Keeping Momentum up and Looking Forward

Present Challenges for the New Biennium

Recruiting new members and maintaining current ones has always been a priority of our Union. However, in the past several years the number of member countries (formally known as National Adhering Organizations, NAOs) and Company Associates (CAs) has not increased as we hoped, and the comparatively low proportion of young people among our individual members has aroused concern. To tackle these problems, the Membership Relations Committee, led by Past President Dr. Mark Cesa, has undertaken a “value proposition” survey for four major categories of memberships: NAOs, volunteers, affiliates, and CAs. The results reveal the views of these stakeholders on which of our services are most valued, as well as their priorities and what improvements and benefits they expect. Based on the feedback, some of it really thought-provoking, the Committee has given us advice on recruiting schemes, improved communications to meet the needs and desires of members, and the development of various programs for different members.

The Committee on Chemistry and Industry (COCI, chaired by Dr. Bernard West until 2017, and now chaired by Dr. Carolyn Ribes) has also conducted a survey on the present CA program, and has drafted a new version to better address stakeholder priorities and to strengthen links to industry. For the Young Observers program, the World Chemistry Leadership Meeting at the IUPAC General Assembly, led by Prof. Hemda Garelick and Prof. Christopher Ober, provided a further opportunity to engage with younger chemists, and fit in well with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Younger Chemists Network. Experienced members of Divisions and Committees are being encouraged to mentor younger chemists on developing projects that came out of that meeting and to involve them in other activities as well.

A relevant issue for expanding and retaining membership are NAO subscription calculation methods. The Council has approved the task group’s application for a longer investigation into a proper calculation model. It’s a decision made after the careful consideration and long, multi-round communications between national delegations and task group members. The tremendous and complex work done by the task group, led by Treasurer Mr. Colin Humphris and Executive Director Dr. Lynn Soby, is unprecedented, and the patience, understanding, and openness demonstrated during the process of multi-round communications is an excellent example of some of the Union’s core values—reaching consensus and showing respect to each other. The task group is expected to come up with a new calculation model early in 2018, when a new round of communication will begin for implementation in 2019. NAOs are encouraged to take an active part in this discussion, which would improve mutual understanding between NAOs and IUPAC and would benefit both in the long run.

Further implementation of the strategic plan is an ongoing priority. After the implementation of a new strategic plan in 2015, President Prof. Natalia Tarasova and Secretary General Prof. Richard Hartshorn have worked closely with Division Presidents and Committee Chairs to reorganize and develop activities in accordance with the missions, goals, and objectives. Reports of Division and Committee activities are also arranged with a layout highlighting relevance to the Strategic Plan. Since the major scientific activities are carried out within a project system, the quality and relevance of projects are critical to the Union’s work. The Evaluation Committee (led by Prof. Christopher Brett) has been examining the progress and dissemination of projects, with a view to identifying the factors that are characteristic of our most successful projects and the way they have been run. Further improvements to the management and operation of the projects system are expected to result from these suggestions. The IUPAC Council, at its last meeting in São Paulo, also ratified the Evaluation Committee’s revision of its terms of reference to broaden its role to allow evaluation of Divisions and Committees with respect to the mission and strategic initiatives of the Union.

The 100th Anniversary of IUPAC is clearly the most significant collective event for the Union in the coming years. It is an opportunity for the Union to promote itself in the international chemistry community, including in industry, and to reach the general public as well. Relevant celebrations include UNESCO’s declaration of 2019 as the International Year of the Periodic Table of the Chemical Elements and adding the 100th Anniversary of IUPAC to the list of UNESCO Anniversary dates for 2019. Prof. Natalia Tarasova and members of the IUPAC100 Management Committee (chaired jointly by Prof. Mary Garson and Dr. Laura McConnell) have worked vigorously to get these two proposals approved. The Committee has been planning other activities as well; proposals such as monthly stories (see page 32) and a periodic table of important chemists are being explored, as is a global networking breakfast. During the coming year, the Committee will work closely with the French NAO, Comité National Français de la Chimie, the organizer of the General Assembly and Congress to be held in Paris in July 2019. Union Bodies and NAOs are also encouraged to participate in centennial activities, as well as to reach out to other organizations for collaboration. The Centenary will be a good time to strengthen current links and build new ones. The support of union members from all categories are highly welcome!

Finally, I would like to mention one thought-provoking result of the recent value proposition survey: when asked about their reasons for joining IUPAC, 35 % of volunteers and 23 % of affiliates chose “To support IUPAC”, the most popular answer for these two categories of individual members. This reminds us of our members’ strength and dedication to the Union, which has been the essential force propelling the Union for almost 100 years, and which I believe will maintain the Union’s momentum into the future! I am very proud to be a part of it. I look forward to working with everyone to achieve our goals!