Local Section Government Affairs
The Government Affairs Committees within Local Sections are a valuable resource and add important dimensions to local section programming.
The ACS Office of Public Affairs is asking each local section to form a Government Affairs Committee (GAC) as part of the Society’s effort to facilitate interaction between local section members and elected officials on policy issues that affect chemists. As of November 2009, 94 ACS Local Sections have Government Affairs Committees.
Wherever you are in the U.S., chances are there is one of ACS’s 189 Local Sections near where you live or work.
- Why Become Involved in Government Affairs?
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Government Affairs Committees (GACs) Are:
- A Grassroots committee consisting of (ideally) three to four ACS local section members with representation from academia and industry.
- The American Chemical Society’s “precinct captains” for advocacy.
- A high priority of the ACS Office of Public Affairs & a major part of ACS’s advocacy work.
Purpose of Government Affairs Committees (GACs):
- Address local and regional chemistry related policy concerns with colleagues and local, state, and federal policy makers
- Develop of long-lasting relationships with elected officials
- Provide ongoing local scientific advice and technical expertise to federal or state officials
- Inform their local section members about important policy decisions
- Enhance member professional development and civic involvement; and
- Increase participation in local sections
* Under the current ACS tax status Government Affairs Committees must not engage in partisan politics and electoral activity.
For more information, email Brad Smith, Manager Grassroots & Member Involvement
Or call 1-800-227-5558 ext. 4479.