The chemistry of advocacy

YCC 10

Glenn S. Ruskin, g_ruskin@acs.org, Office of Legislative and Government Affairs, American Chemical Society, 1155 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
ACS received a national charter in 1937 that calls upon the Society to “encourage in the broadest and most liberal manner the advancement of chemistry in all its branches; increase the diffusion of chemical knowledge, …promote scientific interest and inquiry, ….foster public welfare and education, aiding the development of our nation's industries, and adding to the material prosperity and happiness of our people.”

This presentation will examine how ACS fulfills its Congressional charter through the advocacy efforts of members, governance and staff. At the core of ACS advocacy are the members of the Society – without them there would be no ACS positions or advocacy.

The members decide through the ACS committee structure what the positions and priorities of the Society shall be and staff in the ACS Office of Legislative and Government Affairs, joined by members of the ACS Legislative Action Network and local section Government Affairs Committees and ACS governance, communicate those priority positions on Capitol Hill, with the Executive branch and other interested organizations.

The presentation will pull together all the various pieces of ACS advocacy to give participants an overall understanding of how ACS policies are created, communicated and advocated – all towards the advancement and promotion of science and technology that serves to advance U.S. innovation and competitiveness.