(L-R) Janet O’Neil, Dan Doolihan, and Diane Heidlebaugh
pause in front of the Westin Hotel, headquarters hotel
for the IEEE 1999 International EMC Society Symposium
in Seattle. Diane is in charge of arrangements for
the symposium organizing committee.
President Dan Hoolihan called the meeting to order at 8:00 am. A round of introductions was made. Board members in attendance included President Hoolihan, Treasurer Warren Kesselman, Secretary Janet O’Neil and Directors Franz Gisin, Don Heirman, Bob Hofmann, Jim Muccioli, Joe Butler, Andy Drozd, Herb Zajac, Henry Benitez, Todd Hubing, Mark Montrose, Henry Ott, Don Sweeney, Kimball Williams and Takeo Yoshino. Absent Board members included Bill Gjertson, Bill McGinnis, Norm Violette, Ferdy Mayer and Andrew Podgorski. Mr. Hoolihan welcomed the guests in attendance, including past Board members Don Weber and Walt McKerchar, as well as Barry Wallen, Chairman of the 1998 IEEE EMC Symposium in Denver. Members of the 1999 IEEE EMC Symposium in Seattle organizing committee, Bill Price, John Kuras, and Diane Heidlebaugh, were also welcomed as guests. The agenda for the meeting was presented and approved.
President Hoolihan presented the minutes from the November 8, 1997 meeting on behalf of Secretary Janet O’Neil. The minutes were approved with minor amendments.
Treasurer Warren Kesselman presented his report. He noted that the IEEE’s 1997 post-closing pre-audit financial report for the EMC Society projects a 1997 operating surplus of $99,400. This surplus is largely due to investment/interest income as well as the partial surplus from the 1997 symposium. The Society’s net worth at December 31, 1997 is $681,070. This represents approximately $100,000 in growth over the year, which again is primarily due to increases in investment/interest income.
Todd Hubing,Vice-President for Member Services, presented his report. The Board voted upon the awards that will be presented during the Awards Luncheon at the Denver symposium. Regarding chapter activity, Ray Adams is in the process of updating the Chapter Officer’s Handbook. He has also contacted the Chapter Chairmen regarding the Angel fund policy. Bill Duff reported that there were seven candidates from the EMC Society for the Fellow award this year. This is a significant number for the Society. Scott Roleson, Chairman of the Distinguished Lecturer Program, is looking at the possibility of adding one or two Distinguished Lecturers (DL) who will lecture primarily in Europe and Asia. The program is attempting to address the need for a global program to reflect our international membership. Regarding Professional Activities (PACE), Al Mills is organizing a session on professional activities at the 1999 Seattle EMC Symposium. Ferdy Mayer will represent the EMC Society and run the IEEE EMC Society membership booth at the Wroclaw Symposium in June. Dick Ford presented a summary of the data taken from the surveys received from the Austin symposium. Mr. Hubing concluded his report by noting that EMC Society membership is currently at 5,605 members, an increase from the 5,243 members in November 1997.
Len Carlson, Vice-President for Communication Services, presented his report. Newsletter Editor Janet O’Neil reported that good articles are now regularly submitted for the practical papers column. The goal is to feature a minimum of two practical papers or commentary type articles with each issue. Costs for using cover color photos turned out to be higher than estimated so the cover photos will be black and white. The Newsletter is now available on the Society’s web page in the html format. An increase in next year’s budget for the Newsletter will be requested so that the page count can regularly be at 32 or 36 pages to accommodate the increase in material submitted. Regarding the proposed creation of an EMC Society Magazine, Mr. Carlson discussed his research with the IEEE about this topic. The IEEE discouraged the EMC Society from starting a magazine at this time since the membership number is low relative to other Societies that have magazines. Thus, the current plan is to delay the development of an EMC Society magazine and rather “beef up” the existing Newsletter to include a minimum of three practical papers or commentary type articles per issue. Transactions Editor Moto Kanda reports that he has been assigned a new Senior Editor at the IEEE for the Transactions on EMC. This is Helene Dortheimer. A special August issue on lightning is currently being prepared with 15 papers.
Henry Ott, Chairman of the Symposia and Conferences Committee, reported that the 1996 Santa Clara Symposium is ready to close its books now that the final audit has taken place. The IEEE is currently auditing the financial books of the 1997 Austin Symposium. The 1998 Denver Symposium is running smoothly. The 1999 Seattle Symposium has successfully resolved the problem of not having enough booth space by moving the exhibits from the Westin Hotel to the Seattle Convention Center. The committee is investigating having the IEEE Travel and Conference Management Services (ITCMS) group handle part of or the entire symposium operations. Lastly, Hugh Denny reports that the revised edition of the EMC Society Symposium Manual is ready and will be distributed to all future EMC Society Symposia chairmen. Regarding the History Committee, Chet Smith reports that sales of the CD-ROM discs have been steady since the August symposium in Austin. However, more publicity is required to move inventory. Mr. Smith would like to advertise sales of the CD-ROM discs in the IEEE’s Spectrum Magazine. Also, chapters are encouraged to sell the CD-ROMS from the IEEE booth, if possible, during tabletop shows and/or one-day technical events. Sales of the CD-ROMs at international EMC symposia are being considered as well.
Kimball Williams, Vice-President for Technical Services, presented his report. Mr. Williams first reported as outgoing Chairman of the Education Committee. Mike Boguzs, chair of the Student Activities subcommittee, is actively fostering the involvement of students in EMC technology. This includes promoting/advertising the President’s scholarship as well as the student paper contest. Andy Drozd and Larry Cohen, co-chairs of the Demonstrations subcommittee, report that they have secured a large open area immediately outside the exhibit hall for the demonstrations in Denver. The demonstrations are being treated as a special paper session, but with hardware. Jim Drewniak, chair of the Experiments Manual, Volume II subcommittee, reports that the committee activity is currently at a standstill. Attempts are being made to reactivate the committee work. Vichate Ungvichian, chair of the Standards Education subcommittee, reports that they are considering holding a “standards workshop” during the Seattle symposium in 1999 which will provide an introduction to the standards process as well as an overview of the standards community. They are coordinating with SAC on this effort. Dick Ford, chair of Video Productions, reports that the committee is continually updating the demonstrations video from Santa Clara with material from each succeeding symposium added where appropriate. The production of a standards overview education video is being considered. The NARTE video is still being evaluated. If suitable, the video may be used to help prepare NARTE certification applicants for all NARTE examinations. IEEE EAB has requested the creation of a video on EMC geared towards high school teachers. Lastly, a member of the EMC Society has offered to overdub the current EMC Society video in Spanish. This is being considered in conjunction with a membership drive in Spain and South America. John Howard, chair of the University Grant subcommittee, reports that advertising for the grants has been sent out via e-mail this year. Last year’s award was presented to Dr. McGill at the meeting of the IEEE Student Chapter at Northern Illinois University on March 19, 1998. Maqsood Mohd, chair of the Tutorials subcommittee, reports that planning for the Denver symposium is complete with an expected 400 attendees. Jim Whalen, chair of the NARTE subcommittee, reports that the exam preparation workshop will be held once again in Denver and that the actual exam will also take place. 40 students are expected to take the NARTE exam. Kimball Williams, chair of Life Long Learning, reports that several activities are being organized to prepare and assist retired engineers to act as mentors and tutors for students. Also, a pre-college committee is under consideration to prepare students for careers in science and engineering.
EMC Society Board member Takeo Yoshino personally
invited the Board to attend EMC ‘99 Tokyo from
May 17-21, 1999. He provided an overview
presentation on the conference to the Board.
Other Education Committee related items include a TC-2 workshop in Denver on measurements and a TC-8 workshop on product safety and the low voltage directive.
Mr. Williams distributed Andrew Podgorski’s report on the Technical Committees. This provides a summary of the chairmen and charters of the nine technical committees. Regarding the Denver symposium, some 240 papers were received and reviewed. The largest number of papers (79) were related to TC-2 “Electromagnetic Compatibility Measurements”. 72 papers were related to TC-4 “Electromagnetic Interference Control”. TAC activities in progress include posting the TAC Policy and Procedures Handbook on the EMC-S website and regular submission of articles for publication in the EMC-S Newsletter.
Mr. Williams distributed the report of Leo Makowski, Chairman of the Representative Advisory Committee (RAC). He advised that Mr. Makowski resigned as chairman of the RAC. Mr. Makowski recommends committee member David Case as the new RAC chairman. The Board accepted Mr. Makowski’s letter of resignation and his recommended replacement. Mr. Williams commended Mr. Makowski’s years of service as chairman of this important committee. The 10-page RAC report included information on several liaison committees, some of which are discussed herein. EMC-S representative Dan Hoolihan reports that COMAR is developing a new position statement on the possible health effects that might result from cellular phone use. The Technical Information Statement (TIS) on “Radio Frequency Interference with Medical Devices” written by Howard Bassen et al. will appear in the EMB magazine May/June 1998. There are several TIS’s under review by COMAR this year. A list of TIS titles was distributed. Len Carlson, EMC-S representative to the IEEE Technology Policy Council Committee Aerospace R&D reports that the Society needs to be aware of any legislation impacting EMC in order to provide the appropriate technical expertise. The RAC committee to the USAB R&D Policy Council is developing a metric for evaluating the quality of research done by Federal Research Laboratories, according to representative Dick Ford. Dave Imeson, representative to the Association of Competent Bodies (ACB), advised that the ACB is in the process of transforming itself into the ECACB which means that it will operate with assistance from the European Commission. Assistance includes the administrative and technical secretariat. Don Heirman, representative to ANSI ASC C63, reports that final ballot preparation is under way for C63.4, including a modification to add such items as TEM devices. Application/geometry specific antenna calibrations are under review as they apply to qualifying semi-anechoic chambers. EMC-S representative to CISPR B, Dan Hoolihan reports that the committee is discussing a number of topics including alternative test sites, labeling, test equipment, measurement at closer distances than specified, RF welding, limits in the 1-18 GHz range, microwave lighting devices, relaxation of limits for Group 2 Class A equipment from 470-1000 MHz, medical devices, and the 61.25 GHz ISM band. The 61.25 GHz issue is that the communications industry would like to use the bandwidth but the industrial community does not want to give it up because it is a unique area of the spectrum where oxygen is a significant absorber of energy. The EMC-S representative to the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) is Erik Borgstrom. Mr. Borgstrom reports that the committee is working on the expected Change Notice 1 to DO-160D which will be a complete revision of Section 20, RF Susceptibility (Radiated and Conducted). The two major changes involve the more than ten-fold increase in the maximum radiated susceptibility test level, to a test level of 7200 volts/meter. Also, the mode-stirred chamber test method will be revised completely to bring it up to date to “state-of-the-art” and in line with international standards under development. RAC is chairing a special session during the Denver symposium. This features speakers Elena Santiago from the EU DGIII and Mary Saunders from the NIST Office of Standard Service. RAC will be represented by Dave Case and Dave Imeson who will co-host the session.
Vice-President for Standards, Don Heirman, presented his report. This included a two page copy of the April 26, 1998 Standards Status Report and a roster of the SCOM membership and working group chairs. Briefly, Standards 139, 140, 187, 377, 473, 1140 and 1309 are current with no working group activity. Standards 213 and 376 have reached four years since reconfirmation. Standard 213 needs to be revised to update LISN requirements of FCC Part 15 that should begin in 1999. A reconfirmation ballot will be circulated by October 1, 1998. PAR 482-1992 was cancelled. Mr. Hoeft submitted a working group report and a new PAR that needs some minor work. PAR 1128 had a passing ballot and negative comments completed re-circulation to the balloting group. The SCOM secretary received an extension until the December 1998 IEEE Standards Board meeting. Mr. Heirman also circulated a copy of an article by Donald C. Loughry of Hewlett-Packard titled “The IEEE-SA: A New Era for Standards”. This article describes the new IEEE-Standards Association which has become the umbrella organization under which all IEEE standards programs are carried out. The objective is to ensure the IEEE-SA is well positioned to keep abreast of the most important developments in technology.
Under Committee Business on the agenda, in the absence of Bill Gjertson, Nominations Committee Chairman, President Hoolihan advised that the services of the IEEE for the Society’s election process have been secured by Mr. Gjertson to handle nominations for the Board of Directors. The EMC-S Directors-at-Large nomination slate with biographical sketches will be submitted for circulation to the membership in June. A minimum of 12 names will be on the ballot. Voting results will be reported in early October. Those elected will serve a three-year term on the EMC-S Board of Directors effective January 1, 1999. The Nomination Committee’s members include Joe Butler, Dave Hanttula, Mike Violette, Warren Kesselman and Bill Gjertson, Chairman.
EMC Society Board of Directors visit the Seattle Convention Center,
site of the exhibits and technical presentations during
the IEEE 1999 International EMC Society Symposium in Seattle.
Andrew Drozd reported on the February 1998 meeting of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) committee held during the IEEE TAB meetings in Los Angeles. He advised that TAB was expected to approve the ITS petition to transition to a technical council by early 1999. His report included the roster of voting members from participating societies as well as the Constitution and Bylaws of the ITS. Mr. Drozd recommends that the EMC Society support the activities of ITS.President Hoolihan next invited the EMC Society symposia chairs in attendance to present their respective reports.
During the Seattle Board meetings, John Osburn (right),
Chairman of the IEEE 1997 International EMC Society
Symposium in Austin, presented EMC Society Treasurer
Warren Kesselman with the final check representing the
surplus of funds received from the Austin symposium.
Barry Wallen, Chair of the 1998 Denver symposium committee, presented a report. To date, 130 exhibitors are participating with a total of 220 booths. TEAM Inc. has been retained to handle the registration process. A housing bureau will be used for the hotel reservations. The committee expects to achieve its goal of a 16.7% surplus. 236 technical papers will be presented, resulting in a two-volume record.
In the absence of Chair Bill Gjertson, Bill Price, Vice-Chair of the 1999 Seattle symposium committee, presented a report. He reviewed the budget summary that shows a 16% surplus of the operating budget. The contracts with the Westin Hotel and Seattle Convention Center, which were negotiated with the assistance of IEEE Travel and Conference Management Services (ITCMS), have been signed. The Call for Papers will be mailed to the EMC-S membership in August and will also be included in the registration packets distributed at the Denver symposium. Diane Heidlebaugh, Arrangements Chair, was introduced to the Board. She provided a brief overview of the hotels that will be used and the allocation of meeting/exhibit space during the symposium. The Board was then taken on a tour of the Seattle Convention Center, led by Ms. Heidlebaugh and the manager of the Seattle Convention Center. It was noted that the Seattle symposium would occur during the city’s famous “Seafair” week during August 1-5 so the hotels will fill quickly with symposium attendees and tourists.
Takeo Yoshino gave a brief presentation on the 1999 International Symposium on EMC in Tokyo, Japan from May 17-21. This is sponsored by the Technical Group on EMC of IEICE and the Technical Group on EMC of the IEE of Japan. The EMC Society of the IEEE and its Tokyo Chapter are technical co-sponsors. The symposium will be held at Surugadai Memorial Hall, Chuo University. Further information about the Tokyo symposium may be found on their web page at https://www.cs.takushoku-u.ac.jp/is/emc99/
Under Old Business, several motions were proposed and approved, including a motion regarding e-mail voting. The Board agreed to adopt a procedure for making, seconding, discussing and balloting on urgent administrative matters via e-mail for those matters requiring only a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The Board also agreed to direct the Planning Committee to investigate the implications of requiring all members of the Board to upgrade their software operating/business systems to Microsoft Windows 95 and Microsoft Office 97. Regarding the office of the Treasurer, the Board approved the purchase of a new personal computer, a new Microsoft Windows 95 operating system and a new Microsoft Office 97 software package with for the Treasurer. The Board also requested that the Planning Committee investigate the establishment of a “paid” business administrator position for coordinating current Treasurer functions. The Board agreed to direct the Member Services and Communication Services Vice-Presidents to investigate member options for receiving Transactions.
The Board agreed to allocate funds to reimburse Board member travel in an amount not to exceed $1,500 per Board member in order to hold an EMC Society Board of Directors meeting at the Tokyo EMC Symposium in Japan in May 1999. The Board approved providing financial resources in 1998 for the support of the new Standards Coordinating Committee for Disability Access. It was also agreed that at the conclusion of each Board meeting, the Society Policy and Procedures Manual editor shall be given an action item to update the manual to capture those Board approved motions that are identified as modifications to the Policy and Procedures Manual. Regarding the WWW page for the EMC Society, the Board approved allocating funds to establish a web page alias that is not tied to the UMR site. The Board approved allocating funds for the marketing committee to advertise for the sale of the EMC-S CD-ROMS. The Board approved the audited financial report for the 1996 Santa Clara Symposium. Lastly, the Board approved the request of the 1999 IEEE EMC Symposium in Seattle for an additional advance of $4,000, bringing the total advance to date to $9,000.
Under New Business, several motions were proposed and approved, including a motion regarding the approval of the President’s Memorial Scholarship Award recipient in 1998. The Board approved allocating the initiation fee to provide for EMC-S representation on the ITS. The Board approved establishing a Distinguished Lecturer Program for Europe and increasing the budget for the program for this purpose. It was agreed that an EMC Society “New Member” welcome letter be created and distributed via IEEE member services in 1999. The Board authorized the reimbursement for travel expenses in an amount not to exceed $1,500 per Board meeting for Region 8 and 10 Directors-at-Large to attend 1998 BOD meetings held in Regions 1-6. The Board requested that the Secretary and Bob Hofmann develop an action plan to track receipt of important e-mails. The Board established the photographer as an official position reporting to the Vice-President of Member Services.
Action Items assigned to various Board members were then reviewed.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm.