Michael R. Lightner Candidate for 2005 IEEE President - Elect 82nd Region 8 Meeting Krakow, Poland April 24, 2004

Challenges Ahead l We are, and should act as a truly transnational organization l How do we work in different countries with policy advice and technical and educational support without putting one part of IEEE against another? l Our industries are global in scope and reach, what does this mean for us?

Challenges Ahead l Building/Maintaining a strong and vibrant volunteer base l Volunteers -our most valuable resource - est. at $750M/yr ! l IEEE needs volunteers. The two mechanisms are by a reputation for excellence and by attracting members and getting 15% of them as volunteers. 50% of volunteers are not members. l Reviewers <50% IEEE members, authors ~50% IEEE members, conference committees - no requirement to be IEEE member

Challenges Ahead l What can we do to recognize volunteers and support expanded membership? l Reduced General member fees $40-$60 (Spectrum, Institute, reduced conference rate, …), then buy services, but gain services and recognition based on volunteering l Senior Member & Distinguished Member based on Service

Challenges Ahead l Products and Services l Open access movement a challenge to our publications l We don’t have a library of publications, but rather an evolving and richly featured research tool. Don’t think papers, think information easily available at many levels of granularity highly linked with rich multimedia. l We must capture the tremendous educational activities of the IEEE for professional education and offer this as a member benefit and as product for non-members - new initiatives underway l Building the reach of our Standards activities l Participating globally in the future of engineering education as the future of engineering.

Summary l IEEE is the defining organization for our profession l As such it must embrace l Change l Opportunity l All elements of profession l Members, non-members, industry, other organizations, customers and partners l We must set professional standards l Now is the time to look to the future, building on our inspiring past and current strengths l We need your ideas, questions, participation and leadership. Without you the IEEE would not exist l I would appreciate your vote and help in building the IEEE of the future

Thank you for your attention and incredible contributions to the IEEE!