Division Director’s Report Peter Clout 3/26/2011

Initiatives etc. The Board has approved about $4M in initiatives, including: –Smart Grid $1.28M –Humanitarian programs and Engineering for Change $897K –Computer Society Competitiveness $400K –Nine others between $72K and $225K Groups are looking at developing IEEE activity in Latin America and Africa and will be reporting back. The Board approves a long list of appointees including Society Presidents to TAB – this is pro-forma.

Humanitarian Issues I am beginning to see the sorting out of the volunteer bureaucratic mess of this in IEEE. I feel that NPSS has prodded the IEEE into more action and less committees, reports and investigative travel. However, this is early in the process.

Strategic Planning Last year’s Board reorganization failed to pass even though the initial intention was good and necessary. Both the process and detailed proposal presented as a package were flawed in my view. Small steps will be taken I believe both this year and in coming years. Strategic planning is constantly discussed and pressed as a holy grail. I currently have difficulty with this attitude and much prefer the operational and retreat model we operate under.

Education and Libraries A committee led by Mike Lightner is looking at the trends in engineering and computer education and the implications for IEEE. Xplore is under continual development and this investment will continue. Finally, NPSS is well represented in the highest levels of IEEE with Hal as the Treasurer and Bill as the Conference Committee Chair, guiding the very considerable investment in new conference support and developing new policy for conferences in general and the quality of conference content in Xplore in particular.

IEEE Priorities 1. Ensure sustainable progress toward establishing IEEE's leadership in important new technical areas (including the Smart Grid and selected areas within Life Sciences). 2. Develop and approve a plan to ensure that IEEE is at the forefront of digital publishing technology. 3. Develop and approve an IEEE Conference strategy - including protection of the quality of IEEE publications. 4. Develop collaborative strategic alliances with other associations and publishers (including exploration of new joint membership agreements and incorporation of new publications in Xplore®). 5. Ensure all members are engaged and find a professional home in IEEE; create a global strategic member development plan, particularly emphasizing practicing engineers/technologists and young professionals, especially where IEEE membership is declining.