S E C R E T A R Y ' S OFFICE Distillation Products In dustries seeks inquiries from companies with pro* duction problems involv ing the manufacture of compounds not generally available in the quantity o r purity required. W e are equipped for and experi enced in synthesis on a custom basis. This service is offered for quantities in the larger-than-laboratorybut-less-than-tankcar range. Please address Dis tillation Products Indus·' tries, E a s t m a n O r g a n i c Chemicals Department» Rochester 3» Ν . Υ . (Di vision of Eastman Kodak Company).
An Aura of Dignity Recently w e received a letter from o n e of our 50-year members, and in i t w a s the following sentence: "The t i d e Emeritus has a n aura of dignity that I a m vain enough to covet." This person has been eligible for emeritus status for several years. H e h a d not previously requested such classification. T h e Bylaws define eligibility. To qualify one must have been a member» senior grade, continuously for 35 y e a r s a n d either retired from professional activities or over 7 0 years of age. Emeritus status is granted to t h o s e w h o qualify a n d request it. Such a m e m b e r has all privileges of member ship, receives C&EN, and pays n o an n u a l dues. I t is important for members to real ize that they will not he reminded of their eligibility for emeritus status. A t t h e moment, t h e ACS has n o w a y o£ identifying all those who have b e e n members of t h e Society for 35 years continuously except b y individual ex amination of almost 89,000 cards. O n c e membership records are mecha nized, such sorting will b e simple. T h e Society does not wish to d e n y anyone the "aura of dignity" which is associated with emeritus status. On t h e other hand, many members w h o are eligible indicate that t h e y prefer t o continue paying annual dues to the American Chemical Society even t h o u g h they could b e relieved of this responsibility. T h e y feel that this is o n e way in which they can continue t o s u p p o r t the profession of which they h a v e been a p a r t for so long. E a c h individual must make his o w n decision. B.R.S.
Toward an Informed Membership W h y are Society administrators so earnestly seeking to build an informed membership? Because: 1. N o one will b e interested in a program about which he is uninformed; w e w a n t m e m b e r interest. 2 . N o one will support a program i n w h i c h h e isn't interested; w e need s u p port. 3 . N o one will work to convert a 74
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1959
constructive idea into a practical pro g r a m unless the idea is challenging; we need such assistance, 4. No o n e will labor to p r o d u c e re sults from a plan of action unless h e sees the possibility of beneficial results; w e need more workers. T h e ACS never can realize its ob jectives fully until it h a s broader sup port and more workers to convert ideas t o programs and programs to construc tive results. In the past, there h a s been a desire to keep t h e members informed b u t no organized plan for providing informa tion in brief, attractive form. No one person was available w h o could m a k e this a priority assignment. Responsi bility scattered among able individuals b u t with major full-time assignments has not produced adequate results. Rectification of this situation is un der way. Next year, o n e or more per sons will think of nothing except mech anisms for informing the members, identification of matters important to the members, a n d preparation of such material in terse, but c o m p l e t e , attrac tive form. Once this is d o n e , officers and staff will h a v e done their part. A fully informed membership then will d e p e n d on individual interest a n d a willingness to assimilate w h a t is pre sented.
iïterry Christmas . . . from the officers a n d staff to all members and friends of the A C S . T h e year w h i c h is nearing a close has been one of significant accomplishment. Such results have flowed from the efforts of many working as a team. Let u s relax—even though only briefly—to enjoy the holiday season. T h e needs for continued, cooperative effort in 1960 are no less than in 1959. M a y we enter t h e n e w y e a r in the spirit which has led to past accomplishm e n t and m o v e our joint undertaking t o n e w heights. This -will bring t o reality our heartfelt wish for a . . .
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