[BC] What the SBE should be .. and should not be

[Mario Hieb]

Sorry Chris, I disagree; this is an excellent forum to discuss SBE related 
issues. It's good that many of these things see the light of day.

Before I go on, I should say that I've been a Chapter Chairman, SBE Board 
nominee and have recruited many members. Let me also say that SBE does do 
many good things for it's members.

Let me again distill the issues I have with SBE:

1. SBE should be ONLY a professional organization. It should not be in the 
engineering business. It should not be involved in NFL volunteer frequency 
coordination; NFL should hire a good frequency coordinator. Sorry Ray, but 
I don't share your belief that NFL or the TV networks (including your 
employer, Viacom) can't afford to pay for it.

SBE should not be subsidizing the NFL; they should not recruit volunteers 
to provide discount engineering services to a for-profit entity. SBE does 
not stand for Subsidized By Engineers.

2. SBE is too interested in tangential issues, such as NFL coordination. It 
doesn't focus on what professional organizations should be doing. Often, 
the interests of the engineer differ from the interests of the 
client/employer. SBE should support only the engineer, that's what it's 
chartered to do.

3. SBE doesn't set high standards of professionalism. Professionals do not 
volunteer services to for-profit entities.

4. SBE doesn't set minimum levels of education for engineers. All other 
professions require this.

5. SBE doesn't live by their Code of Ethics. NFL GDC is an example of this.

6. SBE doesn't police their own membership.

7. SBE (to my knowledge) doesn't promote the protection of life and safety 
of the general public. Yes, there are life and safety issues in broadcast 
engineering.

8. SBE doesn't ask the question: "Is this in the best, long-term interest 
of the profession?"


Chris, if you watch this list, you know that many engineers are frustrated 
with their lot in life. They are seen professionally as something slightly 
higher than a janitor.

SBE could do so much to help this problem. All it would take would be to 
adopt a few techniques that have worked well for other professions and be 
the best example of high professional standards.



Mario





At 11:06 AM 5/18/2005, you wrote:

>Message: 18
>Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 10:27:17 -0500
>From: "Scherer, Chriss" <CSCHERER at primediabusiness.com>
>Subject: [BC] RE: SBE Focus - specific responses
>
>
>Mario:
>I have again shared your comments with Ray Benedict. As president of the 
>SBE he or his designate is the spokesman for the Society. He has asked me 
>to share this with you and this list.