Please check back for up-to-date meeting information. You should also receive a postcard notifying you of any scheduled meetings. If you are a member of our section and have ideas for a technical meeting we could have as a section please email us with your suggestions.

IEEE FOUNDATION SEEKING 2007 GRANT APPLICATIONS

The IEEE Foundation is seeking grant applications for 2007 projects in accordance with its mission to improve the technological literacy of society from childhood through adulthood.

During 2007, unsolicited applications will be accepted in three cycles from IEEE units and other organizations working in areas of relevance and importance to the IEEE and its membership. Projects should achieve one or more of the following objectives:

• Improve primary and secondary science, technology, and math learning
• Encourage pre-university students to consider engineering as a career path
• Increase the public.s understanding of the role of engineers and technology in society
• Preserve the history of IEEE associated technologies
• Tap the technological expertise of IEEE members
• Demonstrate ability to be replicated

Application deadlines are 13 April and 7 September 2007.

To learn more about the IEEE Foundation.s grant guidelines, and to submit an online application, visit www.ieeefoundation.org.

RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING IEEE VOLUNTEERS

You can help recognize the efforts of outstanding volunteers by nominating someone for one of the prestigious Regional Activities Board (RAB) awards. Each prestigious award has a unique mission and criteria, and offers the opportunity to honor distinguished colleagues, inspiring teachers and corporate leaders.

Do you know someone who has made substantial Regional contributions through innovative projects, exemplary leadership, service, or by fulfilling the goals as related to Transnational Activities? Consider nominating them for one of the following awards:

* RAB Achievement Award
* RAB GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Achievement Award
* RAB Innovation Award
* RAB Leadership Award
* RAB Larry K. Wilson Transnational Award

The deadline for nominations is 15 October 2006. More information and nomination forms are available at the RAB Awards Website: http://www.ieee.org/rabawards. Questions can be sent to ra-admin@ieee.org.

AWARDING NON-IEEE ENTITIES THAT SUPPORT IEEE UNITS

The Friend of IEEE Regional Activities Award was created specifically to recognize support provided to the IEEE and its members in support of its goals by firms, divisions of firms or individuals. The award is a plaque or certificate for the recipient. Nominations may be submitted at any time during the year.

The link for the nomination form is available at the RAB Awards Website: http://www.ieee.org/rabawards. Questions can be sent to ra-admin@ieee.org.

NEW AWARD RECOGNIZES ETHICAL PRACTICES
By Jon P. Soifer

Do you know of an IEEE member or an organization employing IEEE members that has shown exemplary ethical behavior or practices, or successfully advocated them? Then consider nominating that person or company for the newly established IEEE Award for Distinguished Ethical Practices.

The first award will be presented in 2007. The deadline for nominations is 1 July 2006.

Nominations must come from the general membership of the IEEE. Members of the IEEE Board of Directors, the IEEE Awards Board, The IEEE Ethics and Member Conduct Committee (EMCC), and IEEE staff may not submit nominations. Nor are self-nominations permitted.

The nomination form is available on the EMCC Web site at http://www.ieee.org/ethics and through the “Other Awards Programs” link on the IEEE Awards Web site at http://www.ieee.org/awards. (We encourage you to reprint this announcement in Section newsletters/web pages)

THOMSON NETG JOINS IEEE'S EDUCATION PARTNERS PROGRAM Thomson NETg, a global provider of knowledge-on-demand has signed an agreement to partner with the IEEE. As a Partner in the IEEE Education Partners Program (IEEE-EPP) IEEE members have access to an additional 4,000 courses at a 10% discount. Thomson NETg offers courses on Information Technology & Desktop, Business & Professional Development, Compliance, as well as Technical and Professional Certification. In addition to English, some courses are available in Chinese, French, German and Spanish.  For more information, go to http://www.netg.com/ieee.

Through IEEE-EPP, IEEE members currently have access to about 6,000 courses from about 14 providers to help them meet their continuing education, certificate and graduate degree needs. IEEE Educational Activities Board (EAB) volunteers have established a review process to ensure that Partners meet certain quality standards. All Partners have established special web portals through which IEEE members can access course catalogs, register for courses, and receive the IEEE discount. EAB is continually adding new Partners. For access to all IEEE-EPP Partners go to http://www.ieee.org/education/epp. Your IEEE web account user name and password are necessary to access the Partners' web sites.

IEEE-USA OFFERS ONLINE CAREER DEVELOPMENT COURSES IEEE-USA, in concert with AchieveGlobal, is offering online career development courses designed to equip IEEE members with leadership and customer service skills. AchieveGlobal, an international provider of training and consulting services, offers course modules in "Giving and Receiving Constructive Feedback," "Managing Your Priorities," and "Proactive Listening," among others. The courses are approved for continuing education credit and are offered at a discount.

A specialized learning management system allows members to track their progress and course portfolio. For more information and course registration, go to http://salary.ieee.org  log in using your IEEE Web Account, click on the Shop tab, and then click on "Career-Development Courses."