President's Message
Greetings to All Members of the IEEE EMC Society,
HAPPY NEW 2008!
Today, January 1, 2008, I officially assume the office of President of the EMC
Society of the IEEE. I take this responsibility upon myself with great
expectations, humbly keeping in mind that I am stepping in the footsteps of
excellent leaders we were fortunate to have in past years. Their efforts and
achievements have led the EMCS sky high in its successes, coming to their climax
in the 50th anniversary of the EMC-S and its associated events.
I am honored to have been elected in the 50th year of the EMC-S as the first
non-US President of the EMC-S. Indeed, this is the best proof that the EMC-S was
and is a truly a global society. I hope, during my term of office, to lead the
EMC-S in the path of further globalization, not neglecting the excellent
foundation we have now, which we will continue to support and make even
stronger. No doubt, this is a major endeavor, requiring that bridges be laid
across geographic, political, and cultural as well as language barriers.
Experience has shown that goodwill and vision have led us and will continue to
do so.
To achieve those goals, in the global and local arenas, we count on you all,
members of the EMC-S, to take an active part in the leadership and professional
activities of our Society.
A boy asked once a wise man, "Is the butterfly I am holding in the palm of my
hand alive or dead?" If the wise man said "alive" the boy would crush the
butterfly and show it dead, but if the wise man said "dead", the boy would laugh
and let the butterfly fly away.
The wise man was cleaver enough to offer any of the above replies, answering the
boy "as you will, my lad, as you will".
All professional activities of the EMC Society are performed by volunteers who
are members like you, mostly in our committees. Meetings of the 11 Technical
Committees, 3 Standards Committees (and more working groups) and the Education
and Student Activity Committee take place in central locations, via
teleconference calls, electronic communications and through e-mail discussions.
Distance is no longer a barrier.
You can find information about each of the committees on our web site by
clicking on the “Committees”button in the side bar and following the associated
links. You are encouraged to investigate each of the committees listed there and
to contact the chairman of any that interest you for a further explanation of
the committee, its functions and options to participate in their activities.
Of course, the EMC Chapter in your area will always be glad to have you as an
active member. You can give a talk, or actively participate in a discussion
following a talk by others. If there is no chapter in your area, maybe you could
start one yourself, you will receive all the support you need, and will find out
how rewarding this can be.
And eventually, you may wish to join the governance of the Society: You can
"run" for a position on the Board of Directors of the EMC Society. The way is
open to ANY member of the Society from any country in the world. Who knows, one
day you may even be the President of the EMC Society. "The achievement of your
goal is assured the moment you commit yourself."
Please be assured that as President, I and the EMC-S Board of Directors, are at
your service, and my e-mail InBox is open to you all. I hope to be able to meet
as many of you as possible during my term, wherever you are around the globe. I
would be glad to hear from you, with any suggestion, comment, or just a friendly
message. Please do not hesitate to e-mail me at: eb.joffe@ieee.org.
Last, but not least, I would like to express my personal gratitude to Andy Drozd,
the outgoing President, and now the Immediate Past President, for an outstanding
service to the EMC-S. Thank you so much, Andy, for your excellent service to the
EMC-S as President in 2006 and 2007. I am confident you will continue in your
service to the EMC-S for years to come.
I wish to take this opportunity to wish you all again Happy New Year!
Elya B. Joffe, IEEE EMC Society President (2008-2009)