SPC e-Conference 28 June 2004 Attendees: Bob Duggan, Bill Harrison, Jim Howard, George McClure, Bill Ratcliff, Dick Riddle ---------------------------------------- Host BobD says: Hi, Bill. BillR says: Hi Bob Host BobD says: Well, it's 8:56. Hope we have a better turn out than last week. BillR says: Me too. Host BobD says: For tomorrow night LDO I understand we'll have a URL and use the 'phone (per DickR). DickR (~r.riddle@host-68-210-248-2.int.bellsouth.net) has joined the conversation. BillR says: That's correct. Have you ever used Placeware before? Host BobD says: No. JimH (~j.howard@238-142.35-65.tampabay.rr.com) has joined the conversation. Host BobD says: Hi, DickR and JimH! DickR says: Howdy all. JimH says: Hi all BillHarri (~w.harriso@user-11fam7e.dsl.mindspring.com) has joined the conversation. Host BobD says: Hi, BillH! BillHarri says: You guys go to work and I will listen... Host BobD says: Guys, let's go ahead. I anticipate a few more, but time is precious for us all... Host BobD says: I like one-hour e-confs. I hope we can keep to that. ... Host BobD says: Our agenda is at http://www.ewh.ieee.org/reg/3/spc/agenda04-6.htm Host BobD says: I've tried with DickR's help to cover everything we want to touch on. Host BobD says: Anybody want to add/change anything on the agenda? DickR says: c Host BobD says: ga, DickR DickR says: Bob did you get Roy H's input? Host BobD says: Yes. Host BobD says: RoyH is in Myrtle Beach and not on line therefore tonight. Host BobD says: Hearing nothing else, let's proceed per the Agenda... Host BobD says: Item 3...Minutes will be formally approved at the next eyeball SPC meeting. Host BobD says: Item 4. No one has suggested any changes to the ByLaws, but I inserted it in the Agenda just in case. Anyone want to comment re ByLaws? Host BobD says: They're at http://www.ewh.ieee.org/reg/3/Region3Bylaws.htm Host BobD says: Hearing no comments, let's move on to the Ops Manual (Item 5). Host BobD says: Several folks have been examining possible changes to the OpsManual, and I anticipate there will be several changes made. ... Host BobD says: I have asked Vernon Powers to pull all the inputs together and formulate suggested changes to the Ops Manual. ... BillHarri says: c Host BobD says: Vernon really is the father of our OpsManual and is really good at this. GA, BillH. BillHarri says: I had an assignment from SPC, et al... BillHarri says: to review and suggest changes to the operating structure... BillHarri says: of R3, which I put off... BillHarri says: In our last year of ExCom organization, I think the main area we need to fix... BillHarri says: is the PAOC, and I think George McClure is the ultimate expert in this area... BillHarri says: so I would think we should listen to what he says in this area. BillHarri says: The other area... Host BobD says: Thanks, BillH. ... Host BobD says: I concur. I thought George & Lee would be here tonight. ... BillHarri says: I wanted to change was the MD, Industry Relations, etc. BillHarri says: So whatever we need to change in the Ops Manual should reflect those changes. Host BobD says: Vernon has agreed to help us on this (with Deb's help), so I'm hoping they'll have the time to do a good job. ... Host BobD says: We're also looking into using the VC as a vehicle for handling discussions. ... Host BobD says: BillR, would you briefly tell us the planned approach? BillR says: Sure... BillR says: The IEEE Virtual Community has many characteristics similar to the tools created in Region 3 to facilitate working together on line. ( News Groups, TWiki, e-mail e-conferencing) It is not a substitute for these tools / capability but another option / tool in our tool box. Since, many in the SPC prefer to participate in e-mail ... BillR says: discussions, we thought maybe the Virtual Community might represent an easier transition to structured discussion.... BillR says: An area has been established to discuss changes to the R3 Operations Manual. Many have already joined the community.... BillR says: Depending on the results of the discussion then changes can be made to reflect that intent. Otherwise we will be "wordsmithing" to define the intent which will be timeconsuming and costly. Host BobD says: Thanks, BillR. ... Host BobD says: Lee Stogner expected to be with us (he has some input re MD, IR, and Employment Assistance. ... Host BobD says: George McClure has some thoughts re PAOC and PACE, but he's not yet here, either. ... BillHarri says: c Host BobD says: BillR also has some thoughts re the e-Conf Committee. BillR, would you like to briefly discuss some of your thoughts there in? BillR says: I'll be glad to but will yield the floor to Bill H... Host BobD says: BillH, let's go first with your "c" BillHarri says: Lee and George are the key contributors for MD/IR/Employment Assistance... BillHarri says: we need their input. Host BobD says: Thanks. I agree. Hopefully, they'll share their thoughts vis e-mail or via VC. Host BobD says: GA, BillR BillR says: Thanks, Bob... BillR says: I too will expand my thinking by using the VC discussion... BillR says: There are a few areas in the Communications arena that affect not only the Communications Committee itself... BillR says: but nearly every Committee on the ExCom... BillR says: we are still oriented toward the silos contained within the committee structure and are not operating as much cross functionally as we could... GeorgeM (~g.mcclure@244.192.33.65.cfl.rr.com) has joined the conversation. Host BobD says: Hi, GeorgeM! GeorgeM says: Finally figured how to get here! BillR says: prime examples are the Newsletter, Web page support, and you can probably supply others... BillR says: I would hope the discussion will yield changes in these areas as well... BillR says: The folding in of the e-conferencing into the operation of the Comm Comm is the easy part. Host BobD says: Thanks, BillR. Many of our R3 committees involve other committees. ... Host BobD says: SPC sets G&Os and the Strategic Plan which affect all other committees. Certainly, the Comm Cmte impacts most everyone. These are the challenges we have in defining how we relate and who is responsible for what. Host BobD says: Any c or q? JimH (~j.howard@238-142.35-65.tampabay.rr.com) has left the conversation. Host BobD says: Hearing none. ... Host BobD says: Roy Harris shared some of the thinking from his work last year in his e-mail of 6/25 ... Host BobD says: which went to the SPC. That pertained to Region Committee, ExCom, and who votes. Host BobD says: GeorgeM, thanks for joining us. ... Host BobD says: Would you care to share your thinking re how we might better integrate the PAOC and PACE activities with Membership Development? GeorgeM says: The linkage, I think, is PAOC as a source of member career benefits, and Membership Development seeking benefits as reasons for membership. GeorgeM says: Cross-pollination will be beneficial. Host BobD says: Thanks, George. ... GeorgeM says: See my fuller report a week ago. Host BobD says: Thanks, George. Lee planned to be with us tonight, but something must have arisen. GeorgeM says: The connection is employment assistance... BillHarri says: c Host BobD says: ga, BillH GeorgeM says: We have a PAOC subcommittee on that, and membership development is also tied to it.. GeorgeM says: That's the reason I suggested shorter separate meetings so there could be a tie-in betwen PAOC and MDC. BillHarri says: I have the fullest confidence in GeorgeM's recommendations on PAOC... BillHarri says: so if you are willing, George, please work with Bob, Vernon and Debbie to update...\ Host BobD says: Thanks, GeorgeM and BillH for your comments. BillHarri says: the Ops Manual, and other R3 docs. GeorgeM says: C Host BobD says: ga, GeorgeM. GeorgeM says: We can update the Ops Manual, but also need to think about better organization for Region meetings... GeorgeM says: so that we don't have people needing to be in tweo places at once... GeorgeM says: Examples: Awards, Student activities, employment assistance, education... GeorgeM says: all have committees of their own and a need to circulate to other committees as well. ... GeorgeM says: Time runs out if all meet with one committee for three hours. BillHarri says: c Host BobD says: Those are good points, George, and we don't really have to spell that out in the OpsManual. We just have to try to stagger meetings within the available time. Host BobD says: ga, BillH BillHarri says: Yes, I agree with George -- Dave Green and I have been talking about the format... BillHarri says: for the fall Region 3 Meeting... BillHarri says: I think we need to be creative, not just have section leaders stand up and recite... BillHarri says: how many meetings, etc. Give me some ideas on how to have the best ever... BillHarri says: Region 3 Meeting in October 2004. GeorgeM says: c Host BobD says: Thanks, BillH. We now have some info to "chew on". Let's quickly review the G&Os for SPC. But first, -- ga, GeorgeM! GeorgeM says: Suggest trying to capture th4e meeting statistics in the pre-meeting reports. We try this already... GeorgeM says: but have limited success. Maybe using the Region 3 VC could energize some folks to post more often and fully, if they see that their reports are available for all to see there. BillHarri says: c Host BobD says: I hope so, George. Item 6: Our SPC G&Os are at http://www.ewh.ieee.org/reg/3/spc/g-o04.txt Any comments? I want to get to the Strategic Plan & Retreat. But first, ga BillH! BillHarri says: Let's work on that, and how to get sedtions involved, maybe one-on-one phone calls??? Host BobD says: Good idea. Now to Item 6? Host BobD says: We're behind on a few G&Os e.g. updating Ops Plan, etc. Host BobD says: A key item is the R3 Strat Plan. ... Host BobD says: We received kudos from various places on our Strat Plan last year, but we can always improve. ... Host BobD says: BillR has agreed to organize/coordinate a Retreat 8/21-22 to help improve our planning in Reg3. ... Host BobD says: BillR, please give us the latest status on the planning for the Retreat. BillR says: Sure... BillR says: I sent out this status last week .... 1) Preliminary dates for the retreat ... 21-22 August 2004, Atlanta Airport Hilton 2) Mike Lightner has agreed to participate / facilitate / provide outside expertise in the planning and execution of the retreat. 3) Draft attendance list (attached) for comment, additions, etc 4) Establish e-mail alias for this retreat once the attendance list is firmed. 5) Budget estimates will be firmed up after attendance list and initial estimates from Hilton. ($12-15000 is the current range for planning purposes which includes an estimate of $500/attendee expenses. ... BillR says: The Airport Atlanta Hilton has been contacted and the date looks good ... BillR says: we are preparing to send out the invitations and see how many people can attend... BillR says: all of you are on the list so mark your calendars for 8/21-22/2004 Atlanta Airport Hilton. Host BobD says: Many thanks, BillR. Any Q or C? BillHarri says: c Host BobD says: ga, BillH BillHarri says: You guys are great. Michael Lightner is a candidate for IEEE President-elect... BillHarri says: he would be an excellent facilator for the SPC retreat... BillHarri says: Thanks for the good work for Region 3 and I am sure we can get some good press for what you are doing. Host BobD says: Thanks, BillH. Any other Q,C? GeorgeM says: ? Host BobD says: Our hour e-conf is up ... Host BobD says: GA, GeorgeM GeorgeM says: Have there been posted any propopsed changes to the plan? That page is withdrawn on the web site. Host BobD says: It's still there, George, when last I checked. Host BobD says: No changes have been posted. Host BobD says: Nor proposed... GeorgeM says: c Host BobD says: ga, George GeorgeM says: One suggestion would be to make the links live in the shortened SP.. GeorgeM says: So those interested could dig deeper into specific areas. GeorgeM says: Example... GeorgeM says: If the volunteers in philanthropyy pilot is still on-going, provide a link where more info is available on it. Host BobD says: Thanks. I'm not sure how that can be done, but I'm sure the Reg 3 gurus can say how to do so. Host BobD says: Guys, as I said earlier, ... Host BobD says: I like to hold e-confs to an hour. Beyond that the yawning starts from "watching grass grow". ... Host BobD says: Are there any other Q or C tonight? Host BobD says: OK... Host BobD says: Thanks to you all for joining us. Sorry some of our key players didn't show. I'll publish the log, though, for everyone's benefit. ... BillHarri says: c DickR says: Good night all don't forget the LDO training session at 9:00 PM tomorrow night. GeorgeM says: Roger. Host BobD says: I think we now have a few ideas, and the VC discussions may help develop further thinking along this line. ... Host BobD says: I'll also see you at the LDO maņana . Thanks again for coming tonight. You are all VERY VALUABLE VIPs for Region 3! DickR says: See you later at the LDO session. Host BobD says: Good night! BillR says: Good Night Bob