Minutes of the E-Mail Discussions and Votes
of the Board of Governors
of the
IEEE Society on the Social Implications of Technology (SIT-30)

October 2008 - November 2008

1. Three Motions

From: Janet Rochester
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2008 10:41 AM

Everyone: We had a small but successful meeting in Phoenix on Saturday 18 October. Since we did not have a quorum, I am sending out for your vote the motions and actions that need Board approval. Please send your vote to Bradley and to me before Close of Business on 20 October.

Motion 1: Moved that the Board of Governors of the IEEE Society for the Social Implications of Technology (SSIT) designates the Society Distinguished Service Award as the Brian M. O’Connell SSIT Distinguished Service Award.

Motion Approved by e-mail vote (11/9/2008)

Motion 2: Moved that SSIT contribute a gift of $500 to the “Brian O’Connell Lecture Series and Scholarship Fund” at Central Connecticut State University in honor of our past president, distinguished colleague and dear friend Brian O’Connell.

Motion Approved by e-mail vote (11/9/2008)

Approvals: I have asked Karl Perusich and Bradley Kjell to continue in their positions as Treasurer and Secretary of the society, respectively, and they have agreed to serve. Please indicate your approval of these appointments.

Approved by e-mail vote (11/9/2008)

2. Atanasoff Information Technology Innovation Medal (See Attachment)

From: Gene Hoffnagle (via e-mail) 
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 

[The medal proposal has] been worked over quite a bit by a number of interested folks at the Univ. of Iowa and CS (where I'm now the chair of the Awards Committee) over about two years. The premises, history, and orientation have been discussed with key people from the IEEE Awards Board (of which I was a member and still sit on two Medal Selection Committees). It's not yet truly final (that will happen in mid November at a CS BoG meeting), but it's well beyond good enough for discussion with other Society BoGs, such as SSIT's. Looking for a vote of support, meaning SSIT would be asked to offer at least one person to sit on the new Selection Committee. The Medal is already fully funded by an endowment. A vote in principle would also be acceptable, if need be.

From: Janet Rochester (via e-mail) 
Sent: Thu 10/23/2008 9:36 PM

At the meeting in Phoenix a motion was made to approve SSIT participating in the administration of the Award. Please note that there will be no financial involvement for us and some visibility if we nominate a person to be part of the Selection Committee. Please send your vote to Gene Hoffnagle, Bradley, and me before 31 October 2008.

Motion Approved by e-mail vote (11/9/2008)