Local Sections are the primary deliverer of ACS services and products to Members. Conservatively, 150 "active" local sections may have 5 meetings in which they have 20 members in attendance for reaching 15,000 members over the year. This does not include big ticket events such as National Chemistry Week and its supporting activities. National meetings may have more attendance (15K x 2) with technical programming from the Divisions, but for visibility in the community, Local Sections are essential.
We are a volunteer Society. We are people-driven. My own personal story includes utilization of the Illinois Heartland ACS as a vehicle to achieve my goals of science education, public perception of chemistry, and professional development. Right Person. Right Time. Right Location.
Local Sections share the same joys and hardships whether they have 200 or 2000 Members, whether the geography includes a 45 or an 450 mile radius, or whether their budget is $5,000 or $50,000.
How do you get people involved? At the beginning, some 10 years ago, I thought it was money. My colleagues and I worked very hard to save up enough money. We organized a Regional Meeting that gave us an "endowment" so we didn't have to exist allotment to allotment. We have funding for our established and new activities. You still need people!
I don't think you can manufacture or coerce a persona into an active volunteer. It is something inherent. The key is to provide opportunities that will attract people and meet their needs. While you are waiting patiently and hopefully, you need to decide on what can be accomplished with the resources (money, people, locations, organizations) you have on hand. There may be times when you organize 9 activities and some years where they'll be 2. Every successful event is a victory when you reach just one child or adult who's face fills with wonder, curiousity and joy.
For all the volunteers reading this blog, YOU GO!
