Activities & Messages

Local Sections can create and build relationships with elected officials and let them know about policy issues of interest to chemists. Consider:

• inviting elected officials to one of your events
• including officials in your Local Section newsletter correspondence
• setting up a meeting, by video or in their office

A brief synopsis of several popular activities follows. For assistance and more information contact Brad Smith, Manager, Public Affairs and Member Communities 1-800-227-5558, ext. 4479.

Visit Your Lawmakers

Washington Office Visits

• Visit your lawmakers in DC!

District Office Visits

• Summer 2010 Congressional Visits
• Request a meeting with a legislator in his or her district office to introduce the local section as a valuable resource for citizen commissions and technical expertise, or to discuss important legislative initiatives identified by ACS.
• Good to do when Congress is on recess and members are likely to be available for meetings in their home offices.

Town Hall Meetings

• Go to legislators’ Town Hall meetings and raise the profile of chemistry-related policies.
• Join legislators’ distribution lists to learn about Town Hall meetings and other open office hours.

Video Conference Call Meetings

• Participate in a video conference meeting with legislators.
• Most legislators have this capability.

Invite Your Lawmakers to Visit You

Local Section Meetings & Activities

• Invite public officials to speak at a local section meeting.
• Ask a legislator or school board member to present awards to students or teachers.
• Sponsor an award for public service.
• Hold a symposium on a public affairs topic.

National Chemistry Week

• Send invitations to your elected representatives to attend activities.
• Send elected officials a copy of any past publicity or recognition you have received regarding your NCW or other events.

Laboratory Tours

• Invite legislators to tour your laboratory or workplace. This activity is most effective if the tour takes place in a legislator’s district. Be sure to work with constituents to issue the invitation.

Written Materials

Newsletters & Website

• Send your lawmakers your local section newsletter.
• Publicize GAC activities in the newsletter or on your website.

Plan Programming

• ACS Committee on Environmental Improvement has made sustainability programming grants available for a limited time to support local sections.

For more information email Brad Smith, Manager, Public Affairs and Member Communications
or call 1-800-227-5558 ext. 4479.