SIOUXLAND SIGNAL

Volume 8, Number 6 IEEE SIOUXLAND SECTION NEWSLETTER March, 1997

DISTINGUISHED LECTURER

JIM WATSON: THE SECRET TO SUCCESS

WHEN: Thursday evening, March 13. Notice the change of date from earlier plans!

WHERE: The Marina Inn
Fourth and B Streets
South Sioux City, Nebraska.

ACTIVITIES: 6:00 PM Social
6:30 PM Dinner, Chicken Oscar with Greek salad, desert, beverages
7:10 PM Business meeting: report on section business activities.
7:20 PM until about 8:10 PM, Lecture: "The Secret to Success"

RESERVATIONS: Call or e-mail reservations to Murat Tanyel by 4:00 PM Monday, March 10.
Phone 712-722-6290. E-mail: tanyel@dordt.edu

DIRECTIONS: Take Exit 148 off of Interstate 29. You’ll then cross the Veterans Memorial Bridge. Once across the bridge, take a right onto 6th Street, the first right turn possible after the bridge. Travel one block, until you reach 1st. Avenue. Turn right again and travel a short way on 1st Avenue until you reach 4th Street. Turn right onto 4th. Street and drive under the approach to the bridge and continue along 4th Street until you reach the Marina Inn. Once at the Inn look for a sign directing you to the IEEE meeting or ask at the front desk.

About Our Speaker . . .

Our speaker, Jim Watson, P.E., is president of Watson Associates, 1280 Dear Run, Mansfield, Ohio 44906-3477. He Received a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and is a graduate of the University of Michigan’s Public Utility Executive Program.

He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio, a Senior Member of IEEE, a member of IEEE Professional Communications Society, a charter member of IEEE Student Professional Awareness Committee, Chairman of 1996 Vision 21 Team, Editor of "IEEE Hotlines," and an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer.

Following a 36 year career with Ohio Edison Company, in which he held numerous engineering and staff positions, Jim left to devote full-time to his consulting activities. Founded in 1989, Watson Associates provides consulting services in communication skills. He is the author of the "Writetalk Communication System" designed to incorporate communication skill development within the university engineering curriculum. Watson Associates has directed the use of this communications program at the University of Akron, California State University, Case Western-Reserve University, Cleveland State University, Lehigh University, Temple University, University of Toledo, and Youngstown State University.

Jim discussed the "Writetalk Communication System" at the 1991 IEEE Frontiers In Education Conference and at the 1993 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference. He has published several articles in IEEE’s national publications, "Potential," "Impact" and "Professional Awareness Guide".

Awards received by Jim include the IEEE-USA Certificate of Appreciation for professionalism in 1984, the Citation of Honor for "Exemplary Contributions Toward Securing Recognition of Professional Activities in the United States" in 1987, and the Professional Achievement Award for activities in 1990. Jim also received the Innovation Award, the highest award provided by the IEEE Regional Activities Board, in 1991 for his multi-media presentation, "IEEE - From Pole to Pole and Sea to Sea to Sea," at the 1990 Sections Congress in Toronto, Ontario and the 1995 Outstanding Service Award from IEEE Educational Activities Board.

Jim has provided more than 1,150 presentations in 43 states, District of Columbia, 3 Canadian Provinces, and Puerto Rico to a total audience of over 63,000. This includes his participation in 176 IEEE Student Professional Awareness Conferences and 380 additional student meetings in which he has presented programs on communications and professionalism to more than 30,000 students.

Jim was the keynote speaker at the 1995 IEEE PACE Meeting in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and provided the closing ceremony presentation at the 1996 Sections Congress in Denver, Colorado.

LECTURE TOPIC INFORMATION:

THE SECRET TO SUCCESS

Engineers are aware of the challenges associated with rapid changes in technical aspects of the profession. But there is another important challenge that may be overlooked. In a world growing more dependent upon practical uses of technology, the role of engineering is often misunderstood. To be successful in this changing environment, engineers need to demonstrate many non-technical skills to their employers and the general public.

Despite our efforts to promote professional registration, many non-engineers use the title of "engineer." We are the target of jokes about our profession. In informal settings we may be perceived by others as quiet, boring, or alone in our own world. The role of the Electrical Engineering Profession in the 90’s is too important to be undermined by misconceptions. It is time for all engineers to put more "polish on our images."

The solution of how to improve our image can be found if we apply proven engineering techniques to this problem. We need to identify sources of misconceptions and to evaluate various options for change.

This starts with our awareness of our world. New interests will emerge when we become more involved in our non-technical world. Opportunities include more activities with our families and our community. Our reading should include non-technical resources. These will not only add depth to our lives, but they will be useful in establishing a better image.

Using more effective interpersonal skills adds to the "polish" of our image. Improving first impressions with a smile, good eye contact and a firm handshake will bring positive results. Our dress code should be in tune with accepted social environments. We should listen twice as much as we talk, and our comments should be more than technical "work talk."

Formal presentations provide an opportunity for engineers to improve our image. This is especially true when the audience is non-technical. Planning and conducting effective meetings and conferences add a positive impact. Meetings should be designed for the benefit of the audience and from their viewpoint.

Successful engineers balance their time between work and other important areas in their lives. This includes time for our professional society, family, community, personal faith, music, art and other activities. Adding a creative approach to these opportunities will be perceived as a very positive "image."

We have an excellent opportunity to polish our image as we enter the 21st century if we understand that the best method of applying technology to our world is to do so with non-technical skills. This is our challenge. This is the secret of success.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS NEEDED

The Siouxland Section's Executive Committee Elections will be held on May 15, 1997. The Section needs you to become part of it's Executive Committee. The following positions will be voted upon:

Please become a part of the Siouxland Section IEEE and make a difference by holding an office on the Executive Committee. I look forward to hearing from you and hope that you will take the challenge of becoming a part of the Siouxland Section Executive Committee. Call, write, fax, visit, or e-mail me with your interest or with a nomination. Nominations are due by April 1. I can be contacted via the following:

Mr. Dave Nuese / Missouri Basin Municipal Power Agency (MBMPA) / 3005 W. Russell / P.O. Box 84610 / Sioux Falls, SD 57118. Work Phone: (605)330-6965 Fax Phone: (605)334-9753 E-mail: daven@mbmpa.mapp.org

CHAIRPERSON’S COMMENTS

This month I would like to urge everyone to clear their schedule for the Thursday, March 13, 1997 meeting. The Section has scheduled an outstanding speaker, Mr. Jim Watson. As can be seen from his personal and lecture description his presentation should be very interesting and a shame to miss. Please do your best to attend this meeting and take advantage of what Mr. Watson has to share with us.

On another note, I have received several questions on just who is eligible to be a member of the IEEE. The following is an excerpt from the IEEE bylaws that describes just who is eligible and the qualifications needed to be a member of the IEEE.

My regards, Jayme Huber, Siouxland Section President

GRADE DETERMINATION

(as per IEEE Bylaws)

All members except students pay the same membership dues and receive the same IEEE membership benefits and services (although Associate members may not vote in IEEE elections or hold some offices.)

*The IEEE designated fields of interest include electrical engineering, electronics, computer engineering and computer sciences, and the allied branches of engineering and related arts and sciences.

**The term "REP" (recognized educational program) refers to programs in IEEE designated fields at schools which are part of a university, university system or a college (including bona fide junior and community colleges or technical institutes) and which meet accreditation standards of the appropriate national, regional or professional accrediting bodies.

CALL FOR SECTION AWARDS NOMINATIONS

It's time to be thinking about nominations for Siouxland Section Awards. Each year three Outstanding Engineer awards are considered, one for a non-student member of the Siouxland section of the IEEE, one for a student member from Dordt College and one for a student member from South Dakota State University. The minimum requirement for an award is membership in good standing in the IEEE. The award criteria are educational and collegiate achievements 5%; IEEE activities 25%; other professional/technical activities 15%; civil and humanitarian activities 15%; continuing competence 15%; engineering achievements 25%; and professional registration 5%. Awards will be presented at the April meeting. For more information, call Madeleine at (605) 688-4527, or e-mail her: andrawim@mg.sdstate.edu.

Nominations for the Outstanding Engineer Award should be mailed to: Madeleine Andrawis / Electrical Engineering Department / Harding Hall #207 Box 2220 / Brookings, SD 57007.

AT DORDT COLLEGE

TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY CONFERENCE

On Monday, March 10, and Tuesday, March 11 the Engineering Department at Dordt College, in Sioux Center, Iowa, will host a conference on the theme of technology and society. Three lectures will be presented, all of them in the science building, lecture hall S101. Admission is free, open to the general public, and no reservations are needed. For further information you may contact Dr. Adams, 712-722-6281 or e-mail: cadams@dordt.edu.

3:30 PM, March 10, "Formation or Deformation: Modern Technology and the Cultural Mandate"

Dr. Charles Adams, professor of engineering at Dordt College, will address biblical foundation and approach for doing, using, and evaluating information technology. Focusing on distance learning as an example, Adams will survey the many issues surrounding the use of modern technology.

7:30 PM, March 10, "Spiders, Flies, and the Internet"

Dr. David Lyon, chairman of the sociology department at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, will address the issues of information technology and surveillance, raised by the Internet, and how they present challenges to democratic participation and human dignity. In addition to exploring social and philosophical questions, Lyon will also survey various technical issues such as encryption and the so-called Clipper Chip.

3:30 PM, March 11, "In the Beginning was Information: Soundbites, Satellites, and Cyberspace"

Dr. Vanden House, senior member in the philosophy of science and technology at the Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto, will look at the hype surrounding information technology as evidence of what he calls "hypermodernism." He will suggest how we as Christians might respond to the hyped-up world of information technology, where products have names like Oracle and Revelation, and Paradox.

1996-1997 OPERATING YEAR SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK SURVEY:

IEEE MEMBERS DESIGN HOME OF THE FUTURE

(by Christopher Currie, IEEE-USA External Communications Supervisor)

Electronic technology built into the future American home will improve the quality of life while stewarding the environment and conserving natural resources, according to U.S. IEEE members who participated in a National Engineers Week 1997 survey. The IEEE contingent joined professionals from all engineering disciplines in envisioning how current technology will make the home of the future more environmentally friendly.

Respondents were unanimous in predicting that computers would become an integral part of many home appliances and systems. "The home computer will be the brain of everything," said John K. Guidry of Lafayette, Louisiana. "Processors will be in every item in the house ¾ appliances, books, notepads, clothes, and so on," added Stanford University's Parvati Dev. David J. Hague of Jacksonville, Florida, extended the list to "automatic food preparation, help for the infirmed and sick care, voice response systems, baby sitting, reminder systems, and possibly robotics to handle housekeeping chores."

The proliferation of electronic applications in the home will have several important benefits, according to the IEEE respondents. Among these are improved energy efficiency, said Ted Kochanski, a Massachusetts consulting engineer: "Network operating systems will link together all of the home's appliances and service equipment. These systems, when combined with sophisticated energy management algorithms and the appropriate sensors, will make the home of the future more energy efficient by mixing the correct amount of ventilation with appropriate thermal and humidity management. In addition, all other appliances will do their job more effectively with reductions in energy required and effluent generation."

The home of the future will offer health benefits, as well, according to Dr. J. Michael Fitzmaurice, director of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research's Center for Information Technology. "The home's info system will monitor the quality of the air and water, looking for bacteria harmful to humans," he said. "This system will also sample human waste products for changes in health artifacts and will monitor vital signs as you relax without your wearing a device," he added reassuringly.

Expanded communications capabilities will improve home life, according to several respondents. Families will use a "computer-driven monitor/module for TV entertainment and also for communications with family and friends," said George Washington University's Neil R. Helm. "The future will see communications replace transportation; thus, more of us will work from our home office, get more of our education at home, and visit our friends and relatives from home on our two-way video system," he predicted. This in turn will yield environmental savings: "Telecommuting can reduce travel requirements, and along with this reduce the use of fossil fuels," explained Jim Isaak, a New Hampshire computer engineer.

In addition to reduced overall energy consumption, the future home could feature greater reliance on non-polluting fuels such as solar energy. The University of Michigan's Marlin Ristenbatt predicted "more use of active solar panels for energy and possible development of windows whose transmission properties of solar energy would be controlled electrically so as to reduce the heating and cooling required."

Several IEEE respondents emphasized the capabilities of intelligent-control systems in the home. "‘Smart’ climate-control systems ¾ based on CI technology like neural nets, fuzzy logic and genetic algorithms ¾ will provide much smoother control of heat and humidity and save fuel, as well," said Samuel Biondo, an a Maryland engineer employed at the U.S. Department of Energy. Added Texas engineer Robert Powers: "‘Fuzzy logic’ built into all kinds of devices could make those devices easier to use and more efficient than they are now. Heating and cooling equipment could certainly be trained, via fuzzy logic, to save lots of dollars by working more efficiently, on the basis of detected movements of the residents. Surely, even burglar alarm systems could incorporate fuzzy logic ideas."

During National Engineers Week, celebrated Feb. 16-22, a "home of the future" design was unveiled to the news media, using ideas submitted by engineers who responded to the survey. If the contributions of these IEEE respondents are any indication, the work of electrical, electronics and computer engineers will be more evident than ever in the daily lives of all Americans. The future of engineering, it could be said, begins in the home.

IEEE SIOUXLAND SECTION
C/O DORDT COLLEGE ENGINEERING DEPT.
498 FOURTH AVENUE NE
SIOUX CENTER, IA 51250

OFFICERS OF IEEE SIOUXLAND SECTION FOR 1996-1997

Please send comments or items to include in the newsletter to the newsletter editor (listed above). The deadline for the next newsletter is
Thursday, March 27. Send address corrections to IEEE headquarters or call them at (800)-678-IEEE.

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