Chris J. Brantley is IEEE-USA's Managing Director, with responsibility for managing the IEEE-USA Washington office, supporting the IEEE-USA's Board of Directors, serving on the IEEE Management Council, and providing overall direction to IEEE-USA's government relations programs, member and professional activities and communications efforts. Brantley was previously IEEE-USA's Director of Government Relations and Operations. Prior to joining the IEEE in 1989, he served as Assistant to the Executive Director of the American Association of Engineering Societies. Brantley holds the Juris Doctorate and a Masters in Law and International Affairs from the American University's Washington College of Law and School of International Service, respectively. He received his B.A. in political science from Mercer University in Atlanta. Brantley is licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia, and is currently an adjunct Professor at the Washington College of Law, where he teaches a graduate seminar on International Courts.

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This presentation highlights engineers, their public and professional responsibilities, and enlightened self interest in becoming informed and proactive on public policy issues.  The presentation helps answer the following questions:

1. Why should engineers speak out on policy issues?

2. How do the decisions made in Washington and in your state capital affect you and your future in engineering?

3. What are some of the current (federal, state or local) policy issues that concern engineers, and what can you do about them?

4. How does IEEE promote your career and public policy interests, what resources are available to help you become a Citizen Engineer, and why is association membership a valuable asset for you?

The presentation can be tailored to a specific policy issue of concern.

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The word in the halls of Congress and in the states is that the best way to influence legislation and public policy is through grassroots activism. This presentation explains what grassroots activism is; highlights why and how it is proving effective; describes methods of organizing grassroots networks; distinguishes regular grassroots from "grass-tops" approaches; and offers a practical primer on grassroots activism, including writing effective grassroots letters, meeting with your lawmaker, and generating media/public awareness of your concerns. The presentation can be narrowed to address a specific issue or type of grassroots activity. The goal of the presentation is to educate and motivate IEEE members to become effective grassroots advocates on behalf of their interests and IEEE-USA's Legislative Agenda.

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This presentation provides a basic overview of the Congressional and Executive Branches of the Federal Government and their respective roles in legislating and implementing industrial and technology policy. The presentation highlights the constitutional powers, organization, and budget cycle of the Federal government. The speaker will focus on opportunities for engineers to effectively participate in and influence the public policy process as individuals and through the programs of the IEEE-USA.

03/08