Our RACI Board Committees


The Board has put a number of committees in place to oversee various aspects of the RACI organisation. The committees comprise at least one Board member to act as a conduit between the Board and the committee, a chair and a number of committee members. The chair may or may not be a Board member.

Nominations Committee

Responsibilities of the committee include:

  • Calling for expressions of interest in the position of member of the Board or for other officers of the RACI, and to ensure that suitable candidates are nominated for election
  • Calling for nominations for prizes, awards or other recognition given by the RACI and other Institutions, as appropriate, and to oversee the evaluation of all nominations and determine if and to whom a prize, award or other recognition should be made
  • Appointing or enlisting the aid of suitably qualified chemists or other professionals to assist in evaluating nominees for prizes, awards or other recognition (if required).

    • Committee members

    Position
    President - Steven Bottle
    President Elect - Pall Thordarson
    Treasurer - Dr Lidia Matesic
    Secretary - Dr Renate Griffith
    Board Member - Dr Melanie Macgregor
    Committee Member - Dr Cynthia Cliff
    Committee Member - Mr Greg Ewing
    Committee Member - Mr David Springer
    Committee Member - Mrs Maree Stuart

    Membership Assessment Committee [MAC]

    Responsibilities of the committee include:

  • Professional assessment of senior applicants for membership, including FRACI CChem and MRACI CChem and advise the Board on their suitability for admission to the RACI
  • Expediting the processing of membership applications (by reporting directly to the Board)
  • Advising the Board on the suitability of Australian and overseas degrees and diplomas in chemistry and chemistry related disciplines as qualification for RACI membership, and to review these from time to time
  • Advising the Board on specific aspects of policy in relation to academic and practical qualifications for RACI membership.

    •  

    Complete terms of reference here:

    Committee members

    Position
    Chair - Dr Renate Griffith
    Committee Member - Mary Fletcher
    Committee Member - Dr Lidia Matesic
    Committee Member - Dr Ken Smit
    Committee Member - Dr George Vamvounis
    Committee Member - Dr Xiaoqing Zhang

    Qualifications and Accreditation Committee [QAC]

    Responsibilities of the committee include:

  • Developing, reviewing and recommending to the Board the guidelines to be adopted by the RACI for the accreditation of undergraduate courses in chemistry and related subjects
  • Assessing new courses for which accreditation is being sought to determine whether they meet the guidelines, and making appropriate recommendations to the Board regarding the granting of accreditation
  • Reviewing all accredited courses on a five (5) year cycle by carrying out site visits to tertiary institutions to ensure that they continue to meet the accreditation guidelines, and making appropriate recommendations to the Board.

    •  

    Complete terms of reference here:

    Committee members

    Position
    Chair - Daniel Southam
    RACI Coordinator - Mr Ben Fletcher
    RACI Coordinator - Mr Roger Stapleford
    Board Member - Steven Bottle
    Board Member - Dr Cynthia Cliff
    Board Member - Mr David Springer
    Board Member - Pall Thordarson

    Finance, Risk and Audit Committee

    Responsibilities of the committee include:

  • Overseeing the financial performance of the RACI
  • Minimising the financial risk to the organisation
  • Receiving and acting on audit reports and audit recommendations
  • Recommending the audit company to the Board
  • Investing RACI consolidated funds to ensure a favourable return on the funds
  • Ensuring there is minimal risk in all investments of the RACI consolidated funds
  • Overseeing the cash flow performance needs of the RACI.

    •  

    Complete terms of reference here:

    Committee members

    Position
    Chair - Dr Lidia Matesic
    RACI Coordinator - Mr Roger Stapleford
    Committee Member - Mrs Tania Notaras
    Committee Member - Pall Thordarson

    External Relations Committee

    Responsibilities of the committee include:

  • Forging links with like societies and institutions in Australia and internationally
  • Fostering, encouraging and coordinating the international activities of the RACI and members
  • Fostering and encouraging the involvement of Australian chemists in international organisations especially IUPAC, FACS and the Pacific rim countries
  • Fostering and encouraging the involvement of the RACI Divisions in international activities
  • Maintaining effective liaison between the RACI and the National Committee for Chemistry of the Australian Academy of Science
  • Reporting to the Board and Assembly on the status of international activities of the RACI.

    •  

    Complete terms of reference here:

    Committee members

    Position
    Board Member - Dr Cynthia Cliff
    Board Member - Dr Melanie Macgregor
    Board Member - Pall Thordarson

    Chemistry in Australia committee

    The CinA committee is responsible for the production of a high-quality magazine as an essential read for members and other interested parties at minimal cost to the RACI. The magazine should canvas a wide platform of news/views, institutional information and articles, to communicate, promote and stimulate modern developments in chemistry, chemical education and to enhance public understanding of the chemical sciences and technologies.

    Responsibilities of the committee include:

  • Ensure that CinA meets the needs of RACI members.
  • Monitor and regularly consider the financial position of CinA.
  • Ensure that style changes suggested by editorial staff improve the look of the magazine.
  • Consider the production of special issues around major RACI events.
  • Make decisions about themed issues on an annual basis.

    •  

    Complete terms of reference here:

    Committee members

    Position
    RACI Coordinator - Mr Roger Stapleford
    RACI Coordinator - Ms Robyn Taylor
    Committee Member - Helmut Huegel
    Committee Member - Mr David Springer
    Committee Member - Dr Richard Thwaites
    Meeting Advisor - Ms Catherine Greenwood
    Meeting Advisor - Mr Guy Nolch
    Meeting Advisor - Ms Sally Woollett

    Inclusion and diversity committee

    Responsibilities of the committee include:

  • Provides a senior forum for the identification and consideration of equity issues, intended to enhance equity and reduce any inequitable and discriminatory practices that may exist within the Organisation.
  • Advises on equity aspects warranting attention in the Organisation strategic, functional and operational plans and develops broad position statements to assist in this regard.
  • Advises on the equity implications of the Organisation policies and practices and on Organisational responses to policy initiatives.
  • Provides an annual consolidated equity report to the Board.
  • Addresses other equity matters as directed by the Board.

    •  

    Complete terms of reference here:

    Committee members

    Position
    Chair - Amir Karton
    Board Member - Dr Renate Griffith
    Committee Member - Kathryn Fairfull-Smith
    Committee Member - Dr Becky Fuller
    Committee Member - Tanja Junkers
    Committee Member - Dr Mei Yi Leow
    Committee Member - Dr Ken Smit
    Committee Member - Dr Artiene Tatian

    Schools committee

    Responsibilities of the committee include:

  • Coordinating the RACI schools outreach activity to maximise benefits for schools
  • Overseeing the ICQ implementing policies and procedures ensuring the Quiz maintains its goal of promoting chemistry and developing an interest in the subject in secondary school students in Asia Pacific
  • Overseeing the standardisation of state based school outreach activities to maximise the effectiveness at minimal cost.
  • Increase the penetration of the outreach activities to the school
  • Work with ASTA to ensure the schools outreach activity provides the projects and resources the teachers need.

    •  

    Complete terms of reference here:

    Committee members

    Position
    Chair - Mrs Maree Stuart
    Board Member - Dr Erica Smith
    Committee Member - Mrs Elaine Bergmann
    Committee Member - Dr Adam Cawley
    Committee Member - Dr Stephen George-Williams
    Committee Member - Mrs Jenny Sharwood OAM

    ICQ committee

    Responsibilities of the committee include:

  • Maintain or improve the integrity and reputation of the quiz and, by association, the RACI
  • Ensure the relevance of the quiz to the school curriculum and STEM activities.
  • Ensure relevance of the question papers to the age group yet cater for a range of abilities.
  • Ensure the quiz questions and reports are a valued teaching aid
  • Grow the ICQ both locally and internationally

    •  

    Complete terms of reference here:

    Committee members

    Position
    Chair - Dr Adam Cawley
    RACI Coordinator - Mr Roger Stapleford
    Committee Member - Dr Andrew Eaton
    Committee Member - Charles Fogliani
    Committee Member - Dr Adrian George
    Committee Member - Ms Regina Menz
    Committee Member - Chris Thompson
    Observer: Member - Mrs Maree Stuart

     

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