Evolution of Chemical Technicians in ACS: A Historical Overview

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The history of chemical technicians within the American Chemical Society (ACS) is traced from the early formation of committees to the advancement of technician roles in the workplace. The involvement of committees such as Committee on Technician Activities (CTA) and Committee on Technician Education (CTE) in the 1960s and 1970s played a crucial role in recognizing and promoting the professional status of technicians within the field of chemistry. Initiatives to open ACS membership and to establish Technician Affiliate Groups (TAGs) are highlighted, underscoring the continuous efforts to integrate technicians into the ACS community. The narrative captures the challenges and progress of chemical technicians over the years.

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History of technicians and other applied chemical technology professionals in ACS Mary Moore 2012 Chair of CTA

Early Years 1963-1964 1964 An adhoc committee led by William G. Young was charged to explore all aspects of technician relationships to the ACS. Semi-professional was the name most used concerning technicians The Committee on Technician Activities (CTA) was established, the first CTA Chair was Dr. LeRoy Clemence, the committee charge was to start relevant programming for technicians.

Early Years 1966-1969 1966-1969 A complementary committee was tasked to study technician curriculum Committee on Technician Education (CTE), chaired by Dr. Carleton Roberts

In 1972 Chemical Technicians High school graduates trained on-the-job A job Chemist/Engineer directed work schedule Laborers Mechanical techniques Lab technique Little opportunity for leadership R&D Lab Were predominantly men Little opportunity for publication Rarely authored internal reports Very rarely authored patents or external publications

ACS Membership During the 70s, CTA led the charge to open ACS membership. There has always been a portion of Society membership who favors a narrow, elite membership policy. This group was at a crest in the early 70s. However, the Society was deeply chagrined when the Membership Committee turned down an application from a recent Nobel Laureate and became more responsive to the movement to open membership in the late 70s.

Committee on Technician Affairs (CTA) Committee of Technician Activities was established in 1964 (later called Committee on Technician Affairs) Purpose: established to advance the increasingly professional role of technicians in the workplace Start relevant programming for technicians Technicians were unable to be full ACS members Encouraged Local sections to establish Technician Affiliate Groups (TAGs) so that technicians could become affiliate members 1st Symposia held at the 1967 Fall ACS meeting in Chicago Took over the CTE task around 1970

National Committee of Chemical Technician Affiliates (NCCTA) in 1969 Established Leadership workshops at National meetings for the TAGs, Traveling Road Show B&B Show Purpose was to organize programming Upon the establishment of the Division of Chemical Technicians (TECH), NCCTA dissolved in 1991 NCCTA pushed to establish a technical division to support technician interest Established National Chemical Technician of the Year Award in 1989

CTAs Role Raise public awareness about the value of technicians to the Society Highlight the relevance of ACS to technicians Highlight the relevance of ACS to technicians

Division of Chemical Technicians (TECH) Increase awareness of the important contributions that technicians make to science and industry Established in 1991 ( Probationary Status) Full Divisional Status in 1994 Advocate high standards of education, technical practice, and ethical conduct for members of the profession Promote the technical, professional, and leadership development of chemistry-based technicians

Division of Chemical Technicians Enhance communications about applied chemical technology by providing a vehicle for information exchange at national, regional and local ACS level Support and be a resource for Local Section TAGs Administration of the ACS National Chemical Technician Award Main purpose was to program at ACS National meetings

History Concerning Technicians Since the 1960s, the role of technicians in ACS has changed considerably. Technicians have gone from not being members, to being Society Affiliates, associate members, and finally, full members. With the enactment of new membership categories in June 2009, more than two-thirds of technicians in the U.S. are eligible for full membership in ACS. As the role of technicians in ACS has changed, so too has the role of technicians in industry. No longer seen as just pairs of hands, technicians fill a wide range of positions in industry and are held to a higher level of professionalism than ever before.

Community Colleges, 1960 / 2001 American Association of Community Colleges Website

Supporting the Backbone of the Chemical Enterprise With all of these changes came a growing concern that ACS was not adequately engaging the applied chemical technology professional. In 2006, a CTA / TECH task force was assigned to investigate the growing concerns In 2008, a TECH task force was formed by Chair of TECH to better address how ACS can better serve the Applied Chemical Technology Professionals

Anticipated Profile of the 2015 Applied Chemical Technology Profession Work all over the Enterprise Contributors Proficient in a wide range of technician skills Independent Assorted degrees (types and levels) Strong leaders Two-way interface between theory and practice/application Influential relationship builders and collaborators Professionals Well-versed in employability/soft skills Versatile, adaptable Active in trainers and mentors Skilled communicators Proactive with respect to career and job responsibilities Innovative problem solvers As reported from the ACS Applied Chemical Technology Professionals Summit, Dec12-14, 2008.

New Look and New Focus Technicians/Applied Chemical Technology Professionals are well on their way to being integrated into the society Members of the Division that is more in line with their discipline of interest Divisions are planning technician and undergraduate events CTA is working on continuing education courses for technicians Applied Chemical Technology Professionals are involved in ACS Governance

As one of the critical members of the Chemical industry team, technicians bring valuable skills to the development of new products, new material, and process methods. The common thread through the whole technician community is the ability to reduce ideas and theory to practice. Technicians are the link between the theory and ideas and the practical production of finished goods.

2010 Council approves CTA Charter Changes Coordinate the SOCIETY s interests in the development and activities of technicians/applied chemical technology professionals; Facilitate communication between the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, employers, and other technical and professional societies concerning critical issues of common interest in the area of technician/applied chemical technology professionals activities; Provide continuing support for the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY s educational programs for technicians/applied chemical technology professionals by assisting in the development, review, and promotion of appropriate ACS education materials; Enhance the professional image and development of technicians/applied chemical technology professionals.