The IEEE Computer Society - How to Join and Volunteer
By Susan Land, On 6/9/09 4:15 PM
One of the questions that I am often asked by individuals wishing to volunteer to support the IEEE Computer Society (IEEE-CS) is “How do I join?” and “How might I best contribute?” As the IEEE and Computer Society have grown, signing up for the correct communities has become a challenge, it is hard to know where you might best fit within the organization and locate these so that you are included when you sign up to join the Society. There are also many membership options and it is important to understand what is offered, so that you might maximize your membership experience and volunteer potential.
I thought it might be useful to describe the registration process, along with potential communities of interest, and how to sign up for these as well.
IEEE enrollment
You can join IEEE by visiting the Membership Website. Membership renewals can also be processed through the online application process. There are two basic “starter” IEEE membership categories – the professional grade or student grade. It is important for individuals to understand our membership requirements as these requirements are meant to be inclusive. Excerpts from IEEE Bylaws Section I-104: Membership Qualifications:
- Member. The grade of Member is limited to those who have satisfied IEEE-specified educational requirements and/or who have demonstrated professional competence in IEEE-designated fields of interest. For admission or transfer to the grade of Member, a candidate shall be either
(a) | An individual who shall have received a three-to-five year university-level or higher degree (i) from an accredited institution or program and (ii) in an IEEE-designated field, both of which are defined in IEEE Bylaw I-104.11; or |
(b) | An individual who shall have received a three-to-five year university-level or higher degree from an accredited institution or program and who has at least three years of professional work experience engaged in teaching, creating, developing, practicing or managing in IEEE-designated fields; or |
(c) | An individual who, through at least six years of professional work experience, has demonstrated competence in teaching, creating, developing, practicing or managing within IEEE-designated fields. |
- Student Member.
(a) | A Student Member must satisfy the following conditions (1) carry at least 50% of a normal full-time academic program as a registered undergraduate or graduate student in a regular course of study in IEEE-designated fields; and (2) not yet qualify for Member grade. The total cumulative period for a member to hold the Student Member grade and/or the Graduate Student Member grade shall be limited to 8 years. |
Qualifying Fields of Interest:
- Engineering;
- Computer sciences and information technology;
- Biological and medical sciences;
- Mathematics;
- Physical sciences;
- Technical communications, education, management, law and policy.
Applicants will need the referral of another IEEE or Society member; if you need a referral contact the Ombudsman or IEEE Computer Society governance staff at 1-202-371-0101. Once you join you will need to create an IEEE web account.
After you join the IEEE you should also look at the list of available related IEEE professional organizations. If you would like to support and develop Standards, join the IEEE Standards Association. If you want to support diversity, try IEEE Women in Engineering. Also, check out our many societies. If you are working in a computer-related field, then you should consider joining the IEEE Computer Society. Joining the IEEE Computer Society
There are two membership options, 1) join both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society, or 2) join the IEEE Computer Society as an IEEE affiliate member. If you join just the Computer Society, then you are considered an affiliate member of the IEEE. You are entitled to all Computer Society benefits and services, but you are not entitled to IEEE member benefits. It is important to understand this distinction, but if your desire is to only provide support, or derive benefits, from the Computer Society, then affiliate membership may be for you.
Once you sign up as an IEEE Computer Society or Computer Society Affiliate member you will need to create a web account. This account will provide you with access to areas of the IEEE and IEEE Computer Society websites that are available to our membership. This account is your personal link to the Association and allows you to customize communication and establish your own profile within the organization. Also be sure to complete your Technical Interest Profile (TIP) as this will help the various groups within the IEEE Computer Society understand your areas of interest. Find your Community
Once you have established your web account, it is easy to volunteer to support communities within the IEEE Computer Society that align with your area of interest. Student Activities: As a student member you might be interested in starting, or joining, a student club or in attending a student branch of the IEEE Computer Society. Standards: To support standards activities check out the list of sponsors and projects. Each of the standards activities has supporting web sites which identify the ways to volunteer. For example, the Software and Systems Engineering Standards Committee (S2ESC) has a link for volunteers who wish to join. Technical and Conference Activities: A description of IEEE Computer Society technical and conference activities is provided as well as the link to join these communities. For individuals interested in conference attendance, support, or organization this conference information is also available. Regional and Membership Activities: If you are interested in providing support for local activities such as speaking to local chapters, awards activities, or in forming a local IEEE Computer Society chapter. Participation as a volunteer supporting regional and membership activities may appeal to you. Publications: If you are interested in finding publications and publishing resources you may want to check out information to support these activities. Summary
Take steps to get the most from your IEEE Computer Society membership today. The IEEE Computer Society is a technical professional association and we are always looking for members who will become actively engaged. To summarize the process for joining:
1) Become a member of IEEE and/or the IEEE Computer Society (create your web account)
2) Check out related IEEE professional organizations (WIE, Standards Association)
3) Become an active member of one of our communities of interest (standards, technical and conference, regional and/or Student, publications, etc.)
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