6. VICE PRESIDENTIAL CRITICAL ASSESSMENT
In the absence of Dr. Hayes, Prof. Jortner reviewed Dr. Hayes'
draft Vice President's critical assessment. He noted that the
principle of complementarity had been observed. That is, the current
VPCA covers those aspects of the Union not covered in the previous
VPCA. Prof. Jortner also noted the receipt of a report from Dr.
Hayes on his participation in the recent meeting of the International
Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA).
The Committee expressed its appreciation for Dr. Hayes' report,
which raised significant issues regarding the future role of IUPAC
with regard to the global chemical industry as well as IUPAC's
leadership role in promoting international cooperation in the
chemical sciences.
Subsequent discussion noted the need to expand the contacts already
made to cover the trade associations representing the pharmaceutical,
agricultural and biotechnology industry. The concerns of these
industries should be taken into account in the activities of COCI,
CHEMRAWN, and the Committee on the Teaching of Chemistry.
Prof. Jortner will convey a summary of the specific points raised
in the discussion to the Vice President for his consideration
in preparing the final version of the VPCA for submission to the
Bureau and Council in Berlin.
7. APPROVAL OF DIVISION PLANS FOR DIVISION COMMITTEES
AND NOMINATING COMMITTEES
Dr. Becker briefly described the plans of the Divisions for implementation
of the recommendations of the SDIC, as approved by the Bureau,
for selection of nominees for Division Committees by Nominating
Committees that included outside members. Divisions I through
V have submitted plans that were summarized for the Executive
Committee in the Agenda book. The plans for Divisions VI and VII
are not yet complete. Dr. Becker emphasized the need to provide
the Divisions the necessary flexibility to adapt the Bureau's
recommendations to the situation of each Division. The Committee
noted the importance of communication with the membership of the
Division by the officers of the Division regarding the plans of
the Division for implementation of the recommendations of the
Bureau.
Prof. Fischli reported that Prof. Schmid had written to notify
the Union that he would be stepping down as Chairman of the Committee
on Biotechnology at the end of 1999. He has proposed Prof. Milton
Hearn as a suitable replacement. The group discussed the possibility
of recommending to the Bureau at Berlin that the programs of the
Committee on Biotechnology be incorporated into Division III,
with Prof. Hearn becoming a member of the Division Committee.
There was also some discussion of a possible name change for Division
III to Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry or to Organic Chemistry
and Biotechnology. The Division President is reluctant to employ
a name that appears to claim "ownership" of a broad area such
as biomolecular chemistry but would be happy to incorporate "bioorganic"
into the name of the Division. The sense of the Committee was
that a name change was not necessary at this time, and the question
can be discussed by the Bureau before asking Council for any necessary
action.
Dr. Becker noted that there were a number of Subcommittees and
Working Parties in the Divisions that will formally continue to
exist, even if the Council does not reapprove Commissions after
2001. The Committee agreed that the Secretary General should write
to the Division Presidents asking them to consider carefully the
necessity for each Subcommittee and Working Party. It was felt
that some of these groups could be converted to Task Groups working
on a project; if others need to be retained for longer range activities,
they could be reestablished with updated terms of reference and
with a specific time limit for termination or consideration for
further extension.
The need for flexibility regarding the length of the terms of
service of Commission TMs and Officers for the next two years
was noted by the Committee. Prof. Steyn was asked to discuss the
plans of Division VI with Dr. Miyamoto. Prof. Jortner and Prof.
Fischli will discuss the situation of Division VII with Prof.
Wermuth.
8. STRATEGIC PLAN
8.1 IMPLEMENTATION PLANS