The Communications Society's Global Chapter Chairs Congress 2001, held in San Antonio November 25-28 was a resounding success.  Approximately 2/3 of ComSoc's 150 chapter chairs worldwide attended the Congress.  In addition to the chapter chairs, the Congress was attended "in force" by ComSoc elected officials and IEEE and ComSoc staff.

The agenda (available in detail at the GCCC website http://www.comsoc.org/gccc/index.html) included opening and closing addresses by elected ComSoc officials, presentations from IEEE and ComSoc staff on support services that are available, presentations from 10 chapters chairs on ideas and activities that work well in their areas, workshop sessions to discuss and develop recommendations for new or enhanced activities, and numerous networking events.

Here are a few comments from attendees:

"I felt  privileged to be able to meet with participants from all over the world and discuss common problems and solutions. It was truly inspiring to see how people from diverse backgrounds can work together to solve problems that we all face.  I look forward to other such successes in the future."  Tom Jepsen, Eastern North Carolina Chapter

'I received a lot of new information about ComSoc activities and met a lot of colleagues from other Chapters. I am sure that the Congress was useful for all other attendees as well."  Dmitry Tkachenko, Chairman of St. Petersburg ComSoc Chapter (Russia)

"I think that the GCCC was a complete success.  Certainly, now we have ideas that we can implement in our chapters around the world for our benefit."   Araceli Garcia, Guadalajara, Mexico

"As an in-coming chairperson and hence a relative new-boy, I got a tremendous benefit from networking at the conference and making new contacts and friends - I also learnt a lot of quite valuable material which will undoubtedly be most useful to me next year when I take over from Trevor Clarkson."   Peter C.J. Hill, Cranfield University at RMCS Shrivenham (UK)

"The unique opportunity to meet and to hear the views of ComSoc Chairs and members from each Region was of great value to me personally and an excellent forum for focusing on the many common issues facing ComSoc and the IEEE generally.  The workshops harnessed the diversity of the GCCC, to capture and address common matters of concern, resulting in a number of GCCC resolutions whose implementation will further contribute to the effectiveness of the IEEE Communications Society.  Erik Lensson, Chair, IEEE Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Section

"I was very satisfied with the high level of preparation and operation of the GCCC. It was nearly perfect, even if it was only a first occurrence."  Byeong Gi Lee, Director, Membership Development

"I can report that the GCCC was a complete success.  Not only did we get together and generate some great ideas that we can implement in our chapters as well as at the IEEE and ComSoc level but we also achieved that most important goal of 'Networking the World'.  The contacts and friendships formed as a result of bringing us all together from around the globe will give the Society the energy to move forward in these uncertain times."  Ian Glenn, Ottawa

"I'm back in my office this morning after spending a delightful 5 days at GCCC. I must tell you that I usually think conferences are boring and I cannot wait to leave and return home, BUT THIS WAS THE EXCEPTION. What a tremendous experience! And a major part in making this successful was the flawless logistics and arrangements. You did a fantastic job!!! Everything went smoothly, the rooms were well suited to the event, the food was excellent, and the flow of information was exceptionally efficient."   Martin Roden, Los Angeles

"My impression is that the event far exceeded all our expectations.  In my closing remarks, I commented that even though it was the "end" of the event, it was a "beginning" of great accomplishments going forward.  Personally, it was GREAT to meet all the chapter chairs!"   Doug Zuckerman, VP, Membership Development

Ron Horn, GCCC Chair

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Ron Horn

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