Steve Diamond for IEEE Division VIII Director

Although the IEEE as a whole is doing well financially, the Computer Society and other large Societies are under severe stress. With central IEEE spending accelerating and the Computer Society budget in deficit, we cannot invest enough to meet future member needs.

The key problem is that all Societies, large and small, report through IEEE Technical Activities (TAB). Each Society has an equal vote in TAB, disenfranchising members of large Societies. TAB parochialism often has resulted in unreasonable and unpredictable policies including unbusinesslike expense and revenue allocation schemes. Reforming TAB has proven impossible despite many valiant efforts.

Therefore I brought forward to the IEEE Board of Directors a proposal that the Computer Society report directly to the IEEE Board. The proposal faces many challenges, but my objective is to have the Computer Society reporting directly to the IEEE Board by 2008.

The Computer Society must regain the ability to guide our own destiny if we are to serve our members needs and again be an engine of growth. My proposal will have that effect.

I’m asking for your vote so that I can complete this work.