TAB talks to CPMT Board

IEEE TAB member Ralph Wyndrum gave a quick presentation to the CPMT Board of Governors (despite the buffet being ready and many engineers drooling from not having eaten a large meal for 5 whole hours). Ralph has talked to most IEEE Societies with these same issues and hopes small societies such as the CPMT Society do not remain introverted but get their great ideas into the mix.

First, Ralph pointed out that despite having 800 Distinguished Lecturers in IEEE there often are none willing to appear at remote chapter meetings. In contrast, there are no end of volunteer speakers for Beijing or Berlin, but mention rural campuses or technology sparse cities and there is only silence. Perhaps we need to choose Lecturers who are not attracted by bright lights.

Second, Ralph discussed the tremendous impact that must be managed by the transfer of IEEE publications to digital rather than paper format. Since IEEE is only the low cost technical publication provider (due to our dedicated volunteer authors and editors) in a large publication market that is already going "electronic" we are not controlling the destination or the rate of change. However we do need a business plan and our own milestones for this transition. We all must remember that in volunteer professional societies at the simplest level only publications and meetings earn revenue that supports all member services. But the history of publication business is paper/libraries/mail service. He asked for input and suggestions since TAB must soon make a strategic plan for IEEE publications.

Last, for the first time in 4 years, Ralph did not mention anything about the IEEE budget and its impact on CPMT. Perhaps this is because the investments of IEEE reserves went up by more than 10% last year. It is nice not to be poor.