Date: 9 January 2004
To: Region 3 ExCom
Subject: Communications Committee Report- January 2004
From: Bill Ratcliff, Communications Committee Chair 2004

Since our meeting in Atlanta (21-23 November 2003) the Communications
Committee has been concentrating on the following:

- Development and production of the January 2004 Newsletter has
  consumed the time of many people  and was transmitted to the printer
  on 15 December. The Newsletter is targeted to be mailed to all
  members in Region 3. I want to thank everyone for their hard work,
  dedication and cooperative spirit  throughout this effort. A special
  thanks to Charles Lord for his skill and flexibility in creating the
  final print  ready version (including last minute additions) and to
  Jim Howard for coordination with the printer and  preparation for
  mailing.

  https://ie3col.eng.uab.edu/twiki/bin/view/R3econf/NewsletterJan2004>

- The February Newsletter is being developed for distribution to the
  attendees at the IEEE BoD Series in Savannah (the week of
  2/9/2004). For those who have agreed to supply articles please keep
  in mind the tight schedule. I am sure our new Region 3 Newsletter
  Editor will appreciate your cooperation.

  <https://ie3col.eng.uab.edu/twiki/bin/view/R3econf/NewsletterFeb2004>

- SPAM tagging and / or elimination continues to be a high priority on
  the list.  Progress is being made with IEEE staff in beta testing
  software on the IEEE mail server.

- Chip Dawson made several changes to web sites during the meeting in
  Atlanta.  If you need assistance please let chip
  know. mailto:c.t.dawson@ieee.org

- During the Communications Committee meeting in Atlanta many ideas,
  issues, opportunities and observations were shared, collected on
  post it notes and have subsequently recorded in machine readable
  form. The follow up discussions to be held electronically are in the
  planning / scheduling stages.  A mail list has been created to
  continue the discussion. If you have not been notified by majordomo
  of that list and would like to be added please send me an e-mail
  mailto:w.ratcliff@ieee.org

- The planning for 2004 is continuing but at this writing the following areas
   are under discussion that  describe the direction for the committee...
   <> Newsletter re-design
      [] Mix of hardcopy and electronic?
      [] general vs specific audience?
      [] sources of content?
      [] frequency of publication?
   <> Use of brochures, pamphlets, flyers...?
      How will your committee make use of this media and how can the
      Communications Committee assist?
   <> Uncover root cause issues that involve communications within the Region
      or IEEE in general? The follow up to the discussion in Atlanta
      represents a part of this effort.
   <> What should be the mix between the Interactive and Broadcast Models?
      [] Integrating voice, text, data, video into the techniques we
         use to perform our work is one of the dimensions.
      [] This will also influence the design of the "next wave in web
         design and usage
   <> e-conferencing Project Completion / Shutdown Loose ends?
      [] The intent is to fold in the functions of e-conferencing within
         the Communications Committee and to close out the
         e-Conferencing Project
         {} No this does not mean that Region 3 is abandoning e-conferencing
            or terminating  further development. On the contrary
            e-conferencing and future enhancements
            will be even more important in our effort to expand our linkage
            with all volunteers and members in Region 3 coupled with the
            need to control costs.
   <> Direction / Parameters for the next phases of web design
      [] In conjunction with evaluation of interactive vs broadcast
         communications models, the new uses of the web based
         services and capabilities will be explored and development
         scheduled.
   <> Enhanced control over SPAM and security awareness.

Your active involvement in the planning, design and development of the
communications capability is an essential ingredient because remember
...  Communications must occur with everyone and not just thru or by a
single committee.

Please note the reports from the subcommittees to provide additional
detail.

Wishing all of us a very productive 2004.

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William B. Ratcliff, Communications Committee Chair 2004