|
 VTC2017-Spring is a great example of the exemplary service and value that volunteers provide to members and the technical community-at-large, and is, in fact, the key driver of VTS and its activities.
The Officers of VTS and our Board of Governors (BoG) are
committed to this goal, guiding the work we do at the Society’s
management level.
I would like to highlight a few initiatives that were a
pproved at the last BoG meeting, which I believe will have a positive impact
on our members. The new IEEE Vehicular Technology Society Early Career Award
recognizes outstanding young scientists and engineers who have made relevant
contributions in VTS’ fields of interest. The BoG also approved
donations to the endowment funds of our Convergence Fellowship and Dan E.
Noble Fellowship, which will be available to graduate students from next
year.
The new award and donations for the Fellowships still
require IEEE TAB (Technical Activities Board) approval, so there is still
quite a bit of work ahead for them to be operational in 2018, but we have
taken decisive steps in this direction.
Another initiative that will benefit our members has been
the decision of the BoG to accept proposals from VTS chapters to use funds
available through the ‘50% surplus’ and ‘3%
reserves’ IEEE mechanisms. IEEE permits societies to invest 50% of
the previous year’s surplus or 3% of their reserves. VTS chapters
may request financial support to develop new services and activities to
benefit their chapter’s membership. Chapter chairs will be informed
of the proposal submission deadline directly. The hope is that this
initiative will also increase participation and engagement of VTS
volunteers in their chapter.
These are just a few examples of new initiatives that
have been created this year with the objective to increase the value of
your membership. We also welcome any other ideas or proposals you may
have, so please get in touch (j.gozalvez@umh.es)
and let us know what you think. | 
 in Sydney, and the VTS President takes the opportunity to thank the conference leaders, volunteers, participants and administrators for a great conference!*/);){kind=small}
