A Vision for ACS and Chemistry
Shaping a Better ACS - for Members
Shaping a Better ACS - for Members
To Build a Better ACS We Need to First Imagine it
Les McQuire has that Vision
Building Alliances and focusing the right skills and people on a problem are
central to Les' beliefs and current ACS activities. In the North Jersey Local
Section he worked to enhance the interactions between the Executive Committee
and the many large Topical (i.e. Technical) Groups and with the wider membership.
Within LSAC Les Chaired the "Alliances" sub-committee which does the same thing
between ACS and non-ACS groups. Les also served as Co-Chair of the joint
LSAC/Divisional Activities Committee (DAC) sub-committee on Local
Section-Division interactions. As a member of Corporation Associates Les initiated
the Heroes of Chemistry Symposium as part of the technical program at the National
meeting. As a member, then Chair of the Committee on Committees Les worked to
ensure that the various parts of the ACS committee structure were effective,
addressing the core ACS mission and had the appropriate personnel and skills to
achieve their goals. These roles all let Les see how different groups operate,
develop their leaders and match volunteers with responsibilities. This experience
has also shown Les the advantages of including diverse opinions and experiences
within an organizing Team.
Mehdi Nafissi and Les were able to establish "Bench To Pilot Plant" as an institution
in the North Jersey area and even take it to a National level. As this meeting
developed over time they were able to demonstrate the potential of the Team
approach to meeting organization. This approach has led to excellent meetings and
an increase in the numbers of chemists getting involved in the leadership of ACS.
This committee model has now been extended to Cambridge, MA and the "Advances
in Chemical Sciences Symposium".
The vision of MARM 2005 as a "redefined" Regional Meeting was realized in May
2005. Les was central to the meeting proposal and the idea that MARM could be a
forum to bring together all of the great symposia that the North Jersey ACS
organizes.
Les McQuire has that Vision
Building Alliances and focusing the right skills and people on a problem are
central to Les' beliefs and current ACS activities. In the North Jersey Local
Section he worked to enhance the interactions between the Executive Committee
and the many large Topical (i.e. Technical) Groups and with the wider membership.
Within LSAC Les Chaired the "Alliances" sub-committee which does the same thing
between ACS and non-ACS groups. Les also served as Co-Chair of the joint
LSAC/Divisional Activities Committee (DAC) sub-committee on Local
Section-Division interactions. As a member of Corporation Associates Les initiated
the Heroes of Chemistry Symposium as part of the technical program at the National
meeting. As a member, then Chair of the Committee on Committees Les worked to
ensure that the various parts of the ACS committee structure were effective,
addressing the core ACS mission and had the appropriate personnel and skills to
achieve their goals. These roles all let Les see how different groups operate,
develop their leaders and match volunteers with responsibilities. This experience
has also shown Les the advantages of including diverse opinions and experiences
within an organizing Team.
Mehdi Nafissi and Les were able to establish "Bench To Pilot Plant" as an institution
in the North Jersey area and even take it to a National level. As this meeting
developed over time they were able to demonstrate the potential of the Team
approach to meeting organization. This approach has led to excellent meetings and
an increase in the numbers of chemists getting involved in the leadership of ACS.
This committee model has now been extended to Cambridge, MA and the "Advances
in Chemical Sciences Symposium".
The vision of MARM 2005 as a "redefined" Regional Meeting was realized in May
2005. Les was central to the meeting proposal and the idea that MARM could be a
forum to bring together all of the great symposia that the North Jersey ACS
organizes.
| With Mehdi Nafissi (Co-founder of "Bench"), the Section Chair (Anita Brandolini) and the speakers at the first Bench to Pilot Plant (1997) |
| Bench To Pilot Plant at National. A capacity crowd on a Thursday afternoon! |
Expanding and deepening the Leadership pool is a common thread through all
of Les' activities and this is an obvious synergy with one aspect of ConC's mission.
ACS needs to reconsider what it means to be a Leader or a volunteer. Given the
current pressures of work, family and other commitments ACS needs to find ways
to involve members in ways which can adjust to their changing needs and
interests. Les is particularly proud of the way North Jersey has developed its
leadership pool by giving volunteers opportunities matched to their skills, interests
and time. Central to this is the use of mentoring and using small diverse groups or
committees to carry out a task rather than allowing an established leader do in all
themselves.
Leadership Development and an effective committee structure are vital for
the future success of ACS. Les is committed to this goal and his service on the
(ACS) Board Oversight Group on Leadership Development has given him an
insight into both the need for and the opportunity this type of activity presents.
ACS Council and its National Committees should set the standard in terms of
efficiency and effectiveness. We cannot expect volunteers who are familiar with
productive and efficient committee and Team structures common in large industrial
and academic organizations to respond to ACS if we present them with an overly
complex, slow or inefficient system.
Les is familiar with many of the other issues facing ACS and served on the
Geographical Organization sub-group of the Governance Review Task Force. His
membership of LSAC demonstrated to him that ACS groups all face different
challenges and that the ACS will need to help supply diverse solutions tailored to
the different needs and interests of members and their Local Sections and
Divisions. Les' active participation in 5 Divisions and leadership role in the Royal
Society of Chemistry US Section further developed his understanding of the issues
ACS units face. Les firmly believes that ACS should continue to develop and adapt
so that it can continue to provide the best products, programs and services for its
members. As modifications are made, ACS leaders must also consider the impact
on the members - if members will not notice any difference is any proposed change
really worthwhile.
of Les' activities and this is an obvious synergy with one aspect of ConC's mission.
ACS needs to reconsider what it means to be a Leader or a volunteer. Given the
current pressures of work, family and other commitments ACS needs to find ways
to involve members in ways which can adjust to their changing needs and
interests. Les is particularly proud of the way North Jersey has developed its
leadership pool by giving volunteers opportunities matched to their skills, interests
and time. Central to this is the use of mentoring and using small diverse groups or
committees to carry out a task rather than allowing an established leader do in all
themselves.
Leadership Development and an effective committee structure are vital for
the future success of ACS. Les is committed to this goal and his service on the
(ACS) Board Oversight Group on Leadership Development has given him an
insight into both the need for and the opportunity this type of activity presents.
ACS Council and its National Committees should set the standard in terms of
efficiency and effectiveness. We cannot expect volunteers who are familiar with
productive and efficient committee and Team structures common in large industrial
and academic organizations to respond to ACS if we present them with an overly
complex, slow or inefficient system.
Les is familiar with many of the other issues facing ACS and served on the
Geographical Organization sub-group of the Governance Review Task Force. His
membership of LSAC demonstrated to him that ACS groups all face different
challenges and that the ACS will need to help supply diverse solutions tailored to
the different needs and interests of members and their Local Sections and
Divisions. Les' active participation in 5 Divisions and leadership role in the Royal
Society of Chemistry US Section further developed his understanding of the issues
ACS units face. Les firmly believes that ACS should continue to develop and adapt
so that it can continue to provide the best products, programs and services for its
members. As modifications are made, ACS leaders must also consider the impact
on the members - if members will not notice any difference is any proposed change
really worthwhile.
Les established Lunkhead Ideas.org to share "crazy" ideas to transform ACS.
| Join Les McQuire on Linkedin.com |
| Learn more about ACS: In your area In your Region Nationally |
| Les is a member of the ACS Network on-line networking site and encourages participation |
| Les bringing greetings from the Royal Society of Chemistry at the first ACS/RSC/IUPAC Advances in Chemical Sciences Symposium. |
| Les with Wendy at Salter hall, London after receiving the Salters-Jerwood Prize. |