IEEE Region 3 Public Information Report
Submitted by David Bower, Reg 3 PIO
d.bower

The Region 3 Public Information initiatives completed and those in progress
are being submitted. In addition, some ideas for future PR projects are
being included.

Projects Completed:

1. Submitted article for use in last Region 3 newsletter titled "Public
Relations and Promoting Your Section." Article presented PR ideas for use by
a section. A "Sidebar" was included with URL for obtaining section support
information at https://www.ieee.org/organizations/rab/scs/, joining IEEE
online at  www.ieee.org/join and other items .

2. Submitted additional article for use in last Region 3 Newsletter titled
"Section Community Service and Generating Public Awareness for IEEE."
Article focused on how several sections (with examples) in Region 3 are
generating good public awareness and publicity (PR) for IEEE with their
projects.

3. At SoutheastCon 2004, spoke at the Council and Area meetings regarding
use of the media to promote section meetings and other activities. Provided
one page handout with simple PR steps for working with Print and TV/Radio
media. Distributed copies of the "IEEE Publicity Guide" at these Council and
Area meetings. Also, had a small display with these materials at
SoutheastCon 2004. In addition, a picture display of the spring PACE
Conference was on display.

4. Submitted a PR item to Chip Dawson use on Region 3 Web Page: "A Simple
Three Step Process  to Promote Section Meetings" utilizing "free" local
Print and TV/Radio media. The URL was included for obtaining an electronic
version of the "IEEE Publicity Guide."

5. Submitted pictures, with captions, to Lonnie Baxley regarding
SoutheastCon 2004 for posting on Conference Web Page. Pictures also sent to
Region 3 Newsletter Editor, Quang Tang, for possible use.

6. Worked with Communications Committee Chair Bill Ratcliff, and
participated in several e-conferences regarding communications and PR.

7. Worked with Region 3 MDC Chair Lee Stogner regarding PR for membership
development, and participated in several e-conferences involving membership
development.

8. Worked with Erica Vonderheid at IEEE Institute on an article appearing in
June 2004 Institute. Article was titled "Making a Difference Section by
Section."

Projects in Progress:

1. Working with Beverly Banks, IEEE Partnering Display Program, about a
possible pilot program to promote IEEE membership at section meetings in
Region 3. It would consist of simple 8x10 inch standup display listing easy
steps for joining IEEE (ie electronically, by mail or telephone). Membership
forms would be included with display. As conceived, the standup display and
membership literature would be mailed to each section, along with a brief
cover letter. A color JPEG is available of the proposed display for those
interested.  Plan would be submitted to Region 3 Excom for approval, before
implementation.

2. Working on possible initiative to target Region 3 Newsletter Editors with
available newsletter insert information (to be used at their discretion) to
promote IEEE membership.First effort would be to collect an e-mail address
(if available) for various Region 3 Newsletter editors.  Plan would be
submitted to Region 3 Excom for approval, before implementation.

Ideas for Future PR:

Possible PR incentives (for consideration) to encourage new member signups
at section meeting. Some ideas would include free IEEE membership pin, or
coffee mug, or membership in a society for a limited period of time, etc.
for a new member. If implemented, the free incentive "item" could be
prominently pictured on the small 8x10 inch standup display mentioned above
(ie Projects in Progress--Item # 1).