President’s Message
	Joe Butler – President, EMC Society

The 2001 IEEE International Symposium on EMC in Montréal was a great event. Benoît Nadeau and his symposium steering committee did a great job for which we are very thankful. The spacious convention center, well-planned and executed technical program, and excellent social functions made this event one to be remembered. The extra touches such as the restaurant and activity directory and the emphasis on families will no doubt be duplicated by future symposia. And, we made a lot of money for the Society: details to be announced. We are now setting our sights on next year’s symposium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Speaking of money, although now in this case a negative situation, the IEEE continues its troubled saga of budgeting with this year instituting assigned mandatory dollar surpluses by Society. The amount mandated is by size and the EMC Society was able to reach its target of $149K. Note that it's the Society surpluses plus unfortunately some of the reserves that have been and are being used to pay for IEEE initiatives and operating expenses. The IEEE's continued overspending has resulted in increased dissent among the Societies versus the IEEE Board of Directors. More information will be provided at the upcoming IEEE Technical Activities Board (TAB) meeting in November in Mexico City. In the face of all this discussion, expect an IEEE dues increase.

This is my final column as President of the IEEE EMC Society as my two-year term of office ends on December 30th. In practical terms, it ends at our November 13, 2001 meeting in La Jolla, California when I turn over the gavel to President-Elect Todd Hubing. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my term of office, most especially the opportunity afforded me to meet and associate with many different people in our extended EMC family. I’ve especially enjoyed the experiences I have had with people and activities in IEEE Regions outside of the United States. My associates on the Board of Directors have been most supportive and I look forward to my continuing involvement with them during my two-year term as immediate Past-President. I owe specific and deep heartfelt thanks to two people on our Board of Directors, for without them, neither the EMC Society nor I would function properly. Secretary (and Editor of this Newsletter) Janet O'Neil and Treasurer/Society Administrator Warren Kesselman are responsible for the meeting planning and documentation of all Society financial matters, respectively. Their attention to detail and commitment to going the extra mile has been much appreciated.

I look forward to hearing from you if you have any questions or comments – call me at 781-939-4267 or e-mail me at j.e.butler@ieee.org. EMC

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