THE IOTAN

February, 1999 No. 74

26th Triennial Convention Plans Finalized

Iota Sigma Pi

National Honor Society for Women in Chemistry

Susan Marine

National Vice-President

All Iotans are invited to attend the 26th National Convention in Portland, Oregon, the City of Roses! The convention will take place from Thursday June 24 through Sunday June 27, 1999 at the Holiday Inn Downtown. The Holiday Inn is conveniently located at 1021 NE Grand Avenue near the convention center in Portland. However, due to another large convention, most of our lodging will be across the street at the Best Western Inn at the Convention Center (420 NE Holladay).

Join us to "Reach Out" to meet other Iotans from across the country, share experiences, and network. Portland promises to be a beautiful location to share the roses of our successes and the thorns of our concerns. Together we will plan the course of Iota Sigma Pi for the next triennium and share tips on tending our chapter "gardens" that we may all bloom where we are planted.

All convention attendees are encouraged to register early. Deadline for registration is April 1, 1999. Upon receipt of registration forms and fees, Shanru Wang (503-629-0471; fax 503-531-7223; shanruw@ hotmail. com) will send the registrant confirmation, maps, and other useful information. Lodging is based on double occupancy; roommates will be assigned, or specific requests can be made on the registration forms.

The final program for the convention is published on page 6 of this issue of The Iotan. Registration begins at 10:00 am

on Thursday for those who arrive early. On Thursday evening, the Promethium Chapter will host a reception and poster session. All attendees are invited to submit posters on their research, outreach, or professional activities. All chapters and National Council members are encouraged to submit posters on their activities over the past three years. Posters may be set up at 6:00 pm. If AWIS and Sigma Delta Epsilon hold a concurrent convention, they are invited to participate in the poster session.

Abstracts of no more than 250 words should be sent to Dr. Angela Hoffman, University of Portland, Chemistry Dept., 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, OR 97203 (telephone 503-283-7911). Or they may be faxed to her at 503-943-7399. Abstracts should be submitted no later than May 1, 1999. (The Promethium chapter encourages all Iotans to "reach out" to the Northwest Regional ACS meeting in Portland immediately prior to our convention. Why not present your scientific poster twice? Contact Pat Stoddard for more information.)

Each active chapter may send one voting delegate, with the exception of AuI, F, and Hg which may send two delegates due to the size of their chapters. Members at Large (MAL) will be represented by six delegates. Delegates are usually chosen from among those who have served as chapter officers during the past three years or the upcoming year. If a member of your chapter is a nominee for national office (and is not currently a national officer), she should serve as the chapter's delegate.

If you are interested in being a delegate (and your dues are current), contact your chapter officers or MAL Coordinator for further information. You may also contact Sr. Frances Crean (773-298-3517), National Records Chair, to verify your dues status and obtain names and contact information for your chapter officers.

The expenses for the delegates, for the most part, will be covered by the National Convention Fund. Delegates are encouraged to obtain lowest price nonrefundable coach fares with a Saturday night stay; reimbursement will be made at the convention. Permission from the National Treasurer will be required in advance for ticket reimbursement over $500. Double occupancy lodging is provided in the Convention Package; single rooms are available for a supplemental fee. The Convention Package does not include Thursday meals, Friday lunch, Saturday dinner, entertainment, phone calls, ground transportation, or incidentals. Chapters often provide their delegates with additional money to augment the convention package. Cost to non-delegates will be $290 for the Convention Package.

Each chapter is required to submit a triennial chapter report (instead of è

In this issue...

Supplies and Information 2

Member Spotlight 4

Convention Committees 5

Editors 5

Convention Program 6

National Council 7

February, 1999

Page

an annual report) to Dr. Susan Marine, 4667 Sebald Drive, Franklin, OH 45005 by May 1, 1999. Official guidelines are given in the January 1993 "Operations Guide for Chapter Officers." The selection of the Triennial Award for the Outstanding Chapter ($250) is based on this written report and its timely submission. The chapter delegate should be prepared to give a brief (three minute) oral summary of the chapter report at the convention on Friday morning.

Each delegate will also serve on one or two committee on Friday afternoon; so please indicate preferences on your registration form. (A description of each committee is listed elsewhere in this issue of The Iotan.) If no preferences are indicated, assignments will be made. Non-delegate Iotans may also participate on these committees and should indicate their desire to do so. A great deal of work is accomplished by these committees during the convention; of greatest importance, they evaluate our current status and set goals and action items for the national organization for the next triennium.

Alternate delegates may also be sent to the convention. Their expenses are the responsibility of the members or the

chapter, if the chapter so elects. All members are welcome to attend all or part of the convention at their own expense. We encourage all Iotans to participate in all activities, but only delegates may vote.

In addition to governance sessions and elections, three national awards will be presented at the convention. The Friday evening award banquet is traditionally a dressy affair. Casual business attire is appropriate for most other events during the convention. Time has been set aside for sight-seeing and social events. A light jacket and umbrella are recommended in case of rain. (After all, this is Portland!)

The Promethium chapter is excited about sharing their city with you for an enjoyable and successful convention. Please plan on attending the 26th Triennial Convention in Portland, Oregon June 24-27, 1999. We look forward to seeing you there.

If you have any questions about the convention, please call or write Pat Stoddard, 4111 Plomondon Street Vancouver, WA 98661-5644

phone 360-699-6372 (h) 503-281-4181(w); fax 503-281-6739

e-mail: CStodd8873@aol.com

Sources of Iota Sigma Pi

Supplies and Information

Initiation

The publicity pamphlet, "Membership Information", Membership Application, Report of Initiation Forms, History, Constitution and Bylaws, The Iotan, Speakers Bureau

Supplies Coordinator

Shannon Brown

2069 Dorval Drive

NAPERVILLE IL 60565

Forming a Chapter

Procedural information and application forms

National Vice President

Rules and Regulations, Charter Certificates

National Historian

Financial Reports

Financial Report Forms

National Treasurer

Awards Information

Publicity pamphlet "National Awards"

Supply Coordinator

Awards criteria and nominations forms

Director for Professional Awards

Agnes Fay Morgan Research Award

National Honorary Member

Award for Professional Excellence

Director for Student Awards

National Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Chemistry

Anna Louise Hoffman Graduate Research Achievement Award

Gladys Anderson Emerson Scholarship

Dues

Dues statements and payments

National Treasurer

Chapter Operations

Changes in the Chapter Officers list

Forms for reporting local elected officers

National Vice President

Address Labels and Membership List

Change of address and member death

Records Chair

General Information

Historical Information

National Historian

Handbooks

New editions when published

Individual handbooks for newly created offices

(all others receive handbooks from predecessors) National Secretary

***

See National Council listings elsewhere in The Iotan for officers' names and addresss.

Notice of Change of Name or Address

Attach mailing address here or write new name and

address in this space

New Address

Name Chapter

Address

City, State, Zip

Effective Date

New position, School, or Employer

Please mail to Iota Sigma Pi Records Chair

Sister Fraces Crean

10425 S. Mason, Apt. 2A

OAK LAWN IL 60453

Page February, 1999

Iota Sigma Pi

26th National Triennial

Entertainment For Spouses and Guests

Convention Hospitality Services

Complete restaurant and lounge at Holiday Inn

Local or on Bus/Rail Lines

Shopping

Ice skating at mall

Oregon Museum of Science and Technology

Zoo

Japanese Gardens ($6/ $3.50 student)

Oregon History Center with hands-on exhibits ($6/ $1.50 child)

Pittock Mansion ($4.50/$2 youth)

Portland Art Museum

SamTrak: open train through Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge ($5/$3 child)

Willamette Jetboat rides ($22/$14 child)

Grayline Tours and minivan tours

Portland City Tour ($24/12 child half-day or $42/21 child all-day)

Jetboats on Willamette ($38/18 child)

Columbia Gorge ($32/16 child by bus; $44/22 child by bus and boat)

Northern Oregon Coast ($44/22 child)

Mount Hood and Columbia Gorge ($44/22 child)

Volcano Country ($54/27 child)

Coast Aquarium for "Free Willy" Keiko or whale watching ($60)

Native American Cultural Tour ($60)

Winery Tour ($50)

Microbrewery Evening Tour ($40)

Rafting in Whitewater

Other Options

End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center ($5.50/$3 child)

World Forestry Center Museum

Wilsonville Family Fun Center

State of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame

Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland

Mount Hood Railroad ($23/15 child)

Mount Hood Action Park with alpine slide, horseback riding, chair lift,

mountain biking, golf, indy karts, and more)

Spirit Mountain casino

Nominations for

National Council

Martha Thompson

Chair of Nominations Committee

This is the current slate of nominations for National Council who will be elected at the Triennial Convention in June, 1999. The Nominations Committee will continue to receive nominations until a slate of two candidates per office has been assembled or by March 15, whichever occurs first. The complete slate of nominations for national council and the biographical sketches for these individuals will appear in the May issue of The IOTAN. Nominations will be accepted from the floor at the Triennial Convention but the individual nominated must agree to the nomination in person or in writing (thompsom@OHSU.edu) if they are not present at the meeting.

President

Michelle Ellett, Hydrogen

Susan Marine, Radium

Vice President

OPEN

Secretary

Janet Clark, Chlorine

Treasurer

Kathryn Louie, Neptunium

Editor

Christine Hermann, Argentum

Sharon Vercellotti, Chlorine

Records Chair

Pat Fish, Mercury

MAL Coordinator

OPEN

Director of Professional Awards

OPEN

Bylaws & Constitution Adopted!

Michelle Ellett, Secretary, reports that all of the ballots cast were votes FOR the

changes in the bylaws. The new Bylaws & Constitution are, therefore, in effect. Thanks to all who worked on updating these documents and to those who voted.

February, 1999

Page

engineering group, funded by a petroleum company. Teresa enjoyed the research but felt that undergraduate research was much more of a solitary effort than her other research experience.

Last summer, Teresa participated in the National Science Foundation REU (Research Experience

Christine Rener, Feature Editor

Aurum Iodide Chapter

Iota Sigma Pi member-at-large Teresa Hannon provides evidence that a chemistry major can do whatever she wants in life. Teresa graduated last year from the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, with a degree in chemistry and certification for teaching high school. While you may not be surprised that an Iotan graduated from a prestigious liberal arts college, you may be surprised to discover what she has chosen to do after graduation. Teresa is currently a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, working at a grammar school in East Los Angeles for one year. She admits that her current work is definitely "a change from being a chemistry major!"

The Jesuit Volunteer Corps is the largest Catholic lay volunteer program in the country. Volunteers serve people in such areas as education, law, medicine, and the ministry. The Corps provides volunteers with housing, food, insurance, and a small stipend in exchange for one to two years of service.

In exploring her post-graduation options, Teresa decided to take a year off before going to graduate school in chemistry. She wanted to volunteer as a grammar school teacher just to try something different. Originally from New Jersey, Teresa decided to apply for one of 110 Jesuit Volunteer Corps positions in the Southwest; she was awarded her top choice. Teresa lives in a house with four other volunteers: three English majors and one biology major. She acknowledges that not many volunteers are chemistry majors!

Teresa serves as a first-grade teaching aide, in addition to running the K-8 after-school program at a Catholic school. In the classroom, she helps teach 31 first graders, whom she says are well-behaved though occasionally very loud. While all of the classes are taught in English, her knowledge of Spanish has been useful in communicating with some of the parents. In the after-school program, she is responsible for about twenty students each afternoon, helping them with homework or arts and crafts. The challenge, she says, is keeping children of all ages occupied at the same time.

Teresa entered college as a chemistry major with a strong background in chemistry and an eye toward medical school. "The rest," she says, "is history." Her Ph.D. level high school chemistry teacher had served as a role model. Of particular value at her small liberal arts school, she says, was the student-teacher contact. Her advisor, even as department head, was very accessible and told her about Iota Sigma Pi. She was nominated for an Iota Sigma Pi senior undergraduate award. She is rightfully proud of this accomplishment and was pleased to receive a membership based on her nomination.

Teresa has had extensive research experience. She worked on two projects at Holy Cross. The first focused on the development of a new analytical methods laboratory exercise, testing the alcohol content of different beverages. The second and more original project analyzed automobile exhaust by GC for relationships between fuel content and exhaust composition. The project was in collaboration with an MIT chemical

for Undergraduates) program, in the laboratory of Geraldine Richmond, University of Oregon. She used frequency spectroscopy to analyze phospholipid behavior at oil-water interfaces. She especially enjoyed working with all the members of the Richmond lab. Using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques was a highlight of her experience. When asked whether or not she saw herself as a university professor with a research lab, Teresa stated that she wasn't sure how much she would enjoy writing grants, giving talks, and teaching, in addition to research, particularly with high standards in the Richmond lab.

Teresa is currently applying to several graduate schools around the country with an eye towards studying physical, analytical, or biophysical chemistry. Both her course work and the research in the Richmond lab sparked her interest in physical chemistry. Her physical chemistry professor, in particular, made the difference for Teresa, always giving assistance when needed. Teresa considers herself a mathematical, problem-solving person; thus, physical chemistry is a good match for her talents and interests.

Teresa considers her volunteer work to be a wonderful experience, but knows now that teaching grammar school will not be her career. While maintaining an open mind about the future, Teresa envisions high school or college teaching after graduate school. Teresa is clearly a self-starter and is not afraid to try something new. We wish her all the best!

Page February, 1999

ing people to work on the convention program and finances; and consider the site for the convention.

Chapter Programs and Outstanding Chapter Award

Review chapter vitality and national programs for chapters (mini-grants, outstanding chapter award, share-the-vision); develop strategies to revitalize and strengthen chapters; review procedures for installation and re-activation of chapters.

Chemistry Awareness and Outreach

Review accomplishments from past triennium; develop goals and strategy to reach these goals for the next triennium; develop strategies to enhance public knowledge of chemistry, chemistry careers, and women in chemistry; and to utilize resources in our communities to accomplish these goals.

Communications and Internal Procedures

Evaluate communications within ISP and suggest improvements; review the suggestions made during the 25th convention and reaffirm those deemed meritorious; review the ISP home page/web site; consider other means of internal communication (listserve).

Extension and Publicity

Review our current level of visibility in local and national publications outside ISP; identify publications which can meet our needs for recruiting new members, soliciting award/scholarship nominations, and publicizing names of awardees; develop strategies for accomplishing this goal.

Long-Range Planning

Review the status of ISP (membership numbers, active chapters, income vs. expenditure) in consultation with the treasurer; articulate long-term goals and specific objectives; review the mission statement.

Members-At-Large

Review standard operating procedures, newsletter content and frequency, award administration, budget and finance status; consider strategies for greater involvement of members; set long-term goals and design means of implementation.

Publications (Editorial Advisory)

Review publications of ISP produced nationally (Iotan, Directory. etc.); consider the editorial policy for the Iotan (format, frequency, number of pages, distribution), and consider alternative (faster, cheaper) communication methods at certain intervals.

Resolutions

Assemble the list of acknowledgements for convention; read resolutions at the assigned time during the convention.

Speakers Bureau

Review list of speakers and topics currently available; summarize past use of bureau; plan strategy to add to list and to disseminate list.

Convention

Committees

All delegates should select three committees of interest for participation at the Convention. Indicate your preference on the Delegate Registration Form. Non-delegates should write their selection on the bottom of the Non-delegate Registration Form.

Audit

Check accounting and financial procedures and records.

Awards

Consider awards offered, their frequency, criteria, award amount, dues waiver for awardees, solicitation and review procedures. Consider ways to facilitate nomination of members for awards given by other professional societies ( ACS, AIChE, etc.).

Budget and Finance

Consider budgetary priorities, income and expenditures, changes in dues structure, and investment policy.

Centennial Committee

Develop a plan for the centennial convention; outline a strategy for identify

The Iotan

Editor Sharon V. Vercellotti - v-labs@wild.net

Feature Editors

Member Spotlight: Chris Rener - rener@carthage.edu

Industrial Chemist: Gretchen Shearer - gshearer@mccrone.com

Member Outreach: Margaret Workman - mworkman@wppost.depaul.edu

Manuscripts for publication in The Iotan may be submitted to the Editor at the address listed elsewhere in this newsletter. Suggestions for articles for the Special Editors are appreciated. Feature articles and book reviews are acceptable. Documents should be on floppy disk, or emailed, typed, double spaced, and no longer than two pages.

Deadlines for consideration for the November, February, and May issues, respectively, are September 15, December 15 and March 15. Manuscripts will not be returned and are subject to editing. Publication is based on editorial assessment of reader interest and space available.

Letters to the Editor are encouraged and may be published. Letters should be no longer than 250 words.

Make a new bookmark on your browser!

The Iota Sigma Pi web site has a new address.

http://chem-faculty.ucsd.edu/

sawrey/ISP

February, 1999

Page

ISP Graduation Braids Available

Iota Sigma Pi graduates now can be honored with a ISP braid for their gradua

tion ceremony. The attractive braids are worn over the shoulder of the graduation gown. The braids consist of three ropes about 5 feet long with tassels at the ends; each rope is an ISP color: green, gold, and white. It can be worn

braided or unbraided. The price is $10. Look at the ISP web page for a color photo of a graduate with the braid: http://chem-faculty.ucsd.edu/sawrey/ISP. Orders can be sent to Shannon Brown, Supply Coordinator.

Iota Sigma Pi

26th National Triennial

Convention Program

June 24, 1999 Thursday

8:00 am - 5:00 pm Pre-convention National Council Meeting

10:00 am - 7:00 pm Registration

7:00 pm - 11:00 pm Reception and Poster Session

June 25, 1999 Friday

7:30 am - 8:00 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 am - 10:00 am Opening of Convention, National Council Reports

10:00 am - 10:15 am Break

10:15am - Noon Chapter Reports

Noon - 1:00 pm Lunch on Own

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Committee Meetings

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Break

3:30 pm - 6:00 pm Committee Meetings and Preparation of Reports

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Award Banquet and Memorial Service

June 26, 1999 Saturday

7:30 am - 8:00 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 am - 9:30 am Committee Reports;

Election of National Council Members

9:30 am - 10:30 am Business Meeting

10:30 am - 11:30 am Photography Session

11:30 am - 1:30 pm Award Banquet (Luncheon)

1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Business Meeting

After 3:30 pm "Free Time" Activities; dinner on own

June 27, 1999 Sunday

8:00 am - 10:00 am New Business;

Installation of National Council Members

10:00 am - Noon Award Banquet (Brunch); Closing Remarks

Noon Delegates Depart

Noon - 2:00 pm Joint National Council Meeting

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm 1999-2001 National Council Meeting

3:00 pm National Council Members Depart

Page February, 1999

Speakers Bureau

The new Speakers Bureau brochure, assembled by Chris Hermann, is an insert in this issue of The Iotan. The Speakers Bureau is a resource for Iota Sigma Pi members to help you or a colleague reach women chemists available as speakers for lecture series, local American Chemical Society meetings, or other professional meetings. Their topics are listed and range from technical research, to education, and to outreach activiites. Contact the speakers directly when planning your events. If you are interested in being included as a speaker, contact Chris Hermann at her address on the brochure.

IOTA SIGMA PI

NATIONAL COUNCIL

1996 - 1999

President

Linda C. Brazdil

Department of Chemistry

John Carroll University

University Heights, OH 44118

(216)397-4791-(w)

(216)397-3033-fax

lbrazdil@jcvaxa.jcu.edu

Vice President

Susan S. Marine

Miami University Middletown

4200 East University Blvd.

Middletown, OH 45042-3497

(513)422-1683-(h)

(513)727-3372-(w)

(513)727-3462-fax

mariness@muohio.edu

Treasurer

Patricia A. Fish

May-Oct

1213 South Shore Court

Amery, WI 54001-5102

(715)268-4632

Oct-May

16588 Bear Cub Ct.

Fort Myers, FL 33908

(941)466-8381

lapafish@hotmail.com

Editor

Sharon V. Vercellotti

V-LABS, INC.

423 North Theard Street

Covington, LA 70433

(504)893-0533-(w)

(504)893-0517-fax

v-labs@wild.net

Historian

Anne T. Sherren

North Central College

P.O. Box 3063

Naperville, IL 60566-7063

(630)637-5193-(w)

(630)637-5121-fax

ats@noctrl.edu

Secretary

Michelle B. Ellett

587 Periwinkle Place

Benicia, CA 94510-3840

(707)747-0873

michelle.ellett@juno.com

Records Chair

Frances Crean

Saint Xavier University

3700 West 103rd St.

Chicago, IL 60655

(773)298-3517-(w)

(773)779-9061-fax

fcrean@sxu.edu

Coordinator of Members-at-Large

Bonnie Gordon

Appalachian State University

P.O. Box 3676

Boone, NC 28607

(704)262-6369-(w)

(704)265-8677-fax

gordonbk@conrad.appstate.edu

Director for Professional Awards

Jeanne M. Buccigross

Chemistry Department

College of Mount St. Joseph

5701 Delhi Road

Cincinnati, OH 45233-1670

(513)244-4718-(w)

(513)244-4222-fax

jeanne_buccigross@mail.msj.edu

Director for Student Awards

Lily Ng

Department of Chemistry

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH 44115

(216)687-2467-(w)

(216)687-9298-fax

l.ng@popmail.csuohio.edu

Immediate Past President

Martha E. Thompson

Dept. of Biological Structure & Function

Oregon Health Science University

School of Dentistry

Portland, OR 97201-3097

(503)494-8958-(w)

(503)494-4666-fax

thompsom@ohsu.edu

1999 Triennial

Directory of Iota Sigma Pi Members

Susan Marine

National Vice-President

Frances Crean

Records Chair

The 1999 Triennial Directory of Iotan Sigma Pi Members will be published this Spring. Only those who have paid dues for the year July 1998 - June 1999 will have their names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses included in the directory. Only those who have paid dues for the dues year of July 1998 - June 1999 will receive the Triennial Directory.

The Triennial Directory is a valuable resource for Iota Sigma Pi members for networking and keeping in contact with other members. Please pay your dues now! No back dues are required! Just pay the 1998-99 dues to become a member in good standing. Dues renewal forms are available from the Records Chair, S. Frances Crean. Dues monies should be sent to the national Treasurer, Pat Fish. Initiation forms are available from the Supplies Coordinator, Shannon Brown. (Their addresses are listed elsewhere in The Iotan.)

February, 1999

Page

The Iotan

Sharon V. Vercellotti, Editor

423 North Theard Street

COVINGTON LA 70433

Wait! Please send news and information to

News about you makes this publication interesting for other Iotans. Sharon V. Vercellotti, Editor

Please take a few minutes to jot down what you are doing. V-LABS, INC.

1) Speeches, papers, symposia, invited talks 423 North Theard Street

2) Publications, patents, grants awarded COVINGTON LA 70433

3) New positions, appointments, promotions, awards, honors (504)893-0517 - fax

retirements, postdoctoral research v-labs@wild.net

4) Offices held in professional societies

5) Avocational achievements, miscellaneous

Items for "Resources" or "Chapter News" are also solicited. Send a photo of your activity. Please include your chapter name.

Page February, 1999