Ron Fredricks

K8DMR@aol.com

Joe Melton (616) 956-7516

j.s.melton@ieee.org

Hossein Mousavinezhad (616) 387-4057

Elaine VanBelleghem (616) 624-1640

m.elaine.vanbelleghem@am.pnu.com

John Mason (616) 387-4064

Damon Miller (616) 387-4060

damon.miller@wmich.edu

FAX (616) 387-4096

Ray Reed (616) 375-9873

This summer the Region IV board approved the dissolution of the Michiana Section. The West Michigan Section is now incorporating Berrien, VanBuren and Cass counties into the section. Members who wish to participate in an adjoining section may elect to do so. Please email me.

The bylaws of the section were updated to conform more closely with those of other sections. The bylaws can be reviewed at http://www.ewh.ieee.org/r4/west_michigan/Bylaws1998.html.

This summer also brought the start of our Section Web site: http://www.ewh.ieee.org/r4/west_michigan/. Meeting details will reside here. In the rare event of a cancellation of an event, or a change of venue, the Section web site will contain this up to date information. As in flying, you are advised to check the web site 24 hours prior to your departure! The site also holds some communications regarding H1-B visas between our Vice Chair Dr. Ron Fredricks and Senator Abraham.

With the emergence of the web site comes a decrease in the the frequency and number of pages of the Data Bus. Our volunteer Editor, Dr. Damon Miller, intends to publish four thin Data Bus issues this business year. The past Data Bus work by Elaine VanBelleghem and Dr. Hossein Mousavinezhad is appreciated.

-- Kevin Davis

These seminars will be conducted at Western Michigan University, Kohrman Hall, room 3002, at 4:00 p.m. Fliers for each talk will be provided at least one week before the scheduled date on the section's web site at http://www.ewh.ieee.org/r4/west_michigan/calendar.html. For additional information contact Hossein Mousavinezhad or John Gesink (616-387-4058).

September 30: Mr. Sami Esmail

Quality and Process

Lucent Technologies, Naperville

October 28: Dr. Chuck Severance

(evening Challenges in Teaching an Internet Course

meeting Michigan State University

as well)

November 18: Mr. Jim Vogel

Earth Tech

The IEEE Chicago/Rockford Consultants' Network will present a National Consulting Conference/Workshop on October 17, 1998. Expert consultants will explain the many facets of their profession. Topics include how to get started as a consultant, consulting while being employed full-time, finding clients, financial aspects, using the internet, intellectual property, and networking.

The Conference/Workshop will be held from 8:30 am to 4:00 p.m. at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg, 50 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg. (Directions: from I-90: go south on 53, exit at Higgins Rd., west 2 blocks, then left or south on Martingale). For those who plan to stay overnight (before or after), a block of rooms has been reserved at the Marriott at a special rate of $88, if reservations are made by September 17 (847-240-0100). Registration includes continental breakfast, refreshments at breaks, lunch, and a copy of the Proceedings (copies of the speakers' handouts). The Registration fee is $65 for IEEE members, $75 for non-IEEE members. There is a discount of $10 for early registrations received by October 9, 1998. Please include your membership number (if applicable), check or credit card number and expiration date, payable to IEEE. There are three ways to register. Send your registration and payment either:

1. by fax (847-464-4081),

2. by e-mail (g.l.blank@ieee.org), or

3. by postal mail to Dr. Gary L. Blank, Chairman,

IEEE Consultants' Network, P.O. Box 70155, Plato Center, IL 60170.

Bring many of your business cards to the workshop!

Governor Engler has asked Dr. Mousavinezhad to join his Innovation Forum. The goal of this forum is to provide "a set of recommendations on how to encourage and support industry/university partnerships". Dr. Mousavinezhad has agreed to serve in this capacity and will be attending the first event of this forum ("Issue Identification and Building a Common Language") at Wayne State University.