Minutes, April 2001

Voting members present were: Randy Schmisny, Jim Berard, Dawn Van Dee, Dale Rummer, Mark Lamendola, Earl Wilcox, Saad Siddiqi

Joe Alvarez was away on a company emergency

This item has been in discussion since the 1999 Sections Congress. Issues include cost (Postal Service, primarily) and time vs, mission of the Section, timeliness, ability to forward electronic, ability to pass paper. Proposal is to use a Post Card instead of a NL—as a reminder of the dinner meetings and/or other events. Put the news in the e-NL and on the Web site. Joe Alvarez indicated he would vote "No" on this measure.

Dale Rummer moved to discontinue monthly paper NL. Jim Berard seconded. Motion carried.

Friendly amendment to go to quarterly NL format, showing programs for next quarter. No post card, no paring of list. Amendment approved.

Consultants Network has 6 members. Mark Lamendola moved that we approve the Consultants Network as an Affinity Group. Dale Rummer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Randy to supply letter to Region 5.

Joe Alvarez to add Consultants Network to roster. Mark Lamendola to update Web site.

2003 Sections Congress. Dale Rummer wants to be sure the host hotel has broadband access. Proposed date will be the weekend after Easter. Randy and Saad to talk with organizers of 2001 Sections Congress about logistics and expected attendance.

Student Activities. We need to get active. Randy to talk to David, see about recruiting someone to build on the structure he’s put in place. Getting students interested and participating is hard. Dale Rummer suggests IEEE members visit the students on campus. Chapters are at KU, KSU, DeVry, Pittsburg, UMKC.

Randy will talk to Region 5 Student Activities folks. Randy to contact Tom Glavinich, Cecil Stuerke, other counselors. Chris Zugelder might be good SAC.

Saad suggests raising rewards to something meaningful—perhaps $1,000. A reward of $200 vs. the time invested in a paper that might not even win isn’t attractive.

Mark Lamendola identified need for officer nominations. Officers need to go their past meeting rosters and identify people.

Saad Siddiqi recommends Fanny Forrester to be Awards Chair. Approved.