We appreciate your comments describing ways ACS can help our members, families, students, and institutions affected by the devastation resulting from the recent hurricanes. We continue to encourage members to donate to groups that can provide immediate disaster relief.

Since our last post, ACS has taken some additional steps targeted toward longer-term needs.

• Creation of a taskforce. Chaired by Board Member Eric Bigham, the group includes members with extensive knowledge of the expertise in our Local Sections, Division, and Committees. It is focusing its efforts on understanding the longer-term needs facing colleges and universities and other institutions in the region.


• Member communication. We will send one e-mail to all members describing the Society’s response, and we will post updates here. Within a few weeks, we hope to have a list of priority actions for ACS to implement, perhaps in connection with other scientific societies and nonprofits.


• ACS Legal Assistance Network. As a first step by the new ACS Legal Assistance Network (see ACS Comment, C&EN August 29), initial legal monitoring specifically related to Katrina is available through the website of the Chemistry and the Law Division.