Area 3 Report
19 September 2002

The three sections of Area 3 are:

IEEE Atlanta Section: https://www.ieee-atlanta.org
The Chair of the Atlanta Section is Andy Peterson, andy.Peterson@ee.gatech.edu.

IEEE Central Georgia Section: https://www.ewh.ieee.org/r3/central_georgia/
The Chair of the Central Georgia Section is Greg Taylor, gdtaylor@ball.com.

IEEE Savannah Section: https://www.ewh.ieee.org/r3/savannah/
The Chair of the Savannah Section is Joe Buxton, jbuxton@ieee.org.

The Atlanta section has a great new website and I encourage you to
drop by and take a look. You'll find a wealth of information and the
site is presented in a clear, concise manner. The new site even
includes an online submission form for upcoming events to provide
rapid posting of meetings, presentations, and other important events.

Although the Atlanta Section is financially in good shape, it (like
many sections in IEEE) is looking at ways to reduce their hardcopy
newsletter mailing expenses. They recently began sending out the
newsletter in a dual format: hardcopy or via email using a pdf
format. There have been a few issues with transmitting a large data
file to "unsuspecting" members, but overall it has been
successful. With over 4000 members, the potential savings are
significant. Many members actually prefer the electronic format for
its easy storage and search capabilities.

One of the goals for 2002 has been to try to activate the remaining
few chapters that are relatively inactive. These chapters include the
joint ASSP/COMM chapter, the joint SSC/CAS chapter,the LEOS/EDS
chapter, and the EMC chapter. Anyone with interest in participating in
the ASSP/COMM chapter's activities should contact Joseph L.Long at
joe.long@gtri.gatech.edu. If there are readers with knowledge of or
interest in the other Chapters, contact the section chair, Andy
Peterson, at the above address.

The Central Georgia Section has hosted some successful meetings
including a tour of the Fort Valley Utility Commission Fiber Optic
Center. There are a few committee vacancies and we encourage anyone
interested to contact the Section Chair, Greg Taylor, at the address
listed above.

The Savannah Section also has a spiffy new newsletter and has chosen a
format that lends itself to either print or electronic formats. Like
the Atlanta Section, the Savannah Section is now offering the
electronic format as a voluntary option instead of the mailed
hardcopy. As more and more members get comfortable with the digital
version, the savings from reduced mailing costs should really add
up. The Savannah Section has hosted a variety of meetings and looks
forward to another prosperous year.

For more information regarding these sections, please visit their
website or contact their respective Chair at the email address
listed. Please feel free to contact me or the Area Vice Chair,
Mr. Phillip Wilson, (phillip.wilson@ieee.org) if you have any
questions or comments.

Respectfully Submitted,

Christopher R. Hardy
Area 3 Chair