by Andrij Wowk

UESA members from across the country took part in this year's Plenary Board Meeting, held on Saturday, January 15, 2005 in East Hanover, New Jersey, with the theme "Creating a Roadmap for the UESA's Future.

The meeting opened with the presentation of reports from National Board Executive Officers for the period of September 2003 to December 2004, followed by reports (via teleconference) from the UESA chapters in Detroit, Minneapolis, New Jersey, New York City, and Washington, D.C.

Plenary Meeting attendees in East Hanover, NJ A discussion then took place on how best to increase membership in the UESA. Key ideas which came out of this and other meeting discussions included:

• b  UESA publications need to focus on the needs of our younger members, include topics which relate to professionals in Ukraine, and include profiles of individual members.
  
  
•   UESA should consider membership in the Ukrainian Free Academy of Sciences (UVAN), and/or the World Federation of Engineering Organizations.
  
  
•   We need to increase efforts to educate the community about the networking benefits of UESA, and the range of membership levels we support. Networking was noted to be a key benefit for young professional and student UESA members.
  
  
•   We should identify UESA members who are willing to mentor younger members, and/or help with career-related activities.
  
  
•   The scholarship program being pursued through creation of the UESA Foundation will be an opportunity to attract younger members and gain publicity for UESA benefits.
  
  
•   An adjusted UESA budget for the year 2005 was reviewed and approved by meeting attendees.

Based on the success of teleconferencing with the chapters for the Plenary Meeting, it was decided that future Natioanl Board meetings will also be opened up to chapter Board participation via conference call.

Overall, the Plenary Meeting provided an opportunity for UESA chapters and the National Board to engage in an exciting and creative dialogue about the future of the organization. We look forward to acting on the ideas which were discussed!

(Any members wishing to receive copies of the National Board and Chapter Board reports presented at the meetig should send e-mail to national@uesa.org, or regular mail to the address on the letterhead).