IEEE-USA PACE Training and Quickstart Program

Jim Look (IEEE Center for Leadership Excellence)

This is an initiative that meets the needs of members and current officers by focusing upon the comprehensive training of future leaders. As a result of recommendations from the 2005 and 2008 Section Congress workshops, projects were started to develop leadership training modules that focused upon the development of leadership skills. In essence 'Quickstart' training is a quick and efficient way to become familiar with a new position.

Questions:

1) What does Quickstart training mean to me?

->In the past leaders were given a box of materials from previous leaders upon the start of their tenure shown how to fill out forms. This was considered 'formal leadership training'. Who do I call for help? The problem is that this methodology is purely procedure focused. 'Quickstart', on the other hand, emphasizes functionality, connectivity, and execution and not just procedure. 'Quickstart' is available on www.ieee.org today and provides new officers with a quick reference quide that is self-paced and requires 30-45 minutes to complete. The program covers the full leadership module.


2) Where do I find it?

Google: 'IEEE cle'

3) What is the 'Center for Leadership Excellence' (CLE)-

This is an officer training handbook that came as a result of Sections Congress with the purpose to ensure quality member opportunities. Common leadership responsibilities for each officer position were identified and 10 subject categories to reflect there areas were designed.

There are 4 phases to the CLE:

a) web/email-based "quick start" info essential for the 1st 30 days in office
b) more advanced "rest of the story" material for individual: web or class
c) individualized modules in valuable skills and knowledge
d) modules designed for leadership

Quick start training is the 1st major deliverable to this goal and training is complete for:

Chair
Vice-chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Chapter Chair
Affinity Chair


PACE:

Bob Dawson (Chair of the IEEE-USA Professional Activities Committee for Engineers)

PACE is a network of volunteers and committees organized at the section and chapter level that provides professional activities for the membership. PACE programs and projects can be conferences, workshops, publications, government involvement, community service, etc).


-One of the most celebrated facts in IEEE is that the members are at the top of the board structure.
-IEEE has 10 technical divisions and 10 regions.
-IEEE-USA has 4 VPs and Professional Activities has 4 committees (SPAC, Government activities, Annual Meeting, and PACE).


Professional Development Seminars (PDS) are professional seminars that focus upon enhancing the soft skills of members. The topics addressed include:

-technical growth
-personal growth
-dynamic adaptability
-"the edge"

Society PACE programs can be keynote luncheons, workshops, or singular projects. PACE project forms are needed in order to receive funding for a PACE program and must be given to the appropriate regional/divisional PACE chairs as well as the appropriate IEEE-USA staff. The forms are available at: www.ieeeusa.org/volunteers/pace/funding.asp


RESOURCES->

IEEE-USA PACE web page (www.ieeeusa.org/volunteers/pace)

*Within IEEE, there is financial assistance from region/division for activities, IEEE speakers via the various speaker lists, region/divisional library (audio and video tapes)
*Outside IEEE-> local chamber of commerce, lawyers on legal aspects of the profession, local business leaders, accountants, financial planners
*From IEEE-USA Washington office - brochures and literature, the "engineers guide to employability".