Why Am I an ACS Member?

• What have been the benefits of ACS membership for you?

• Why do you volunteer for ACS?

Here are some of their stories. If you have a story you'd like to relate, please contact the webmaster (web@midlandacs.org).

Tina Leaym, Dow Corning Corporation, joined ACS in 1997

Several years ago I was pursuing a major career change. In my interview, the questions were very difficult and required personal examples of how I had handled many different situations. Had it not been for my volunteer work with ACS, I would have struggled to come up with examples of leadership and problem-solving at this early point in my career. The ACS provided a risk-free environment for me to get my feet wet leading teams and projects.

Volunteering to work with ACS gives me multiple opportunities to contribute; whether it's doing a cool demo to pique a child's interest in science or working with science educators or stuffing envelopes, I always learn something! The people are great--friendly and helpful--and we all have the same goal. ACS is one of those examples with great return on investment potential. The more you put into it, the more rewarding it becomes. And if you sit back and don't get involved, you are really missing out! You could be meeting great people, contributing to the scientific enterprise, and demonstrating your leadership skills. (03/09)

Wendell Dilling, Central Michigan University, retired from Dow Chemical, joined ACS in 1959

ACS is the major organization representing the profession I have spent the past 55 years in. I feel I must belong to that organization to really be a part of that profession. ACS has been an integral part of most of what I have done during the past 55 years including:

• Publishing most of my research articles in ACS journals
• Presenting papers at local, regional, and national ACS meetings
• Continuing education through formal and informal short courses
• Learning how to operate and be effective as a leader and a follower in large and small organizations
• Obtaining opportunities to continue professional activities after retirement from a first job
• Receiving awards for scientific and service activities related to my profession
• Being able to network and socialize with other science professionals

• Having an opportunity to give back a little to a profession that has given so much to me

ACS also represents my profession to the outside world, like the government, much better than I could as a single individual even though I do not agree with its stand on all issues; on balance I agree with its stand on many more issues than I disagree with. (03/09)

Ann Birch, Editech, joined ACS in 1976

As a free-lance technical writer and editor and small business owner, I have not been a practicing chemist for many years. And I can honestly say that I haven't benefited directly from ACS membership in terms of my career or business. So why am I a dues-paying member? Why am I an active volunteer in the Midland Section? Here's why:

• I believe in belonging to and supporting the national organization that speaks for and supports my basic discipline and my colleagues.
• I strongly believe in the science education and community outreach that ACS and the local section are involved in and I want to do my part in helping to make them happen.  

• I get to work with great people who are dedicated to science in a way that goes far beyond their daily jobs. (03/09)

Angelo Cassar, classical guitar instructor, retired from Dow Corning, joined ACS in 1991

I feel it is an obligation to give back to the community a small portion of what has been given to me, and when one truly reflects what has been given to each of us, how can anyone feel anything but gratitude to the kind individuals who have helped us?

I have never felt that I am "entitled" to the generosity of others. Considering that their gift is a pure act of free will, I have asked how can I honor those who have been generous to me? The answer is to emulate their good behavior! An anonymous poet expresses my sentiments in a clear and succinct way: "A candle loses nothing and continues to shine and give light, IF it is used to light another candle." As I attempt to light a small candle each and every day, I honor those before me who have enriched my life with their kind acts, words, and deeds.

I volunteer to ACS and other worthwhile organizations as a way of saying "thanks" to those who have lit my way. I owe it to them to keep the light glowing. (03/09)

Gina Malczewski, Dow Corning Corporation, joined ACS in 1982

I was a chemistry major in college and president of our student chapter of ACS. After many years of belonging to other professional societies more specific to my work duties, I have "come home again," where I can take a more active role because the Midland section is such a community presence. I have loved my direct involvement in many different facets of science in my varied career at Dow Corning, from regulatory aspects to material performance testing to sensory evaluation and biotechnology. Now I have secondary science teaching certification as well, and ACS is helping me support and engage many people of all ages in the daily pleasures of what makes us all scientists: curiosity, experimentation, extrapolation, and a desire to change things for the better. (08/09)