Message from 2013 Chair Jefferson Tilley

My fellow members of the ACS,

As life in Northern New Jersey returns to normal after Sandy, I want to thank you for providing me the opportunity to serve as Chair of the North Jersey Section (NJ ACS) for 2013. Like any successful volunteer organization, we depend on a dedicated core of officers and active participants who give selflessly for the benefit of all. I look forward to working with all of you to continue to support the ACS mission; “Improving people’s lives through the transforming power of chemistry.”

The North Jersey Section represents a dynamic and diverse group of scientists as reflected in the many topical groups and committees. These include the Mass Spectrometry Discussion Group, Chromatography Group, Organic Topical Group, Teacher Affiliates, NMR Topical Group, MetroWomen Chemists Committee, Younger Chemists Committee, Careers in Transition Committee and the NJ Regulatory CMC and Quality Topical Group. These groups offer programs throughout the year and I encourage each of you to regularly check the website (www.njacs.org) schedule of the groups of interest to you and attend their meetings. They provide a great opportunity for continuous education and networking, so important in today’s environment. Participation will be facilitated by the introduction of our new website (www.njacs.org), which is scheduled to go live in early next year and will provide up to date information on NJ ACS related activities. Looking forward to the coming year, we will be presenting the Leo Hendrik Baekeland Award and symposium; look to the calendar for the date. In addition, we will be continuing with our many public outreach activities including Project SEED, National Chemistry Week, and the Chemistry Olympiad.

As a new part of our public outreach, NJACS is partnering with Students 2 Science, a non-profit corporation that inspires, motivates, and educates Middle School Students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM subjects). There are many opportunities for members to volunteer, work with students, and network. To learn more, please go to: www.students2science.org.

As Chair of the Section, I will work to increase awareness of the benefits of ACS membership and NJ ACS participation to a wider audience and will continue our efforts to keep the varied and exciting activities of the Section in the national spotlight, so that we get the recognition we deserve for the efforts of our wonderfully dedicated members and volunteers.

As we move into 2013, I hope that many of you will become more involved in one or more activities of the North Jersey ACS section; I further encourage you to contact me with any thoughts, ideas and/or suggestions you may have for the section. I look forward to meeting and working with many of you during the coming year.

Jefferson Tilley
2013 Chair, North Jersey Section ACS

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