Happy New Year!

 

It is my pleasure and privilege to be Chair of the Division of Chemical Health and Safety for 2024. I had the honor of serving as chair of the Division in 2020 and had many lofty but attainable goals before the world was sidetracked with the COVID-19 pandemic. We immediately shifted gears and worked to support each other and the chemistry enterprise through trying times. I half-jokingly noted at the end of my term that I wish I could have a do-over – another year as chair to move forward with our vision – and I am thrilled that my wish was granted.

 

I’ve created a short welcome video that will be posted on the DCHAS website soon.

 

Thank You and Welcome

Let us all raise a virtual glass to Dan Kuespert for his outstanding service as chair of DCHAS in 2023. Dan led us through a long-awaited strategic planning exercise, recognized the need for improved communications internally and externally and began the hard work that will be required, put us on a path of more constructive discourse, and brought fresh faces and perspectives to division leadership.

 

Thank you, Chris Incarvito, for your service as Immediate Past Chair last year. We are all grateful that Chris will continue to serve on the DCHAS executive committee as chair of the Development committee.

 

Let’s give a warm welcome to Michael Koehler as chair-elect. Mike made great use of the six months or so between the election and taking office, representing DCHAS in the Presidential Safety Summit on Laboratory Safety Teams (LSTs) and the Envisioning the Future of ACS Chemical Safety workshop.

 

Dan and Mike have graciously agreed to a shared leadership approach to 2024. Anyone who has served a one-year term as a leader of an organization like CHAS knows that often just when it feels like we are hitting our stride, it’s time to step down. Dan will continue to lead many of the projects and initiatives he started as chair, and Mike will take on issues that he will continue to lead as chair next year.

 

We Want YOU to Get Involved

Something I hear too often is that people feel like DCHAS is a clique and it is hard to get involved. Some people need a formal invitation to take on responsibility or share ideas. So this is me, the Chair of DCHAS, formally inviting YOU to join in, share your ideas, be a leader, or just work on a project.

 

Not sure what to do? Send me an email at rmizzo**At_Symbol_Here**princeton.edu or set up a time to meet with me virtually through Microsoft Bookings (click on the title or here).

 

Open and Accountable

Each month, I will post an update on the DCHAS website and send an email to the listserv outlining what we’re doing, providing progress, and inviting people to join the fun. We will post the monthly meeting schedule on the website and we invite you to participate. We will also post our strategic plan and progress in a way that it is easy to track.

 

CHAS Chats and CHAS Communities

Each month, we will hold a CHAS Chat on a different subject. For January, rather than a regular chat, we will celebrate the life and contributions of Ralph Stuart.

 

We are excited to have created the first of what I hope to be several CHAS Communities, the Two-Year College community led by Dwayne Henry. Be on the lookout for additional community opportunities soon.

 

Goals for 2024

A few months ago, we completed a Strategic Planning exercise. Goals for 2024 include:

• Digital Strategies – identifying and launching new communications tools, including an updated public-facing and members-only website, providing means to share documents and presentations, and enhancing the email list function.
• Cultivate Community – establish and implement a framework and infrastructure to recruit, onboard, mentor, retain members, and foster internal and external collaborations.
• Communicate Best Safety Practices – through technical programming, education, recognition, and outreach, advance and communicate best safety practices and their value.
• Leadership Development – develop leaders in DCHAS, the health and safety profession, and the chemistry enterprise.

 

Here’s to a fantastic year! I hope to connect with you virtually or in person in the coming weeks and months.

 

Best,

Robin