South Carolina Council / Area 7 Report for May 2008 Region 3 ExCom
 
Sections Congress 2008, SC08, participation is being promoted to Section Chairs
with emphasis on designating a Primary Delegate consistent with the guidelines in
the SC08 presentation (SC08-April_2008-v02-dct.pdf) available on the SC08 website
with encouragement for the Sections to sponsor at least one additional
participant.
 
A program of visiting each Section annually has been started with participation
at the Central Savannah River Section meeting May 12. Program objectives are:
   - Demonstrate organization interest to individual members
   - Provide support to Section officers
   - Directly inform members about MGA organization, activities, initiatives
   - Gather member feedback, issues, and concerns
   - Promote individual involvement in Section and other IEEE activities (local and those more global)
 
Member Feedback/Concern:
There is a significant lack of young member participation. Few, if any, recent
graduates and early career members attend Section meetings. A small number of
members are willing to take Officer positions and often those that do will be
called upon to do so more than once.
 
This concern was raised by a Central Savannah River Section member who has held
many leadership positions at the Section and Area level. I have observed the same
trend in the Columbia Section. I found it less prevalent when a member of
sections in large population areas, specifically Minneapolis-St. Paul (1977-95),
Philadelphia (1972-77), and Washington DC (1963-72).
 
Respectfully,
 
John Montague, Chair
Area 7 - South Carolina Council