“This page is the candidate’s personal web site and does not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of the IEEE."

 Marcelo Mota’s Position Statement
for the IEEE Canada 2010-2011 Director Elect position

After working diligently for so many years to ensure that the Institute keeps growing stronger and keeps providing its members with quality services, value, and networking opportunities, I have accumulated a great amount of administrative experience and operational acumen related to IEEE operations. That, together with my technical and business career and education, makes me and my supporters believe that I qualify for the IEEE Canada Director Elect position, as detailed below.

The following positions held at several IEEE governing bodies gave me the necessary insight needed to help lead IEEE Canada in the next years: Secretary of the IEEE Toronto Section, the largest Section in Canada (2006-2007 and 2008-2009); Chairman of the Transnational Committee of the IEEE Educational Activities Board (1997 and 1998) and Member of the IEEE’s Educational Activities Board (1997); Member of the IEEE Regional Activities Board as RAB Liaison to the Publications Activities Board (1997); Member of the IEEE Publication Activities Board (1997); Acting Secretary  of the IEEE Region 9 – Latin America (1997); Member of the RAB Section/Chapter Support Committee (1997); Chairman (1994-95) and Vice-Chairman (1992-93) of the IEEE Bahia Section; Former Associate Editor of the IEEE Globalization Newsletter and former Editor of the IEEE Latin America Newsletter.

This level of remarkable volunteer services and significant contributions to the development and promotion of global activities and services to IEEE members were recognized by the Institute with the granting of the prestigious IEEE Third Millennium Medal (2000) and the MGA Dr. Larry K. Wilson Transnational Award (2008).

The same level of commitment to other professional associations, and my Electrical Engineering and MBA degrees, listed in my short bio, complements and leverages my preparedness to make a difference to IEEE Canada, together with the other colleagues members of the IEEE Canada Executive Committee.

All of the above has provided me with the knowledge, at all levels, of programs and budgets, services and priorities and a productive and friendly working relationship with volunteers, members and support staff of many IEEE departments. Such a rapport is essential for success in achieving IEEE Canada's and the Institute's goals.

If chosen as a candidate and succeeding in being elected for the IEEE Canada Director Elect position, I will work on three major priorities:

First, my main goal will be to stimulate and empower Sections to be more active in creating the local environment for one of IEEE’s most important service and perceived value: members networking with their peers and, in the process, sharing knowledge, ideas and support to each other. This IEEE service is essentially provided by its geographic entities that should be constantly enabled and supported to effectively accomplish such a mission, in their territories. To make IEEE Canada successful, it is necessary to increase and coordinate its local activities (with a special emphasis on student and GOLD members), which should be accomplished by its Sections with guidance and support by the Region. Region and Sections should communicate frequently, to exchange information and experience, for the sake of member benefits. With support and empowerment, though, a higher level of accountability and healthy competition will be promoted, through not only established awards but also with the use of a results scorecard for the Sections.

Second, I would encourage and seek more and stronger partnerships with other professional associations. All IEEE units operate on a volunteer basis – where people dedicate their free time to give back to the community while networking with peers with same interests; the volunteer nature of the organization means that time and human and financial resources are frequently scarce. Therefore, close cooperation with other sister professional associations – in the form of sharing best practices, learning from each other’s (good and bad) experiences, and jointly organizing programs and events – brings to all parties the opportunity to optimize resources and maximize results. The use of Technical Cooperation Agreements negotiated and signed with local and national societies and governmental agencies to conduct joint initiatives and technical activities will be the tool to implement this partnership goal.

Third, the growth and sustainability of the IEEE – and its Regions and Sections – depends on its capacity of being perceived as a source of knowledge and influence. The establishment of a set of policies and projects concerning outreach, in my view, will benefit all members. Such projects will include the preparation and issuance of frequent press-releases and the implementation and maintenance of Region and Section databases for outreach activities – containing contact information of local sister organizations, government members, academia staff, newspaper and specialized magazine editors and industry leaders – aimed to advertize IEEE activities and lobby for IEEE interests.

All goals related to the above priorities and all other relevant ones pursued by IEEE Canada during my term will be organized and detailed in a Strategic Plan stressing targets, action items, action owners, and due dates, allowing for a more effective follow-up of activities and goals and accountability and visibility of results.

As a transnational volunteer with proven organization and leadership skills, I know I can ably serve the members of IEEE Canada at the regional level. For this reason, I am requesting your support and vote as I run for the Director Elect position in the upcoming IEEE elections.

Marcelo Mota
[email protected]