This message is written while I am on the train back from Naples where I attended the IEEE Workshop on Signal Propagation on Interconnects. This workshop is sponsored by the IEEE Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology (CPMT) Society, and over the previous 14 editions it has certainly become a forum of exchange on the latest research and development in the field of interconnect modeling, simulation and measurement at chip, board, and package level. This was the first edition in which the IEEE EMC Society was involved as technical co-sponsor, and I hope that this cooperation will be strengthened in the future since the topics covered by this workshop certainly fit into our field of interest. I had the honor to give a welcome message on behalf of the EMC Society to the participants during the opening ceremony and to introduce the invited lecturer Moises Cases (of The Cases Group) who provided an interesting lecture on “Technical and Economical Challenges for Electronic Packaging.”

Francesca Maradei with Flavio Canavero (left, member of SPI 2011 Standing Committee) and Antonio Maffucci (SPI 2011 Chairman) enjoying the coffee break.

The EMC Society Review
The EMC Society has successfully completed the periodically conducted five-year Society review on behalf of the IEEE Technical Activities Board (TAB) Society Review Committee (SRC). The SRC operates under TAB and ensures the continued technical leadership of the IEEE by developing procedures for the periodic review of TAB Societies and Councils and by conducting such reviews. The intent of the SRC is to listen, learn, discuss and comment with a view to helping Societies and Councils exchange best practices and better serve the profession. The reviews of IEEE Societies and Councils focus on the extent to which the Society/Council (S/C) is maintaining its vitality and technical leadership in its field of interest and is interacting appropriately with other entities. The main task of the SRC is to analyze the scope and structure of the various S/Cs in order to ensure that technical interest areas are fully covered in appropriate, effective and efficient ways.
     As per the review schedule, Societies and Councils of the Technical Activities Board (TAB) are reviewed once every five years. The review process is based on a preliminary submission of a detailed report in which the Society provides input to the SRC as well as a face-to-face meeting. The report covers all aspects of the operation of the organizational unit, including finances, conferences, publications, governance, membership, etc., and is provided to the SRC one month or more prior to the SRC face-to-face meeting.
     The face-to-face meeting with the SRC took place on February 17 in Miami, and I had the privilege to lead the EMC Society delegation that included our President-elect Ghery Pettit and our Vice-President for Standards, Don Heirman. We had a very interactive discussion in which the SRC has been very supportive. The whole review process was an instructive and enlightening experience which has been most helpful in broadening our view and vision of our Society and its activities.
     The main comments received from the SRC are here summarized:

• The EMC Society is commended for its detailed Strategic Plan, and is encouraged to continue with an operational plan to implement its strategy.
  
• The Society has a thoughtful process for event technical co-sponsorship.
  
• Education is a serious focus for the Society, which runs a number of programs including a successful “Global EMC University Program.” The Society should consider the possibility of expanding this initiative to include electronic dissemination.
  
• The Society has an active worldwide chapter program and provides its chapters with excellent support.
  
• The Society is in sound financial shape and is encouraged to identify initiatives to use some of its reserves.
  

Don Heirman (far left), Francesca Maradei, Ghery Pettit and his wife Marilyn are shown enjoying dinner after the face-to-face meeting with the Society Review Committee.	Welcome to the participants at INTI in Buenos Aires on behalf of Edmundo Gatti (INTI), Francesca Maradei (EMC Society) and Gustavo Fano (Argentina EMC/AP Chapter chair).
Group photo of the speakers and organizers of the outreach event at INTI in Buenos Aires.	Enjoying Argentine food in Buenos Aires after the regional event at INTI are (clockwise from left) Perry Wilson, Janet O’Neil, Vince Rodriguez, John Estrada, Dennis Lewis, Kenny Kirchoff, Todd Hubing, Francesca Maradei and John Norgard.

     The SRC has identified several best practices that will be presented at the next TAB meeting in June in order to provide an example to follow to other IEEE Societies. The EMC Society’s best practices include having:

• A strategic plan for the Society
  
• A detailed procedure for technical co-sponsorship of conferences
  
• The Global EMC University Program
  
• An annual membership survey
  
• An effective chapter database – recommend to IEEE MGA
  
• A retreat for Chapter Chairs
  
• An online handbook for Chapter Chairs
  
• A Sections Coordinator and Sister Societies Committee
  
• A Technical Advisory Committee
  

Global Outreach Activities Continue
To increase its effectiveness, its visibility, and its relevance, the EMC Society continued in recent months its global outreach efforts with two regional events in Argentina and Brazil.
     I was delighted to lead a delegation of the Board of Directors attending and participating in the one day event hosted at the Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Electronica e Informatica (INTI) in Buenos Aires. The event on “Emerging Technologies in EMC” was organized by the EMC Society in cooperation with the local AP/EMC Argentina chapter and with iNARTE, and was attended by about 80 ­participants including people from both academia and industry. The interest in EMC in Region 9 is growing fast, and very high quality work was presented by members of the Board delegation, including Perry Wilson, Todd Hubing, John Norgard, and myself.
     Unfortunately, I was not able to take part in the next outreach event in Brasilia that was hosted at Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (ANATEL), but I can report that it was successful too.
     I wish to thank Janet O’Neil for her excellent job in organizing, coordinating and publicizing the regional events in Buenos Aires and Brasilia. Without her hard dedication, they wouldn’t have been so successful!
     More information on the outreach efforts in both Argentina and Brazil may be found in the Chapter Chatter Column in this issue, starting on page 8.

Welcome to Newly Formed EMC Chapters - Chapter Development Update
Since the beginning of the year, two new chapters have been approved:

• IEEE Syracuse Section joint AP/MTT/EMC chapter
  
• IEEE Serbia and Montenegro Section EMC chapter
  

  EMC Society Chapter Growth: Total number (a) and distribution by region (b).

Congratulations to the newly formed IEEE EMC Chapters!
     Chapter development has been the focus of the EMC Society for many years, since it is believed (and has been proven valid) that healthy and active chapters form a great support for the Society as a whole, provide a resource for volunteers and most of all – provide a fundamental resource for the Society members. As a result of the Society’s efforts, significant chapter growth was observed in the last five years, as presented in the following charts. Today, the EMC Society has 75 active and healthy chapters worldwide, a half of which are located outside the United States.

Looking Forward to Long Beach in August
By the time you read this article, our 2011 IEEE International Symposium on EMC in Long Beach, California will be at hand. As usual, this symposium will provide us all with education, information exchange, networking and just plain social and entertainment opportunities. Don’t miss the chance to keep yourself updated with the latest research ­outcomes and products as well as the opportunity to meet old friends, and make new ones! For more information, visit www.emc2011.org

Board of Directors Meetings
The next EMC Society Board of Directors (BoD) meeting is scheduled on August 14 and 18, in Long Beach, California, in conjunction with the 2011 IEEE International Symposium on EMC. As usual, besides the technical program and the exhibition, the Symposium week offers a variety of committee meetings. I remind you that all meetings of the EMC Society Board of Directors and its committees are open. Any members who want to attend will be most welcome. This could be your opportunity to take a look at the manner in which our Society is run and become familiar with the activities of our committees. You may find it interesting enough to make you want to get involved with the committee’s activity or even to run for the Board of Directors during its next election.

Call for Volunteers
The success of our Society is possible thanks to many fine volunteers who have contributed unselfishly of their time and talent. As the Society evolves, and new initiatives emerge, we are always in need of volunteers. Please, give serious consideration to becoming involved in our broad and challenging goals and objectives. The full list of committees can be found on our website at https://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/emcs/directors.html
     I look forward to working with all of you who join the volunteers of the Society in helping achieve the set of our goals for the benefit of us all. For making a suggestion, comment, or just for dropping a friendly note, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at: fr.maradei@ieee.org                       EMC