Chairperson's Update

June 28, 2004

As we pass the halfway point in the year, I want to ask our members what IEEE and particularly IEEE Central Tennessee is to them. Is the IEEE just source for journals? Is it just a source for Professional Development Hours? Is IEEE Central Tennessee worth our time and effort?

I believe strongly that the IEEE Central Tennessee is definitely worth the effort. So do a core of leaders who have worked hard to keep IEEE Central Tennessee growing people like our Executive Committee members, Chris Finen, Mike Pucket, Mike Williams, and other constants like Bill Sims and Andy Dozier. We owe them, and unnamed others, heartfelt thanks and respect for their dedication and contributions.

I came to IEEE Central Tennessee as an outsider having lived in the New York area for most of my career. Last year, I reluctantly accepted the post of Program Chairman as a new person, I was not sure I knew enough about Central Tennessee Members and their needs. I have gotten a bit more confident and a bit more involved. I see that IEEE can grow from the strong base that our dedicated leaders have established.

The only way that we can grow and expand what IEEE Central Tennessee accomplishes is if we grow the ranks of our leaders and volunteers. Over the years, we have all benefited from the efforts of those handfuls of people who kept us going and growing. The sad fact is that they have carried too much of the load. Leaders work hard, often get burned out and, luckily, we have found people to step up to the task. While these people's efforts are Herculean, we still need more help.

On a very basic level, we have not been able to fill important volunteer positions such as the GOLD Chair, Program Chair, and Webmaster. And, right now, we need people to step up and begin work on our 2005 Election Nominating Committee. On another level, there is so much more we as IEEE members can do for our profession and our communities. I cannot remember the author (any error in the quote is mine), but someone once said,

The mark of a true professional is not just what they know, but also what they give back to their profession.

We need more people to help. We need more people to give back to their profession.

IEEE is so much more than just magazines and meetings. It is about networking with peers and employers. It is about helping students learn to love science and engineering. It is about helping our communities to understand the importance and contributions of science and engineering in their lives. It is about each of us being involved in our profession.

This year, we will continue to have compelling speakers at our meetings, but we need your help for expanding what we do. Here are some programs that are in the works:

We are beginning a relationship with the Metro Public School System. This Fall, we will be helping the Martin Luther King Magnet School launch a Robotics Club. Further, in July we will be meeting with Dr. Garcia and his staff to discuss more of what the IEEE can do. One fairly easy thing might be to connect them with the IEEE Faraday Lecture webcast. Another might be IEEE providing an occasional guest speaker to a K through 12 science or engineering class.
We are beginning to plan IEEE participation in Engineers' Week at the beginning of next year. Adventure Science Center is hosting an Engineering Weekend as a part of the festivities, and it will be great if IEEE can have a presence there, as well at any events in Tullahoma and Cookeville. Moreover, we need to get IEEE attendance up at the All Engineers' Banquet.
To get IEEE's name out there more, look for us in the news, and even in your local coffee shop. We are beginning a program to present recognition certificates to local businesses that are making IEEE 802.11 networks available to the public.
We need to continue our support of the Tennessee Engineering Center (TEC). We need to get out there and solicit personal and corporate donations to help pay off the last part of the mortgage. The TEC is not just where we hold our meetings. It is also a significant resource in promoting science and engineering in Tennessee.
Huntsville has a vibrant community of professional societies. The Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (HATS) provides a focal point for cooperation and coordination among Huntsville's professional organizations. Last year, the Executive Committee voted to have IEEE take the lead in establishing a similar kind of organization here in Central Tennessee. The Middle Tennessee Association of Technical Societies (MTATS) is in the process of formation. Along with other organizations like the Project Management Institute and the Association of IT Professionals, we hope to expand the kinds of programs and services we provide our members through cooperation and shared services. We hope to get this new asset to Central Tennessee incorporated this Fall.
We are looking for more local businesses to partner with us in providing informative presentations and programs, and in sponsoring events.

What else can we do? The answer is anything we want — as long as we have the volunteers to help with ideas and effort. Efforts like these make Central Tennessee a better place for technical professionals, and a more attractive place for businesses with engineering jobs. It is time to step up, folks. There is lots of work to do, and we need your help.

Send me an email with your phone number and interests. Let's talk about what we are going to do, together.

BJ Safdie

Chairperson, IEEE Central Tennessee

Click here for a list of current officers and committee chair openings.