To:   Region 3 Committee/ExCom
From: Joey A. Duvall, R3 Graduates Of the Last Decade (GOLD) Committee Chair
Subject: R3 GOLD Committee Winter Report
Date: 20 March 2003

Exciting news!  Two sections have expressed interest in, and are
carrying out efforts to form GOLD Affinity Chapters in their areas:
Atlanta and Central Savannah River.  The Region GOLD Committee will be
working with the section chairs and the newly-designated Chapter
chairs, Wah Myint and Brandie Phillips to facilitate the formation.
Also, many thanks to David Mills, Bill Marshall, and Mary Lynn Smith
for their support and efforts during this process.  Welcome aboard!

An informal, yet thorough program has been planned for GOLD attendees
at SoutheastCon 2003.  Roughly 75% of the existing chapters will be
represented, and numerous others have expressed interest in networking
with the group during the conference.  Input was solicited from the
Region GOLD leaders - the agenda was developed from their responses.
Items to be addressed include: general guidelines for Affinity Group
operation, specific concerns (adapted from participants' feedback),
and the Region Committee's G&Os (see below).

We are exited to take our efforts to the next level!  Thanks to all of
those who have participated.


SoutheastCon 2003 GOLD Committee Agenda

General:

1. Meeting and Reporting Requirements
2. Funding
3. Others


Specific Discussion items, concerns, clarification needs:

1. What is our goal?

2. What is the relationship and interaction among these entities?
   a. RAB GOLD
   b. Region GOLD
   c. Individual Affinity Groups

3. What kinds of programs and services should we be trying to offer?

4. What level of frequency and budget are other sections using? 

5. How closely should we be working with Student Activities and the
   local Student Branches?

6. Given the perceived "shortage" of success stories, what has worked
   in the past for people?

7. How do we build a base of GOLD members (includes those "early
   career" members, as well as those interested in promoting the
   efforts of the members) who are motivated to make an Affinity
   Chapter a success?

8. Once established, how do we KEEP the motivation of the members and
   the momentum going?

9. How do we deal with the attrition factor?

10. How do we determine the needs and interests of our constituency?
    Surveys (if so, how to effectively carry this out)?

11. How can the Region 3 committee help you?

NEW:
    E-conferencing - see item 3.iii below.
    a. General.
    b. Do we wish to pursue it?


Revised Goals and Objectives:

[STATUS IN BRACKETS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION]

GLD_1.  Establish and develop the R3 GOLD committee roster. Begin with
willing EXCOM volunteers and R3 section GOLD Chairs.

[IN PROCESS]

GLD_2.  Develop strategic, tactical, and operational plans.  Work with
various R3 committees to determine the most effective direction for the GOLD
committee to take, specifically concentrating efforts on developing the
existing Chapters and formulating a more effective 'infrastructure,' rather
than propagating the "uncertainty."

[IN PROCESS] 

GLD_3.  Develop methodology to effectively increase and improve
communication among volunteers:

  i. Establish R3 GOLD e-mail alias

  [DONE - SEE ITEM ii]

 ii. Populate R3 GOLD e-mail alias (r3-gold@ieee.org)

  [UPDATE TO OCCUR FOLLOWING SOUTHEASTCON 2003]

iii. Conduct a minimum of 1 e-conf meeting during the year.  Depending
     on the success of this, may decide to increase frequency

   [DISCUSSION ITEM FOR SOUTHEASTCON AGENDA]

iv.  Work with the R3 Web Coordinator and Electronic Communications Chair
     to establish R3 GOLD page

[WILL DISCUSS DURING SOUTHEASTCON - ACTION ITEMS AND IMPLEMENTATION TO OCCUR
FOLLOWING]

GLD_4.  Develop a GOLD training "package" for use at SoutheastCon.  The goal
is to have something useful that volunteers may take back to their section
for utilization in local activities.

[WILL DISCUSS DURING SOUTHEASTCON - ACTION ITEMS AND IMPLEMENTATION WILL
FOLLOW]

GLD_5.  Promote and assist with new Affinity Chapter formation and help the
existing groups utilize them as opportunities to network and further their
own needs.

[IN PROCESS - ATLANTA AND CENTRAL SAVANNAH RIVER ARE FORMING SECTION GOLD
CHAPTERS] 

GLD_6.  [NEW] Promote GOLD-related Awareness and objectives to section
chairs - goal is to get 100% participation at SoutheastCon 2004!


Respectfully Submitted,

Joey A. Duvall
R3 GOLD Chair