10-15-05

                            Draft Minutes
                   Strategic Planning Committee (SPC)
                              Tampa, FL
                               7:30 pm
                           13 October 2005

   Attendees: J.Beall, R.Duggan (chair), R.Harris, W.Harrison, J.Howard, 
    G.McClure, D.McLaren, W.Ratcliff, R.Riddle (v-chair).

   Visitors:  W.Clayton, C.Lord, D.Hill, L.Stogner

   1. Chair R.Duggan welcomed attendees.  With regret he reminded the 
      committee of the loss of Reed Thompson on 27 September 2005.
   2. Minutes of 8 April 2005 were approved.
   3. Operations Manual
      A. Lee Stogner discussed the desirability of moving the Industry 
         Relations and Employment Assistance functions under Membership 
         Development.  It thus was recommended that Lee review the 
         Operations Manual wording and suggest revised wording to 
         accomplish the proposed changes and submit it to SPC for 
         review.
      B. Bill Harrison and George McClure discussed the feasibility of 
         re-organizing the PAOC and PACE functions.    George McClure 
         will also submit to SPC suggested changes pertaining to the 
         PAOC & PACE re-organization.
      C. Bill Ratcliff discussed the evolving role of the e-Conference 
         Committee: New technology and training have become integral 
         parts of the committee activity.  Long term training more 
         appropriately falls under EAC, while the short term training 
         more readily relates to the new technologies.
   4. Roy Harris pointed out inconsistencies between the IEEE RAB and the 
      Region bylaws and Ops Manual.  Originally, RAB guidelines prevailed, 
      but regions have been granted more autonomy (though RAB still must 
      approve).  It's now unclear about the voting rights of Council 
      chairs.  He will submit proposed wording for changing the Ops Manual 
      wording.  The intent to show that Sections control the Region will 
      be stated.
   5. Bill Harrison briefly discussed audits and suggested an audit of the 
      Region finances be done every two years.
   6. Duggan discussed the updating of the Reg 3 Strategic Plan for 2006 and 
      beyond.  It was felt desirable to delay the update until 2006 in order 
      to incorporate where feasible new recommendations from the Sections 
      Congress 2005.
   7. Dick Riddle reported several LDO sessions are being planned.  Charles 
      Lord and Bill Ratcliff are involved in training at SC2005.
   8. Jim Beall emphasized the need for earlier recognition of eligible 
      candidates for Fellows and other awards.  Both Dan Jackson and Reed 
      Thompson passed away while their Fellow nominations were being 
      processed.
   9. George McClure shared his vision for 2006, listing areas of particular 
      emphasis:
      o Address declining Reg 3 membership
      o Revitalize weak sections
      o Focus on pre-college education
      o Strengthen continuing education and certification (several modules 
        are in work)
      o Collaborate more with fellow societies where feasible
      o Continue Phase 2 of LDO
      o Investigate remote meetings, VOiP, PACE training
      o Focus on what we are doing for members
   10. Re the "Teachers in Science" initiative: A large meeting was held in 
       Atlanta. IBM is now doing a "Science Is Now" website; hopefully an 
       "Engineering Is Now" site can also be done.
   11. The next SPC meeting will be in early 2006, but time and date will be 
       announced later.
   12. The meeting was adjourned on schedule at 9:30pm.

   Bob Duggan, SPC chair