The Committee on Nominations and Elections conducted elections for: the Committee on Committees (Christie, Demming, Hightower, and Warner were selected); the Council Policy Committee (Brown, Moffett, Rowell, and Stocker were selected); and the Committee on Nominations and Elections (Charpentier, Palladino, Trahanovsky, and Wohlers were selected). Note: Ann Nalley was selected previously as Director from our region upon the death of Charles Lindall.

President Anderson reported on his activities including: a joint program with EPA on Green Chemistry and funding for science initiatives.

President-Elect Walter reported on his activities including: more inclusion of women in governance and as award recipients; and also international activities. (10% of our members, 30% of papers published and 50% of our income come from foreign sources.)

Past President Breslow reported on his activities, especially those on graduate education in chemistry and funding for science.

Chair of the Board Shields reported on Chem Center (www), ACS journals on-line (all 26 ACS journals are on-line and free until the end of the year); and disagreement over an immigration policy. The Council voted to endorse a day of recognition for George Washington Carver.

Executive Director Crum discussed ACS's activities relative to its strategic thrust.

A bylaw change, changing the duties for the Committee on Membership Affairs was passed. It basically just updated the bylaws to be in line with what the Committee was doing.

Budget and Finance reported that ACS will have a positive contribution to reserves of about $275,000. The budget goal was around $400,000.

The Society Committee on Education spoke on its focus on TA training, environmental improvement, two-year college programs, and other initiatives.

The local Section Activities awards for 1996 went to the New York, St. Louis, Memphis, and Central Utah Sections.

Changes in the territories around the Memphis Section were approved.

The Meetings and Expositions Committee reported total attendance of 9,863 for Las Vegas, with about 4,400 papers presented. The Committee supported a move to use the www to publish the program for the regional meetings. The 2008 meetings were scheduled for San Antonio and Philadelphia.

The Membership Affairs Committee proposed different ways of paying dues.

The Nomenclature Committee was pleased to report IUPAC's and ACS's acceptance of the name of element 106 as Seaborgnium. Dr. Seaborg was present at the Council meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:00 am.

A variety of other reports are contained in my Agenda Book which is available in my office. Please feel free to discuss any of the items with me. I continue to serve as a member of the Publications Committee.

Respectfully Submitted,

Frank D. Blum, Councilor