Annual Report '97-'98           AIAA San Francisco

Highlights of Major Accomplishments this Year

1.  Filled all Council positions with one or more volunteers.
2.  Established corporate ties (monetary and in-kind) with Lockheed Martin and NASA Ames Research Ctr.
3.  Produced 11 outstanding Newsletters for our members and extended Newsletter distribution to the
      Sacramento Section in April of '98.
4.  Hosted 10 dinners meetings, two with distinguished lecturers (June '97: Thagard, March '98: Harford).
5.  Produced the very successful summit forum, "Air Travel Safety Initiative '97".
6.  Planned the successful June '98 "International Space Station Forum".
7.  Continued precollege outreach efforts including: teacher workshops, family fairs, Discover E, science fair judging, essay contests, student scholarships, and model airplane contests.
8.  Co-sponsored, two, major precollege events:  "Space Day '98" with the ASP, Lockheed Martin and NASA and "Discovery Day" with The Tech Museum of Innovation and Johns Hopkins University.
9.  Revived the UCBerkeley student chapter and established a  "sister city" student section with AIDAA-Eurovia, Milano, Italy.
 

Section Organization

1.  Officers:
 Chairperson:   Juanita Ryan
 Vice-Chairperson:  Glen Carl
 Secretary:   Kevin James
 Treasurer:   John Bosco and Steve Altus
 

2.  Council Directors:
 Membership:   Dan Stuart and Juanita Ryan
 Public Policy:   Seth Kurasaki and Roger Martinez
 Education:   George Crothall
 Precollege:   Lynda Ardema, Tom Clausen, and Juanita Ryan
 Honors & Awards:  Srini Srinivasan
 Technical:   Jack Houle and Peter Loewenhardt
 Young Members:  Matt Jardin
 Career Enhancement:  Vince Guinnane and Kay Sundaram
 Programs:   Glen Carl and Daniela Cambie'
 Newsletter Editor:  Steve Jaeger
 RAC Rep.:   Juanita Ryan and Glen Carl
 Webmaster:   Tsung-Chou Fang
 National Public Policy:  Norman Bergrun
 

3.  Number of council/officer meetings held during the year:  12
       Average attendance:  16

4.  Percentage of membership voting in last election:  <5%

5.  Number of officers attending the Section Leadership Conference:  3

6.  Estimated membership located within 45 minutes of the meetings:  80%

7.  Number of student chapters within the Section:  4
 a.  Stanford
  b.  UC-Berkeley
 c.  San Jose State University
 d.  Santa Clara University
 

Meetings, Programs, and Events
1.  Describe the section's general meetings.  Include topic, number of meetings,
average attendance, and joint sponsorship.

Date____________Topic____ Speaker_______________  Attendance_
June 19, 1997  Honors & Awards Banquet  Norm Thagard   83
   Topic:  Space Station MIR
July 17, 1997  Annual Essay Contest Banquet G. Warren Hall   38
   Topic:  The Wright Brothers
September 18, 1997 The Search for Life on Mars  Chris McKay   48
October 16, 1997 NASA's New Aviation Safety Program Cynthia Null   19
November 20, 1997 Industrial Diamonds   Michael Drory                  18
December 11, 1997 Reuse of Onizuka   Rich Davies                    21
   (joint meeting with AFCEA)
January 15, 1998 Cannon's Law and MilliArc Seconds Brad Parkinson                   50
   (joint meeting with AHS)
February 27, 1998 Engineers Week Banquet (joint*) Burton Richter   n/a
March 18, 1998 How the Russians Tried to Beat Us .. . Jim Harford   96
   (joint meeting with SVEC)
April 16, 1998  Air Disasters:  Lessons Learned Stephen Andrew  25
May 21, 1998  Galileo Scholarship Awards Dinner Alan Binder   54
______  Topic:  Lunar Prospector_________________________________________
* Co-sponsored with 23 other engineering societies (SVEC).  Attendance was over 500.  No society-specific attendance was tracked by SVEC.
2.  Describe any young member oriented programs, meetings, or activities.
     The very popular "daVinci forums" were continued this year.  Held on the last Wednesday of each month, the forum was an informal discussion series where young members could gather after work to discuss technical topics in an informal setting.  This year the group continued work on a robot for possible entry in the Robot Wars this summer.  Plans were also made to coordinate group activities at the upcoming Mars Society meeting to be held in Boulder, Colorado in August '98.
3.  Describe any career enhancement programs, meetings, or activities.
     The career enhancement directors continued to update the career web pages which included:  Jobs Bulletin Board, Online Resume Service, Career Search links, Online Consultants Service, Career Place-ment contact information, Continuing Education contact information, Local Aerospace News service, and link to the AIAA National employment webpages.  In addition, joint activities with ASME (including a tour of a local micro-brewery) were presented to expand the networking base, and plans were made for a September '98 Career Enhancement Seminar.

4.  Describe your most unique meeting or program based upon subject, format, location, etc.
A Category #3 rebate enabled the Section to sponsor the "Air Travel Safety Initiative 1997" on October 20, 1997.  Organized by AIAA Vice-chair, Glen Carl and co-sponsored by NASA Ames Research Center, the panel discussion event, held at Spangenberg Theatre located at Gunn High School in Palo Alto, drew an attendance of approximately 150.  The free forum provided the public with first-hand knowledge of initiatives addressing air safety and the opportunity to voice their concerns. Panelists included representatives from NASA, San Francisco International Airport, Oakland Airport Air Traffic Control, and the National Travel Safety Board.  Jeanne McElhatton, co-founder of the Fear of Flying Clinic served as the forum's guest speaker.  Past AIAA Chair, Dr. Brian Haas served as moderator.   Major topics of discussion included aircraft maintenance and reliability, airline human factors, air traffic control, and airport and aircraft security issues.  Exhibit space in the lobby was sold,  and the Section provided a prominent membership display .
      NASA Ames managed the publicity for the event (press releases, e-mail releases, flyers, posters, etc.) The Section also publicized in the Section Newsletter and e-mail listserve.  Audio and video taping was provided by NASA Ames for possible broadcast on NASA-TV.  Video tapes were created and sold after the event.  This event served as an excellent "template" for the planning of a second public forum on the "International Space Station" hosted by the Section on June 11, 1998.

5.  Describe each SPECIAL EVENT held this year.  Please include the following:  (1) goal, purpose and topic of the event, (2) target audience, (3) type of publicity, (4) company support, if any and (5) if the event attracted new or student members.
The Section held several Special Events this year.  Although AIAA information was prominently displayed at every event, we are not able to determine how many new memberships were a result of each of the events.  This year's Special Events included:

•  AIAA Family Mini-Space Fair: The Section continued its third year of sponsoring a "Family Mini-Space Fair" at The Tech Museum of Innovation in conjunction with the city of San Jose's annual Tapestry & Talent celebration.  Held on August 30 & 31 and September 1, the event drew crowds numbering over 35,000.  Visitors to our AIAA booth had the opportunity to receive AIAA information, sign up for a teacher workshop, enjoy a rocket display, and participate in creating a paper kite, space helmet, sun symbol, or paper airplane. This public science literacy event was funded by the Section.  The Tech Museum provided a lunch for all volunteers.  Volunteers included Section members, student members, Educator associate members, and Explorer Scout Troop 2100.  The event was highly publicized on television, radio, and in local newspapers.

•  NASA Ames Open House Community Day: By special invitation, the Section was invited to participate in NASA Ames' Open House Community Day held on Saturday, September 20.  The overall theme was "Partnerships".  Over 250,000 people attended this one-day event.  The Section took this opportunity to showcase AIAA and its many activities and opportunities.  A membership display featured information of Section activities (including the up-coming Air Travel Safety Forum) and pictures of past precollege outreach events.  Membership info, applications, samples of Aerospace America and AIAA technical journals, AIAA balsa gliders and rulers, etc. were distributed during the day.  In addition, two laptop commuters, one opened to the National AIAA website, the other to the SF Section Website, were manned by AIAA volunteers to inform the public of on-going activities at the Section and National levels.  A small television/vcr replayed the AIAA video, "Fast Forward to the Future" throughout the day.      Because this was a family event, the Section also took the opportunity to host a Mini-Space Fair area. AIAA volunteers (student, retired, regular, and Ed Associates) helped thousands of youngsters (and the young-at-heart) assemble paper kites and Hubble telescopes.  In addition, we featured a model rocket display, an Explorer Scout display, a model airplane info table, and a teacher's resource area.  Because we were one of the few "partners" to provide an activity for children, our booth was never empty.  Volunteers worked non-stop throughout the day - - while the children constructed their models in the "Space Fair Area", parents learned more about AIAA at the membership table.      A VIP dinner was held the evening before where both the Chair and Vice-Chair were able to meet with local dignitaries, including the mayors of Mt. View and Sunnyvale, the NASA Director, and local corporate executives.  This also proved to be an opportunity to make contact with future dinner speaker candidates.  The event was publicized in local newspapers, tv, and radio.
•  Air Travel Safety Initiative 1997: This special event held on Monday, October 20, 997, is described, above, as our "most unique program".
•  Production of Discovery E Video The Section Chair's fifth grade class was selected by Lockheed Martin to be filmed for a promo video to be used to encourage engineers to participate in the Discover E program.  Two hours of filming resulted in the production of a two minute video entitled, "Because We Care".  The film was shown throughout Lockheed Martin on ETV and at various Discover E functions.  Lockheed Martin provided the film crew and engineers who presented to the students during the filming.
•  Discovery Day:      A joint venture with The Tech Museum of Innovation and Johns Hopkins University, Discovery Day provided approximately 100 5th and 6th grade students the opportunity to spend a day in the heart of Silicon Valley exploring science and technology with AIAA scientists and engineers.  Held on Saturday, April 18, the theme for the day was "Flight and Space Exploration".  The keynote speakers were Dr. Seth Shostak of the SETI Institute ("The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence") and Dr. Alan Binder of the Lunar Research Institute ("Lunar Prospector").      Twelve scientists and engineers offered 15-20 minute presentations in their fields of expertise to rotating groups of 6-8 students (and their parents).  A hands-on activity followed with discussions about their  chosen profession and, often times, their role as AIAA members.  A keynote address preceded and concluded the "hands-on" presentations.      This public science literacy event was publicized by The Tech in the local media and by the Section in the monthly newsletter, website, and listserve.  Funding for some of the hands-on supplies was provided by the Section.  Lunches for all volunteers were provided by The Tech Museum.
•  Wright Flyer Visit to Toyon Elementary School:By special arrangement between the LA Section Wright Flyer team and the SF Section Chair, San Jose was one of three sites chosen for a public viewing of the Wright Flyer replica.  Almost 300 children, parents, and "aviation enthusiasts"  turned out on Sunday, April 26, to view the Flyer which was on its way to NASA Ames Research Center for testing in the 80'x120' wind tunnel.  Lead by co-chair, Jack Cherne, the team of 13 treated the participants to both formal and informal presentations and up-close tours of the Flyer.  The SF Section provided  make-and-take activities for the young including a paper airplane contest and constructing paper kites and edible Wright Flyers.  The Wright Flyer team joined in on the fun and assisted the very young with designing very "unusual" paper airplanes!      At NASA Ames' request there was no publicity for this activity.  (A formal press conference was to be held at Ames two days later.)  The AIAA logo was prominently displayed on banners and on each of the paper kites.  The SF Section provided funding for the make-and-take activities .  The Toyon School PTA provided lunch for the Wright Flyer team members.  This was a very successful joint LA/SF Section public science literacy event.
•  Space Day 98: At the request of Lockheed Martin president, Mike Henshaw, to "come up with an event which AIAA, Lockheed Martin, and NASA Ames could put on", the SF Council Chair initiated a precollege event centered around Lockheed Martin's annual celebration of "Space Day" (commemorating John Kennedy's challenge to NASA to put a man on the moon prior to 1970).  Co-sponsored by AIAA, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Lockheed Martin, and NASA Ames Research Center, the event brought 1250 students (and 250 teachers and chaperones) to Hangar One at Moffett Field on Thursday, May 21.  Under the theme of "Space Day '98 with Lunar Prospector" students spent the day completing hands-on science activities, listening to project scientists, sending their signatures into space, and talking with Astronaut Mike Coats.     The event was funded with donations from the Section, Lockheed Martin, and NASA Ames Research Center.  300 volunteers were enlisted by all four co-sponsors.  An AIAA information table was prominently displayed and manned throughout the day by volunteers.  The event was attended by local media and aired on the evening news and in local newspapers.

• distributing AIAA membership information at all Section activities (dinner meetings, PCO activities, forums, teacher workshops, etc.) and at many non-Section activities (science conferences, AFA meetings, corporate meetings, advisory board meetings, etc.)
• setting up a special AIAA tabletop display (borrowed from Western Region Office) at each of the following special events:  NASA  Open House Community Day, DSC Conference, Lockheed Martin's Engineers' Week Open House,  National Engineers' Week Banquet, and Space Day.
•  personal visits made by the Section Chair to K. Michael Henshaw, President of Lockheed Martin and Dr. Harry McDonald, Director of NASA Ames, to discuss Section activities and solicit their support in encouraging their employees to join AIAA.      The visits with Mr. Henshaw resulted in:  Lockheed Martin's purchase of 10 months of full-page ad space in the Section Newsletter, permission to use the in-house ETV system to announce AIAA events and/or recruit volunteers for AIAA activities, the challenge to produce a joint AIAA, Lockheed Martin, and NASA Ames activity (Space Day), and an invitation to "visit" when assistance or advice was needed.      The visit with Dr. McDonald resulted in an invitation to make a formal presentation to the Ames Manage-ment Council where the Section Chair gave an overview of AIAA and its goals, objectives, and many activities.  This resulted in:  the offer to support Section  activities through their External Affairs depart-ment, the use of their in-house e-mail system to announce AIAA events and/or recruit volunteers for AIAA activities, and an invitation to hold recruitment seminars in the Ames cafeteria "Galileo Room".

Honors and Awards
1.  Describe any local section awards given to members and supporters.

•  Galileo Memorial Scholarship Awards: Galileo Scholarship Awards are open to high school seniors who intend to pursue a career in engineering, mathematics, or physical or natural sciences.  The scholarship program was established in 1973 by the SF Section and NASA Ames Research Center as a memorial to the men who perished onboard the Galileo I aircraft on April 12, 1973.      This year almost 200 applications were received.  Cash awards and certificates were presented to the two winners and three runners-up during the Annual Galileo Awards Banquet held this year on May 21.  Dr. Alan Binder (of Lunar Prospector fame) was the special guest speaker for the evening.

•  Engineer of the Year Awards:

•  AIAA Length of Service Recognition:

•  Council Recognition:

•  Precollege Outreach Award:

•  Educator Associate Award:

2.  List members nominated for national or regional honors and awards.  Please include (1) nominee's name, (2) award, and (3) status.
This year, two nominations for the National "Engineer of the Year" award were submitted:
 1)  Dr. Stephen M. Rock, Professor of Aeronautics, Stanford University
       Nominator:  Dr. Nelson Pedreiro, Lockheed Martin
       Status:  TBD
 2)  Dr. Bradford W. Parkinson, Edward C. Wells Professor of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Stanford
       Nominator:  Dr. Merlin Dorfman, Cisco Systems
       Status:  TBD
Note:  This year, the Section was pleased to see six of its members receive National awards at the 36th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit held in Reno, Nevada on January 13, 1998.  The recipients were:
 Glen Carl, First Place, Career Enhancement (Third Place, Public Policy)
 George Crothall and Juanita Ryan, First Place, Precollege Outreach
 Brian Menges and Carlos Guadiamos, National Student Paper Award
 Professor Milton VanDyke, Fluid Dynamics Award
In May of '98, five people were nominated by the SF Section Chair for Special Service Citations:

•  For providing advice, encouragement, and support to the Chair of the SF Section:

•  For providing monetary support, advice, and encouragement to the Chair of the SF Section:

•  For his outstanding efforts in coordinating the summit forum,  "Air Travel Safety Initiative 1997":

3.  Describe the purpose and criteria for selection of any new awards established this year.
Because the Special Service Citations did not arrive from AIAA Headquarters, the Section Chair (and her 5th grade class) took it upon themselves to create a "Section" Special Service Citation for the three men who had provided sustained support to the Chair during the 97-98 Council year:  Dr. Dorfman, Dr. Haas, and Dr. Bergrun.   A student art contest was held on the theme of:  "Coming to the Rescue".  The
winning artwork depicted Superman saving a woman in distress from a falling steel beam.  Three color
copies of the winning piece were made and professionally mounted on plaques along with the originally planned citation.  The awards (nicknamed the "Superman Award") were presented to two very surprised, but very appreciative recipients.  (Merlin Dorfman and Brian Haas received their awards.  Norm Bergrun was on travel in Washington, DC. and will receive his award at an up-coming dinner meeting.)
Technical Activities
1.  Describe local technical committees, their function and activities for this year.
The very popular "daVinci forums" were continued this year.  Held on the last Wednesday of each month,
the forum was an informal discussion series where young members could gather after work to discuss technical topics in an informal setting.  This year the group continued work on a robot for possible entry in the Robot Wars this summer.  Plans were also made to coordinate group activities at the upcoming Mars Society meeting to be held in Boulder, Colorado in August '98.

2.  Describe any technical symposia and short courses not described in details elsewhere in this report.
The SF Section of AIAA held 10 technical dinner meetings in FY 1997.  These were all on technical subjects of local interest:  five on space related subjects; four on aviation related subjects; one on process related matter.  Over 500 people attended these meetings.  Added programs were a model airplane flying contest with 75 participants and an AIAA-sponsored role in the NASA Ames Research Center Open House where over 250,000 people attended and were introduced to AIAA local activities.

Education Activities
1.  List the student branches within the section and describe any section activities
related to these branches.
      This year we saw a good number of student members attending many of the monthly dinner meetings and participating in many of the Section precollege outreach activities.  In addition:

•       Stanford University:  The Section supported the Stanford Student branch with a $500 Cat III award.  The award was made to support a group of interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate engineering students with their plan to build a robot to participate in the Lunar Robotics Construction Competition that was held in Albuquerque, NM at SPACE 98.  Although the robot was built, it did not qualify for entry.  Instead, the students featured the robot during the SF Section's celebration of Space Day '98 at Moffett Field on May 21, 1998.  1250 students, 250 teachers and chaperones, and 300 volunteers were treated to robotic demonstrations throughout the day.

•       UCBerkeley:  This year the SF Section saw the very successful revitalization of the UCBerkeley student branch thanks to the efforts of young member and Dinner Programs Director, Daniela Cambie'. Working with the UCBerkeley AIAA faculty advisor and AIAA Headquarters staff, Daniela was able to contact former student branch members and draw in new members to establish regular branch meetings on campus.  Officer elections were held and activities included hosting guest lectures and arranging field trips to local aero/astro sites.

•      San Jose State University:  The Section was pleased to see two of our San Jose State University student members, Carlos Guadiamos and Brian Menges, receive the National Student Award for co-authoring the best paper in the graduate category.  Carlos and Brian were invited to become active members of the Council and were our guests at the Engineers' Week Banquet held on February 27, 1997.
•       Santa Clara University:  Unfortunately, our Santa Clara University student branch was inactive this year.  Discussions were held with the past faculty advisor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.   It was found that due to faculty changes and a change in programs offered at the University, an AIAA student chapter may no longer be appropriate for this campus.  Plans are underway to take another look at this situation at the beginning of the next school term.

•  Family Space Fairs: First established in 1993 in conjunction with AIAA's commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Apollo 11, Family Space Fairs have become extremely successful events sponsored by the Section at various sites.  All Family Fairs included a variety of hands-on activities and hand-outs centered around a particular theme.  Fairs held this year included:

        September 20, 1997 NASA Ames Open House Community Day
         Hangar #1, Moffett Field

•  AIAA/NASA Teacher Workshops: The Section continued its sixth year of Teacher Workshops co-sponsored by NASA Ames Research Center.  Held at various sites in California, the workshops included hands-on science sessions, distribution of curriculum materials, facility tours, and presentations by AIAA members and Educator Associates.

•  Discover E Program: Chaired by AIAA's Education Director, Discover E's goal is to put engineers into K-12 classrooms in an effort to cultivate interest in mathematics and science.  The program was initiated during the third week in February and continued through the end of the school year.  Training sessions were held at corporate sites and supplies were distributed to make the experience a positive one for the engineer, teacher, and students.  Approximately 150 engineers participated, reaching almost 4.500 students.  An Engineers' Banquet was held featuring Nobelaureate, Dr. Burton Richter.  Of special note:  The Education Director and Section Chair were invited to make a formal Discover E presentation to the Lockheed Martin Manage-ment group.  At a special luncheon held later in the year, both were presented with Lockheed Martin volunteer awards.

•  Judging at County Science Fairs: Each year the Section supports the San Francisco Bay Area Science Fair and the Santa Clara County Science & Engineering Fair by providing judges and awards (in the amount of $100 U.S. Savings Bonds). This year, six AIAA members served as judges for these fairs and for a local school science fair.  Six  U.S. savings bonds were awarded this year to students in the San Francisco and Santa Clara County bay area.

•  Annual Essay Contest: Held each year to commemorate Apollo 11's first manned landing on the moon, this year's 10th annual essay contest  asked 7th and 8th grade students to address the topic:  "What Will Be the Benefits of an International Space Station?"  Essays were judged on originality and realism of ideas presented, sound-ness of logic used to develop ideas, and quality of composition and clarity of expression.  Judges included Section members, Educator associates, and local corporate executives from Lockheed Martin, NASA Ames, Space Systems/LORAL, and Cislunar Aerospace.  Ten winners and their teachers will be honored at the Annual Essay Contest Banquet to be held on July 16, 1998.  Astronaut Michael Coats will be the featured speaker.  Prizes include: U.S. savings bonds, scientific calculators, and AIAA seals flown in space.  Note:  The 1996-97 winners were honored at an Essay Contest Banquet held on July 17, 1997.  NASA Chief Test Pilot, G. Warren Hall was the featured speaker.

•  Annual Galileo Memorial Scholarship:Established as a collaborative effort between NASA Ames Research Center and AIAA San Francisco, this annual Scholarship Program is held as a memorial to the NASA men who perished on the Ames Galileo I aircraft on April 12, 1973.  Open to high school seniors who intend to pursue a career in engineering, mathematics, or physical or natural sciences, two $2,750 scholarship and three $500 scholarships were awarded this year.

•  Family Science Lecture Series: In an effort to promote public science literacy, the AIAA Family Science Lecture Series was initiated in February '98 for the Berryessa Union School District's K-8 students and their families.  The monthly science lecture featured prominent scientists who would present a 30 minute lecture followed by 15 minutes of question & answer time.  A "take-home" science kit was given to each child who attended.Speakers scheduled for this year  included:

•  AIAA Design/Duration Model Airplane Contest: Initiated this year by retired AIAA member, George Xenakis, this activity replaces the former annual paper airplane contest usually sponsored by the Section.  Unlike the "annual" paper airplane contest, the Design/Duration Model Airplane program continues year-round.  Building and training sessions are held on the third Saturday of each month in Hangar One, Moffett Field.  The actual contests are held in the Fall and Spring.  Planes are judged on length of flight and/or aesthetic design.  Trophies  are awarded in three age divisions:  11 & under, 12-14, and 15-18.

•  Discovery Day: A  joint venture with The Tech Museum of Innovation and Johns Hopkins University, Discovery Day pro-vided approximately 100 5th and 6th grade students the opportunity to spend a day in the heart of Silicon Valley exploring science and technology with AIAA scientists and engineers on Saturday, April 18.  Plans are underway to make this an annual event.  (This program is described in detail in the "Special Event" section of this report.)

•  Space Day: Co-sponsored by AIAA, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Lockheed Martin, and NASA Ames Research Center, "Space Day  '98 with Lunar Prospector" brought 1250 students (and 250 teachers and chaperones) to Hangar One at Moffett Field on Thursday, May 21, where they had the opportunity to complete hands-on science activities, listen to mission project scientists, send their signatures into space, and talk to Astronaut Mike Coats.  Plans are underway to make this an annual event.  (This program is described in detail in the "Special Event" section of this report.)

3.  Describe any new or revamped service(s) provided to the membership.
The monthly Section newsletter was revamped to include eight pages of information and photographs concerning Section activities and up-coming events.  Special sections were reserved each  month for a  "note from the Chair", "Calendar of Events", "Members' Page", and "Education Update".   In addition, ten months of full-page (paid) ad space was secured from Lockheed Martin.
     Four, new precollege programs were initiated this year.  They include:  the Family Science Lecture Series, Model Airplane Contest, Discovery Day, and Space Day.  (These programs are described at length in the "Education Activities" section of this report.)

4.  Describe any involvement with science clubs, vocational guidance, speakers bureau, science fairs, tutoring, etc.
The Section was involved with the following activities this year:  judging at County Science Fairs (and providing awards), Family Science Lecture Series (lectures to students and parents), and the Discover E Program (putting engineers into the classroom).   (They are described at length in the "Education Activities" section of this report.)  In addition, a group of Section young members made themselves available on a regular basis to local school groups and AIAA student branches for NASA Ames facility tours.
Internet Activity

1.  Does your Section have a home page?  When was it established.
Yes, it was established in 1995.

2.  Who maintains the site and how often is it updated?
     Tsung-Chou Fang, the Section web administrator maintains the system and part of the web pages.  Council members who are using the web as a tool for promoting their activities update the content according to their needs.  Basically, they are updated monthly.

3.  Do you use it to promote upcoming Section Activities?  How?
Section Council members use it to promote their activities by posting the necessary information on the web.

4.  Does your Section reference other section pages to keep up-to-date on what other Sections are doing?
The San Francisco Section website has many links to other related pages such as: aero job careers, other sections' activities, etc.

5.  Other Activity:
 The Section actively utilizes the web by e-mailing information regarding Section activities to local members and other interested parties.  The web is also used as a communication medium for a member to seek assistance from others, eg., asking for help in obtaining technical information from other members.

Financial Summary

Beginning Balance on 7/31/97     $19,032.35

 Checking Account $   2,589.34
 Savings Account $   5,884.83
 CD Account  $10,185.74
 Bulk Mail Account $        372.44

Section Rebate  $   9,057.32
Other Income*   $   8,207.65
Expenses   $17,191.34

Estimated Ending Balance on 5/31/98    $19,105.98

* Other income:  dinner meeting fees, interest, newsletter advertising, Air Travel Safety display  fees, ATSI video sales, CAT III rebates, Section awards.

Problems and Goals

1.  Identify any problems/concerns facing the section.
The major cost of producing and delivering a quality Newsletter to our membership has always been a concern.  Fortunately, ad sales covered the costs of this years' Newsletter and will cover the cost of part of next year's.  Also, a bi-monthly, 12-page format was tried for the June/July issue.  This did not cut down on the quality of the Newsletter itself, but in fact, enhanced it.  This format will enable the production of a high quality Newsletter at a lower cost.
     Establishing ties with local companies is always a need.  This year we were fortunate to establish ties with Lockheed Martin and NASA Ames Research Center.  This needs to continue to expand to other com-panies.
     Although we were fortunate to fill all Council positions with one or more volunteers, officer retention is always a concern.  The demands of work play a big role in allowing volunteers to continue without going
through "burn-out".  Multiple volunteers in each Council position works well.
     Although the Section produced many excellent activities for its membership, more technical activities
are needed.  In addition, more outreach to our student branches is encouraged.

2.  Recommend up to three (3) priority goals for next year.
 1.  Produce more technical activities for the Section membership.
 2.  Establish stronger ties with the Section's AIAA student chapters.
 3.  Continue to establish ties with local companies

Other
It has been a very busy year.  The Section was able to serve its membership well.  This was only possible because of the hard work and dedication of each of the Council members.  Their unquestioning support and willingness to participate in the planning and production of Section activities and events cannot pos-sibly be surpassed.  In addition, we were fortunate to have the assistance of three "seasoned" mentors:  Norm Bergrun, Merlin Dorfman, and Brian Haas. Their advice and encouragement proved to be invaluable.