Document DM41zvGQoq431gRa61vqY0ovB

MINUTES OF MEETING Public Relations Committee Manufacturing Chemists Association The Embassy Row Hotel, Washington, D. May 13, 1975 C Members Present R, W. Unwin Jr, . Chairman Edward G. Ackerman Howard H. Eabcock A, A, Biesada E N. Brandt Joseph C. Calitri Ed Cunningham Richard B. Douglas Robert B. Downey (for Cleveland Dane) Stephen M. Downey Phillip P. Fried (for James E. McKee Jr, ) Ralph Gonzalez (for Donald L, Maher) W. H. Guthrie Norman Herington (for ALbert F. Watters) Elaine N, Hirsch Fred F, A, Jacobson George A, Lawrence Weldon Miller Richard J. Nelson Paul Pavey Edgar S. Prochnik J. Pierre Robichaud (lor James E. McGill) Clyde Roche A, Prescott Rowe (for Charles H. Zeanah) Jack R. Ryan " Sydney R. Shell Peter L. Svanda Robert F, Toomey Harlan L. P. Wendell Robert A. Woodard Guest Byron J, Anderson Company N L Industries, Inc, Diamond Shamrock Corporation PPG Industries, Inc, Pfizer Inc, The Dow Chemical Company American Cyanamid Company Celanese Corporation Hercules Incorporated B, F. Goodrich Chemical Company FMC Corporation Monsanto Company Airco Inc, Phillips Petroleum Company Allied Chemical Corporation CIBA-GEIGY Corporation BASF Wyandotte Corporation Exxon Chemiv al Company Gul: Oil Company - U, S. Kay-Fries Chemicals, Inc, Standard Oil Company (Indiana) Union Carbide Corporation Canadian Industries limited Merck Co. , Inc, Ethyl Corporation Olin Corporation Witc o Chemical Corporation Rohm and Haas Company ICI United States Inc, E. L du Pont de Nemours & Compirn Ashland Chemn a) Company N'orthe-r, Petrochemical Company CMA 134429 T i7 MCA Staff Victor H, Peterson Richard F, Blewitt John E, Slavick Pat Sokoloff James P. Turner Robert E, Varnerin Peggy Walton Members Absent James Boyajian Donald M. Davis Alfred Geduldig Richard L. Moore Robert J. Willmot Shell Oil Company Mallinckrodt, Incorporated GAF Corporation W. R. Grace & Co. Carus Corporation The meeting was called to order by Chairman Unwin who introduced new members, alternates and guests. Previously circulated MCA staff reports covering activities since the fall meeting were opened to comments and questions. Mrs. Walton said that more than 100 radio and TV tapes were made at the AWRT convention in April with 18 company executives and an MCA staff member. Four-fifths of those attending visited the MCA suite. Amoco was thanked publicly for donating the TV tapings. Mr. Turner noted the steady increase in ChemEcology circulation and progressively greater use in schools. He plans to write a solid wastes bro chure as a companion piece to the established air and water booklets. Mr. Slavick said that the success of the CIC meeting earlier in the year indicates a yearly or a biennial meeting will be necessary. As a result of the meeting, several CICs have strengthened programs and a new CIC {or similar body) may be established in the Cleveland area. Mr. BLewitt said that Precis, the syndicated service, had secured ex cellent results but that funds for continuing would not be available in 1975-76. He urged member companies to increase their grassroots efforts. CMA 134430 '7 1 1 1 Mr. Peterson announced that Mr, Blewrtt had res.gnea e..e-. uve tmd June to go with FMC as PR manager of their Chemi-ai Group, He was i ongratulated warmly on a job well done for MCA and w.shed the best in his new post, Mr, Peterson said that Thomas J. Gilroy, forme "Jv or The Operations Council of American Trucking Associations, Inc. would assume the press relations duties June 1, Mr. Peterson reported on the status c.' the 1975 -76 budget which was to be acted upon by the full membership at the Annual Meeting, June 11 at The Greenbrier, Copy of the budget is attached. Mr. Lawrence, as chairman of the Nominating Committee, placed the names of Mr, McKee, for chairman, Mr. Prochnik, for vice chairman and chairman of the Executive Committee, and Mr, Wendell, for vice chairman of the Executive Committee, before the house. Balloting was unanimous, Mr. Lawrence then moved that the terms of office for the three posi tions be for two years rather than one, with the office of vice chairman of the Executive Committee to be dropped after two years, thus reverting to two presiding officers. BaLLoting was unanimous, Mr. Ryan then presented outgoing Chairman Unwin with a gilt (ship's clock and barometer) from the committee in thanks for his services, The open forum on " How can the Public Relations Committee and the Public Relations department become a more positive force within the As sociation?" engendered keen interest. Mr. Brandt, as co-forum leader, distributed the Latest Chemical Issues Index & Commentary and noted the latest topics of greatest concern. He compared it with the latest Yankelovich survey at hand and the similarity was striking. Topics concerning safety and health from the workplace to consumer use appear to be ones that will be with the industry for a long time to come. .The Issues Index served as the base for keying in on topics on which the committee might be abLe to act positively. Mr. Prochnik, the other co-leader, used sLides showing how Carbide identified topics of greatest concern to his company and then how the firm organized to decide priority issues and attack. The method wiLl heLp serve the committee and staff in the same manner. Mr. Wendell then moved that: CMA 134431 T1 T T In view of the rapidly changing public environment for the chemical industry and in order to make a maximum contribution to the Association, it is proposed that the Executive Committee of the Public Relations Com mittee study the matter and recommend to the President and the MCA Board: a) what the responsibilities and activities of the Public Relations Committee and staff should be, and b) what the relationship of the Committee and staff should be to the Board, Executive Committee and other elements of the Association. The Public Relations Executive Committee's work on this subject is to be completed in time for recommendations to be submitted to the MCA Board at its September 1975 meeting. Mr, Lawrence then moved an addition to the motion (as c} on the floor, which read: c) in areas appropriate for Association public relations activity, propose action programs. This was seconded by Mr. Prochnik. Mr. Lawrence then seconded the total motion which was passed unanimously. Mr. McKee, who unavoidably could not attend the meeting, and Mr. Prochnik have moved forward vigorously to implement the motion. The meeting was adjourned and followed by luncheon characterized for its lively discussion of the new thrust proposed for the committee and the department. Respectfully submitted, 7/8/75 PRC-4 Victor H. Peterson Secretary tstrx- I CMA 134432 T T1 T Public Relations Budget for Fiscal 1975-76 Operating Expense: Salaries Sc Related Expense Retirement Plan Sc Group Insurance Hospitalization Insurance 8c Health PLan LegaL Fees 8c Expense Consultant & Investment Service Audit Rent Sc Premises Expense Taxes Sc Insurance Supplies Sc General Office Expense Furniture Sc Equipment Printing Telephone Sc Telegraph Postage Travel fe Entertainment Meeting Expense Periodicals, Books Sc Business Services Organizational Memberships Contingency Operating Expense Totals Projects: Community Relations Consumer Information Environmental Quality Internal Publications Media Relations Academic-Industry Study College & High School Teacher Awards Education Exhibits Education Publications Project Totals Combined Budget Totals *1 1974-75 $202,430 22,862 3, 890 -- -- -- 16,570 10,514 9,450 250 3, 750 8, 940 39,000 25,000 350 1, 550 1, 000 -- $345, 556 $ 19,250 25,000 36, 300 41,000 17,700 750 14,300 4,000 15,000 $173,300 $518,856 1975-76 $220,050 27, 750 3, 150 ------------------, 18, 800 11,650 9, 500 250 4, 200 8, 850 45,000 25, 000 100 1, 650 1, 000 -- $376,950 $ 21,300 31,000 44,700 26, 000 9, 800 -- 14,300 4, 000 20, 000 $171,100 $548,050 | 7/8/75 CMA 134433 T T1 T MINUTES OF MEETING Public Relations Committee Manufacturing Chemists Association The Dupont Plaza Hotel, Washington, D. C. October 7, L975 Me s Present fames E, McKee Jr., Chairman Edgar S. Prochnik, Vice Chairman Edvard G. Ackerman Anth-jny A, Biesada Rn hard F, Blewitt (for Stephen M. Downey) E. X, Brandt . William H. Craig (for James E. McGill) E<[ Cunningham Donald M, Davis Richard B. DougLas AD red GeduLdig Raiph Gonzalez (for Donald L. Maher) W H, Guthrie Charles L. Hebner (for Robert F. Toomey) Norman Herington (for ALbert F. Watters) Eia.ne N. Hirsch A. A. Koreivo (for Joseph C. CaLitri) Cie- eland Lane Xeorge A. Lawrence Weldon Miller R - hard L. Moore Ro.hard J. Nelson Paul Pavey A, Prescott Rowe (for Charles H. Zeanah) 1 il l R, Ryan ic..rge Schott (for Clyde Roche) R, C. "thoma (for Fred F, A. Jacobson) R. W. Unwin Jr. Hat lan L, P. Wendell Robe t J. Willmot Robert A. Woodard Guests E. W. AxtheLm Robert B. Downey William ElLiott Company Monsanto Company Union Carbide Corporation Diamond Shamrock Corporation Pfizer Inc. FMC Corporation The Dow ChemicaL Company Canadian Industries Limited Celanese Corporation Mallinckrodt, Inc. Hercules Incorporated GAF Corporation Airco, Inc. Phillips Petroleum Company ICI United States Inc, Allied ChemicaL Corporation CIBA-GEIGY Corporation American Cyanamid Company The B. F. Goodrich Company Exxon Chemical Company Gulf Oil Company - U. S. W. R. Grace & Co. Kay-Fries Chemicals, Inc. Standard Oil Company (Indiana) Ethyl Corporation Olin Corporation Merck Co. , Inc. BASF Wyandotte Corporation N L Industries, Inc. E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. Carus Corporation Ashland Chemical Company Union Carbide Corporation B. F. Goodrich ChemicaL Compam American Cyanamid Company CMA 134434 I 2- - E. Bruce Harrison Robert M. Morris CarL Schwenker III Nye Stevens MCA Staff Victor H. Peterson \lbert C. Clark WilLiam M. Stover Thomas J. Gilroy John E. Slavick Pat Sokoloff James P. Turner Robert E. Varnerin Peggy Walton Members Absent Howard H. Babcock Harold A. Harty Sydney R. SheLl Peter L. Svanda Harrison Associates / Washing Velsicol Chemical Corporation " Shell OiL Company Yankelovich, SkeLLey and White * t PPG Industries, Inc* UOP Inc. Witco Chemical Corporation Rohm and Haas Company The meeting was calLed to order by Chairman McKee who introduced new members, alternates and guests. WiLliam M. Stover, vice president of government relations, presented an overview of the Washington scene, highlighting Legislation actively heing considered and that which is in the wings. While he touched upon such areas as air, water, energy, taxes, he sees little chance for any substantive leg islative action for the rest of the year. He aLso noted that industry has made considerable progress in being heard on The Hill; a case in point being DISC. Mr. Wendell asked if Public Relations could be particularly helpful in the realm of water legislation. Mr. Stover said he would welcome such as sistance as it is a prime Association concern. Albert C. Clark, vice president and technical director, reviewed the 10 special projects with which the Association is concerned. Most of these lie outside the regular MCA budget, and, in such instances, companies need not be members to participate financially. MCA acts as the administrator. CMA 134435 T T1 T -3 - ?ton on ite n While rhere have been special projects for some time, the one that heightened interest was the vinyl chloride problem. Since then projects have multiplied to the point where he did not see how the Association, with present manpower, could take on more projects. The 10 projects are: Acrylonitrile Chlorobenzenes Ethylene dichloride Fluorocarbons Phosgene Phthalate esters Styrene Trichloroethylene Vinyl chloride Vinylidene chloride Total monies expended or allocated to date for these projects amount to $3,312, 000. Discussion by committee members centered around toxic substances, worker safety and health as prime concerns of the Association, Mr. Prochnik then presented a document titled " Responsibilities and Activities of the Public Relations Committee and Staff. " This was in response to a motion made at the May 13 PubLic Relations Committee meeting, which called for the Executive Committee to address itself to such a study. Copies were distributed to the committee and discussion followed to determine if the Executive Committee action was responsive. Mr. Unwin moved its acceptance; Mr. Brandt seconded. The vote was unanimous. ' Mr. Brandt discussed the latest Chemical Issues Index & Commentary #7 which for the first time included 15 companies plus MCA staff. The total number of respondents within the companies and MCA ran between 350 and 400 people. Copies of the Index were distributed. The lack of a national energy policy emerged as an issue for the first time. It was the only one noted by every responding unit. It came in second as an issue to inflation. CMA 134436 T TT T 4 Mr. Brandt noted that while the survey is the industry looking at itself, not outside publics Looking at the industry, it pinpointed several issues which the Association should address. That data also clearly showed that the in dustry is genuinely unhappy with Congress both for what it is doing and not doing generally. Mr. Lawrence moved: 11 There have now been seven issues of the Chemical Issues Index and Commentary. The PRC commends Ned Brandt for the fine job he has done. The Index entails the expenditure of considerable executive and staff time and effort on the part of 15 member companies three times a year. In view of this, the Public Relations Committee recommends that the Secretary con duct a survey to determine how it is used. Specifically, "a) Does it reach members of the MCA Executive Committee, Board or company Executive Contacts? " b) If so, is it considered useful and is any action taken on it, directly or indirectly? " c) Do members of the PRC consider it useful and is any use made of it? " Several seconds were voiced from the floor and the motion unanimously passed. "How the Public Looks at the Industry" was presented by Nye Stevens, vice president of Yankelovich, Skelley and White, Inc, The presentation was made as a courtesy by four MCA member company participants in the Yankelovich surveys. Unfortunately, this ib proprietary information and belongs to the subscribers. Consequently, Mr. Stevens asked that the material he was providing not leave the room. Broadly, the areas of concern were the environment, consumerism, new work values (safety and health), social problems and corporate goals and policies. The main focus of the survey was on various leadership groups: government, organizations, media and institutional investors. It was noted that the industry is not nearly as well known by the general public as it is by these leadership groups which have a much keener appreciation of problems and how the industry is responding. The industry rated poorly in respect to its concern for worker health; air, water and solid wastes pollution, and unsafe products. CMA 134437 Mr. Lawrence then moved: " There is sharpLy mounting pubLic concern regarding the safety of certain chemicals and their possible effects on health, water, air and soLid waste pollution and product safety. These issues are impacting negatively on the chemical industry and tend to make it increasingly a target for restrictive legislation and regulation. In view of this, the Public Relations Committee recommends that President William Driver direct a letter to MCA Executive Contacts highlighting the problem and asking companies to consider, where appropriate, expanded informational programs based on the constructive actions they are taking to ensure improved public under standing in these areas. " The motion was seconded by Mr, Lane and vigorous discussion followed. The advisability of implementing such action before the Public Relations Com mittee could organize itself into task groups to consider specific problems was questioned. Mr. Stevens said he felt such action might work counter to our best interests, particularly in that it appeared focused on securing gen eral public attention. The motion was tabled. Chairman McKee announced that the next meeting of the Public Relations Committee would be held January 28, 1976 in Washington, D. C. with a dinner preceding the meeting the evening before, January 27. Following the luncheon, Robert M. Morris, chairman of the board and president, Velsicol Chemical Corporation, detailed his company's response to an EPA " so-called" ban on chlordane/heptachlor. Copies of his comments were provided members of the committee. In general, he noted the suddenness with which EPA took action, taking the company by surprise, and stated that EPA's position was fLawed. The company immediately decided to take issue with EPA. A vigorous press campaign and a letter-writing campaign to members of Congress and purchasers of their products were instituted. At this point in time, he is satisfied that he has taken a proper course; that basically his customers are in agreement with his stand; that he intends to fight with all legal means to a conclusion. He said that the most potentially serious danger for the pesticide and chemical industries lies in the nine principLes defining a carcinogen as pro posed in the aldrin/dieldrin hearings. EPA stipulated that these principles would be the basis for evaluating the carcinogenicity of pesticides in the chlordane/heptachlor suspension hearings. He said three were most impor tant: " (1) WelL-established criteria exist for distinguishing between benign CMA 134438 I- 6 - and malignant tumors; however, even the induction of benign tumors is suf ficient to characterize the chemical as a carcinogen. (2) The concept of a 'threshold' exposure level for a carcinogenic agent has no practical signif icance because there is no valid method for establishing such a level. (3) Any substance which produces tumors in animals must be considered a carcinogenic hazard to man if the results were achieved according to the established parallels of the valid carcinogenic test. " He believes that these principles, if accepted, pose a tremendous threat to the industry, even to the survival of many companies. Your Secretary has a few copies of Mr. Morris's remarks and will be happy to forward them to you on request as long as the supply lasts. Respectfully submitted Victor H. Peterson Secretary ( 10/29/75 PRC-5 T T1 CM A 134439 I 1 minutes of meeting Public Relations Committee Manufacturing Chemists Association The Embassy Row Hotel, Washington, D. May 12, 1977 C. Members Present James E. McKee Jr. , Chairman Harlan L. F. Wendell Edward G. Ackerman Richard F. Blewitt . E. N. Brandt Joseph C. Calitri Ed Cunningham - Donald M. Davis Richard B. Douglas Alfred Geduldig Ralph Gonzalez (for Donald L. Maher) W. H. Guthrie Elaine N. Hirsch Cleveland Lane Marshall C. Lewis Weldon Miller Richard L. Moore Richard J. Nelson Paul Pavey John S. Ruch (for Howard H. Babcock) Jack R. Ryan George Schott (for Clyde Roche) R. G. Thoma (for Fred F. A. Jacobson) R. W. Unwin Jr. Gerd H. Wilcke Robert J, Willmot Robert A. Woodard CharLes H.Zeanah Guests E. W, Axthelm Ward Cunningham (Lunch Only) Burt Dermer Robert B. Downey John M. Reed (for John F. McKeogh) R. Gary Wilson Company Monsanto Company E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company Diamond Shamrock Corporation FMC Corporation The Dow Chemical Company American Cyanamid Company Celanese Corporation Mallinckrodt, Inc. Hercules Incorporated GAF Corporation Airco, Inc. Phillips Chemical Company CIBA-GEIGY Corporation The B. F. Goodrich Company Union Carbide Corporation Gulf Oil Chemicals Company W. R. Grace & Co. Kay-Fries Chemicals, Inc. The Standard Oil Company (Indiana) PPG Industries, Inc. Olin Corporation Merck & Co., Inc. BASF Wyandotte Corporation NL Industries, Inc. Mobay Chemical Corporation Carus Corporation Ashland Chemical Company Ethyl Corporation Union Carbide Corporation Airco, Inc. Witco Chemical Corporation B. F. Goodrich Chemical Company Rohm and Haas Company PPG Industries, Inc. CMA 134440 2- - GRC Liaison to PRC Lester G. Shapiro MCA Staff Victor H. Peterson William M. Stover Thomas J. Gilroy John E. Slavick Pat Sokoloff Members Absent Anthony A. Biesada Charles Y. Cain J. R. Law Dayton E. Pryor Carl Schwenker III Robert F. Toomey Albert F. Watters Engelhard Minerals & Chemicals Corporation Pfizer Inc. Hooker Chemicals & Plastics Corp, Canadian Industries Limited Air Products and Chemicals, Inc, Shell Oil Company ICI united States Inc. Allied Chemical Corporation Mr. McKee opened the meeting at 8:30 a. m. and introduced alternates and guests. Mr. Peterson noted that participation in this year's AWRT convention was the most successful to date. Television and radio interviews totaled 138, up 31 percent over Last year. Also, 93 percent of the attendees visited MCA's hospitality suite and received suitable chemically based giveaways and literature on the industry. He also said that initial, and interesting, contact had been made with the Joint Council on Economic Education in respect to introducing the economics of the chemical industry into the elementary through high school curricula. Mr. Ryan issued the latest Chemical Issues Index & Commentary notinga change in approach to determining priorities. It wap generally acceptable but will be refined before the next survey In late August/early September. Mr. Lane reported on the continuing meetings of the informal Inter Association group composed of PR representatives from MCA, API, SOCMA, SPI and NACA. An alert system regarding media action has been instituted CMA 134441 T1 T` -3- with MCA as the nucleus. Also, better distribution of association materials has gone forward. WiLLiam M. Stover, MCA vice president and director of government relations, brought the committee up to date on Washington political and leg islative activities. Mr. Wendell noted the Executive Committee, meeting the day before, discussed, for example; a. MCA's proposed low profile regarding changes in the Delaney amendment. This does not mean disinterest, rather genuine interest without taking a visible leadership position. b. Consideration of ways to improve the industry image through new perspectives in public relations activities -- seminars for press, participation in meetings of press associations, etc. In the full committee participatory session on new perspectives, ex change and use of materials, the following ideas were advanced: a. Companies with materials to share on an FYI basis or for further distribution by other companies should send them to Mr. Peterson for initial screening. b. Seminars should be held for media Representatives in Washington and possibly other major news center's. Approach: impart a better understanding of industry and downstream products as to pervasiveness of chemicals in our lifestyLe. c. Search for other organizations like AWRT where the Association could participate in similar manner. Should be leveL where those in attendance can influence editorial content or programming. d. When chief executives of member companies travel, they should be urged by their company PR personnel to meet with top news people. e. Investigate possibility of top executives appearing on National Press Club Newsmaker Breakfasts. Could lead to long-desired establishment of a speakers bureau. f. Press conferences should be held on subject bases rather than rambling and should be on timely topics. When an issue is especially hot, regional conferences might be heLd. CMA 134442 TT -4 g. We should consider taking positions as an industry on subjects broader than those of immediate concern --for example on human rights. The idea is to advance the industry to a leader ship role of statesmanship. h. An attempt should be made to galvanize the scientific commu nity to speak out on subjects of importance to the chemical in dustry and to the public generally. An example would be the need to recognize in society the importance of the risk/benefit concept. Mr. Wendell was elected chairman of the committee and Mr. Zeanah vice chairman for two-year terms subject to Board approval. Mr. Moore and Mr. Lane officiated in gifting, roasting and toasting outgoing chairman McKee. The meeting dates for the next fiscal year were set: September 14-15; January 18-19, 1978; May 17-18, 1978, All meetings will be in Washington, D. C. The meeting adjourned at 12;15 p.m. Respectfully submitted. Ole*VffK- 4-, If (i fiathVictor H. Peterson Secretary Minutes subject-to approval June 1, 1977 PRC-10 " CMA 134443 i T1