The meeting was held at Zorba’s in Columbia SC. The attendees were:

Steve Carroll Chair, SC Council

Brent Baker Vice Chair, SC Council

John Montague Treasurer, SC Council

Richard Baker Secretary, SC Council

Allen Thomas SCCESS Representative

Ken Lindler Chair, Coastal SC Section

Lee Stogner

John Caffee

Discussed the impact of the trend of outsourcing of technical jobs overseas. For example, there are articles from India depicting the overseas issues. The magnitude of jobs has created a market where there is much turnover within the Indian companies. While the loss of jobs peaked six years ago, the loss of jobs in the United States is a major concern to our members. We need to determine what could and should we do for our members locally. Action – attempt to determine the validity and severity of the problem in consultation with the Sections.

IEEE offers the following assistance:

• Career management resources
• Employment assistance
• IEEE network of professionals
• (See Region 3 web site for additional information)

There are e-Conferences monthly discussing membership activities. The next conference is 24 May. The following activities should be encouraged to all Sections:

• Target members that do not renew – simple phone calls are very effective
• All Sections are encouraged to appoint membership chairs
• The Senior Membership Program should be actively promoted
• Membership activity and campaigns are more successful when highly organized with assigned duties

The Council web site, http://www.ieee.org/sc_council contains links to other sites with career information valuable to members. Information and links are biased to South Carolina and are updated real-time.

(1) The Council budget is in adequate shape and no assessment to the Sections is needed at this time, although an assessment could be taken at a later date for conference support or other needs.

• Note that Major Domo will be replaced next month with a new web-based email list serve.
• Piedmont Section – new letter is up-to-date. The Section had a booth at the 2004 Automotive Manufacturers Conference.
• Central Section – will have a social (picnic) as a meeting this summer.
• Coastal Section – will co-sponsor a meeting with the Engineering Joint Council and recently co-sponsored a meeting with the local Computer Society
• Savannah Section – has a tour of Ft. Gordon GA Satellite Maintenance Repair planned for June

Current balance $4,500.22

The next Council meeting is scheduled for 16 September at 7:30pm. The Region 3 Executive Committee is scheduled for 15-17 October in Atlanta GA. The Sections Congress will meet in Tampa FL next year. We should expect the region to ask for volunteers and funds.