March, 2004 Signal

Volume 13, Number 3 IEEE SIOUXLAND SECTION NEWSLETTER March, 2004
http://www.siouxland.org

April 2 – Annual Soft-skills Workshop: Negotiations @ Sioux Falls Convention Center
April 13 - Annual Eta Kappa Nu/IEEE Awards Banquet @ Brookings Inn Convention Center
October 19 – Annual CPSS/IEEE Meeting and Dinner @ SDSU in Brookings , SD
September (TBD) – Tour: EROS Data Center (tentative) @ EROS Facilities near Sioux Falls , SD
December – Meeting to elect new officers
IEEE Gold Section Affinity Group Kick-Off Meeting - Date (TBD)
Senior Member Upgrade Event – Date (TBD)

In this newsletter you will find the final announcement for the upcoming Managing Negotiations Workshop offered by the Siouxland IEEE Section. There are some seats remaining so I would again like to encourage our members to consider attending this event and share this information with other professionals who may have an interest in attending. I believe this workshop will provide huge benefits to those that attend. I’d also like to remind you that this workshop will offer CEU credit, which may be of interest to those registered Professional Engineers in this area. Please note that the time for the workshop has been revised to begin registration at 7:30AM and will end at 4:00PM . The continental breakfast, lunch, and sundae bar are included with the registration. If you have any questions or concerns about this workshop or would like additional information regarding the content, please contact me at jeffwhite@ieee.org. Upon request I can provide you with a more detailed course outline and testimonials from previous participants in this or similar workshops provided by the presenter. I look forward to seeing you there.

I would also like to call your attention to the information provided in this newsletter pertaining to the, Eta Kappa Nu/IEEE Awards Banquet, IEEE GOLD and IEEE Senior Membership. Our section has decided to pursue the formation of an IEEE GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) affinity group. We plan to hold a kick-off meeting for this group, which will allow us to brainstorm possible meeting/activity events for the year. GOLD members will be contacted about this meeting when a date is determined. Details about this affinity group will be announced in upcoming newsletters. In addition, we know that many members never take the time to apply for Senior Membership, either because they think the requirements are too high or they think it would take too much time. We would like to show you that neither of these reasons should be an obstacle to upgrading. In order to make this process as easy as possible we are currently looking into holding an “upgrade event”. If you have an interest in either of these opportunities please feel free to contact me.

Doug DeBoer, Siouxland Section Past Chair, has agreed to chair this year’s nominating committee. We are also looking for up to 2 additional members to serve on this committee. If you have an interest in being involved on this committee or would like to submit yourself as a candidate for nominations please contact me.

Offered by Siouxland IEEE Section
Friday, April 2^nd ( 7:30A.M. – 4P.M)

The Siouxland IEEE Section is pleased to announce the offering of the Managing Negotiations Workshop to be held on Friday, April 2nd from 7:30AM until 4:00PM at the Sioux Falls , SD Convention Center. Shelby Bybee of Baker Communications Inc., Houston , TX , will present this workshop via a special arrangement with the Siouxland IEEE.

The Managing Negotiations Workshop focuses on the need for developing and strengthening the win-win negotiation skills of its participants. This workshop will be greatly beneficial to engineers of all levels of expertise although it is targeted to the mid-career and executive-level professionals. The intense program features the latest in cutting edge thinking, strategies and tactics, presented in a stimulating, challenging format. This hands-on workshop, using extensive role-playing, interactive exercises, games and personal feedback, improves participant's abilities to communicate, negotiate and handle difficult negotiation situations. Heavy emphasis is placed on planning and executing both one-on-one and team negotiations. With these improved skills, participants will be able to handle any face-to-face or telephone negotiation situation, both internally and externally, with greater confidence and impact. Each participant will receive one workbook and a skill guide card.

· Maximize the effectiveness of participants who must negotiate in strategic, tactical, telephone and face-to-face negotiation situations

· Increase profits through well-planned and executed collaborative negotiations

· Minimize conflict and deadlocks by providing participants with the skills necessary to handle win-win negotiations

· Integrate learned skills with the client and participant’s behaviors to enhance personal effectiveness as negotiators

· Change the focus from negotiation tactics to planning and strategy while reinforcing key corporate values

· Increase confidence of participants as negotiators through successful practice and extensive feedback

· Successfully enhance communications through the development of a common negotiation language

Where:           Sioux Falls Convention Center – Meeting Room 6
            1211 N. West Avenue
            Sioux Falls South Dakota

Schedule:        7:30 - 8:00         Check-in and continental breakfast
                         8:00 – 11:30       Negotiations Workshop presented by Shelby Bybee
                         11:30 – Noon    Lunch provided in Class Room
                         Noon – 2:00      Negotiations Workshop continues
                         2:00 – 2:15        Break (Ice Cream Sundae Bar)
                         2:15 – 4:00       Negotiation Workshops continues

After 1 PM Wednesday, March 24th, subject to available space, add a $15.00 late fee.

Cancellations: 50% penalty will be charged if you cancel after 1 PM , Wednesday, March 24^th. However, substitutions will be allowed.

The registration fee along with a reservation form may be mailed to Jeff White c/o Interstates Control Systems, Inc. 444 12^th St. NE , Sioux Center , IA 51250 in the form of a check or money order payable to Siouxland IEEE Section. We cannot accept credit cards. In order to qualify for the early registration cost, the fee and reservation form shall be postmarked no later than Wednesday, March 24^th.

IEEE Membership applications will be available at the door. Membership rates will be extended (refunds will be provided) to anyone who completes the application and turns it in with a check for the full membership fee ($73.50 basic dues for ½ year membership through December – Note: other options you select may increase that amount.).

The class is limited to 25 participants, first-come, first-served. IEEE members have priority over student members and non-members. After 1PM , Wednesday, March 24^ththis priority will be discontinued. To reserve your place and qualify for the early registration fee rate, contact Jeff White at 712-722-1663 x182 or via e-mail to jeffwhite@ieee.org before 1PM Wednesday, March 24^th. After that time, on a space available basis, the $15.00 late fee will apply for IEEE members and non-members.

Along with the awards presentation and dinner, Justin Williams will be giving a presentation on Biomedical Engineering. After completing his double major at South Dakota State University , Justin Williams went on to receive his PhD in biomedical engineering from Arizona State University . He now works as a biomedical engineer specializing in neurological systems at both the University of Michigan and the University of Wisconsin . His research involves creating microchip implants that restore muscle control and quality of life to people living with Parkinson’s disease.

                     HKN/Bradley Schultz Sophomore           Justin Morrill
of the Year
Faculty Outstanding Senior EE                Dennis Helder

The Siouxland IEEE Section will soon provide details about the formation of an IEEE GOLD affinity group in our area. Please look for details about this affinity group in future newsletters.

If you are an IEEE member who graduated with your first professional degree within the last ten years, you are automatically part of IEEE GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade)!

IEEE recognizes that you are a key to the future of the technical profession. IEEE GOLD can empower you to make the most of your developing career and to help you find your place in the world of technology. Make a connection with your peers and colleagues - a GOLDen opportunity awaits you! GOLD offers:

IEEE technology and information
Online research & career Resources
Online job search
Professional networking opportunities
Peer connection
Local social activities
Leadership opportunities

If you are interested in helping to for the GOLD affinity group, or have ideas an event, please contact Brian Matherly.

A candidate for IEEE Senior Member Status shall be an engineer, scientist, educator, technical executive or originator in IEEE-designated fields. The candidate shall have been in professional practice for at least ten years and shall have shown significant performance over a period of at least five of those years." If you meet these criteria you are eligible to apply for upgrade to Senior Member Grade. Complete upgrade information, including requirements can be found at:

If you meet the requirements but never seem to have the time to complete an application, the Siouxland IEEE Section is entertaining the idea of holding an “on-line upgrade” event. At this event we would have computers available to submit applications on-line. Senior and Fellow members would be at the meeting to help you fill out your Senior Member application. After the event, the Siouxland Section will assign Senior and Fellow members to serve as the required references.

· The professional recognition of your peers for technical and professional excellence.

· An attractive fine wood and bronze engraved Senior Member plaque to proudly display.

· A letter of commendation to your employer on the achievement of Senior Member grade (upon the request of the newly elected Senior Member.)

· Announcement of elevation in Section/Society and/or local newsletters, newspapers and notices.

Please contact Siouxland Section Chair, Jeff White, if you meet the criteria to become a Senior Member and would have an interest in participating in a Senior Member Upgrade Event. Look for news on this event in a future newsletter if there is enough interest to warrant holding this event.

The IEEE Email Alias Service now includes a new optional feature to help IEEE members manage the amount of unsolicited commercial email (UCE), or spam, that they receive. The service is offered free-of-charge to all active IEEE members with an IEEE email alias. Members who elect to take advantage of this new service will have the option of either tagging or completely blocking suspected unsolicited commercial email. Read the description of this service at

https://uce.ieee.org/uce-filtering-service.html. Signup at: https://uce.ieee.org.

The Web site for the IEEE Standards Information Network offers information on the publishing operation's titles as well as the opportunity to sign up for peer reviews and submit book proposals. IEEE Standards Information Network publishes leading-edge guides, handbooks, tutorials, and other materials that enhance the understanding and implementation of standards. Visit online: http://standards.ieee.org/standardspress/.

A new section of the IEEE Web site provides visitors with thorough, definitive information on IEEE online collections and other subscription options to access IEEE online technical documents. The new IEEE Publications Online information site is located at http://www.ieee.org/onlinepubs.

Minutes of the IEEE Siouxland Section Executive Committee Meetings can be found along with past issues of the Siouxland Signal at: www.siouxland.org/newsletts.htm

Please send comments or items to include in the newsletter to the Electronics Communications Coordinator (John Weber / PO Box 88920 / Missouri River Energy Services / Sioux Falls , SD 57109 / Telephone 605-330-6979, e-mail johnw@mrenergy.com). Make address corrections online at http://www.ieee.org/update or call them at (800)-678-IEEE.