SECTION STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 2003 ASAE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL MEETING   Riviera Hotel & Convention Center Las Vegas, NV   July 29, 2003  7:00 - 9:00 p.m.   Minutes   Present:           Charles Peterson, Peter Ling, Mike Buschermohle, Billy Lawson, Louise Lawson, Qin Zhang, Roger Ruan, Jim Leary, Dan Paquin, Chad Yagow, Prasanta Kalita, Bill Barfield, Otto Loewer, Marvin Pepper, Chris Butts, Cleon Namken, Carolyn Jones, Ted Tyson, Dale Frederick, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, Sonia Maassel Jacobsen, Ken Giles and Mark Crossley   Presiding:         John Worley   Agenda   1.         Call to Order, Welcome & Introductions   2.                  Overview and Additions to the Agenda   3.         Approval of the minutes from July 29, 2002   4.         Vice Chair Nominations for the term 2003 - 2005   6.         Section Activity Survey Results & Sharing -                     Break into small groups by District -           Lead by District Representatives   7.         Other Added Agenda Items   8.         Adjourn   ===============================================   The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.   After welcoming the group, Section Steering Committee (SSC) Vice Chair John Worley began with a brief overview of the purpose of the SSC. It exists as a link between the sections and headquarters and fosters the exchange of ideas among sections. It further promotes the relationship between sections and the five district representatives.   The agenda was then overviewed and a request for additions presented. There were none.   After introductions of those in attendance, the minutes of the 2002 meeting were reviewed (Attachment A). It was noted that Billy Lawson’s name was spelled incorrectly. With a promise to correct the spelling, the following motion was presented:   Motion: To approve the minutes from the SSC meeting at the 2002 Annual International Meeting as amended. Seconded and passed   Vice Chair Nominations for 2003 – 2005 John then requested nominations from the floor for a SSC Vice Chair to serve the term 2003 – 2005. A few names of potential nominees were discussed, but it was determined that they were unable to serve. Chris Butts from the Georgia section volunteered to be a nominee. After no more nominations from the floor, the following motion was offered:   Motion: To have Chris Butts serve as Vice Chair of the SSC for 2003 – 2005. Seconded and passed.   Section Activity Survey Results & Sharing A few weeks prior to the meeting, a Section Activity Survey was distributed to all ASAE sections with a request that it be completed and brought to the SSC meeting in Las Vegas for discussion.   With completed surveys in hand, the group was then broken down into two groups by district with directions to share their survey answers. District 2 sections met in one group and District 1 & 3-5 sections in the other. For the next 45 minutes the groups shared their section activities. After this period, the entire groups met again as one and each group’s district representative shared their group’s activities. An overview of all section activities may be found in Attachment B.   Some common factors in successful meetings included the following: An attractive location. Cost is not as much an impediment to industry as we might think. Tours of local industries or interesting engineering applications. Credit for professional development where it is needed for professional registration. Joint tours with neighboring sections and other related societies. A good balance of technical information and social interaction.   One suggestion for help from ASAE was put forth. It was suggested that ASAE might provide a registry of members who would be willing to put on professional development sessions at Section meetings. This would greatly help local program committees plan for their meetings.   With no further business before the SSC, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.