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May/June 2003

Welcome to the May/June 2003 Division Leaders' Brief. This month's issue is filled with articles to help you manage your Division. Please share this information with your fellow Division leaders, members, colleagues and friends.

Contents:

SUMMER NEWSLETTERS

As you are aware, we set a deadline date of 13 June 2003 for submitting content to ISA headquarters for your Summer Newsletters. As you are also aware, all of this summer's newsletters will be burned to the same CD and mailed to all ISA members who are Division Members. This is therefore a one time opportunity to showcase your Division to about 16,000 persons. We will begin production immediately following the 13 June deadline. Please note you may submit content prior to this date. The earlier the better!

Please remember if you do not get the content to ISA by 13 June it will be very difficult for the newsletters to be produced and mailed in time for ISA 2003. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact either your Department Vice President or Bill Palmer.

TIME TO TURN IN YOUR DIVISION BUDGETS AND BUSINESS PLANS

Your 2004 Budgets and Business Plans are due into Headquarters TODAY. This is your chance to plan for your Division activities for the upcoming year. If you need any assistance contact Bill Palmer.

SPECIAL DISCOUNT ON TECHNICAL PAPERS SUBSCRIPTION

Just a couple of weeks are left for ISA Division Members to take 10% off the price of an online subscription to the new Automation and Control Technical Collection.

You'll have access to view, download, and print PDFs of technical papers from ISA technical conferences and symposia within the technology communities you select.

A single community subscription is $44 for ISA Members, or for just $88 you can subscribe to all 15. But, as a Division Member, you can take an additional 10% off those prices.

Subscribe now to the Technical Paper Online Subscription and enter your discount code for Members of your Division (look for this on your Division Web site under "Special Discount") at the check-out. Your 10% discount will be calculated automatically. This special discount will remain in effect through 30 May 2003.

ISA PRESIDENT'S SPRING MEETING

Thanks to all of you who were able to attend the President's Spring Meeting in Memphis. The Joint A&T/I&S Department and A&T/I&S Advisory Board meeting minutes are now available online for Members of Divisions in the A&T Dept and for Members of Divisions in the I&S Dept.

DIVISION ANNUAL REPORTS

This is a final reminder to turn in your 2002-2003 Division Annual Reports to your respective Department Honors & Awards Committee by 15 May 2003. Please also submit a copy to Bill Palmer, ISA Divisions Administrator, in addition to your appropriate H&A Committee. If you have any comments or questions please contact your respective Department Vice President.

2003 HONORS & AWARDS BANQUET

As was done last year, a 10% discount will be offered for purchase of an entire table at this banquet, which will take place Sunday, 20 October. Think about getting together with your fellow Division Members for an enjoyable evening and an opportunity to participate in the recognition of these deserving recipients. Details, including a list of the awardees, is available online.

WHY DO WE DO THIS, ANYWAY?

(Warning: Paul’s on his soap box...)

I’ve got to admit that I’m finding it interesting (and mildly amusing) to hear about all the Members who are having trouble attending luncheon meetings. They’re stating a willingness to take time away from their families (for evening meetings), but not time away from their employers (for luncheon meetings). Who are we doing all this for anyway, our families?! I don’t think so. We’re involved with ISA and doing all this for our businesses. If our own employers don’t see the benefit in our participation, then perhaps we need to do a better job selling the reasons for our involvement.

For example:

  1. Well [insert boss’ name here], we’re getting this job because of my contacts within ISA. Heck, we wouldn’t have even KNOWN about it otherwise.
  2. Well [insert boss’ name here], all the leadership skills I’m utilizing on the job, which have made us a more efficient and profitable company, I’ve learned through my involvement with ISA.
  3. Well [insert boss’ name here], we’ve got a two year head start on our competition because of our involvement with an ISA standards committee.
  4. Well [insert boss’ name here], we’ve got a technical paper published in InTech because of our contacts and involvement in ISA.
  5. Well [insert boss’ name here], we’ve developed an ISA training class because of our involvement in the ISA training department.
  6. Well [insert boss’ name here], one of our employees has a best selling ISA textbook because of his ISA involvement. Don’t you think that’s worth something?

    I’m going to do things that benefit me personally (e.g., learning more tunes to play at my gigs) on my own time, not my employer's. Likewise, I’m going to do things that benefit my employer (e.g., involvement with ISA) on their time, not just my own. Granted, there are always exceptions. We might have to schedule a doctor’s appointment during business hours, and we still have to attend President’s meetings on weekends.

    I’m a self-employed consultant and I have NO problem understanding all the benefits that active participation in ISA offers me. Most of you have served on the board a long time. Aren’t you able to sell the benefits your ISA involvement to your bosses?

    People, PLEASE don’t take this the wrong way! I’m NOT trying to start a flame war, am NOT trying to roast your employers, and am NOT trying to commit career suicide! I’m just being silly ol’ Paul! Most of you have known me long enough to understand my ramblings. ;-)

    SOMETHING YOU'D LIKE TO SEE IN THE BRIEF?</>

    The objective of this Brief is to present information that will be of most use to you, the ISA Division Leader. Suggestions for topics or inclusion of specific information are welcome anytime. Please e-mail them to Bill Palmer.