Dear IEEE Huntsville Section Members,

We are very excited to let you know about the creation of an IEEE Joint Robotics & Automation – Controls Systems (JRACS) Chapter in Huntsville. Effective February 8th, 2012, the former Control Systems Society (CSS) Chapter was expanded and became a Joint Chapter with the Robotics & Automation Society (RAS). Given the natural strong technical synergies between the two societies, the establishment of the joint chapter will strengthen and increase member participation from all related technical areas.

As either RAS or CSS member you will benefit from the JRACS Chapter by:

  1. Receiving timely and relevant information about lectures, presentation, meetings, plant visits and other technical events
  2. Receiving information about publications, conferences, and community networking
  3. Receiving financial support for IEEE Distinguished Lecturer Visits in technical areas of interests
  4. Promoting the participation of industrial partners in current activities and thus creating more links with academics
  5. Enabling all members from either society to belong to the joint chapter without having to join the other society, while benefiting from the joint activities
  6. Applying for RAS Chapter Development Grants. These grants, for up to $US2000.00 are awarded to support local symposia and workshops, outreach programs, and educational and professional developments activities.
  7. Receiving job leads on open positions submitted to us by members and partners
  8. Networking, Networking, Networking!

What we ask from you is to help us with any or all of the following:

  1. Joining RAS or CSS and becoming part of the new JRACS Chapter, if you are not already a member
  2. Submitting topics of interest for technical presentations
  3. Finding or helping to coordinate speakers, plant tours, and events of interest
  4. Volunteering to present or host a technical talk
  5. Finding vendors for providing support for the chapter meeting meals
  6. Volunteering as a Chapter officer (Secretary, Treasurer, Member At Large, etc)
  7. Voting and proposing candidates for the upcoming JRACS Chapter elections
  8. Getting the word out that the JRACS Chapter is active and looking to engage the industrial, governmental, and academic communities for mutual benefit

We are planning to publish and keep updated a regular meeting schedule at the IEEE Huntsville Section Website. The aim is to have at least one technical meeting every other month. Section administrative meetings will be done in tandem with technical meetings or over the web/phone.

Finally, we will have a kick off networking meeting – technical event soon, stay tuned. Please send you comments to L.G.Barajas@ieee.org.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

G. Wayne Kendrick, CSS Member
Chapter Chair IEEE Joint Robotics & Automation – Controls Systems (JRACS) Society, IEEE Huntsville Section
gwkendrick@charter.net
(256) 955-0444

Leandro G. Barajas, Ph.D., PMP, IEEE SM, CSS Member, RAS Member
Chapter Vice­-Chair IEEE Joint Robotics & Automation – Controls Systems (JRACS) Society, IEEE Huntsville Section
L.G.Barajas@ieee.org
(248)705-8192