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The following
are Albe Larsen’s excerpts from Peter Clout’s Minutes
of the June 12, 2005 meeting; therefore, any errors can be attributed
to her misunderstanding or misinterpretation.
The NPSS Administrative Committee met in Monterey, California on
Sunday, June 12, 2005 preceding the contiguous ICOPS and Pulsed
Power meetings. It had been AdCom’s hope to meet in the weekend
between these two conferences, but the Directors’ Series and
TAB meetings caused alteration of this plan.
Once again, Ed Lampo has urged more timely closing of conference
books. Conference treasurers and future treasurers note: bills can
be paid directly by IEEE from the NPSS account, allowing you to
close books on time. Otherwise we lose revenue through steadily
increasing late fees.
On the bright side, Ed noted that we expect to increase reserves
in 2006, and that IEEE reserves are now in a much healthier state
– about 50% of annual projected revenue, which is comfortable.
The AV project is under way and NPSS is repaying IEEE over a three
year period for the equipment purchases. NSS/MIC pay about $25k
for the use of this equipment; other conferences pay less, resulting
in savings for the conferences and a potential for registration
fee reduction.
President Bill Moses commented in particular on the lateness of
the 2004 NSS CD and other late publications. If a deadline with
IEEE Publications is missed by even a day, the project falls to
the end of the queue and is handled as soon as possible. Since the
Pubs staff is stretched very thin, this can mean a long wait, so
editors, keep to your schedules.
Stan Schriber noted that APS DPB is considering a registration differential
for members and nonmembers. DPB membership has fallen to the point
that it may lose its status as a Division of APS. In general, institutions
pay for registration fees while individuals pay for society memberships,
so there is often little incentive to be a member.
Patrick O’Shea has been appointed to his department’s
chair at the University of Maryland and has found it necessary to
resign from AdCom. A new member will be elected this year who will
be able to run for a full term at the end of what was Pat’s
term.
We are hopeful that Stuart Long, Division IV Director, will attend
the next meeting of AdCom.
Technical Committee reports include a report of a highly successful
Real Time conference at the AlbaNova University, and PAC with 1400
attendees including 60 subsidized students. PAC has rejected a suggestion
of APAC to meet every third year, with a 3-year rotation cycle for
PAC, EPAC and APAC. An 8-month rotation may be considered. Plans
are well in hand for the rest of this year’s conferences –
SFE and NSS/MIC.
In 2007 PAC, and the combined ICOPS/Pulsed Power/22nd SFE conferences
will be held contiguously in Albuquerque. NSS/MIC will be held in
Hawaii, and the 2008 NSS/MIC will be held in Germany. Site selection
is in progress.
Uwe Bratzler, chair of the Transnational Committee asked that several
issues be brought to TAB, including the ongoing problems for international
scientists to get visas to enter the USA for conferences, and also
dues rates for various countries.
Peter Winokur, Chair of the Fellows Evaluation Committee, noted
that the committee reviewed 19 applications. As our society is so
broad, this is a tough job. However, last year one-half of our candidates
were accepted as new Fellows, whereas most societies have about
one-third of their applicants elevated. Peter is considering some
changes in the committee’s methods of operation, and would
like to see Fellows from all our Technical areas. It is none too
early to start on 2006 nominations!
It was suggested that our Students and Careers Committee be terminated
and that a liaison to EAB be appointed. No action was taken on this.
Charles Neumeyer, liaison to IEEE-USA’s Energy Policy Committee
was asked to revise the fusion energy white paper originally submitted
when Ned Sauthoff was our liaison. Chas and Ned have submitted a
draft revision to the committee.
Jane Lehr offered, as part of unfinished business, that non-IEEE
authors of papers be sent a letter encouraging membership. She also
attended an IEEE membership workshop that included a day of orientation
and two days of retreat.
AdCom has had little enthusiasm for involvement with the IEEE XELL
program that would record and sell copies of society conference
short courses. It is expensive and there is no track record as yet.
AdCom Actions:
• The revised Constitution and Bylaws of the RITC were accepted
pending approval by the NPSS membership. See these in this Newsletter.
• It was moved, seconded and passed that the ICOPS award be
increased from $1500 to $2000, with the award funded by the International
Conference on Plasma Science.
• It was moved, seconded and passed that the Transnational
Committee be allocated $1000 for administrative expenses.
• It was moved, seconded and passed that the Space Technology
and Applications Conference 2006 (STAIF-06) be held in cooperation
with IEEE NPSS.
At the close of the meeting, Vernon Price was given hearty applause
for his work in recruiting members at NPSS conferences and for keeping
NPSS interest in membership active. Vern has asked to step down
as chair of the Members and Chapters Functional Committee.
The next meeting of the NPSS AdCom will be on Sunday, October 23,
2005 at the Wyndham El Conquistador Hotel and Resort outside San
Juan, Puerto Rico.
The first meeting of 2006 will be a combined retreat and meeting
in New Brunswick, NJ and at IEEE headquarters in Piscataway, NJ
on Friday and Saturday, February 24 and 25, 2006.
Albe Dawson Larsen can be reached at the Stanford Linear Accelerator
Center, MS66, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; Phone:
+1 650 926-2748; Fax: +1 650 926 5124; E-mail: amlarsen@slac.stanford.edu
Peter Clout can be reached at Vista Control Systems Inc., 176 Central
Park Sq., Los Alamos, NM 87544-4031 USA; Phone: +1 505 662 2484;
Fax: +1 505 662 3956; E-mail: clout@vista-control.com.
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