Minutes of Region 3 EXCOM E-Conference Meeting of 20 January 2001 Region 3 held it's first meeting of the year on 20 January 2001 using e-conferencing technology. Director Dick Riddle convened the meeting at 10 EST. The EXCOM approved by vote the Director's appointments for 2001 as posted prior to the meeting. The EXCOM approved its consent agenda: Approval of the minutes (as distributed) of its October 2000 meeting held in Myrtle Beach, SC. Approval of the 2001 Travel Policy as posted prior to the meeting. Note the Travel Policy is unchanged from 1999. However, the policy locks the mileage rate to the rate established by the IEEE Controller. This rate changes from $0.325 to $0.345 effective 1 January 2001. The web version of the Travel Policy has an editorial comment giving this rate. Received the reports listed in the Information Agenda section of the agenda. The EXCOM approved the budget as presented by the finance committee. This budget was as distributed modified to include: Account B-5.69b Add $400 for a total of $900(Bill Ratcliff) Account B-4.88a New Account for IEEE Milestones-Canaveral. Budget of $500(pre-meeting discussion). This account is in the Grants and Awards category. The EXCOM approved the Strategic Plan distributed by the SPC prior to the meeting. The strategic plan is prominently linked to the agendas of all meetings and the Region 3 Home Page. The EXCOM approved a motion that the initial $50,000 and any other distributions received by Region 3 from Southcon be deposited into a separate Concentration Banking Program account. The account will be named IEEE R3 Conference Reserve. The EXCOM approved a Special Travel Policy for SoutheastCon 2001/Region 3 Meeting which provides pre-approval of travel alternatives to direct flights as long as they save the Region money. The travel policy will be posted with the Region 3 Committee agenda. Additionally, Vice Chairs of EXCOM committees and Areas/Councils will be funded to attend the Region 3 Committee/EXCOM meeting in Clemson. As part of it's discussion agenda, the EXCOM discussed the Scout Jamboree. Ralph Russell distributed a report on this event. The Region 3 Webmaster Chip Dawson will post a link on the Region 3 Home page to this event's web site. The EXCOM discussed the issues related to holding its Fall meeting in Jamaica. Items discussed included the relative cost, need to visit all parts of Region 3, logistics, timing, etc. In a straw vote, all voters indicated that it would be appropriate to hold the Fall EXCOM in Jamaica. Director Riddle, who will ultimately make the decision, took the vote and discussion under advisement and will, with the help of the Conference Committee and others pursue holding the Fall EXCOM in Jamaica. Dick Riddle appointed an ad hoc committee consisting of Charles Lord, Bob Duggan, Vernon Powers, Devon Gayle and Butch Shadwell to investigate what package deals are available. Sean Haynes (and others) suggested soliciting help from IEEE Conference services. In Executive Session, the EXCOM approved the following awards: Dr. Robert Ashley to receive the Outstanding Service Award "For outstanding service in advancing IEEE professional and scientific goals at the section, region, and international levels". Dr. K. B. Sundaram to receive the Outstanding Engineering Educator Award for "his commitment to engineering education". Dr. Armando J. Vigil to receive the Outstanding Engineer Award "for contributions to digital television and audio broadcasting". After a recess for lunch, the e-conference meeting of the EXCOM continued. Director Riddle reminded the group that in order to obtain the compromise of other banking approaches besides concentration banking, IEEE must enforce the requirement to have signature cards signed by the IEEE Financial Director. He asked the group for help. Treasurer Hickman has the required forms in electronic format and Webmaster Dawson will place a copy of the Region 3 Web Site. The group discussed other actions that might be taken to encourage compliance. N&A Chair Beal reported that the Secretary and informed him that the Region Committee voted to confirm Don Hill and Bill Harrison as choices for Director Elect balloting in the fall. IEEE Headquarters has been informed of the result as well. As part of the E-Conference report made by Chair Bill Ratcliff, Dave Green reported that he would be making an E-Conference presentation at the IEEE Organizational Unit Series in Albuquerque, NM. Charles Lord and Bill Ratcliff will be manning a information table at the event. Director Riddle announced that the next meeting will be on March 31 March 2001 as part of SoutheastCon 2001. He expects that RAB's OPCOM will also meet in conjunction with SoutheastCon 2001. Having completed it's agenda, Director Riddle adjourned the meeting. Respectfully submitted, David Green Region 3 Secretary 1998-2001