Submitted by Dr. Robert H. Beer, Department of Chemistry, Fordham University
Bronx, NY 10458. Phone: 914-747-5661. Email:

2006-7 Officers

Co-Chairs
Dr. Robert H. Beer(Acting chair)
Dr. Lynn Francesconi

Advisory Committee
Dr. B. Gibney
Dr. G. Parkin
Dr. M. Millar
Dr. M. Walters

The Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Topical Group promotes the interaction and scholarship of chemists in the New York region interested in inorganic chemistry research and education and related topics. The primary activity of the Group is to organize minisymposia and social events. Minisymposia are held biannually and co-sponsored with The New York Academy of Sciences. These meetings are comprised of up to four preeminent scientists drawn from the local metropolitan or regional areas and/or student and post-doctoral associate presentations on a broad range of topics of interest to inorganic chemists. We also hold The Chair of the Discussion Group, in consultation with the advisory members, selected the speakers and planned the events.

A post-symposium reception and speaker dinner provides a social setting for interaction. Meetings are open to the public and typically attended by local inorganic chemists consisting of faculty, students and industrial scientists from the area. The minisymposia are publicized on the NY ACS local section home page, the New York Academy of Sciences Newsletter and by email. In addition to generous financial support from our local ACS section and the New York Academy of Sciences, corporate sponsorship provides some funds for our activities.

(1) Continuing our effort to present diverse topics from local and nationally renowned scientists that includes the participation of local students, post-docs and faculty.
(2) Developing specialized workshops in inorganic chemistry.
(3) Planning evening social activities like Group dinners.
(4) Increasing educational and career opportunities for our participants.
(5) Increasing advisory board and other attendee participation in developing, planning and executing events.
(6) Maintaining corporate fund raising as part of our effort to help support the activities of the group.
(7) Increasing attendance at meetings by increasing the efficiency of announcements sent electronically to a target audience and widening the participation of attendees, especially from industrial laboratories.
(8) Documenting events for archiving.

The Inorganic Chemistry Topical Group typically holds events co-sponsored by the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) at their location. This year the NYAS underwent a number of changes, including selling their building, the site of our events, and moving to a new location. They also underwent changes in staff, some of which are critical to planning our meetings. For this year only, we suspended our activities in view of these events at the NYAS. In the past, we have benefited greatly from the participation of the NYAS. Past events, carried out without the sponsorship of NYAS and held at other venues were significantly less successful. However, though we are very positive about continuing our relationship with the NYAS, some discussion among advisory members as opportunity to re-evaluate the Topical Group and its activities.

For the coming year, the outlook for the Topical Group’s activities and its continuing involvement with the NYAS is promising. The NYAS is now moved and settled in their new site, and a staff member dedicated to the Physical Sciences can work with us to co-sponsor activities. Immediate plans call for visit with the Physical Sciences Program Manager, a meeting of the advisory committee to discuss the future of the Topical Group, and a tentative meeting, a minisymposium featuring prominent bioinorganic chemists and their work.