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Advancing Microelectronics • Volume 29, No. 1 • January/February, 2002
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2002 — Sharpen your Saw
 The start of another year, another issue of Advancing Microelectronics ... and opportunities abound to share some knowledge, learn new information, and see the latest and greatest developments!
The title of this article, as many of you may recognize, is one of the principles of Steven Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” This principle, or habit, talks about renewing ourselves in 4 dimensions — Physical, Mental, Social/Emotional, and Spiritual. Let’s discuss two of these in more detail — the Mental and the Social/Emotional. But first, let’s set the baseline. Or do we even have to do that? After all, we’re all Microelectronic Packaging professionals, right?
Microelectronic Packaging is a pretty broad term. It encompasses several interconnected technologies, and some unique technologies as well. It applies to all facets of the industry, from the most basic interconnect/carrier to a highly complex three dimensional structure with imbedded capabilities. Costs for design, development, and manufacture can vary widely from one side of the curve to the other. So how can we all band together as Microelectronics Packaging professionals to network, share, and learn from each other?
One of the best methods we have developed for addressing this wide variety of interests is by focusing on the subcategories within our industries, and holding highly focused mini-symposia on these subjects. These mini-symposia come in two flavors — Advanced Technology Workshops (ATWs) and Conferences. In addition to our Conference in Denver this September, industry experts have proposed several focused Workshops for the coming year, as shown in the chart.
These workshops and events provide the perfect setting for sharpening our Mental dimension (reading, visualizing, planning, writing) as well as the Social/Emotional (service, empathy, synergy, intrinsic security). Not only can you attend a workshop (or better yet, submit an abstract to present), thereby sharpening your mental skills, but you can also develop synergy with other attendees, and improve your social/emotional dimension.
Additional information on any of these events can be found on the website at www.imaps.org (or contact Headquarters at 888-GO-IMAPS). The website can provide you with information on how to submit abstracts as well as how to register for an event.
Several of these events also provide an exhibit opportunity, for attendees to see what’s new and different in the field. Exhibitors should contact Ann Bell, abell@imaps.org, for more information on availability and pricing.
In addition to Workshops at the national level, several regions or chapters hold mini-conferences and symposia that attract local members. These programs have been very successful in attracting top-flight presentations and providing additional resources for members to learn from and share.
Many chapters who hold regular meetings have a guest speaker at these meetings, who talk on a topical technique, product, methodology, tool, or development. The guest speaker often sparks a lively discussion on the pitfalls and benefits of their topic, and also provides an ideal opportunity for fellowship and idea interchange. Many chapters are receptive to ideas for talks or presentations; I would encourage you to contact your local chapter (available at www.imaps.org) to discuss your idea for a presentation topic with them.
Why bother to volunteer (the Service aspect of Social/Emotional)? After all, although I willingly volunteer to be the Editor of this magazine, there are some days when I wonder what I will write about or if anyone even bothers to read what I write. However, if none of us volunteer, if we all only take and never give back, how will we grow as individuals? How will we, as a Society, grow? Granted, timing may be a factor in when we volunteer, and interest is definitely a factor in what we volunteer for; but stretching ourselves beyond our comfort zone often provides the greatest rewards. In that vein, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the many volunteers who help our Society continue to grow and prosper. It is the dedication of all the program committees, the newsletter editors, the local and national officers, and the countless others who volunteer to man the registration booths, print the badges, work the logistics, and sometimes get the headaches (!) who help to provide us all with these great opportunities for learning, networking, and growing. And lest we forget, without the support of the Corporate members and advertisers, as well as our companies who allow us to travel and attend/present, our Society would soon grind to a halt. So the next time you see an advertiser, mention that you’ve seen their spots in the magazine or newsletter, and thank them for supporting IMAPS! And the next time you have some criticism for a volunteer, you may want to think about starting off by thanking them for volunteering, THEN tell them what improvement you suggest. I guarantee you, it will make a difference in that volunteer’s day!
Comments? Suggestions for future editorials? Write me at Mary.McDonald@ Motorola.com.
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