The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. by President Carroll.

A resolution regarding deceased Councilors and the victims of Hurricane Katrina was read and a moment of silence observed.

President Carroll, President-Elect Nalley, and Immediate Past-President Casey reported on their activities, including travels to ACS Local Sections and Regions, involvement of members in Society activities, political activities, and academic employment initiative.

Chairman-of-the-Board Burke reported on Board activities, including a Task Force on Multidisciplinarity and the Board's focus on how we can most effectively serve our membership in the future.

Executive Director Jacobs spoke of ACS's service to members, including the reinvention of the ACS web site, a member survey, and the Green Chemistry Institute. The ACS and NIH are still in discussions over the new NIH initiative---Pub Chem, which ACS feels may duplicate some of what CAS does. She also spoke about the need to support the ACS Scholars and Project Seed Programs.

The Council Policy Committee announced that following the Council meeting, a special informative meeting would be held on ACS Executive Compensation. [This information is on the ACS web site, but it is not easy to find.]

The Committee on Committees recognized the service of Councilors to the Council, committees, and as committee chairs.

The Council selected members for the three elected committees: (1) Nominations and Elections, (2) Council Policy Committee, and (3) Committee on Committees. The Fall election for President will be between Katherine Hunt and George Heiny when the membership will choose between these two candidates. Council also was notified of the candidates for Members-at-Large. Council will choose two from among these four candidates.

This year, the voting for President will include the option to vote either via the Internet or via paper.

The Society is expected to end this year with net revenue of $5.6 M or $3.0 M, favorable to budget. One of the new initiatives planned is some additional funding for high school chemistry clubs.

The Committee on Education reported on their activities, including guidelines for 2-year colleges and 4-year programs.

A discussion on a long-range vision of the Society was conducted by President Carroll.

Local Section Activities reported on the awards given to exemplary Local Sections in various size categories. The 2006 leadership conferences are set for January in Baltimore. Some counties in New Mexico were added to the Central New Mexico Local Section.

A total of 13,040 people participated in this meeting, with about 500 exhibitors.

Membership Affairs Committee announced that current membership was 155,567 as of July 2004 (an increase of 284 over the previous year). There seems to be some confusion about the nature of student affiliate vs. student member. Membership Affairs Committee suggests that student affiliates become student members. A proposal to change this may be made in the future. In addition, it was proposed that the requirements for membership be reviewed for possible revision.

The Committee on Divisional Activities expressed the need for Divisions to work more closely together to accommodate ÒmultidisciplinarityÓ. Outstanding Division activities by Divisions were recognized.

The Committee on Professional and Economic Affairs reported on a drop in unemployment of chemical professionals.

Council passed changes in the Charter for New Local Sections.

Chemical Abstracts reported on increases in revenues. They also felt that the NIH initiatives represented a threat to ACS.

The meeting was adjourned at about 11:30 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Frank D. Blum, Councilor

South Central Missouri Section, ACS

NOTE: I continue to serve on the Council Committee on Nominations and Elections (N & E). We develop preliminary slates for candidates for ACS President-Elect, Directors and two elected committees of Council. I welcome your input on these positions.

As usual, I have a detailed agenda book in my office with further information.