From: sec-r03@ieee.org on behalf of Lee Stogner [l.stogner@ieee.org]
Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 10:59 PM
To: Region 3 ExCom 2010; Region 3 Section Chairs
Cc: Lee Stogner
Subject: [IEEE R3-ExCom2010] Director Report for January 2010 Region 3
ExCom
To: Region 3 ExCom
Fr: Lee Stogner, Region 3 Director
Sb: Directors Report
Dt: 25 January 2010
Welcome to 2010. For many of us, the past several years have been challenging at work because of the economic downturn. We have faced plant closures, layoffs and unexpected change in our daily routine. But for IEEE members, you do have a "network" of people that you can depend on for support.
As mentioned in the January, 2010 newsletter, I would like to ask for your help in building a better IEEE in Region 3. This will be an IEEE in which the Members are truly united in a Network of people, skills and shared communications. This Network of IEEE professionals would start during the early years of technical training and extend into retirement. There are other professional institutions that have already built strong Networks for their Members. Those Members benefit every day from the strength of their Network. If we can work together, our organization could be just as strong as any medical or legal group. I'm sure you've seen the local and national benefits their Members enjoy just because they are able to work together as a group.
We have all of the tools and technology required to build a Network that will
extend down to every single Region 3 Member. In fact, we Electrical
Engineers invented the technology that other organizations use to protect their
Members and project their influence throughout society. It's time that we
do it for ourselves. If we don't build a bigger, stronger IEEE Network,
then others will continue to think of us as variable resources and not fully
vested members of their organization.
You can build the better IEEE Network by participating in local and national
activities. Go to Section / Chapter meetings and learn ideas that you can
use the next day at work. Meet fellow Engineers at those meetings that
can help you find your next job. You can also build the influence of the
IEEE by volunteering to help in the name of the IEEE. Finally you can
help by letting your local Congressional Representative know how what they do
impacts Engineering and Science. Just think of what we could do if one
morning, Congress received letters, phone calls and visits from the more than
212,000 IEEE Members in the United States. Why, we might be able to make
a difference in the world.
I need your help to make this difference in Region 3. It won't require a
big budget increase. All we have to do is participate in our organization
and work together towards a better IEEE.
I do have 2010 goals that I need you to work with me on,
- Every Section needs a complete ExCom in 2010. To build the network and bring value to our members, we need a team with a full roster including PACE and the MD Chair.
- Every Section needs to ensure that we are the best connected that we have ever been in Region 3. Please make sure that every Section has updated the IEEE Officer Roster with complete contact information.
- Every Section needs to turn in their Reports early to qualify for the 10% premium payment on your rebates.
- Every Section needs to have a delegate at the IEEE-USA Annual Meeting coming up on March 4 - 7.
- Every Section needs to participate in Southeastcon 2010 in Charlotte on March 18 -21. We do have openings for sponsorships and we need your company's support. Have them call me directly and I will ensure that they receive a lot of visibility and value for their sponsorship.
- Every Section needs to become well acquainted with their local Student Branch. Please, before the May graduation, schedule a joint meeting at their school location to talk about careers and life after graduation.
- Every Section needs to have a hard focus on Membership Development. Region 3 has a new Membership Development Chair, Jim Anderson, jim.anderson@ieee.org . Jim can help you develop all of your local MD campaigns. Please make an effort to welcome every new member to your Section. Send an email but make sure you follow up with a phone call and invite to the next meeting. Give them a volunteer position and you will have a long term member.
- Every Section needs to know the benefits of membership and especially participation in the IEEE. Try to make benefit discussion a part of every Section meeting and newsletter.
- Every Section needs to take an inventory of the training needs of their ExCom and their members. The IEEE and IEEE-USA have a well developed library of courses that are self taught or delivered in a workshop format. Region 3 has contributed a rich selection of Leadership Development courses to the IEEE training library. Determine what your needs are and we can work together to deliver the training. Contact Charles Lord, c.j.lord@ieee.org , and he can get you started. Much of this training qualifies as a PACE Project. Contact the Region 3 PAO Chair, Susan Ronning, susan@ieee.org , and she will help you write your project funding proposal.
- Every Section needs to become visible in the local community. David Bower, d.bower@ieee.org , has ideas on how to promote your Section. All of this is very useful for activities such as EWEEK. Who knows, maybe you can meet that company you are interested in through your Section outreach.
- Last but most important, lets help every Region 3 IEEE Member get back to work. The economy is showing a return. Engineering firms in Greenville are once again being asked for proposals after a long two year drought. Please help me share information on openings in your company and Section with our fellow members. Region 3 has a Employment Assistance web site. We're making updates now. Please let us know what needs to be added to the web site.
What have I missed ? I need your feedback so we can make these goals "our" goals and build on the Member Development efforts of Past Director Bill Ratcliff in recent years.
Sincerely,
Lee Stogner, PMP
Director, Region 3
Mobile 864-360-9415
Email l.stogner@ieee.org