amended.by adding a new Sec. 3, as follows (additions in italics): Article XI

Sec. 3. Open meetings of the Society or its subunits shall be equally accessible to all members.

Explanation Sec. 2 of the society's charter

states some of the objects as "the improvement of the qualifications and usefulness of chemists through

August 22, 1988 C&EN 69

ACS News

high standards of professional ethics, education, and attainments; the increase and diffusion of chemical knowledge; and by its' meetings, professional contacts, reports, papers, discussions and publications, to promote scientific interests and inquiry." Accordingly, the society—through official public policy statements—promotes a free flow of scientific and technical information at meetings and symposia, and sponsors local, national, and international symposia and conferences. This practice is in line with practices of other professional organizations that encourage free and open exchange of scientific and technical

information and adherence to the principle of unrestricted participation at such meetings. (Findings of 1985 AAAS survey of scientific and technical meeting policies indicated that two thirds of societies' policies prohibited sponsorship of closed or restricted meetings.)

The addition of the proposed Sec. 3 in Article XI of the constitution will preclude instances in which an ACS member in good standing might be prevented from receiving the benefits of exchange of scientific and technical information or professional contacts. Signed: Grace B. Borowitz, Jeanette Brown, Bela S. Buslig, Allan Cairncross, Peter A. Christie, John S. Connolly, John C. Crano, Adrienne S. Dey, Wendell L. Dill-ing, Glenn Fuller, Ned D. Heindel, Esther A. Hopkins, Valerie Kuck, Joseph M. O'Connor, Raymond T. O'Donnell, Attila E. Pavlath, Wilfrid G. Shaw, Michael E. Strem, Marvin C. Tinkle, James R. Young

(This petition was referred to the Committee on Meetings & Expositions, the Council Policy Committee, the Committee on Chemistry & Public Affairs, the Committee on Divisional Activities, the Committee on Education, the Committee on Local Section Activities, the Committee on Membership Affairs, the Committee on Professional Relations, the Committee on Science, the Committee on Budget & Finance, and the Committee on Constitution & Bylaws.)

Statement of financial impact The Society Committee on Budget

& Finance has examined this peti

tion and finds that it will have no impact on the finances of the society.

Final report of the Committee on Constitution & Bylaws

The Committee on Constitution & Bylaws has prepared a revised version of the petition and finds it to be legal and consistent with other provisions of the society's documents.

One of the suggestions submitted to the committee was that the petition be worded in a positive context. After receiving additional comments from petitioners and other committees, the wording as printed above was approved by the committee at its meeting on June 8,1988.

The committee believes the intent of the petitioners is maintained in the revised petition. The original petition was as follows: Article XI,

Sec. 3. Nothing in this constitution shall be construed as preventing any member in good standing from attending any open meeting of the Society or its subunits.

Summaries of comments received by the chairman of the Committee on Meetings & Expositions (the committee assigned primary substantive responsibility) follow this report.

A majority vote of council is required for adoption of an amendment to the constitution. If adopted, the amendment will become effective upon ratification by the membership.

Charles B. Lindahl, chairman

Summaries of comments received by the chairman of the Committee on Meetings & Expositions (committee

with primary substantive responsibility)

During and after the Toronto congress, arguments by opponents and rebuttals by proponents were received on this petition. Summaries of these arguments and rebuttals follow: Comment #1: Is such an amendment really necessary? Response: Unfortunately in the recent past, there have been several instances where local sections have scheduled technical meetings at sites where attendance was restricted on the basis of citizenship or current or prior employment. Atten

dance at open meetings should be based on membership in the society. An individual qualified to be a member should not be prohibited from attending technical meetings.

Comment #2: The term "open meeting" is commonly used for committee meetings but is not used for scientific meetings. This amendment would require interpretation of the term open, since it is not defined in society documents. Response: As stated in the explanation, one of the objectives of the society is "the increase and diffusion of chemical knowledge." The concept of a closed scientific meeting is in conflict with this objective. Unless specifically identified as a closed meeting, all meetings of the society should be open to all members in good standing. Comment #3: Requirements for local section meetings would more properly be placed in the bylaws or in the regulations. Article XI refers only to meetings of the society. Response: True, sections of the bylaws and the regulations address meetings. However, access to an open meeting of the society is a basic right of membership and should be specifically guaranteed in the society's constitution.

Comment #4: It is obvious that the society could neither impose nor enforce conditions that would ensure that all sites chosen by all units of the society would be equally accessible to all members. Response: The possible limitations of a meeting site should be considered when a specific site is chosen. As a goal all meeting sites should be open to all members. This petition directly addresses attendance at meetings and ensures that members cannot be prohibited from attending technical meetings of the society or its subunits.

Comment #5: If this is intended to be a statement of member's rights, it should be included in a list of member rights elsewhere in the society documents. Response: Adoption of this amendment would not preclude a future list of member rights.

Valerie J. Kuck, chairman Committee on Meetings &

Expositions

70 August 22, 1988 C&EN

Revision of Requirements for Emeritus Status Bylaw I, Sec. 5

Petition We, the undersigned members of the American Chemical Society, petition that the second paragraph of Bylaw I, Sec. 5 be amended as follows (deletions in brackets; additions in italics): Bylaw I, Sec. 5, second paragraph

All members who, prior to January 1, 1986, had accumulated thirty-five years of paid membership are [were] eligible for emeritus status upon retirement from full-time professional employment or at seventy years of age [under previously existing requirements shall retain this privilege]. Such status shall be given following request by the member and certification by the Executive Director.

Explanation The requirement prior to June 7,1985,

for emeritus status was 35 years of paid membership and either being retired or over 70 years of age. [The previous requirement for emeritus status was being retired and either 35 years of membership or age of 70.] Members who had 35 years of membership and retired on Dec. 31, 1985, are exempted from the new stricter emeritus requirements and would not have paid dues since that date. On the other hand, those members who had the 35 years of membership, but elected to work longer and pay full dues (sic) are penalized when they retire later, but before reaching the age of 70. Clearly, the society did not lose anything by their choice. Members who had fulfilled the requirement of 35 years of membership under the old rules fully expected that they would be given the emeritus status when they retire. The presently written form grants emeritus status to one who had 35 years of membership and retired on Dec. 31, 1985, even if that person returned to active status on Jan. 2, 1986, but excludes those who decided to pay full dues longer. Petitioners strongly doubt that council wanted to make the latter exclusion.

Signed: Edith S. Bartley, Pauline L. Bellavance, Walter R. Benn, Ralph A. Burns, Ron G. Buttery, Wendell T. Caraway, Joseph Corse, John H. Dygos, Kurt W. Field, Wil

liam Gaffield, Robert B. Garland, Robert B. Gayhart, Elliott Greenberg, James M. Herbach, David W. Klein, Doris K. Kolb, Kenneth E. Kolb, F. Axtell Kramer, Steven W. Kramer, Elizabeth J. Luna, James P. McGuire, James N. Roitman, Leonora G. Rueppel, Dennis J. Saturnino, Marie C. Sherman, Robert L. Shone, Pamela Silver, Dorothy A. Stumpf, Katherine E. Weissmann, James C. Zahnley

(The number of member signatures received exceeded the 25 required by the bylaws for presentation of this petition to the council. By previous authorization of the Council Policy Committee, the names of only 30 petitioners are listed. The total number of valid signatures was 178.) Note: The petition, "Change in Requirements for Emeritus Status/' which was the basis for the June 7, 1985, change in Sec. 5 of Bylaw I, can be found in the council agenda for the May 1,1985, meeting. (This petition was referred to the Committee on Membership Affairs, the Council Policy Committee, the Committee on Divisional Activities, the Committee on Local Section Activities, the Committee on Publications, the Committee on Budget & Finance, and the Committee on Constitution & Bylaws.)


& Finance has examined this petition and finds it may have significant negative impact on the finances of the society in the order of $100,000 per year.


The Committee on Constitution & Bylaws has examined the petition and finds it to be legal and consistent with other provisions of the society's documents.

In order to improve clarity and to state the previously existing requirements, the committee has prepared a revised version of the original petition (Committee on Constitution & Bylaws changes in bold print; original petition changes in italics). The intent of the petitioners is maintained.

"All members who, prior to January 1, 1986, had accumulated thirty-five years of paid membership are [were] eligible for emeritus sta

tus upon retirement from full-time professional employment or at seventy years of age [under previously existing requirements or already had 35 years of membership shall retain this privilege]. Such status shall be given following request by the member and certification by the Executive Director.

With the approval of a representative of petitioners the first sentence of the explanation has been revised to correctly state the previous requirement for emeritus status.

A two thirds vote of council is required for adoption of a bylaw amendment. If adopted by council, the amendment will become effective upon confirmation by the board of directors.


Divisional Membership Count

Article VII, Section 1(a), Article XIV, Sec. 3, Bylaw III, Sec. 1(b)(1), and

Bylaw VIII, Sec. 6(b) Petition

We, the undersigned councilors of the American Chemical Society, petition that Article VII, Section 1(a) and Article XIV, Sec. 3 of the constitution, Bylaw III, Section 1(b)(1) and Bylaw VIII, Sec. 6(b) be amended as follows (deletions in brackets; additions in italics): Article VII, Sec. 1(a)

The popular deliberative assembly of the Society shall be known as the Council, which shall be composed of the President, the Presi-dent-El£ct, the Directors, the Past Presidents, the Executive Director, the Secretary, and Councilors representing Local Sections and Divisions, all of whom shall be known as voting Councilors, if Members of the Society. Twenty percent of elected Councilors shall be elected by Divisions and 80% shall be elected by Local Sections. Each Division and each Local Section shall elect Councilors [according to its membership count and] as provided in the Bylaws. Alternate Councilors for Divisions and Local Sections shall be elected as provided in the Bylaws. In addition to performing such duties as may be prescribed by the Constitution and the Bylaws of the Society, the Council shall act as an

August 22, 1988 C&EN 71

ACS News

advisory body in matters pertaining to the general management of the Society. Article XIV, Sec. 3.

There shall be an annual apportionment of funds to Local Sections and Divisions [based on the total membership count of each] as provided in the Bylaws. Bylaw III, Sec. 1(b)(1)

The number of Councilors authorized for each Division for a four-year period beginning in a year divisible by four shall be determined from the number of paid members of the Division (official count of December 31 of the second preceding year). Prior to May 1 of the first preceding year, the Council Policy Committee shall select a cut-off figure, n, such that Divisions with up to n members shall have one Councilor, those with (n+1) to 2n members shall have two Councilors, those with (2n+l) to 3n shall have three Councilors, and those with greater than 3n shall have four Councilors. Bylaw VIII, Sec. 6(b)

Each Division, in addition to the basic annual allotment, shall receive an additional yearly allotment based on the sum, as of December 31 of the second preceding year, of the number of [its] paid members of the Division and the number of paid National Affiliates, [each of whom shall have paid at least two dollars per year in dues to the Division]. Each year this additional yearly allotment shall be calculated by multiplying the foregoing sum by one dollar $1.00.

Explanation At present, all divisions require

the payment of dues. Some divisions offer a one-year free division trial membership as a method of recruiting new members.

There is some question whether such "guests" (who are not presently covered in division bylaws), as well as those who have not paid the current year's division dues, should be included in the official membership count. This count is used to determine the additional yearly allotment and the number of councilors for a division. It is our position that "guests" and those who have not paid their current dues should not be included in the official membership count for the division.

Signed: Robert A. Baker, Kenneth N. Edwards, Galen W. Ewing, Tomlinson Fort, Stan S. Hall, Ann H. Hunt, Edwin L Kugler, Truman S. Light, Charles B. Lindahl, Sister Marian Jose Smith, James A. Walsh, Dale L. Wilhelm

(This petition was referred to the Committee on Divisional Activities, the Council Policy Committee, the Committee on Budget & Finance, and the Committee on Constitution & Bylaws.)


& Finance has examined this petition and finds that it will have minor positive impact on the finances of the society.


The Committee on Constitution & Bylaws has examined the petition and finds it to be legal and consistent with other provisions of the society's documents.

In order to eliminate possible ambiguity the committee has made a minor editorial change in Bylaw VIII, Sec. 6(b), line 4, by changing the phrase, "the number of its paid members," to "the number of [its] paid members of the Division/' The intent of the petitioners is maintained.

The committee notes that the proposed constitutional amendments each may stand alone. Adopting, or rejecting, either or both of them would introduce no inconsistencies. However, adoption of Bylaw III, Sec. 1(b) and Bylaw VIII, Sec. 6(b) are contingent upon adoption by Council and ratification by the membership of Article VII, Section 1(a) and Article XIV, Sec. 3, respectively.

The constitutional amendments require a majority vote of council for adoption. If adopted, the constitutional amendments shall become effective upon ratification by the membership.

The bylaw amendments require a two thirds vote of council for adoption. If adopted, the bylaw amendments shall become effective after confirmation by the board of directors and upon ratification of the respective constitutional amendments by the membership.


Guide to September local section meetings featuring ACS tour speakers As a service to society members and the public, C&EN publishes from fall to spring monthly guides to ACS tour speaker appearances at upcoming local section meetings. For general information about these events, which are open

to all interested persons, consult the alphabetical listing of cities and their corresponding local sections along with the topic/speaker key. For additional information, contact the local section or the ACS Speaker Service at (202) 872-4613.

Meeting oily Local section

Burlington, Vt. Green Mountain

Erie, Pa. Erie

Date (Sept.) \ Topic code

22/H

13/L

Fayetteville, Ark. 12/A University of Arkansas

Meeting cfty Date (Sept.) Local section Topic code

Huntsville, Ala. 21/i North Alabama

Joliet, HI. 21/1 | Joliet

Joplin, Mo. 13/J I Southeast Kansas

Meeting city Date (Sept.) Local section Topic code

Mentor, Ohio 14/L Northeastern Ohio

Mobile, Ala. 22/I Mobile

New Haven, Conn. 21/H New Haven

Meeting city Local section

Sacramento Sacramento

San Diego San Dtego

Searcy, Ark. Central Arkansas

Date (Sept.) Topic code

19/B

21/K

15/TBA

72 August 22, 1988 C&EN


Date (Sept») Topic code

Florence, Ala. 20/1 Wilson Dam

Fresno, Calif. 20/K San Joaquin Valley

Grambling, La. 14/C Ouachita Valley

Grove City, Pa. 16/L Penn-Ohio Border

Highland Falls, N.Y. 20/H Mid Hudson



Lawrence, Kan. 14/A University of Kansas

Lincoln» Neb. 19/M Nebraska

Longview, Tex. 12/D East Texas

Manhattan, Kan. 15/A Kansas State University



Olean, N.Y. Penn-York

Omaha Omaha

Orono, Me. Maine

Peoria, HI. Peoria

Rode Islam!, I Illinois-Iowa

ia/L

ao/F

33/H

23/E



Shreveport, La. 13/C Northwest Louisiana

Tempe, Ariz. 22/K Central Arkona

Tucson, Ariz. 23/B Southern Arizona

Wooster,Ohio 15/G Wooster

Topic/speaker keyL A. Biodegradable Polymers. W, J. Bailey, U of Maryland B. Chemical Microscopy. W. C. McCrone, McCrone Research Institute

Inc. C. Chemistry in the People's Republic of China. A. E. Free, Miles Labora*

tory D* Diabetes—a Disease Slowly Yielding to Chemical Research. A. E.

Free E. European History of Chemistry Museums and Exhibits. J. H. Wotiz,

Southern Illinois U F. The European Travel and Study Course in the History of Chemistry, & Η.

Wotiz

0. Folk Medicine. 8* N. Blomster, U of Maryland H. How Dolphins md KiBer Whales Control Surface Fouling, R* S. Baler,

State U of New York i. The Inside Story of Color Photography. *L L, Edwards, Eastman Kodak

Co. J. Monomers that Expand on Polymerization. W. 4* Bailey K. Needle in the Haystack Analysis. W. C. McCrone L. Plants as a Source of Drugs» R. N. Blomster M, Something You Did Not Know About Kekule. «J. H. Wotiz TBA. To be announced by program chairman

Other local section meetings in September For further information about any of the following events, call the local contacts at the telephone numbers given.


Akron, Ohio Akron

Chicago Chicago

Claremont, Calif. San Gorgonio

Cleveland Cleveland

Easton, Pa. Lehigh Valley

Newark, Del. Philadelphia

Port Washington, Wle. Milwaukee Tarrytown, N.Y. New York

Meeting site Date/time

Furnace Bun Metropolitan Park 15/5:00 PM G. D. Searle & Co. 1678:00 PM

Domenico's Kalian Restaurant 22/6:00 PM Holiday Inn Lakeside 14/7:00 PM

Lafayette C 16/5:30 PM

U of Delaware 14/8:00 PM

Smith Brothers Fish Shanty 16/6:00 PM Marymount C 15/5:30 PM

Speaker Affiliation

Nicholas Sanduleak Case Western Reserve U

Graham Durrant U of Toledo

Helen M. Free Miles Inc.

Craig Bruntlett Bioanaiyticai Systems Inc.

Sam Gerber Rutgers U

ShienB. Woo Lt Governor, State of Delaware C. Frank Shaw III U of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Paul H. Ehrlich Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corp.

Topic

The Moon 1$ Acquitted of Murder

Discovery of Cimetidine and Some Recent Develop* ments in Histamine Receptor Antagonists Chemistry—Contributions to the Quality of Life

Recent Developments in Electroanaiyticai Chemistry: Microdialysis to Microelec-trodes A Study in Scarlet: Blood Identification in 1875 and Later Technology—Key to High-Paying Jobs

The Mystique and Medicinal Value of Gold

Humm mu Primate Mono* clonal Antibodies for In-Vivo Therapy

Contact Telephone No.

A. Ludwick {216)535-8835

R. Sykstus (312)461*9595

H. Pearson (714)629-3414

T. Flechtner (216)687-2458

T. Lillie (215)250-5221

S. Golden (215)382*1589

M. Ryan (414) 224-1625

C.-iC*Yeh (914)333-6558

August 22, 1988 C&EN 73

three petitions highlight council agenda in los angeles

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