ACS Council Increases Allocation to Divisions and Local Sections

At the New Orleans Council Meeting, the ACS Council voted to change the Constitution and Bylaws to alter the way Divisions and Local Sections receive allocations from the Society. The changes in the Constitution specify that a portion of the dues collected from Members will be allocated directly to Divisions and Local Sections, as specified in the Bylaws. This Council Action must be ratified by the Members of the Society. Ballots are expected to be sent to the Membership in late Spring or early Summer.

The Bylaw changes specify that 20% of membership dues paid each year be split between Local Sections (11%) and Divisions (9%). The new funding procedure would provide a modest increase for Local Sections, a substantial increase for Divisions, and fund both at a similar level per membership (based on memberships in the year 2000). Given that the ACS is currently under some financial strain, the Board of Directors has approved a plan to pay for the increased funds through a combination of cost savings and a temporary assessment added to dues of $2 in 2004, $4 in 2005, $6 in 2006 and $8 in 2007. After 2007, the temporary assessment expires. The Board will review the temporary assessment during their annual review and may cancel it before 2007 if other sources of revenue are found to cover the allocations. The Board of Directors is committed to finding a permanent solution by 2007.

ACS is a volunteer organization. The grassroots efforts of Local Sections and Divisions are essential to the Society. These changes will strengthen the Society. I urge you to give consideration to the Constitutional changes and VOTE when you get the ballot.

Information, discussion and FAQs are available at http://web.umr.edu/~fblum/acs/bylaws.info.html

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