2nd Annual Diverse backgrounds, Common Goals Social

Dear Fellow NOBCChE Member,

I would like to invite you to the 2nd Annual Diverse backgrounds, Common Goals Social taking place 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, March 22nd, 2010 at the National ACS Meeting in San Francisco, California. Diverse Backgrounds, Common Goals Socials are free, open community-building events that aim to educate participants about attitudes and interpersonal interactions that isolate talented, underrepresented individuals and, therefore, discourage them from continuing in chemical science careers. In addition to increasing awareness, the socials are organized to empower participants with clear advice on how to address issues that impede their efforts to improve diversity.

A reply indicating your intent to participate would be very helpful for logistical purposes but is not required to gain admittance. Interested individuals may RSVP (Thank you!) by sending an email to takiya@u.washington.edu.

The premier Diverse Backgrounds, Common Goals ACS Social was held in Salt Lake City last year and was sponsored by the Dow Chemical Company, UOP LLC, A Honeywell Company, and the Center for Enabling New Technologies Through Catalysts. I was joined by event co-hosts CENTC, NOBCChE, SACNAS, and COACh, which attracted a very diverse audience. Much more than your typical networking opportunity, the social included a brief presentation during which I shared a personal account of my experiences with overcoming cultural isolation in graduate school. In addition, I shared some simple tips on how to each attendee could contribute to the cultivation of a more supportive chemistry community.

During this year’s Diverse Backgrounds, Common Goals Social in San Francisco, we aim to explore a whole new way of entertaining diversity-related issues that is sure engage, educate, and motivate the crowd. Come join us for the 2nd edition of this innovative, new social series in the Moscone Convention Center room 2011 any time between 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm on Monday, March 22rd for complimentary refreshments and lots of mingling. Note that you can also find this event in the Events & Socials listing of the national meeting program.

Warm regards,
Takiya J. Ahmed