June 6, 2003

The Executive Council met in Scottsdale, AZ, on June 6, 2003.

The Council enthusiastically voted TBP Distinguished Service Awards to retiring District Directors H.H. Houh, MA B ¹89, and L.K.J. Lin, FL A ¹96, and to Henry J. Chaya, NY X ¹75, a retiring member of the Fellowship Board. Larry J. Hollander, NY E '51, was appointed to the Fellowship Board for a term ending July 31, 2005.

Executive Director J.D. Froula reported on the status of the 2003 Alumni Giving Program; his third-quarter financial report of the fiscal year had been sent to the Council and was accepted. Sponsorship of a contribution of $1,000 to National Engineers Week 2004 was approved. The Council approved the 2004 budget and approved a plan for the year-end allocations to the trust funds. The educational loan of a borrower was extended under the usual circumstances. The A.C. Scribner and Mentor Scholarship Funds were established. Sherry Jennings-King, TN A '93, and James W. Johnson Jr., NC A '77, were appointed to three-year terms on the Financial Development Committee.

The Council cast ratification ballots for those chapters that had not voted on the Constitution and Bylaws amendments from the 2002 Convention and ratified four amendments that: 1) limit Convention votes to one per officer; 2) re-define eligible curricula; 3) require chapters to list eligible curricula in chapter bylaws; and 4) establish the Scholarship Program and Scholarship Fund. The Council established a policy to state that engineering technology is not to be considered as an eligible curriculum for membership.

The Council reviewed a preliminary petition for a new collegiate chapter from a local engineering honor society in Ohio, but determined that additional curriculum and accreditation requirements need to be met.

A program grant and cash award under the Greater Interest in Government Program were given to Indiana Alpha, and the local project will be reported in a later issue of THE BENT. Proposals for two other grants were rejected because of insufficient funds. Director of Rituals A.R. Hirsch reported on the status of a project to replace certain components of initiation equipment kits. The Council modified the Chapter Performance Scholarship Program to provide no $500 scholarships to chapters that win three consecutive Secretary¹s Commendations. The model membership process schedule was discussed, and a revised 12-week version that encourages students to spend more time evaluating character before election was prepared.

Proposals to clarify the definitions of Association Officers and Directors, to allow a chapter to revoke the election of a candidate, to reduce the time limit of chapter voting on Constitution Amendments, and to increase the initiation fee and Convention Assessment were reviewed and will be sent to the 2003 Convention. The Council appointed a permanent Convention Chair and a Parliamentarian for the 2003 annual meeting and made recommendations of members of the model initiation team.

The Council reviewed final arrangements for the June 7 meeting of National Officers and re-appointed as District Directors for 2003-06: A.J. Pinkus, S.J. Houghton, L.C. Pawlak, R.L. Werneth, J.J. Hanby, S.L. Forkner, J.G. Macro, D.A. Kamat, L.A. Simonson, T.E. Schwaller, E.L. Tezak, E.R. Phelps, and A. Klinger. Councillors and Mr. Froula reported on their attendance at District spring conferences. The Council appointed Jeremy N. Comardelle, LA A '01, as District 5 Director for a term ending in June 2006.

J.A. Huggins, FL A '96, was appointed as chair and S.M. Botwinik, FL A '95, and K.T. Luchini, MI A '99, were appointed as members of the ICE Committee for terms ending in June 2006.

The selection of Dr. Melvin R. Corley, LA G '70, Advisor to the Louisiana Gamma Chapter as the 2003 TBP National Outstanding Advisor was accepted. District 10 Director Daniel A. Kamat, Chair of the 2003 Laureate Selection Committee, reported that his group had selected two Laureates from 20 nominees. The selections of Dr. Irwin M. Jacobs, NY D '56, and Dr. Daniel D. Reneau, LA G '63, as the 2003 TBP Distinguished Alumni were accepted.

President M.W. Ohland reported on his attendance at the convocation of the National Academy of Engineering on May 5-6, and Councillor R.W. Pierce reported on his participation in the meeting of the Trust Advisory Committee in New York City on May 19. Mr. Froula reported on the status of various Headquarters physical improvements, saving $10,000 from an initial estimate, and the status of information-technology improvements and priorities was reviewed. A system to send email reminders of various TBP deadlines to officers and chief advisors is being implemented. Dr. Ohland reviewed the progress of a study of the eligibility of engineering students in the junior class. Director of Fellowships D.S. Pierre Jr. presented various issues related to future Fellowship stipends.

The Council reviewed the status of the proposed new image posters, chose a bicycle-refurbishment project as the national project, and selected JobTarget.com as a new member benefit.